Naperville has no shortage of Halloween happenings, from an actual Halloween Happening to lots of trick-or-treat events, scary story gatherings and costume contests. Here’s a rundown of some of the activities you can check out:
Creepy Critters Month: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays Oct. 1-31 at Knoch Knolls Nature Center, 320 Knoch Knolls Road. Self-guided activities offer info on spiders, snakes, bats, rats, crows, vultures, owls and more. Complete a scavenger hunt for a Halloween-themed prize. No charge. Information: 630-848-5000; napervilleparks.org/calendar/events/creepy-critters-month–october-1-31.
Ghost Garland Halloween Craft: All day Oct. 4 at all Naperville Public Library branches. Create a Halloween garland. Kits can be picked up at the Adult Services Desk. No charge. Information: 630-961-4100; napervillepl.librarycalendar.com.
Teen DIY: Ghost Painting: 5-6:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at 95th Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Drive. Teens are invited to create ghostly art. Space is limited to the first 16 participants. No charge. Information: 630-961-4100; napervillepl.librarycalendar.com.
Naperville Hauntings Ghost Walk: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Oct. 4-16; 6:30 p.m. Oct. 24 and 30; 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at Quigley’s Pub, 43 E. Jefferson Ave. Naperville resident Diane Ladley gives a tour of the historic district. Cost is $24-$29. Information/registration: 833-446-7813, americanghostwalks.com/tour/naperville-hauntings-ghost-tours.
Ghost Stories in the Park…In the Dark: 7 p.m. Oct. 4-6 and 6 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, 912 Honorary Sindt Memorial Court. Enjoy an evening of scary stories. Cost is $7. Information/registration: 630-355-7969, summerplacetheatre.org.
Halloween Costume and Giveaway: 5-7:30 p.m. Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 5, and 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 6 at Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E. Gartner Road. Annual Halloween costume and giveaway helps families in need. No charge. Information: mkloog@gmail.com or facebook.com/hauntsandtaunts.
Halloween Safety Event: 9-10 a.m. Oct. 5 at Safety Town, 1320 Aurora Ave. Limited to the first 100 kids in first through fifth grades. No charge. Information/registration: 630-369-8400, facebook.com/CouncilwomanJenniferBruzanTaylor.
Spooky Candle Holder: 1-3 p.m. Oct. 10 at 95th Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Drive. Enjoy a hot beverage and an instructor-led craft. Space is limited to the first 20 participants. No charge. Information: 630-961-4100, napervillepl.librarycalendar.com. Also being held 2-4 p.m. Oct. 15 at 95th Street Library and Nichols Library.
Monster Bingo: 4-4:45 p.m. Oct. 10 at Naper Blvd. Library, 2035 S. Naper Blvd. Monster bingo using pictures; read a monster-themed story. For ages 3-5. No charge. Information: 630-961-4100, napervillepl.librarycalendar.com.
Witch Hunts and Vampire Panics: 7-8 p.m. Oct. 10 at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster Ave. Naper Settlement’s historian will discuss why societies look for witches and vampires and the impact it has. Cost is $10. Information/registration: 630-420-6010, napersettlement.org.
Frankenscience: 11:15 a.m.-12 p.m. Oct. 16 at Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson Ave. Listen to a short story and then use household supplies to create your own monster. Ages 3-5. Limit 20 participants. No charge. Information: 630-961-4100, napervillepl.librarycalendar.com. Also presented at 11-11:45 a.m. Oct. 29 at 95th Street Library.
Maleficarum and Misfortune — Researching Witches: 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at 95th Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Drive. Lecture will review witch trial records and resources for ancestors from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland from 1500-1717. No charge. Information: 630-961-4100, napervillepl.librarycalendar.com.
History of Halloween: 1-2 p.m. Oct. 17 at 95th Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Drive. Michael Stachnik discusses the history of Halloween from its beginnings as the Celtic festival of Samhain to the present day. No charge. Information: 630-961-4100, napervillepl.librarycalendar.com.
Haunted Stories: 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at Empire, 48 W. Chicago Ave. Hear scary stories. Cost is $20. Information/registration: ThePeopleTree@outlook.com, facebook.com/NapervillePeopleTree.
“Frankenstein”: 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster Ave. “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley will be discussed. No charge for Naperville residents, museum members; $10 for all others. Information/registration: 630-420-6010, napersettlement.org.
“Dracula”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays Oct. 19-Nov. 3; 8 p.m. Oct 18 at the Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth Ave. Presented by Bright Side Theatre. Cost is $32-$37. Information/tickets: 630-447-8497, Brightsidetheatre.com.
Naperville Trolley Halloween Lights Tours: Oct. 18-31, book a Northern, Southern or Eastern trolley tour of neighborhood homes decorated for Halloween. Appropriate for all ages. Cost is $25-$30. Information/registration: annette@napervilletrolley.com, napervilletrolley.com.
All Hallows Eve: 6:30-10 p.m. Oct. 18-19 at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster Ave. Halloween fun and games for kids 16 or younger. Cost is $20. Information/registration: 630-420-6010, napersettlement.org/285/All-Hallows-Eve.
Halloween Story Stroll: 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 19 at Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, 912 Honorary Sindt Memorial Court. Wear a costume and follow the Riverwalk as you read a fall-themed picture book. Themed crafts and a small prize available. No charge. Information: 630-637-6129, napervillepl.librarycalendar.com.
Trick or Treat at Safety Town: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 19 at Safety Town, 1320 Aurora Ave. Kids ages 3-12 can don Halloween costumes and visit activity stations for goodies. Cost is $15 donation per family and a nonperishable food item. Information/registration: 630-369-8400, facebook.com/NJWC1.
Amazing Halloween Race: 1:30 p.m. Oct. 19 in downtown Naperville. Teams of 4 to 5 people solve clues at different locations in downtown Naperville. Cost is $25. Information/registration: 630-961-9375, naperjaycees.org/event-5847045.
Craft by Beer: Halloween Door Hanger: 7-9 p.m. Oct. 24 at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster Ave. Spooktacular crafting experience to make a bewitching door hanger. Must be at least 21. Cost is $20. Information/registration: 630-420-6010, napersettlement.org.
Naperville’s Boo Bash & Splash: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 25 at Goldfish Naperville, 1688 Quincy Ave. Come in costume for trick-or-treating followed by fun in the pool. No charge. Information/registration: 630-305-9775; goldfishswimschool.com/naperville/events.
Howlin’ at the Moon: 5-10 p.m. Oct. 25-26 at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster Ave. An adults-only Halloween bash that includes food trucks, bar, performances, activities and a costume contest. Cost is $20. Information/registration: 630-420-6010, napersettlement.org.
Halloween Costume Parade: 7 a.m.-noon Oct. 26 at Fifth Avenue Farmers Market, 200 E. Fifth Ave. End of season Halloween costume parade. No charge. Information/registration: 630-369-5638, Napervillefarmersmarket.com.
Pumpkin Palooza: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 26 at DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 N. Washington St. Come in costume and celebrate the season with family-friendly activities. Cost is $18-$19. Information: 630-637-8000, dupagechildrens.org/family-fun/pumpkin-palooza.
Monster Mash Bash: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 26 at Oswald’s Pharmacy, 88 W. Gartner Road. Little monsters can come for the games, give-aways and candy. No charge. Information: 630-355-2200, facebook.com/OswaldsPharmacy.
Naperville Pumpkin Race: Noon-3 p.m. Oct. 26 at Rotary Hill Park, 440 Aurora Ave. Presented by Turning Pointe Autism Foundation, pumpkins are raced for a championship trophy. Costume contest, food trucks and free painting by Pinot’s Palette. No charge. Pumpkin kits cost $25. Information/registration: 630-570-7948, turningpointeautismfoundation.org/pumpkin-race.
Halloween Hop: 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 27, downtown Naperville. Dozens of downtown businesses will hand out treats and free Naperville Trolley rides will be offered. No charge. Information/registration: downtownnaperville.com/events/downtown-naperville-halloween-hop.
Trick or Treat at Naper Settlement: Noon-4 p.m. Oct. 27 at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster Ave. Trick or treat at the Settlement’s historical homes and enter a family costume contest. Cost is $5; free for children under 4. Information/registration: 630-420-6010, napersettlement.org.
Halloween Happening: 1-4 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, 912 Honorary Sindt Memorial Court. Inflatables, activities, games and goodies for kids 10 and younger. No charge. Information/registration: 630-848-5000, napervilleparks.org/halloweenhappening.
Kid-Friendly Haunted House: 4-7 p.m. Oct. 27 at Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson Ave. All-ages haunted house created by the Teen Advisory Group. No charge. Information: 630-961-4100, napervillepl.librarycalendar.com.
Halloween on the Riverwalk: 4:30-5:15 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Riverwalk Amphitheatre across from Nichols Library. Kids can dress in costume for Halloween fun. In the event of inclement weather, program will be moved indoors to the Nichols Library. No charge. Information: 630-961-4100, napervillepl.librarycalendar.com.
Halloween in the Park: 1-1:45 p.m. Oct. 31 at 95th Street Library Wagner Family Pavilion, 3109 Cedar Glade Drive. Children can dress in costume and enjoy Halloween fun. In the event of inclement weather, program will move indoors. No charge. Information: 630-961-4100, napervillepl.librarycalendar.com.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
