As the seasons begin to shift, I have been thinking of some of my favorite fall activities. In Ohio, autumn means bonfires, football, corn mazes, fall festivals and Halloween parades. Unfortunately, I don’t see bonfires being a common fall activity in Chicago, so I did some research to see just how Chicago renters enjoy this wonderful season.

It seems that sporting events, art exhibits and festivals top the list. Here are some of the favorite activities for fall in Chicago.

Sports:
• Join a fall sports league. Grab some friends and get active, choosing among the many options ranging from football, soccer and volleyball to even bags.
• See a Bears game. There is no better way to experience the 2010 season and see what all the hype is about than to enjoy the games with some true Bears fans. (Way to take down those Cowboys!) Or, if you prefer college football, check out last week’s post for advice on where to cheer on your favorite teams.
• Check out the Chicago Marathon. On October 10, 2010, 45,000 participants will take over the Chicago streets to see who is the fastest runner of them all. Witness the dramatic finish in person or check out NBCCHICAGO.com for live coverage.

Arts:

• Expand your horizons at the Art Loop Open. Visit this art competition displayed throughout the Loop from October 15 through mid-November. You can even influence who wins by voting for your favorites.
• Experience dance at The Other Dance Festival. You can enjoy the musical styling and inspiration of 15 different participating Chicago dance companies from all over the city. Hurry, though, because this festival is only running until October 1.
• Visit the Chicago Humanities Festival. Discover how artists all over the city interpret “The Body” during this art extravaganza running approximately from October 24 through November 14, at various Chicago locations.

Festivals:

• Celebrate Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest festivals are popping up all over the city for the Chicago version of this world-famous Munich festival. Find the Oktoberfest near you and enjoy bratwurst, beer and bands. Or check out this city favorite: Oktoberfest Chicago located in Lakeview from September 24- 26.
• Go country at the Chicago Country Music Festival. Break out those cowboy hats and head down to Millennium Park for some good ole country music from headliners like Jake Owen, Gretchen Wilson and Clint Black, or enjoy the lesser-known sounds of Scarlet Oaks and Levi Riggs all for free!
• Find a new film favorite at the Chicago International Film Festival at the AMC River East and AMC Loews theaters from October 7 through October 21. Choose from over 100 titles or go to see the international favorite: Ed Norton and Robert De Niro’s thriller “Stone”.

With all of these budget friendly options, I’ll have plenty to do throughout the next few months. Which events and activities top your favorites list for the fall season?