By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — It’s fall in the Rockford region, and there are plenty of reasons for you to leave the house.
This week you can partake in a couple of guided fall hikes, test your courage at haunted houses, shop a fall market or celebrate Oktoberfest. There are non-season events, too, from multiple shows at the Coronado Performing Arts Center to community celebrations and car shows.
You can peruse our events page for more events, including recurring activities like Food Truck Tuesday and Rockford City Market. Or check out our list below for 16 sweet ideas for fun this week.
More news: Visitor spending hits record level in Winnebago County, new data shows
Frolic through fall colors
About: Naturalist Liz Weiner will host a guided hike through Severson Dell’s grasslands for this Fall Colors Hike. This hike falls a few days after autumn equinox and a few days before the harvest full moon.
Where: Severson Dells, 8786 Montague Road, Rockford
When: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26
Info: Go HERE
Experience ‘Encanto’
About: “Encanto: The Sing-Along Film Concert” allows fans of the Disney musical to watch the full Academy Award-winning film while a live band performs the hit songs, including “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and “Surface Pressure.” Live characters do not appear in this event.
When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27
Where: Coronoado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Admission: Tickets start at $25
Info/tickets: Go HERE
Go on the Howl at the Moon Hike
About: Retired Forest Preserves of Winnebago County Deputy Tim Speer will lead a night hike through Oak Ridge Forest Preserve. Experience the preserves at night, listen for nocturnal wildlife and snack on s’mores.
Where: Oak Ridge Forest Preserve, 8322 Blomberg Road, Cherry Valley
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29
Info/register: Go HERE
Walk through WWII history
About: Midway Village Museum turns its 148-acre campus into the backdrop of a European village during World War II. The two-day event includes encampments of Allied and Axis troops in the Midway Village woods and elaborate battles complete with tanks, artillery, armored vehicles and pyrotechnic displays.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1
Where: Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford
Admission: $19 ($10 for members); $12 for children ages 5-12 ($8 for members); $14 for veterans and active duty personnel; free for children younger than 4
Tickets/info: Go HERE
Test your courage at Twisted Crypt
About: Twisted Crypt Haunted House is 10,000 square feet of chaos, gore, jump scares and creepy characters. The seasonal scare site is open again this weekend.
Where: 5420 E. State St., Rockford
This week’s hours: 7-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 7-10 p.m. Sunday
Admission: $15
Online: twistedcrypt.com
See Somnium’s return
About: Somnium is a multimedia public art show created and directed by Eddaviel and Emily Klonicki that combines the original music, storytelling, new media, light projection and modern dance for an immersive, reality-bending, multi-sensory experience. This year’s chapter is called “The Book of Water Myths and Legends.”
Where: 702 N. Madison St., Rockford
When: 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30
Admission: $22
Info/tickets: Go HERE
See Daniel O’Donnell
About: Daniel O’Donnell, an Irish singer who is one of the United Kingdom’s most successful recording artists, brings his tour to Rockford. O’Donnell is the only artist in the world to score a hit in the UK album charts every year since 1988.
Where: Coronoado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29
Admission: Tickets start at $29.50
Tickets/info: Go HERE
Face your fears at this festival
About: Northern Illinois Fear Fest celebrates 25 years of seasonal scares this weekend in South Beloit. It includes a haunted barn, haunted hayride and creepy carnival.
Where: 6512 Manchester Road, South Beloit
Admission: $15 each for haunted barn, haunted hayride or creepy carnival. $40 for pass at all three
When: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
Info: Go HERE
Celebrate Oktoberfest
About: German Society of Rockford and Fats Productions Presents put on the annual Oktoberfest at Loves Park City Hall grounds. There will be live music from Nate Troxell, Die Musikmeisters and Edelweiss Band MKE. There is also a stein holding contest, Miss Oktoberfest, authentic German dancing and beer, a souvenir booth, children’s area and more activities.
Where: Loves Park City Hall grounds, 100 Heart Blvd., Loves Park
When: 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, Sept. 30
Admission: $10
Info: Go HERE
Celebrate 85 years of MembersAlliance
About: MembersAlliance Credit Union is hosting a free community celebration with bouncy houses, a bouncy obstacle course, pumpkin painting, jumbo joust, yard games, a foam party for kids, live music and more activities as it marks 85 years in business. There are also multiple food trucks including Sizz N Fizz, TNT Funnel Cakes, Dee Dee’s and Cantina Taco.
Where: Rock Valley College athletic fields, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford.
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30
A tribute to Neil Diamond
About: Vocalist and musician Denny Diamond has traveled the country performing an acoustic tribute to Neil Diamond’s music. Seating is first-come, first-served with a 50-seat limit.
Where: Inscape Collective, 201 Seventh St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30
Comedy from the classroom
About: The Bored Teachers Comedy Tour brings some of the funniest teacher-comedians to the stage of the Coronado Performing Arts Center. Bored Teachers has more than five million followers across various social media platforms.
Where: Coronoado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30
Admission: Tickets start at $35
Info/tickets: Go HERE
Walk the Scandinavian Cemetery
About: The Rockford Historical Society picks one of the city’s major cemeteries for a guided walk each year. This year is the Scandinavian Cemetery.
Where: Scandinavian Cemetery, 1700 Rural St., Rockford
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30
Admission: Free, donations accepted
Info: Go HERE
Have a jazzy Sunday
About: Trumpet player Michael Hackett, the head of jazz studies at University of Wisconsin Whitewater, takes on contemporary and classic hits.
Where: Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, Starr Auditorium, 415 N. Church St., Rockford
When: 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1
Admission: $12 in advance; $15 at the door; $6 for students
Info: Go HERE
Shop a fall market
About: The Fall Market at Hidden Creek features products from more than 30 local vendors, ranging from handmade crafts to delicious treats.
Where: Hidden Creek Estates, 13276 White School Road, Roscoe
Admission: $5
Info/tickets: Go HERE
Last roar car show
About: The Rockton Lions will have dozens of cars on display for its annual Last Roar Car Show. There are also food trucks and prizes for best in show.
Where: Settlers Park, 200 Hawick St., Rockton
Admission: Free; $10-$15 for car entry
Info: Go HERE
Compiled by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas