One of the wonderful things about October is the many Halloween events that abound in the area.
We’ve gathered up several events to help you have a fantastic fall.
Make sure you check the websites for rules and regulations, rain-out policies and anything else you might be wondering about.
Jack-O’-Lantern World: Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Sept. 27 to Oct. 27 at Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Tickets, $15.99-$23.99. 224-757-5425; thejackolanternworld.com.
Two Brothers Roundhouse Ghost Tour and Investigation: 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays Oct. 1-29 at 205 N. Broadway, Aurora. Tickets, $20. 833-446-7813; americanghostwalks.com/aurora.
Scarecrow Walk: Oct. 1-31 at Heritage Park, 14240 W. 151st St., Homer Glen. Tickets, free; $15 to display. 708-301-0632; homerglenil.org/2661/Scarecrow-Walk.
Month of Horror at Hollywood Blvd.: Classic horror movies shown Oct. 2-31 at Hollywood Blvd. Cinema, 1001 W. 75th St., Woodridge. Tickets, $9. 630-427-1880; hollywoodblvdcinema.com/events/month-of-horror.
Old Joliet Prison Flashlight Tours: 5-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Oct. 4-26 at the Old Joliet Prison, 1125 Collins St., Joliet Tickets, $10-$30. 815-723-5201; jolietprison.org.
Main Stage Improv’s Way Too Early Halloween Show: 8 p.m. Oct. 4 at Tinley Park Performing Arts Center, 16801 S. 80th Ave., Tinley Park. Tickets start at $14. 708-342-4200; tinleyparkdistrict.org/event/main-stage-improvs-way-too-early-halloween-show.
Naperville Hauntings Ghost Walk: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Oct. 4-16 except Oct. 19; 6:30 p.m. Oct. 24 and 30 and 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at Quigley’s Pub, 43 E. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. Tickets, $24-$29. 833-446-7813; americanghostwalks.com/tour/naperville-hauntings-ghost-tours.
Halloween Hoot and Howl: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 4 at Keystone Park, 430 Keystone Ave., River Forest. Tickets, free. 708-366-6530; fpdcc.com/event/halloween-hoot-and-howl-2.
Trick or Treat in the Woods — Isle a la Cache: 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E. Romeo Road, Romeoville. Tickets, $5. 815-722-9301; reconnectwithnature.org/news-events/event-calendar/trick-or-treat-in-the-woods-isle-a-la-cache-2024.
Trick or Treat in the Woods – Goodenow Grove: 6-9 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Plum Creek Nature Center, 27064 S. Dutton Road, north of Goodenow Road, Beecher. Tickets, $5. 708-946-2216; reconnectwithnature.org/news-events/event-calendar/trick-or-treat-in-the-woods-goodenow-grove.
Ghost Stories in the Park…In the Dark: Oct. 4-6 at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, 912 Honorary Sindt Memorial Court, Naperville. Tickets, $7. 630-355-7969; summerplacetheatre.org.
Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival: Oct. 4-6 at 16 Highwood Ave., Highwood. Tickets, free. 847-668-1213; highwoodpumpkinfest.com.
Boo at the Zoo: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends Oct. 5-20 at Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield. Tickets, $20.95-$29.95; parking; $17-$20. 708-688-8000; brookfieldzoo.org/BooAtTheZoo.
The Great Pumpkin Party: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m. Oct. 5 at Centennial Park, 15600 West Ave., Orland Park. Tickets, $3-$7. Ages 1-9. 708-403-6100; orlandpark.org/departments/recreation-parks/special-events.
Family Fall Fest: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 6 at Gale Moore Park, 109th and Nordica Ave., Worth. Tickets, free. 708-448-7080; worthparkdistrict.org/special-events.
“Halloween” movie showing: 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Tickets, $1. 630-896–6666; paramountaurora.com/events/halloween-2.
Costumes, Pumpkins and Candy — Oh My!: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 9-10 at Wolfe Wildlife Refuge, 109th and Laramie Ave., Oak Lawn. Tickets, $20-$25. 708-857-2200; facebook.com/OakLawnParkDistrict.
Witches Tea: 2-4 p.m. Oct. 11 at The Center, 12700 Southwest Hwy.. Palos Park. Tickets, $44. 708-361-3650; thecenterpalos.org and search the newsletter.
Thriller at Main Park: 4:30-6 and 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 11 at Founders Community Center, 140 Oak St., Frankfort. Tickets, $10 per child before Oct. 6/$15 after Oct. 6. 815-469-9400; www.frankfortparks.org/special-events.
Spooky Stories at Phil’s Beach: 6-6:45 p.m. (G-rated) and 7-7:45 p.m. (PG-rated) Oct. 11 at Phil’s Beach, 328 N. Main St., Wauconda. Tickets, $8-$17. 847-526-3610; waucondaparks.com/programs/special-events.
Specters and Spirits: 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Downers Grove Museum, 831 Maple Ave., Downers Grove. Tickets, $45-$67. 630-960-7500; dgparks.org/calendar/events/specters-and-spirits.
Scarecrow Festival: Oct. 11-13 at Lincoln Park, Main and Second streets (routes 64 and 31), St. Charles. Tickets, free. 630-443-3967; scarecrowfest.com.
Halloween Hallow: Oct. 11-13 at Yunker Park, 10824 La Porte Road, Mokena. Tickets, free; parking; $5. 708-309-2401; mokenapark.com/halloween-hollow.
Trick or Treat in the Woods: 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 11-12 at Hickory Creek Preserve, 10501 W. LaPorte Road, Mokena. Tickets, $5. 815-727-8700; facebook.com/Hickory.Creek.LaPorte.
Howl-a-Woof: 10 a.m. Oct. 12 at Bark Park at Commissioners Park, 80th Avenue and Sauk Trail, Frankfort. Tickets, free. 815-469-9400; frankfortparks.org/special-events.
Coffin Races and Pet Costume Parade: 12-4 p.m. Oct. 12 at Hamilton and 10th streets, Lockport. Tickets, free. facebook.com/LPRotary.
Halloween Fall Festival: 1-4 p.m. Oct. 12 at Hunt Club Community Center and Park, 900 Hunt Club Road, Gurnee. Tickets, $11-$13. 847-623-7788; gurneeparkdistrict.com/event/halloween-fall-festival.
Volo Bog Ghost Stories: 5-9 p.m. Oct. 12 at Volo Bog State Nature Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. Tickets, $5-$10. 815-344-1294; friendsofvolobog.org.
Haunted Ghost Story Train: 5, 6:15 and 7:30 p.m. departure times Oct. 12, 19 and 26 at Fox River Trolley Museum, 365 S. La Fox St., South Elgin. Tickets, $20. 312-473-0993; foxtrolley.org/visit/special-events/ghost-story-train.
Not-So-Scary Hayride: 2-5 p.m. Oct. 13-14 at Dellwood Park, 199 E. Woods Drive, Lockport. Tickets, $10. 815-838-1183; lockportpark.org/main-events.
Resurrection Mary 4-Hour Bus Tour and Pub Stop: 2 p.m. Oct. 13, 20 and 27 at Veterans Memorial at Commissioners Park, 7747 Oak Grove Ave., Justice. Tickets, $69. 833-446-7813; americanghostwalks.com/chicago.
Witches Night Out Joliet: Oct. 16-17 at the Jacob Henry Mansion, 20 S. Eastern Ave., Joliet. Tickets, $45. 815-722-1420; witchesnightout.com.
Night of 1,000 Jack-o-Lanterns: 6:30-10:30 p.m. Oct. 16-20 and 23-27 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. Tickets, $16-$24.50. Parking, $15-$25. 847-835-5440; chicagobotanic.org/halloween/events/featured_events/night_1000_jack_o_lanterns.
Supernatural Archer Avenue Tour: 6-9:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at Franklin Loebe Center, 14650 Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Tickets, $35-$50. 708-403-6100; orlandpark.org/departments/recreation-parks/special-events.
Halloween Walk: 6 p.m. Oct. 17 at Century Park Pavilion, 1400 Indianwood Drive, Vernon Hills. Tickets, free. 847-996-6800; vhparkdistrict.org/event/halloween-glow-walk.
“A Night in Sleepy Hollow” — Kankakee Valley Theatre Association Re-enactment: 6 p.m. Oct. 17-19 at Perry Farm Park, 459 N. Kennedy Drive, Bourbonnais. Tickets, prices to be announced. 815-933-9905; facebook.com/bourbtwpparkdistrict.
Trick or Treat Trail: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Community Arts Center, 225 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. Tickets, free for kids 12 and under. 847-850-2108; bgparks.org/trick-or-treat-trail.
Cosley Zoo Spooktacular Halloween Stroll: 5:15-8:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. Tickets, $12.95. 630-665-5534; wheatonparkdistrict.com/events/10-18-cosley-zoo-spooktacular.
Halloween Egg Hunt and Costume Contest: 6-7 p.m. Oct. 18 at Town Square, 301 N. Bridge St., Yorkville. Tickets, free for kids 10 and under. 630-553-4357; yorkville.il.us/356/Special-Events.
Who You Gonna Call Meet-and-Greet with the Windy City Ghostbusters: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 18 at McCarthy Park, 16801 S. 80th Ave., Tinley Park. Tickets, $12-$15. 708-342-4200; tinleyparkdistrict.org/event/who-you-gonna-call.
Night at the Museum Halloween Party: 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at the DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton. Tickets, $18. 630-690-4880; wheatonparkdistrict.com/events/night-at-the-museum-halloween-party.
Haunted Hayrides: 5-9 p.m. Oct. 18-19 at Eaton Preserve, 23601 W. 135th St., Plainfield. Tickets, $10-$15. 815-436-8812; plfdparks.org/events.
All Hallows Eve: 6:30-10 p.m. Oct. 18-19 at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster Ave., Naperville. Tickets, $20. 630-420-6010; napersettlement.org/285/All-Hallows-Eve.
Go Waukegan Zombie Walk: 9 a.m. Oct. 18 at Hinkston Park, 810 Baldwin Ave., Waukegan. Tickets, free. 847-360-4700; waukeganparks.org/programs/go-waukegan.
Pumpkin Palooza: 9-11 a.m. on Oct. 19 at the Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora. Tickets, $12-$16. 630-859-8606; foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/event/pumpkin-palooza-3.
Forest Park Casket Races: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at 7500 Madison St., Forest Park. Tickets, free; $40 to enter. 708-366-2543; exploreforestpark.com/events.
Scarecrow Fest and Walk: 12-5 p.m. Oct. 19 at The Lot, 525 Central Ave., Highland Park. Tickets, free. 847-432-6000; enjoyhighlandpark.com/scarecrow.
Amazing Halloween Race: 1:30 p.m. Oct. 19 in downtown Naperville. Tickets, $25. 630-961-9375; naperjaycees.org/event-5847045.
Halloween Hoopla Family Fun Fest: 2-4:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at Sachs Recreation Center, 455 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield. Tickets, $7-$10. 847-945-0650; deerfieldparks.org/event/halloween-hoopla-2.
Boo Bash: 2-5 p.m. Oct. 19 at Barefoot Bay parking lot, 1461 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Tickets, free-$5. 847-566-0650; mundeleinparks.org/events.
Nightmare on Chicago Street: 6-11 p.m. Oct. 19 between Douglas and Vila streets, Elgin. Tickets, $35-$50. 847-931-6001; nightmareonchicagostreet.com.
Haunted Trail: 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at Forest Park Beach, 801 N. Lake Road, Lake Forest. Tickets, $5-$8. 847-234-6700; lfparksandrec.com/calendar.
Big Bad Pumpkin Party: 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 20 at Walker Country Estates Park, 299 Lenox St., New Lenox. Tickets, free. 815-485-3584; www.newlenoxparks.org/ fall-events.
Resurrection Mary — Chicago’s Most Beloved Spirit: 7 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Joliet Public Library, 150 N. Ottawa St., Joliet. Tickets, free. 815-740-2660; jolietpubliclibrary.libnet.info/event/11043304.
Witches Night Out Plus After-Party: 5-9 p.m. Oct. 24 starting at Heartland Bank on Lake Street, Antioch. Tickets, $22. 847-395-2233; cm.antiochchamber.org/events.
Pumpkin Fest: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at Central Park, 250 Library Lane, Grayslake. Tickets, $13-$15. 847-223-7529; glpd.com/event/pumpkin-fest-5.
Trick or Treat on Main Street: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 25 in downtown Libertyville, 158 E. Cook Ave., Libertyville. Tickets, free. 847- 680-0336; mainstreetlibertyville.org/events/libertyville-1/trick-or-treat-on-mainstreet.
From center to left, Celina Frankland of Gurnee makes crafts with daughter Isabella Frankland at Halloween Fall Fest on Oct. 14, 2023 in Gurnee at the Hunt Club Park Community Center.
Trail of Treats and Fest: 4-6 p.m. Oct. 25 at Shiloh Park, 25th and Emmaus Avenue, Zion. Tickets, free. 847-746-5500; zionparkdistrict.com/events/halloween-trail-of-treats-and-fest.
Boo Bash: 5-8 p.m. Oct. 25 at North Park, 1025 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire. Tickets, free. 847-913-2331; lincolnshireil.gov/i-want-to/special-events/boo-bash.
Halloween Movie in the Barn: 5:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Village Hall Barn, 2 Lagoon Drive, Hawthorn Woods. Tickets, free. 847-438-5500; vhw.org/329/Movies-in-the-Barn.
Costume Party: 6 p.m. Oct. 25 at Brothers’ Field, 344 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Tickets, free. 847-805-8660; brothersfieldlonggrove.com/events/costume-party.
Flashlight Pumpkin Hunt: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 25 at Irons Oaks, 20000 Western Ave., Olympia Fields. Tickets, $10-$15. 708-957-0300; hfparks.com/event/flashlight-pumpkin-hunt-2.
Ghost Stories on the Green: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 25 at Breidert Green parking lot, 432 W. Nebraska St., Frankfort. Tickets, free. 815-469-2177; frankfortil.org/residents/special_events/ghost_stories_on_the_green.php.
Monster Mash Dance: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 25 at Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center, 8125 W. 171st. St., Tinley Park. Tickets, $15-$20. 708-342-4200; tinleyparkdistrict.org/event/monster-mash-dance.
Howlin’ at the Moon: 5-10 p.m. Oct. 25-26 at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster Ave., Naperville. Tickets, $20. 630-420-6010; napersettlement.org/627/Howlin-at-the-Moon.
Halloween Hikes: 6-9:30 p.m. Oct. 25-26 at Edward L. Ryerson Welcome Center, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods. Tickets, $10-$12. 847-367-6640; lcfpd.org/calendar.
Halloween Egg Hunt and Costume Parade: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Oct. 26 at Krueger Park Soccer Field, 9100 S. 80th Ave., Hickory Hills. Tickets, $10-$12. 708-598-1233; hhparkdistrict.org.
Batfest: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 26 at Peg Bond Bandshell, 151 N. Island Ave., Batavia. Tickets, free. 630-877-2780; downtownbatavia.com/event/batfest-.2
Halloween Hayday: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Stephen Persinger Recreation Center, 3507 Kaneville Road, Geneva. $11-$16 ages 14 and under. 630-232-4542; genevaparks.org/special-events/halloween-hayday.
Trick or Treat on the Farm: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 26 at Lambs Farm, 14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville. Tickets, $10. 847-990-3760; lambsfarm.org/event/trick-or-treat-on-the-farm.
Howl o’ Ween Dog Parade: 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Oct. 26 at Peck Farm Park, 4038 Kaneville Road, Geneva. Tickets, free. 630-232-4542; genevaparks.org/special-events/howl-o-ween-dog-parade.
Howl-o-Ween Canine Costume Contest: 10:45-11:45 a.m. Oct. 26 at Willow Stream Park (Dan Schimmel Pavilion), 651 Old Checker Road, Buffalo Grove. Tickets, free. 847-850-2108; bgparks.org/howl-o-ween.
Halloween Trick or Treat Trail: 1-3 p.m. Oct. 26 at Bowen Park, 1800 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan. Tickets, free. 847-360-4700; waukeganparks.org/event/2024-halloween-trick-or-treat-trail.
Monster Mash Bash: 2-4 p.m. Oct. 26 at Oswego High School, 4250 Illinois 71, Oswego. Tickets, $8-$9; adults free. 630-554-1010; oswegolandparkdistrict.org/programs-events/seasonal-events.
Drive-through Trunk or Treat: 3 p.m. Oct. 26 at East Golf Course, 315 Glenwood Road, Chicago Heights. Tickets, free while supplies last. 708-755-1351; chparkdistrict.net and go to page 10 of the fall recreation brochure.
Haunted Halloween Flea Market: 3 p.m.-midnight Oct. 26 at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Tickets, $10; children 12 and under free. 715-526-9769; zurkopromotions.com/wheaton-illinois-haunted-halloween-flea-market.
Haunted Halloween Trail: 7-9 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Boat Launch Pavilion, 7425 W. 115th St., Worth. Tickets, $10.708-448-7080; worthparkdistrict.org/special-events.
River Trail Nightlife — The Return of Scary Stories: 8 p.m. Oct 26 at River Trail Nature Center, 3120 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook. Tickets, $5. 847-824-8360; fpdcc.com/event/river-trail-nightlife-the-return-of-scary-stories.
Boo at the Zoo: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 26-27 at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Tickets, $6. 847-428-7131; dtpd.org/boo-at-the-zoo.
Halloween Happening: 1-4 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, 912 Honorary Sindt Memorial Court, Naperville. Tickets, free. 630-848-5000; napervilleparks.org/halloweenhappening.
Trick or Treat on Main Street: 1-5 p.m. Oct. 27 on Main Street, Wauconda. Tickets, free. 847-526-3610; waucondaparks.com/programs/special-events.
Spooky Stories and S’mores: 2-5 p.m. Oct. 27 at Thatcher Woods, Chicago Avenue west of Thatcher Avenue. Tickets, free. 312-533-5751; fpdcc.com/event/spooky-stories-smores.
Movie Night “Night of the Living Dead”: 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway Ave., Aurora. Tickets, free. 331-212-8490; themusicvenue.org.
Halloween Howl: 4-7 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Fox Lake Police Department, 301 Illinois 59, Fox Lake. Tickets, free. 224-225-1404; foxlake.org/432/Halloween-Howl.
“Hocus Pocus” movie showing: 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet. Tickets, $5. 815-726-6600; rialtosquare.com/event/hocus-pocus.
Blodgett House Boo-Fest: 3 p.m. Oct. 31 at Downers Grove Museum, 831 Maple Ave., Downers Grove. Tickets, free. 630-960-7500; dgparks.org.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
