The Chicagoist will be launching later but in the meantime please enjoy our archives.

Where To Get Your Pumpkin Carving On This Fall

By Anthony Todd in Food on Oct 13, 2015 4:20PM

It's that time of year—the leaves are starting to turn, there's a slight chill in the air, and huge piles of pumpkins just showed up at your local grocery store. If you're looking to have a great fall time, check out these awesome events, which include pumpkin carving, food, drink, music and fun.

Loews Chicago Hotel Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Patch
Oct. 17 to 18

Loews has the biggest, baddest rooftop bar in town, but it's closed for the season. But you can get one more taste of the glory during their Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Fest. This event is for kids and adults, and includes a pumpkin patch, a pumpkin decorating contest, face painting, games and a photo booth. There's even a biergarten for the big kids. Admission is free, but pumpkins are $5 each, with the proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House. The event runs on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pumpkin Carving at Sheffield's
Oct. 22 at 6 p.m.

Sheffield's hosts a pumpkin carving extravaganza ever year, and it's free! They bring the pumpkins and the tools, you bring the talent. Grab a drink and create something beautiful - and your pumpkin will be on display at the bar till Halloween is over.

Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest
Every day until Oct. 31.

Lincoln Park is hosting a ton of different events throughout the fall season. There's a corn maze, a hay mountain, a pumpkin patch, carving, entertainers, special animal chats, a bounce house—everything you could want to do with your kids. Even better, admission (as always) is free. Some of the activities have additional costs. Download the whole program here.

Gene's Sausage Shop's 2nd Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest
Oct. 29, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

It's just about the end of rooftop season on the north side, too, but there's on last gasp at Gene's on Oct. 29. For this one, you drop off the pumpkin in advance (between Oct. 26 and 29) and there will be prizes for adults and for kids. There's also live music, food, drinks ad plenty of fun up on the roof.