Credit: Brookfield Zoo
Celebrate Halloween in the Western Suburbs with the whole family! Read some of our picks below and find the most updated list on our calendar. Be sure to check out other kid-friendly Halloween events in Chicago, the North/Northwest Suburbs and South Suburbs.
Jack’s Pumpkin Glow
When: Oct. 3-27
Where: The Sensory Garden Playground, 2751 Navistar Drive, Lisle
More than 5,000 hand-carved pumpkins and other glowing foliage will illuminate with life-sized sculptures, classic Halloween characters, princesses, superheroes, dinosaurs, pirates, musicians and movie stars lining a leisurely trail in the park.
Ghost Stories in the Park . . . In the Dark!
When: Oct. 4-6
Where: Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, 912 Sindt Court, Naperville
Enjoy an evening of scary stories that will send shivers up your spine. This is an outdoor event; dress warmly and bring blankets and cushions. Tickets may be purchased online, at the Park District Administration Building or at the door on a cash-only, limited seating basis. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
Trick or Trees
When: Oct. 5-27, weekends
Where: The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle
Play tricky games at Morton Arboretum, fashion fun fall crafts, and plant a tree seed to take home. Small pumpkins to paint will be available for purchase.
Glass Pumpkin Patch
When: Oct. 9-13
Where: The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle
Delight in colorful hand-blown glass sculptures, watch the artists in action, and shop for one-of-a-kind works of art. Live glass blowing demonstrations, art exhibition, and opportunities to meet the artists.
Halloween Hoot n’ Howl
When: Oct. 11
Where: Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest
Join the River Forest Public Library and the River Forest Park District for an evening of slightly spooky family fun featuring live music, pumpkin painting, native animals, marshmallows around a campfire and much more. Come meet our special guest Nature Cat, from the WTTW television series, and take part in special activities.
Boo! at the Zoo
When: Oct. 12-27, weekends
Where: Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield
The not-so-scary and fun-filled event has something for the entire family to enjoy, including the “Craized Maize” corn maze, haunted hayrides, the ever-popular “Pumpkin Smasher,” professional pumpkin carving demonstrations, a Costume Parade followed by the Costume Showcase, scarecrow building, and Zoo Chats about some of the zoo’s creepy critters.
All Hallows Eve
When: Oct. 18-19
Where: Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville
Experience two of the darkest nights of the year during this experience that brings some of the scariest literature of the past, present and future to life. For ages 8 and up; not suitable for young children.
Family Night: Pumpkins & Treats
When: Oct. 25
Where: Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
Enjoy Trick-or-Treating and pumpkin decorating. There will be a “Teal Pumpkin” stop for those not wanting candy.
Castle Halloween Bash
When: Oct. 25
Where: Enchanted Castle Restaurant & Entertainment Complex, 1103 S. Main St., Lombard
Meet and greet with two favorite superheroes plus dine on a “Monster” slice of one-topping pizza and a soft drink. Admission also includes unlimited Bumper Cars, Catapult Rides and Quest II Kids Playland, $10 in game play, a raffle prize entry, costume parade plus “Trick or Treat” candy stations, karaoke fun, music and games.
Boo Fest
When: Oct. 25
Where: Carol Stream
Make creepy crafts, eat ghoulish snacks, play spooky games, enjoy a bounce house, and listen to ghost stories. Wear a costume. Appropriate for kids ages 1-10.
Spooktacular
When: Oct. 25
Where: Cosley Zoo, 1356 Gary Ave., Wheaton
A variety of spooky and not-so-spooky events that are bound to excite all ages. Stroll through the straw maze or walk the pond path. Play games, enjoy refreshments, carve a pumpkin and make crafts.
Pumpkin Palooza
When: Oct. 26
Where: DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville
Come in your favorite costume and scoop and squish in gooey pumpkin guts, build a FrankenBuddy, bring your own pumpkin to the DIY pumpkin makerspace, pump up your hairdo with fun, temporary styles from KidSnips, and more.
Jack’s Pumpkin Glow
La Grange Halloween Walk & Fall Fest
When: Oct. 26
Where: La Grange Central Business District, La Grange
Join the fun of a lively trick or treat parade through downtown La Grange. Afterwards, enjoy activities like crafts and pumpkin bowling.
BatFest
When: Oct. 26
Where: Houston Street at Island Avenue, Batavia
The annual Halloween-themed family event features trick-or-treating, Mothers’ Club Parade, pumpkin roll, contests and games.
Little Ghouls & Goblins Halloween Party
When: Oct. 26
Where: Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 East Main Street, Saint Charles
Little Ghouls and Goblins will enjoy interactive crafts and treats at an open house-style Halloween Party in the Garden Atrium. This party is complimentary for hotel guests, or you can purchase tickets to join us just for the party, which includes access to the pools for the day.
Halloween Hayday
When: Oct. 26
Where: Persinger Recreation Center, 3507 Kaneville Road, Geneva
Activities include kids’ games and crafts, a costume contest, science activities, a Halloween egg hunt, bounce houses, hay rides and more.
Boo Breakfast
When: Oct. 27
Where: The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle
The Morton Arboretum presents a Halloween breakfast complete with visits from favorite characters. Costumes are encouraged.
Halloween Happening
When: Oct. 27
Where: Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, 912 Sindt Court, Naperville
Enjoy lots of fun activities, games and goodies. Take a trip through four specially-themed lands complete with treats and treasures and lots of photo opportunities. For ages 10 and under.
Halloween Spooktacular
When: Oct. 27
Where: Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville
The DuPage Symphony and the Naperville Youth Symphony join together to present a fun-filled program for Halloween, complete with costumes, storytelling, and vivid orchestral music. Audience members are encouraged to come in costume as well, and join in the Halloween spirit.
Spooky Silly Halloween Concert
When: Oct. 28
Where: Berwyn Public Library, 2701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn
Preschoolers and early elementary music fans will enjoy a Halloween concert from Mr. Singer and the Sharp Cookies. Costumes encouraged.
Boo-riffic
When: Oct. 29
Where: Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
Kids ages 1-5 will have fun with songs and musical activities about decorating pumpkins, wearing costumes, trick-or-treating and more. Children are encouraged to wear costumes.
Boo Bash!
When: Oct. 30
Where: Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
Children are invited to wear their costumes to this fun hour of not-so-spooky activities and stories, ending with a yummy treat. Recommended for ages 3-5 with an adult.
Main Event Trunk or Treat
When: Oct. 31
Where: Main Event, 28248 Diehl Road, Warrenville
Enjoy a costume contest, prizes, trick-or-treating and a safe environment for Halloween.
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