With twilight coming earlier and earlier in October, families are hanging orange lights on their homes, settling skeletons on their porches, buying giant bags of candy and storming the stores for witch and superhero costumes.
Just as kids develop insatiable cravings for taffy apples, local organizations are at the ready to entertain them with pumpkin patches, costume parades, and Halloween festivities of every stripe—especially orange and black stripes—for families’ autumn enjoyment. And for adults, there’s a craft beer fest and a ballroom dance party.
Here’s a list of local events to prowl before night falls.
Niles
Halloween Home Decorating Contest. Oct. 23 nomination deadline, Oct. 24 judges’ viewing, Oct. 25 announcement of nominees. The Village of Niles is accepting online applications from festively decorated homes to be declared best-decorated in the village until Oct. 23. Mayor George Alpogianis will announce the nominees at the Oct. 25 village board meeting. Winners will get a yard sign and a gift card worth $50-$100 to a local business of their choice, according to village information. More details are available at https://www.vniles.com/1383/Halloween-Home-Decorating-Contest-2022.
Halloween Parade & Party. Oct. 29, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A parade will step off from Oak Park and conclude with a party at Grennan Heights featuring games, snacks and “spooky surprises.” Children under 12 may participate; costumes are encouraged. $12 for residents, $15 for non-residents.
Park Ridge
Park Ridge Community Church Pumpkin Patch. Oct. 8 through Oct. 30. Support youth programs and charity by purchasing pumpkins at this patch organized by the Park Ridge Community Church, 100 S. Courtland in Uptown Park Ridge. There are special events like Karaoke in the Patch Oct. 9 and Kids in the Patch Oct. 10. https://www.parkridgecommunitychurch.org/pumpkin-patch.
Teen Trip to Six Flags Fright Fest. Oct. 10, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The amusement park transforms itself with frightening ghouls, monsters and zombies. If the roller coasters don’t scare 11 to 14-year-olds, the goblins will. $88. prparks.org.
Halloween Hoopla. Oct. 13, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Carve a pumpkin, stuff a scarecrow, jump on a hayride, and enjoy s’mores and hot cocoa around a campfire. Bring clothes for the scarecrow. $36 for Park Ridge Park District residents,$54 for non-residents. Additional fee for extra pumpkins. prparks.org.
Drive-Through Trunk or Treat. Oct. 21 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Register in advance, then drive through the decorated Centennial Park parking lot to trick or treat at various stations. $15-$25.
Trick or Treating and Music. Oct. 25, 5 to 9 p.m. All ages can wear costumes and enjoy trick or treating in Hodges Park, stories and games from the Park Ridge Library, coloring with the Kalo Foundation, a costume parade to the Pickwick Theater and a Park Ridge Civic Orchestra’s Symphony Spooktacular concert. $5-$15 or $25 for a family of four.
Halloween Costume Party at Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Oct. 30, 8 p.m. 17 N. Prospect. Wear a costume you can dance in.
Party in the Patch. Oct. 30., 6-7:30 p.m. All Park Ridge kids from sixth through 12th grades are welcome at the Park Ridge Community Church’s Pumpkin Patch for Party in the Patch.
Skokie
Scream Scene Haunted House, Oct. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, 30 and 31, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Chainsaw maniacs and insane clown mazes return for “the most frightening experience in Skokie” at the Skokie Water Playground. Not recommended for children under 10 years old. $13 for general admission.
Zombie Tag. Oct. 13, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oakton Park will host a zombie-themed game of tag followed with a screening of the Nightmare Before Christmas on the park lawn for families. All participants must pre-register for the event. $8 for residents, $10 for non-residents.
Things That Go Bump in the Night. Oct. 14 and 15, 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. The Emily Oaks Nature Center is hosting a guided trail walk featuring “un-touchable” animals, campfire songs and hot cider. $7 for attendees aged two and up.
Kooky Spooky Candy Trail. Oct. 29, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Trick or treaters can collect candy along a route in Oakton Park where a magician will also be roaming. $10 per participant ages 2-16.
For more spooky events in Skokie, visit https://www.skokieparks.org/halloween-fun-in-skokie/.
Norridge & Harwood Heights
Norridge Park District Halloween Party. Oct. 21, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult to participate in trick or treating on park grounds, where a DJ and inflatables will also be on offer. All attendees must pre-register, and those 12 and under will receive a goody bag. $10 for residents, $16 for non-residents.
Youth Commission Halloween Party. Oct. 22. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Harwood Heights residents under 12 are invited to the Harwood Heights Recreation Center for arts and crafts, coloring, a costume contest, pizza and prizes. Eventgoers must pre-register to attend at Village Hall or by calling 708-867-7200.
Eisenhower Public Library Halloween Parade. Oct. 31, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Children 12 and under are welcome at the library’s Kids World department and may parade around the library to trick or treat.
Lincolnwood
Pumpkin Picasso, Oct. 30, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Halloween costumes are encouraged for pumpkin decorators who want to adorn a pumpkin in Proesel Park. All attendees will get a pumpkin to decorate. $18 for Lincolnwood residents and $22 for non-Lincolnwood residents.
Trunk or Treat, Oct. 31, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Lincolnwood children may come in costume to the Proesel Park Family Aquatic Center to trick or treat from decorated cars. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Interested volunteers may call the Parks and Recreation Department at (847) 677-9740. https://www.lincolnwoodil.org/160/Parks-Recreation
Morton Grove
Morton Grove Halloween Family Fest. Oct. 22, 12 p.m. -1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Morton Grove residents can participate in a Halloween celebration at Prairie View Park featuring “Trunk or Treat,” a hayride, inflatables, food sales and pumpkin favors for children. $5 per attendee. Morton Grove residents only. mortongroveparks.com
Cold Brews. Oct. 16, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Those 21 and up can enjoy an afternoon of beer tasting, snacks and live music at the Morton Grove American Legion Civic Center. $35 per attendee. mortongroveparks.com
Bark in the Park Howl-O-Ween. Oct. 29, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Dog owners can bring their pets to Prairie View Park for a costume contest, agility course and photo opportunity. Awards will be available for dogs who are modeling Funniest, Scariest, Cutest and Best Dog/Owner team costumes. Complimentary bags of dog treats will be available. Event-goers must register in advance. Dogs must be up to date on shots, healthy and on a leash six feet or shorter to attend the event.
