The scares are available all month on the North Coast.
The events calendar is full of Halloween activities to help you celebrate the October holiday. From library crafts and horror trivia to family fun and dog parades, we’ve rounded up information on nearly 30 great events in the area.
Trick or treating hours
WINNETKA
Hours: 3 to 7 p.m. Monday, October 31
Participating residents have encouraged lighting outside lights
Safety tips
GLENCOE
Hours: from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, October 31
KENILWORTH
Hours: 3:15 p.m. (after school) until sunset
NORTH FIELD
Hours: 3-7:30 p.m. Monday, October 31
Safety tips
HIGHLAND PARK
Hours: from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, October 31
Safety tips
Chalet’s Howl-o-ween Pet Parade is Sunday, October 30th.
Halloween Events (listed by date)
Night of 1,000 Jack-O-Lanterns (EXOSTAT)
When: 18:30-22:30 October 12-16 and 19-23
Where: Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road
Details: More than 1,000 carved pumpkins will be on display along a paved path that will include costumed entertainers, live carving demonstrations and more during the two-week stretch.
Leaf lanterns
When: 16:45-16:45 Friday, October 14
Where: Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave.
Details: For grades K-2, create fall lanterns to take home.
Messy monster mash
When: from 3.30pm to 4pm on Thursday 20 October
Where: Winnetka Public Library, 768 Oak St.
Details: Create some messy, or not-so-messy, Halloween-themed art projects.
Sensory manipulations – Pumpkins
When: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Friday, October 21
Where: Winnetka Public Library, 768 Oak St.
Details: Interactive free play with pumpkins to promote gross motor skills and concepts. For 0-4 years
Strange world of monsters
When: 3 to 4 p.m. (grades 1-3) and 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. (grades 4-8) Friday, October 21
Where: Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave.
Details: Learn how to draw weird monsters, like Fallen Bear, Bunyip, Ningen and Grootslang, from around the world
Pumpkins in the woods
When: from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, October 21
Where: Hubbard Woods Park, 939 Old Green Bay Road, Winnetka
Details: The park will be transformed into a pumpkin patch surrounded by carnival games, bounce houses and a DJ. There will also be a costume contest and pumpkin decorating. Registration before October 10.
Highland Park Hauntings
When: 17:30-20:00 Friday, October 21
Where: Larry Fink Memorial Park, 701 Deer Creek Parkway, Highland Park
Details: Take a spooky ride down the haunted trail while scavenging for Halloween treats along the way. Includes live characters and moving props. Enjoy a dance party afterwards. The fee is $20 resident/$25 non-resident. For more information and registration, CLICK HERE.
Pumpkin decoration
When: from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, October 22
Where: Winnetka Public Library, 768 Oak St.
Details: for ages 5 to 8. Use paint and other crafts to decorate a mini pumpkin. For more information and registration, CLICK HERE
Trunk or Treats (Winnetka)
When: from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, October 22
Where: Winnetka Park District, 540 Hibbard Road
Details: Stroll around the parking lot and pick goodies from the decorated cars and trunks. To enter as a car, email jkreis@winpark.org by October 10th. Register as a bagger or handler for October 17.
Tractor ride
When: from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, October 22
Where: Winnetka Park District, 540 Hibbard Road
Details: Enjoy a fearless tractor ride and some candy while meeting some of your favorite characters. The cost is $10. Registration before October 17.
Halloween gift giving workshop
When: from 1.30pm to 2.30pm on Saturday 22 October
Where: Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave.
Details: Create your own candy-dispensing device for trick-or-treating.
Wicked Wilmette
When: from 15.30 to 18.00 Saturday 22 October
Where: Hibbard Park, 3000 Glenview Road, Wilmette
Details: Kids 10 and under can walk the Trick of Treat Trail and collect candy along the spooky trail that ends at a pumpkin patch. Pick and decorate a pumpkin, plus enjoy bounce houses, a hay maze, face painting and more. Cost (Participating children are $35 for residents/$44 for non-residents. Children under 2 and parents are free.
Monster Bash Tennis Party
When: from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, October 22
Where: Deer Creek Racquet Club, 701 Deer Creek Parkway, Highland Park
Details: For ages 5-14, come dressed up and play tennis at this annual party. Prize for the best costume. The cost is $30. For more information and registration, CLICK HERE
Frankentoys
When: Monday, October 22 from 4 to 5 p.m
Where: Winnetka Public Library, 768 Oak St.
Details: Make creepy creatures from recycled toys and stuffed animals. For over 9 years old. For more information and registration, CLICK HERE.
Trick or treat in downtown Highland Park
When: from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, October 27
Where: Downtown Highland Park (Central Avenue/2nd Street)
Details: Trick or treat at downtown businesses and enjoy special activities at Port Clinton Square and Renaissance Place.
Edible haunted houses
When: from 4 to 5.30 p.m. Thursday, October 27
Where: Northfield Library, 1785 Orchard Lane
Details: Make a haunted house with treats from cereal, ice cream and candy provided by the library. For more information and registration, CLICK HERE.
Drive-in Movie: “Hocus Pocus”
When: from 19.30 to 22.30 h Thursday 27 October
Where: Highland Park Recreation Center, 1207 Park Avenue West.
Details: A spooky take on the park district’s movie series, enjoy the movie from inside or outside your car with sound played through a speaker. The price is $30 per car. For more information and registration, CLICK HERE.
Candy walk in the Ravinia neighborhood
When: from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, October 28
Where: Roger Williams and St. Johns, Highland Park
Details: There will be activities and giveaways throughout the business district, as well as four interactive harvest vignettes.
Boo Bash (Glencoe)
When: from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, October 28
Where: Takiff Center, 999 Green Bay Road, Glencoe
Details: Navigate strange sights and sounds throughout the Takiff Center, where costumed kids can trick-or-treat and enjoy shows, special activities and other surprises. Recommended for ages 2-8 with an adult. Residents $10, non-residents $12. For more information and registration, CLICK HERE.
Boo Bash (Northfield)
When: from 6 to 7.30 p.m. Friday, October 28
Where: Northfield Community Center, 401 Wagner Road
Details: Free for children aged 3 to 8 accompanied by an adult. Enjoy games, crafts, a balloon artist and an outdoor train ride at Willow Park. Bring a gift bag.
Halloween Horror Trivia
When: 18:30-20:00
Where: Virtual (Zoom and Kahoot!)
Details: Play individually or as a team with family and friends and test your knowledge of horror stories, movies, characters and more. For more information and registration, CLICK HERE.f
Scary mini golf
When: from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, October 29
Where: River’s Edge Mini Golf, 2205 Skokie Valley Road, Highland Park
Details: Wear a costume and get a free round of miniature golf. For more information and registration, CLICK HERE
Halloween Railroad
When: from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m
Where: Highland Park Public Library, 494 Laurel Ave.
Details: Watch the model queues travel through Spookytown. The special songs also feature Thomas along with Percy and Diesel. Sponsored by the North Central O Gaugers Model Railroad Club
Linden Square Pumpkin Walk
When: Saturday, October 29 from 10 a.m. to noon
Where: 4th Street and Linden Avenue, Wilmette
Details: Free trick-or-treating family event at local businesses. Activities and gifts included.
Halloween party on ice
When: from 2.00 p.m. to 3.20 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, from October 29 to 30
Where: Winnetka Ice Arena, 490 Hibbard Road
Details: Come in costume and take a few spins while enjoying Halloween music. There are no full face masks. Admission is $2 per skater.
Howl-o-ween Pet Parade
When: from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, October 30
Where: Chalet Nursery, 3132 Lake Ave., Wilmette
Details: Dress up your pup (and yourself) and come down to the Chalet for a parade and costume contest with guest judge Orphans of the Storm Animal Shelter. There is a $50 Chalet gift card in five categories. Cost is $5, which is donated to Orphans of the Storm. For more information and registration (required), CLICK HERE.
Spooky skateboard
When: from 1.30pm to 2.30pm Sunday 30 October
Where: Centennial Ice Rinks, 2300 Old Glenview Road, Wilmette
Details: Wear your costume and get a discount on the daily rate. Admission in costume is $5, while children 5 and under are free.
West Ridge Trunk or Treat
When: 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Monday, October 31
Where: West Ridge Center, 636 Ridge Road, Highland Park
Details: This preschool treat or trunk takes place in the parking lot, where there will be plenty of treats available. For more information and registration, CLICK HERE
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