September 26 | 4 PM - 8 PM
Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave.
Downtown Concert Grand Finale & Scarecrow Fest & Walk
Stroll downtown Highland Park businesses to view festive, decorated scarecrows. Then head to Port Clinton Square to celebrate the season and vote for your favorite!
Scarecrow Fest & Walk
Commemorate fall with scarecrows, pumpkins, great food, live music, and family fun! The festivities will take place from 4 PM to 8 PM on Friday, September 26, at Port Clinton Square (600 Central Ave.).
Plus, take a self-led, leisurely walk through Downtown Highland Park’s Scarecrow Trail to see over two dozen festive scarecrows, each uniquely decorated by local businesses, and cast your vote for “Best in Show.”
2025 Grand Finale & Scarecrow Trail
Friday, September 26 | 4 PM - 8 PM
Wrap up the 2025 Downtown Concert series with a fun fall afternoon. Interact with giant, live scarecrow puppets at Port Clinton Square and jam out to awesome tunes:
4 PM - 4:30 PM | Mary Macaroni
4:45 PM - 5:15 PM | Istvan & His Imaginary Band
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Ben Tatar & the Tatar Tots
6:30 PM - 8 PM | Saturday June Band
End the afternoon by embarking on a magical Scarecrow Trail! Find over two dozen festive scarecrows across Downtown Highland Park, all decorated by local businesses and sponsored by Mariani Landscape. Be sure to vote for best in show! Voting will close at 5 PM on September 26 — winners to be announced at 5:30 PM.
See the gallery below for last year’s scarecrows.
More info & map coming soon!
Food & Beverage Vendors
Getting to the Downtown Concerts at Port Clinton Square & Parking
Downtown Concerts at Port Clinton Square will take place at Port Clinton Square (600 Central Ave.).
Ample parking can be found throughout downtown Highland Park, including a parking garage underneath Port Clinton Square, nearby surface lots, a parking lot along St. Johns Ave., and a two-level parking deck south of Central on First St. and St. Johns. The City encourages guests to use non-motorized transportation where available. Bike racks are available at The Lot and in the immediate vicinity, and the Metra is a viable option, too. Information about parking in the City of Highland Park is available here.
Downtown Highland Park is also easily accessible via public and non-motorized transport.
Metra - take UP-N to the Highland Park station, located a 4 minute walk from The Lot.
Pace Bus - take Highland Park/Highwood Route 472 to the St. Johns/Central stop, across the street from The Lot.
Bike/Walk - from the north, take the Robert McClory Bike Trail south to Vine Ave. Head east on Vine, turning south onto St. Johns Ave. From the south, take the Robert McClory Bike Trail north along St. Johns Ave. Bike racks are available at The Lot and in the immediate vicinity.
