Suburbs put new spin on Halloween
Here’s the bad news:
Many familiarHalloween eventswon’t happen this year, thanks toCOVID-19.
But here’s the good news: towns from Alsip to Zion are trying their best to makeOctober memories for the young and young-at-heart. There will be drive-thru trunk or treating, events with a limited capacity, ghost tours and showings of scarymovies.
While the timeswe live in are actually scary, it’s nice to take a break with someHalloween fun. We’ve done our best to round up some spooky-fun events near you, but make sure you call or check thewebsite or Facebook page as things can change quickly in theseCOVID times.
Alsip
AllHallow’s Eve Carnival: 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 31 at Apollo Recreation Center, 12521 S. Kostner Ave. $4 per child; residents only. Pre-registration required. 708-389-1003; alsipparks.org.
Aurora
VirtualMonsterMask 5K: All racers will have fromOct. 18 to 31 to submit their virtual 5K results. $25. 630-897-0516; foxvalleyparkdistrict.. Participants will receive a long sleeve T-shirt and amedal.
Trick orTreat event: 12-3 p.m. Oct. 31 in downtown Aurora. Free. 630-256-3167; auroradowntown.org.
Batavia
The Great PumpkinHunt: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 17-18 at Red OakNature Center, 2343 S. River St. $4 resident/$6 nonresident. 630-897-1808; foxvalleyparkdistrict.org. Using a list of clues, locate the Great Pumpkin in the forest and take a picture of yourself with it. Registration is required to receive a prize.
ANightmare atWest Main: 7-9 p.m. Oct. 16 and 23 at WestMain Community Park, 40W101Main St. $10. 630-4065282; bataviaparks.org. Take a haunted hike along the spooky trails. Not suitable for kids under 10 years old. Pre-registration is required for half-hour time slots.
Deerfield
HalloweenHoopla – Family Fun Fest: 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Oct. 24 at Jewett Park Community Center, 836 Jewett Park Drive. $5 per child. 847-9450650; deerfieldparks.org. Register for one 45-minute time block. Each family member attending must be registered. Time slots will be capped at 50 people. For children ages 2-6.
HalloweenHoopla – Halloween Costume Family Fun Walk: 10 and 11 a.m. Oct. 31 at Woodland Park, 1425Wilmot Road. Free. 847-945-0650; deerfieldparks.org. Enjoy a family-friendlywalk around Woodland Park inHalloween costumes. Each participant will receive aHalloween FunWalk medal, a treat bag and the opportunity to participate in a virtual costume contest. Register for one 45-minute time block. Each family member attending must be registered. Time slotswill be capped at 50 people.
Downers Grove
Main Street Cemetery FlashlightTour: 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at Fishel Park, 1050 Grove St. $11 residents $16 nonresidents. 630-960-7500; dgparks.org.
Elgin
Little Park ofHorrors: 6-9 p.m. weekends Oct. 22-Nov. 1 at Wing Park, 101Wing St. $5 per vehicle. 847-931-6001; cityofelgin.org. This drive-thru event will feature actors, horror props with lighting and audio effects.
Fox Lake
HalloweenHowl: 4-7 p.m. Oct. 26 at 301 Illinois Route 59. Free. 224-225-1404; Facebook.
Frankfort
Thriller atMain Park: 4-8 p.m. Oct. 16 atMain Park, 400 W. Nebraska St. $10 per child; must pre-register. 815-4699400; frankfortparks.org. Two sessions at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.; 50 children per session. There will be aDJ dance party, balloon artist, spooky games, hay ride, haunted paths, “Thriller” dance contest, kid crafts and small pumpkin patch. There will be a limit of 50 children per time slot.
Howl-a-Woof: 10 a.m. Oct. 17 at Bark Park at Commissioners Park, 80th Avenue and Sauk Trail. Free. 815-469-9400; frankfortparks.org. Doggie costume contest.
Geneva
HalloweenHayday: 10 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Oct. 24 at Peck Farm Park, 4038 Kaneville Road. $6 resident/$9 nonresident; free for adults. 630232-4542; genevaparks.org. Pre-registration required for one of three time slots. For children 2-14.
Howl o’Ween Dog Parade: 9 a.m. Oct. 24. Peck Farm Park, 4038 Kaneville Road. Free. 630-232-4542; genevaparks.org . Preregister online; maximum of 50 people allowed in parade.
Grayslake
Halloween Characters Drive-Through: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 15 at Alleghany Park, 31999N. Alleghany Road. $5 residents; $8 nonresidents. 847-223-7529; glpd.com. Drive through the park to see your favorite characters. Register by Oct. 10.
Halloween Fun with Mickey and Minnie: 10-10:45 a.m. Oct. 24 at the Recreation Center, 240 Commerce Drive. $10 residents; $13 nonresidents for first child, $7 for each additional sibling. 847-223-7529; glpd.com. Register by Oct. 17.
Hazel Crest
VirtualHalloween Costume Contest: Children ages 12 and under can enter this contest by submitting their pictures via email at events@villageof hazelcrest.com or by posting it to the Village ofHazel Crest Facebook page. 708-335-9600; villageofhazelcrest.org. Three winners will be chosen on Oct. 31.
Joliet
Fall Fest: 6:30-10:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at Bicentennial Park, 201W. Jefferson St. $10. 815724-3761; Facebook. Concert features an Dougherty,
Vaudevileins and Arbor Creek.
CountKuhajda’s HauntedHouse: 6-9 p.m. Weekends in October at 1112Nicholson St. 815-7222760; Facebook. Free. This is a long-running home haunt.
VirtualHaunted Joliet Prison: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at . Free. 815-740-2660; jolietlibrary.org. Author WendyMoxley Roe discusses her new book, “Haunted Joliet Prison.” She will explore the history of the prison along with tales of the ghosts thatwere left behind.
Old Joliet Prison Haunted HistoryTour: 6 or 8 p.m. selected dates in October at the Old Joliet Prison, 1125 Collins St. $40. 815-723-5201; Facebook. This is a 90-minutewalking tour at night that covers the darker side of the prison’s history.
Lake Forest
HauntedTrail: 7p.m. Oct. 10 atNorthcroft Park, 1365 S. Ridge Road. Free. 847-234-6700; lfparksandrec.com. A selfguidedwalk through the haunted forest from Northcroft Park to Stirling Hall. Bring a flashlight. Bonfire at StirlingHall with hot apple cider and s’mores. A shuttle will run from StirlingHall back to Northcroft Park until 9 p.m. Registration required.
HalloweenTricks and Treats Parade: 4 p.m. Oct. 30 at Lake Forest Recreation Center, 400Hastings Road. Free. 847-234-6700; lfparksandrec.com. Registration is required. Lake Forest residents only.
Libertyville
Trick orTreat onMain Street: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 30 at downtown Libertyville, 158 E. Cook Ave. Free. 847-680-0336; mainstreetlibertyville.org. Participating stores will have a bright orange pumpkin sign on their door or window.
Long Grove
DIY ScarecrowDay: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 10 at Brothers Field, 342 OldMcHenry Road. $10. 847-634-0888; longgrove.org. Build a scarecrowthat will be displayed throughout downtown. Visitors can vote in the categories of Scariest, Funniest andMost Creative.
Lake County Ghost AdventureTour: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 11 and 25. Departs from the Stempel parking lot behind the Chatterbox of LongGrove, 330 Old McHenry Road. $59.02. 773-733-2711; chicago hauntings.com. Led by ShadowHunters investigation team, guests will visit haunted sites around the county, ghost-hunt using investigation tools and enjoy a pizza lunch at a haunted tavern.
Trick orTreating: 2-5 p.m. Oct. 23 in downtown LongGrove’sHalloween Town, 308 OldMcHenry Road. Wear a costume and trick or treat downtown at businesses. Free. 847-6340888; longgrove.org.
PetCostume Parade: 11 a.m. Oct. 25 in downtown LongGrove, 308 Old McHenry Road. Free to enter and towatch. 847634-0888; longgrove.org.
Merrionette Park
Halloween Drive-In Movie andTrick-orTreat: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Sears Park, 123rd and Trumbull Avenue. $25 per car; only children who are
pre-registered can trick-ortreat. 708-389-1003; alsipparks.org. Trick or treat at 5:30 p.m. andwatch themovie “Scoob!” at 6:30 p.m.
Mokena
Drive-inmovies: 7:15 p.m. Oct. 9, Oct. 10, Oct. 16 and Oct. 23 at the Oaks Recreation and Fitness Center parking lot, 10901 W. La Porte Road. $10 per vehicle. Must pre-register; spots are limited. 708-3902401; mokenapark.com. Movies include “The Addams Family’ (2109) Oct. 9, “Hocus Pocus” Oct. 10, “Jurassic Park” Oct. 16 and “Hotel Transylvania” Oct. 23.
House of Frights contest: Decorate your home forHalloween in this free contest. Judging will be between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Oct. 22 and Oct. 29. 708390-2401; mokenapark.com . You must register online by Oct. 16 to participate; winners will be announced Oct. 30.
Drive-ThruTrick-orTreat: 3-5 p.m. Oct. 24 at Main Park, 10925 La Porte Road. Free. 708-390-2401; mokenapark.com. Decorate your cars, wear costumes. Trick-or-treatingwill be on a first-come, first-served basis; registration is not required.
Monee
UndeadAcres: Zombie Paintball Safari: 7-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 7-10 p.m. Sundays toNov. 1 at Santa Fe Landscaping and Nursery, 3450W. Crete Monee Road. $25. 708-5343600; undeadacres.com. Ride on a trailer with mounted paintball guns and shoot at zombies who won’t shoot back.
Mundelein
Boo Bash Grab ‘n Go: 2:30-5 p.m. Oct. 24 at Barefoot Bay Aquatic Center, 1461N. Midlothian Road. Free. 847-388-5447; mundeleinparks.org. Kids ages 3-11 shouldwear a costume and a mask and bring a bag for candy. No registration is required.
Naperville
Hauntings GhostWalk Tour: 8 p.m. Oct. 10 and 17 at Quigley’s Irish Pub, 43 E. Jefferson Ave. $15-$19.76. Chicagohauntings.com. The two-hourwalk examinesNaperville’s haunted history.
Trunk orTreat: 4-6 p.m. Oct. 28 at theHomeSmart Realty Group parking
lot, 651N. Washington St. Free. 630-578-0002; Facebook. Costumes and masks encouraged.
Pumpkin Smash and Composting: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Nov. 7 atNaperville Park District’s community garden plots, 811 S. West St. Free. 630-864-3964; napervilleparks.org.
NewLenox
ScarecrowStroll: Available any time Oct. 24-Nov. 1 atNewLenox Village Commons, 101 Veterans Parkway. Free. 815-485-4241; nlcc.chambermaster.com. View scarecrows made by local businesses and organizations.
One-StopTrick-orTreating: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Oct. 31 atNewLenox Village Commons, 101 Veterans Parkway. Free. 815-4854241; nlcc.chambermaster.com. Each costumed trick-ortreater gets a bag of candy.
PumpkinDays: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays and ColumbusDay in October. 12700 SouthwestHwy. $7-$8. 708-361-3650; www.thecenter palospark.org. Barn tours, petting farm, strawbale climber, spookywood shed and hayrack rides available.
Oak Forest
Haunted History Hike: 5:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Oak ForestHeritage Preserve, East Fieldcrest Drive, southwest of Crawford Avenue. Free. 312-415-2970; fpdcc.com.
Oak Lawn
Howl-O-Ween: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 24 atWolfeWildlife Refuge, 109th and Laramie Ave. $5 per child. 708857-2200; olparks.com. Halloween themed games include pumpkin decorating, scavenger hunts, and a campfire. Time slots are open to amaximum of 10 people.
Orland Park
House Decorating Contest: The Village of Orland Park is sponsoring a HalloweenHouse DecoratingContest. All displays will be judged and photographed on Oct. 26 at dusk. Winners will be announced on Oct. 30. Registration deadline is Oct. 16. Free to enter. 708-403-6100; orlandpark.org.
GhostRoads of Illinois: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Orland Park HistoryMuseum, 14415 Beacon Ave. $10 members/$15 non-mem
bers; must pre-register. 708-873-1622; Facebook. Hear the stories of unexplained phenomena people have experienced traveling along various roads such as Bates Road, Lebanon Road and more.
TrunkRTreat: 3-5 p.m. Oct. 24 at Ashburn Baptist Church, 15401 S. Wolf Road. Free; must pre-register online. 708-403-1363; ashburnbaptist.church center.com.
Trunk orTreat: 4-6 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Orland Park Civic Center, 14750 S. Ravinia Ave. Free. 708-3200002; Facebook. Presented byHomeSmart Realty. Costumes and masks encouraged.
Oswego
Pumpkin pick up: 12-3 p.m. Oct. 10 at the park ‘n’ ride lot, 1000 Station Drive. Free. oswegoil.org. Pick up a pumpkin for your porch. Children are encouraged to wear their costumes. A fall photo backdrop will be set up for optional, do-it-yourself, family photos. Must have Oswego ID.
Community DriveAround ScavengerHunt: 1-3 p.m. Oct. 17 starting at Oswego VillageHall, 100 Parkers Mill. $20 in advance; $25 day-of. 630-5544636; gooswego.org. Open to participants fromall communities, people are encouraged to dress up, decorate their cars and drive through town following clues and snapping pics of their families with a varietyHalloween props. Gift certificates will be awarded to the team with the best decorated car and the first team to solve all clues.
Park AfterDark— Haunting: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at Civic Center, 5 Ashlawn Ave., Montgomery. $25 resident/$30 non-resident until Oct. 16; price goes up $5 day of the event. 630-554-1010; oswegolandparkdistrict.org . Register for times at 5:30, 6:30 or 7:30 p.m. For teens ages 14 and up. Bring a flashlight for this interactive adventure.
Palos Hills
Ghosts of Chicago Tour withAdam Selzer: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 22 via Zoom. Free. 708-598-8446 ext. 118; greenhills library.org. Author, historian and tour guide Adam Selzer hosts a virtual tour of Chicago’s famous haunted spots, with an in-depth look at the history behind them. For ages 18 and up.
Park Forest
A1950sHalloween Exhibit: 1-3:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays or by appointment toNov. 7 at 1950s Park ForestHouse Museum in St. Mary’s Church, 227Monee Road. $5. 708-481-4252; parkforesthistory.org.
St. Charles
ScarecrowStroll: 12-6 p.m. Oct. 9, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 10 and Oct. 11 throughout St. Charles. Free. 630-443-3967; scarecrowfest.com. Scarecrows will be spread throughout town for people to appreciate in a strippeddown version of the usual ScarecrowFestival.
Escape the Barn: 4:309:30 p.m. Oct. 9-10 at Primrose Farm, 5N726 Crane Road. $20 resident/$30 non-resident. 630-5134382; stcparks.org. Ages 11 and older. Pre-registration required.
Gallery of Ghoulish Homes tour: Dusk to 10 p.m. Oct. 16-31. Free. 630513-4390; stcparks.org. Drive by several of the spookiest homes and admire the ghoulish yard displays of St. Charles’ finest home haunters.
GraveReminders— North Cemetery: 7-8:45 p.m. Oct. 23 atNorth Cemetery. $18. 630-513-4330; stcparks.org. Parking available in the lower parking lot at Bethlehem Church, 1145N. 5th Ave. Ages 15 and younger must be accompanied by a paying adult. Groups will depart at 7, 7:15, 7:30 and 7:45 p.m.
South Elgin
Haunted Ghost Story Train: 5-9 p.m. Oct. 17 and 24 at the Castlemuir Depot at the Fox River Trolley Museum, 365 S. LaFox St. $13.50. foxtrolley.org. Departures at 5 and 7 p.m. Only 40 tickets per run will be sold.
Tinley Park
Pumpkin Plunge: 2-5 p.m. Oct. 11 at Tinley Fitness, 8125W. 171st St. $18 children, $5 adults, $3 members. Pre-registration required. 708-342-4200; tinleyparkdistrict.org. The pool has become a pumpkin patch.
Frightastic FunNight: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center, 8125W. 171st St. $5; must pre-register. 708-342-4200; tinleypark district.org. Wear a costume, bring a carved or decorated pumpkin for the contest, watch amovie on the big screen and go home with a treat.
Ghouls and Fools Comedy Improv Show: 7-9 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Tinley Park Performing Arts Center, 16801 S. 80th Ave. $9. 708342-4200; tinleypark district.org.
Vernon Hills
Trunk orTreat: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 31 at Family Aquatic Center, 635N. Aspen Drive, Free. 847-9966800; vhparkdistrict.org. Families are invited to decorate their cars, wear costumes and trick-or-treat by car through the Family Aquatic Center parking lot.
Wauconda
“Treehouse ofHorror” marathon: 6 p.m. Oct. 17 at Side Lot Brewery, 110 Slocum Lake Road. Free admission. 224-747-2337; Facebook. Seating begin 30 minutes before showing; first-come, first-served basis.
Trick orTreat Drive Through: 1-4 p.m. Oct. 25 atWauconda Park District, 600N. Main St. Free. 847526-5580; business.wauconda chamber.org.
“Ghostbusters”: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at Side Lot Brewery, 110 Slocum Lake Road. Free admission. 224-747-2337; Facebook. Seating begin 30 minutes before showing; first-come, first-served basis.
Waukegan
AfterHours Ghost WaukTour: 6, 7:30 and 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Oct. 9-24 at the Genesee Theatre, 203N. Genesee St. $20. 847-263-6300; genesee theatre.com. Tickets must be ordered in advance; 20 people maximum per tour.
Wheaton
Pumpkin Fest: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 1-31 at Cosley Zoo, 1356 Gary Ave. Members and Wheaton Park District residents free; children 17 and under free; nonresident adults $7; nonresident seniors 55 and older; $6. 630-665-5534; cosleyzoo.org. All visitors must have a ticket and enter at their reserved time.
Halloween Parade: 6-9 p.m. Oct. 23 at Cantigny Park, 1S151Winfield Road. Parking, $7. 630-668-5161; cantigny.org. Drive-thru car parade.
WillowSprings
ResurrectionMary/ ArcherAvenueTour: 2-6 p.m. Oct. 11, 18 and 25 at Ashbury CoffeeHouse, 8695 Archer Ave. $60.77. 773-733-2711; chicago hauntings.com. Tour Chicago’s most supernatural road and hear stories of phantom cars, ghost lights, awerewolf and Chicago’s famed vanishing hitchhiker — ResurrectionMary. Cash bar at stops. Masks required, limited capacity.
Yorkville
Biz BooTrick orTreat & Trunk-or-TreatTrail: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 24 at Riverfront Park, 131 E. Hydraulic Ave. Free. 630553-4357; yorkville.il.us.
Zion
Trail ofTreats: 4-6 p.m. Oct. 30 at Zion Park District, 2400 DowieMemorial Drive. Free. 847-7465500; zionparkdistrict.com. Participants will stay in their vehicles as they drive through Shiloh Park and trick or treat at multiple stops. Costumes and car decorations encouraged.