The 58th Annual Frankfort Fall Festival returns Labor Day weekend, September 5-7, 2026, bringing more than 300 artisans, live music, food, carnival rides, and the annual Sunday parade into historic downtown Frankfort. The carnival actually begins earlier in the week, Wurst Fest kicks things off Thursday night, and major street closures and parking restrictions will affect downtown throughout the weekend. Here is the schedule, parking information, entertainment lineup, parade details, and what to know before you go.
Labor Day weekend in Frankfort means one thing.
Fall Fest.
The 58th Annual Frankfort Fall Festival returns to the historic downtown from Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7, 2026.
And if you have never been, this is not a small neighborhood craft fair.
More than 300 artisans from around the country are expected to fill downtown Frankfort, along with food vendors, live entertainment, carnival rides, and the annual Fall Fest parade.
The festival has also received national recognition. Frankfort Fall Fest was ranked No. 3 on Sunshine Artist Magazine's Top 200 Best list for 2025, keeping it among the highest-rated art and craft festivals in the country.
- Main Fall Festival: September 5-7, 2026
- Admission to the main festival: Free
- More than 300 artisan vendors
- Craft show hours: Saturday and Sunday 10 AM-6 PM; Monday 10 AM-4 PM
- Fall Fest Parade: Sunday, September 6 at 1 PM
- Carnival begins Wednesday, September 2
- Wurst Fest: Thursday, September 3 beginning at 6 PM
- Major downtown street closures begin Friday afternoon and continue through Labor Day
- Official satellite parking and shuttle service are available from the Boy Scout Lot near Route 45 and Nebraska Street
- Special festival curfews apply to anyone under age 21
Frankfort Fall Fest 2026 Dates and Hours
The main artisan and craft portion of Fall Fest runs for three days:
- Saturday, September 5: 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
- Sunday, September 6: 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
- Monday, September 7: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Admission to the main festival is free.
The food court is scheduled to operate Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Monday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
The Carnival Starts Before Fall Fest Weekend
You do not have to wait until Saturday for the carnival.
The 2026 carnival schedule begins Wednesday:
- Wednesday, September 2: 5:00-9:00 PM
- Thursday, September 3: 5:00-9:00 PM
- Friday, September 4: Free Special Needs period from 3:00-5:00 PM; regular carnival from 5:00-9:30 PM
- Saturday, September 5: 12:00-9:30 PM
- Sunday, September 6: 12:00-9:30 PM
- Monday, September 7: 12:00-5:00 PM
Pay-One-Price unlimited ride bands are listed at $37 during designated sessions.
Regular carnival tickets are also available. The Chamber lists individual tickets at 50 cents each, with larger ticket packages available. Rides generally require between 6 and 15 tickets.
Wurst Fest Kicks Things Off Thursday Night
Fall Fest weekend starts getting busy before the main craft festival even opens.
On Thursday, September 3, the Frankfort Lions Club hosts its annual Wurst Fest at Kansas and Oak Streets in downtown Frankfort.
The event begins at 6:00 PM, with the annual cash raffle drawing scheduled for approximately 9:00 PM.
Advance admission is listed at $25, with tickets available for $30 at the gate. Each ticket admits two adults and includes entry into the cash-prize raffle.
You must be at least 18 to purchase a ticket and 21 or older to enter the event.
The grand prize is $10,000, along with six additional cash prizes. Only 2,000 raffle tickets are being sold.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase, along with additional raffles, a 50/50 drawing, a stein-holding contest, and live music from Die Kellerknaben.
Proceeds benefit Frankfort Lions Charities and the Frankfort community.
Friday Night Entertainment
On Friday night, The Garden becomes the main entertainment destination.
Maggie Speaks performs Friday, September 4 from 8:00-11:00 PM.
Gates open at 6:00 PM. The Friday night Garden concert is 21 and older with a listed admission price of $15.
Live Music at Breidert Green
Breidert Green will have family-friendly entertainment throughout the main festival.
Saturday, September 5
- 11:00 AM-1:00 PM: River Road Trio
- 2:00-3:30 PM: Bottomz UP
- 3:30-4:00 PM: Enrico's Spaghetti Eating Contest Finals
- 4:30-6:00 PM: Crawford's Daughter
Sunday, September 6
- 11:00 AM-1:00 PM: Fire Chicken Band
- 2:00-3:30 PM: Bandolier
- 4:30-6:00 PM: Shukin and the Ramblers
Monday, September 7
- 10:00 AM-12:00 PM: School of Rock Mokena Showband
- 1:00-3:00 PM: The Gina Martini Band
The Garden Entertainment Lineup
The Garden on North Oak Street has its own entertainment schedule.
Friday, September 4
- 8:00-11:00 PM: Maggie Speaks
Saturday, September 5
- 2:00-5:00 PM: The Handsome Jerks
- 8:00-9:00 PM: Acoustic opener
- 9:00-11:00 PM: 7th Heaven
Sunday, September 6
- 2:00-5:00 PM: Midnight
- 8:00-11:00 PM: Sundance
Monday, September 7
- 1:00-3:00 PM: Frankfort Brass Band
The Garden is free and open to all ages during daytime festival hours Saturday through Monday.
Saturday and Sunday evenings after 6:00 PM are listed as 21 and older with $15 admission.
Frankfort Fall Fest Parade
The annual Fall Fest Parade steps off on Sunday, September 6 at 1:00 PM.
The 2026 Grand Marshals are Curtis Pascarella, President of Phillips Chevrolet, and members of his family.
The parade route travels through the neighborhoods immediately surrounding downtown, including portions of Ash Street, Pacific Street, Oak Street, Utah Street, and Nebraska Street.
Where to Park for Frankfort Fall Fest
If you are driving into Fall Fest, downtown parking is usually the part worth planning before you leave home.
The official satellite parking location is the grassy Boy Scout Lot near U.S. Route 45 and Nebraska Street.
The listed parking fee is a $15 donation to Frankfort Boy Scout Troop 270.
From there, you can either:
- walk approximately one-half mile into downtown using sidewalks or the Old Plank Road Trail, or
- take the shuttle bus into the festival area.
Shuttle Hours
- Saturday: 9:00 AM-8:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM-8:00 PM
- Monday: 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
The downtown shuttle drop-off and pickup point is on the east side of White Street near Elwood Street.
Accessible Parking
Handicap parking is available at the Trolley Barn parking lot near Nebraska Street and Center Road.
The Chamber lists a $20 fee benefiting Operation Playground and the Lincoln-Way Marching Arts Parent Alliance.
Street Closures Start Before Saturday
Fall Fest takes over a large portion of downtown Frankfort, and closures begin before the main festival officially opens.
Thursday, September 3
Parking restrictions begin Thursday evening on portions of White and Oak streets.
- White Street from Kansas to Elwood: No parking beginning at 4:00 PM
- Oak Street from Kansas to Elwood: No parking beginning at 4:00 PM
Friday, September 4
Beginning at approximately 4:00 PM, additional streets begin closing or receiving parking restrictions, including:
- Kansas Street from Maple to White
- Oak Street from Kansas to Elwood
- Ash, Oak, and Hickory streets from Kansas to Nebraska
- West Bowen
- North Maple from Folkers Drive to Kansas
Saturday Through Monday
During the main festival, core street closures include:
- White Street between Elwood and Nebraska
- Kansas Street between Maple and White
- Oak Street between Kansas and Elwood
- Ash, Oak, and Hickory streets between Kansas and Nebraska
Additional parking restrictions and controlled access will affect Kansas, Elwood, Nebraska, Center, White, Sauk Trail, Old Frankfort Way, Bowen, Carpenter, Smith, and surrounding streets.
Controlled access into downtown at several Route 45 intersections is scheduled from approximately 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM Saturday through Monday.
If you live nearby or normally drive through downtown, plan on taking another route.
Fall Fest Curfew Information
The Chamber has also posted special curfew information during the festival.
- Anyone under age 16: Curfew begins at 9:30 PM each day.
- Anyone under age 21: Curfew begins at 10:00 PM throughout the festival.
If you have teenagers heading downtown on their own, this is worth knowing before they go.
Food at Fall Fest
The Fall Fest food court is located between The Garden and Breidert Green.
Local civic and nonprofit organizations operate the food booths, with options ranging from BBQ, burgers, pizza, tacos, chicken, sandwiches, and hot dogs to funnel cakes, Italian ice, smoothies, chocolate-covered desserts, shaved ice, and other festival food.
Purchases from the food court help support the participating local organizations.
Families, First Aid, Lost & Found and Other Useful Information
A few practical things are worth knowing before you go:
- Baby Care Center: Available inside Grounded Coffee Bar during craft show hours.
- First Aid: Available from 10:00 AM-6:00 PM at the Frankfort paramedics station near White Street and the Old Plank Road Trail and at the Frankfort Chamber office near Kansas and Hickory.
- Lost & Found: Located at the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce office at Kansas and Hickory.
- Lost child or parent: Look for a Fall Festival volunteer wearing a yellow shirt.
- Pets: Pets are not allowed on the festival grounds, with an exception for service animals.
There Is No Frankfort Country Market During Fall Fest Weekend
The regular Sunday Frankfort Country Market will not operate Sunday, September 6 because of Fall Fest and the parade.
If your normal Sunday routine includes the market, plan accordingly.
My Advice Before You Go
Fall Fest is one of those events where a little planning makes the day considerably easier.
- Decide where you are parking before you leave.
- Expect significant traffic around downtown and Route 45.
- Check street closures if you live nearby.
- If the parade is important to you, get downtown well before 1:00 PM Sunday.
- If you are mainly interested in shopping, earlier in the morning is usually easier than peak afternoon hours.
- If your teenagers are going without you, make sure they know about the festival curfew.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You will probably walk farther than you think.
And if you're a longtime Frankfort resident, you probably already know the most important rule:
Labor Day weekend is not the weekend to casually drive through downtown and wonder why traffic stopped moving.
The Bottom Line
Frankfort Fall Fest remains one of the biggest community events of the year in the southwest suburbs.
The main festival runs September 5-7, but carnival rides and entertainment begin earlier in the week, with Wurst Fest on Thursday and Maggie Speaks performing Friday night.
With more than 300 artisans, multiple entertainment stages, the Sunday parade, food, carnival rides, and thousands of visitors coming into downtown, the biggest thing to plan for is simply getting around.
I will update this page if the Chamber or Village releases any significant schedule, parking, weather, or traffic changes before the festival.
- The 58th Annual Frankfort Fall Festival runs September 5-7, 2026.
- The festival features more than 300 artisans and free admission to the main craft show.
- Frankfort Fall Fest was ranked No. 3 on Sunshine Artist Magazine's Top 200 Best list for 2025.
- The carnival begins Wednesday, September 2.
- Wurst Fest begins Thursday, September 3 at 6:00 PM.
- The Fall Fest Parade begins Sunday, September 6 at 1:00 PM.
- Maggie Speaks performs Friday night and 7th Heaven headlines Saturday night at The Garden.
- Satellite parking and shuttle service are available from the Boy Scout Lot near Route 45 and Nebraska Street.
- Major downtown street closures and parking restrictions will be in effect throughout the weekend.
- Festival curfew begins at 9:30 PM for anyone under 16.
- Festival curfew begins at 10:00 PM for anyone under 21.
- Pets are not allowed except for service animals.
- The regular Sunday Frankfort Country Market will not operate during Fall Fest weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Frankfort Fall Fest 2026?
The main Frankfort Fall Festival runs Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7, 2026. Carnival activities begin earlier in the week on Wednesday, September 2.
Is Frankfort Fall Fest free?
Admission to the main artisan and craft festival is free. Carnival rides, food, parking, and certain evening entertainment at The Garden have separate charges.
When is the Frankfort Fall Fest parade?
The 2026 parade begins Sunday, September 6 at 1:00 PM.
Where should I park for Frankfort Fall Fest?
The official satellite parking location is the Boy Scout Lot near Route 45 and Nebraska Street. A shuttle operates between the lot and downtown during the main festival.
How much is Fall Fest parking?
The Boy Scout Lot lists a $15 donation to Frankfort Boy Scout Troop 270. Accessible parking at the Trolley Barn lot carries a separate $20 fee benefiting local organizations.
When is Wurst Fest in Frankfort?
The Frankfort Lions Club Wurst Fest begins Thursday, September 3 at 6:00 PM at Kansas and Oak Streets. The cash raffle drawing is scheduled for approximately 9:00 PM.
How much are Wurst Fest tickets?
Advance tickets are listed at $25 and tickets at the gate are $30. Each ticket admits two adults and includes entry into the cash-prize raffle. You must be at least 18 to purchase a ticket and 21 or older to enter the event.
Is there a curfew during Frankfort Fall Fest?
Yes. The Chamber lists a 9:30 PM curfew for anyone under age 16 and a 10:00 PM curfew for anyone under age 21 throughout the festival.
Can I bring my dog to Frankfort Fall Fest?
No. Pets are not permitted on the festival grounds, with an exception for service animals.
What time does the craft show open?
The craft show runs from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Saturday and Sunday and from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday.
Is there a Frankfort Country Market during Fall Fest?
No. The regular Sunday Country Market will not operate on September 6 because of the festival.
Official Information
Event Note: Festival schedules, entertainment, street closures, parking arrangements, curfews, and other event details can change because of weather, safety, or operational needs. Check the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce and Village of Frankfort for the latest information before attending.