St. Charles Scarecrow Weekend

Scarecrow Weekend is the Fox Valley’s signature fall festival. According to the organizer, the St. Charles Business Alliance, the 2026 edition is Friday, October 9 from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, October 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, October 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 120 scarecrows built by residents, businesses and schools are placed around downtown, and visitors vote on favorites. Admission is free, per the City of St. Charles.

The city lists a family zone with live entertainment, an activity zone with photo ops, an inflatable corn maze, a rock-climbing wall, pumpkin painting and food vendors. First Street Plaza is the main stage. The Autumn on the Fox Craft Show runs the same weekend in Pottawatomie Park on the east bank of the river with more than 100 vendors, according to the organizer. A Scarecrow-to-Go station lets families build one to take home for a fee.

The organizer’s brochure with parking and shuttle details was marked coming soon in late September; check scarecrowfest.com the week of.

Plan your visit

St. Charles has no Metra station; the closest is Geneva on the Union Pacific West line, three miles south, with a Pace bus or ride-share to finish. Most people drive Route 64 (Main Street) or Route 31 and park in the city’s free garages and lots off First Street and Riverside Avenue, which fill by 11 a.m. Saturday. Pottawatomie Park has its own lot off North Second Avenue for the craft show. Saturday midday is the peak; Friday afternoon and Sunday morning are the relaxed windows. The scarecrows are spread over several blocks and across the Main Street bridge, so wear walking shoes and bring a stroller rather than a wagon for the crowds.