Maybe you, like many, think, “why do the kids get to have all the Halloween fun?” There will be plenty of hayrides, marshmallow roasts, haunted houses and frightful scares for the younger set throughout the north suburbs, but some haven’t forgotten about the guys and ghouls in the over-21 crowd. Glenview Park District is having a local craft brews event, and Northbrook Park District is holding a costume contest for ages 55-plus. On the other hand, there’s no rule saying adults can’t go on a hayride!
Oct. 10
1920s Film: “The Phantom of the Opera”
7 to 9 p.m. at Historic Wagner Farm Sales Shed, 1510 Wagner Rd, Glenview.
Join us for a night of popcorn watching the 1925 classic. The Farm will provide popcorn and an educational commentary before the film begins. $4 per person. Purchase tickets in advance online or pay at the door.
Oct. 17
Frozen Frights
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Glenview Community Ice Center, 1851 Landwehr Rd, Glenview.
Come to Glen-BOO Community Ice Center dressed in your costume and enjoy a Halloween-themed cosmic skate with special lights and glow sticks under the disco ball. Giveaways, costume contest and more. Free with a Season Public Skate Pass or $10 per skater. 3 and under skate free with a paying adult. Skates: $4, or free when you come dressed in costume.
7 to 9 p.m. at Sports Center, 1730 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook
Ghoulish decorations and special lighting set the ice, and all ages are welcome. $5 for skaters in costume, $7 for others. Skate rentals are $4.
Oct. 10 and 17
5:15, 5:45, 6:15, 6:45 p.m. at Historic Wagner Farm, 1510 Wagner Rd, Glenview
Roast marshmallows, build the perfect s’more and then hop aboard a tractor-drawn wagon for a scenic ride. $12. Children 2 and under free.
Oct. 10-Oct. 11
Scream Scene Haunted House
7 to 10 p.m. at Skokie Water Playground, 4701 Oakton St., Skokie.
With its chainsaw maniacs, insane clown maze, new characters, sets and scenes, Scream Scene has been terrifying visitors for nearly 30 years. Parental discretion advised: Not recommended for children under 10 years old. Admission $14.
Oct. 11
Costume Swap
1 to 3 p.m. at Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston.
Bring your old costumes and exchange them with other families to find a new costume for you! Free.
Oct. 11 and Oct. 17
5 to 8 p.m. at The Grove, 1421 Milwaukee Ave. Glenview
Climb aboard our hay wagon to enjoy views from prairie to forest. Then roast marshmallows and pop popcorn over a campfire.
Oct. 12
10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Community Bark West, 1001 Zenith Dr, Glenview
Treat your pup to Halloween treats and toys while enjoying a drink from Tom’s Coffee Truck. Snap a photo in front of our spooky backdrop and participate in a costume contest for a chance to win a free dog park membership. Free with dog park membership.
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Wood Oaks Green Park, 1150 Sanders Road, Northbrook
Fishing derby for families includes fishing lessons, lawn games and a visit from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Conservation Police education trailer. Fishing poles and bait are first-come, first-served. Coffee and donuts for purchase. Event held in partnership with Wheeling Park District and state Sen. Julie Morrison.
11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Village Green Center, 1810 Waters Ave., Northbrook
Have fun with spooky Halloween concepts like puking pumpkins, fizzing ghosts, static powered witches, a kitchen science blood lab, spooktacular Halloween pranks, a haunted fall carnival, creepy candy experiments, eek estimation jar, and more ghoulish Halloween exploration! Souvenirs included. Drop-off class. Ages 5 to 13. $39 for residents, $49 for nonresidents.
Oct. 16
Teen Glow Pickleball/Dodgeball
6-8 p.m. at Weinberg Family Recreation Center, 305 Randolph Road, Glencoe
Play dodgeball or pickleball under the glowing lights with illuminated equipment at this spooky-fun event. For grades 5-12; admission is $20 per person.
Oct. 17
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Lakeview Center & Gillson Park, 800 Gillson Park Dr., Wilmette
Take a hayride through the night, bounce on inflatables and paint your face bright. Spooky Stations will provide giveaways and treats. Pick your favorite from the pumpkin patch and get creative at the decorating station. Costumes encouraged. $26-$32 per person. Registration required for children only. An adult must accompany each child throughout the event.
Movies on the Green: Hocus Pocus
Dusk at Takiff Center front lawn, 999 Green Bay Road, Glencoe.
Three witches are resurrected on Halloween in modern Salem. Join the spooky fun as the boy who revived them tries to send them back in this outdoor showing of Hocus Pocus! Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Free to attend. In case of inclement weather, the movie will be moved inside.
5:15, 5:45, 6:15 and 6:45 p.m. at Historic Wagner Farm, 1510 Wagner Rd, Glenview.
Roast marshmallows, build the perfect s’more and hop aboard a tractor-drawn wagon for a scenic ride. $12. Children 2 and under free.
5 to 8 p.m. at The Grove, 1421 Milwaukee Ave. Glenview.
Climb aboard our hay wagon to enjoy views from prairie to forest. Then roast marshmallows and pop popcorn over a campfire.
Oct. 17 -Oct. 18
Things That Go Bump in the Night
6 to 8:15 p.m. at Emily Oaks Nature Center, 4650 Brummel St., Skokie
This event is informative – not frightening. Walk around the trail to visit a cave, a forest and a marsh, and listen to costumed animals that live here explain why these places are fantastic and magical! Then end with a campfire with cider and songs. All ages. Admission: $8.
Scream Scene Haunted House
7 to 10 p.m. at Skokie Water Playground, 4701 Oakton St., Skokie.
With its chainsaw maniacs, insane clown maze, new characters, sets and scenes, Scream Scene has been terrifying visitors for nearly 30 years. Parental discretion advised: Not recommended for children under 10 years old. Admission $14.
Oct. 18
Times vary at Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd., Evanston
Celebrate a decade of the undead! You’ll be challenged to make it through a zombie-infested course as the zombies try to snatch your “lives,” represented by flag football belts. $35 Residents, $46 Non-Residents, 2 years and up.
Oct. 19
North Suburban YMCA Trunk or Treat
1 to 3 p.m. at 2705 Techny Rd., Northbrook
Youth costume contest, best decorated car contest, entertainment, food for purchase. Volunteers needed to decorate cars and pass out candy.
Oct. 23
Halloween Pet Parade
5 to 6 p.m. at Techny Prairie Park & Fields, 1700 Techny Road, Northbrook
Grab a costume for you and your furry friend. Parade followed by a costume contest with winners for best look-alike pet, best pet-owner combo and spookiest animal. Ages 18 and up. $10 per pet. Register at nbparks.org (code 27074) or onsite until the event begins.
Oct. 24
1:30 to 3 p.m. at Techny Prairie Activity Center, 180 Anets Drive, Northbrook
Wear a costume to be entered in a costume contest; enjoy treats and games. Ages 55 and up. $13 for Northbrook Senior Center members, $19 nonmembers.
5-7 p.m. at Takiff Center, 999 Green Bay Road, Glencoe
The Takiff Center transforms into an eerie playground where kids can trick-or-treat, enjoy shows, witness spectacles, and participate in Halloween activities, along with other spook-tacular surprises. Wear your costume! For ages 0-8 with an adult
5:50 to 8 p.m. at Park Center, 2400 Chestnut Ave, Glenview
Inflatables, DJ, face painting, creepy crafts. Outside, ghoulish games, entertainment, hayrides around Gallery Park. For ages 2-12, costumes encouraged; parents must accompany children. $20 per child, free for ages 13-plus (pay at door).
Halloween 3K Fun Run
6 to 7:30 p.m. at Techny Prairie Park and Fields, 1700 Techny Road, Northbrook
Wear a costume for the race, then enjoy refreshments, bounce houses, games and a costume contest for categories including best costume and best group costume. Ages 5 and up. Individuals $15, family of four $45. Register at nbparks.org (code 27110 individual, 27109 family) or day of the event.
Halloween Skate & Costume Contest
7:15- 9:15 p.m. at Skatium Ice Arena, 9340 Weber Park Place, Skokie
Dress up for an evening of family Halloween fun and skating at the Skatium’s annual Halloween Skate &Costume Contest! Trophies for the top three costumes. Goodie bags for all skaters 14 and under. Admission $10, Skate rental $4.
6:30 to 8 p.m. at The Grove, 1421 Milwaukee Ave. Glenview
A chillingly fun night out for adults. Enjoy local craft beer under the stars as storytellers share eerie legends and spine-tingling folklore by the campfire. Costumes optional, courage encouraged.
Oct. 25
Haunted Heritage Cemetery Walk
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Peter’s UCC Cemetery, 8530 Harms Rd., Skokie
Featuring some of Skokie’s local deceased legends, you will set off among the tombstones to meet our friendly graveyard ghosts and hear their stories about Skokie’s early days. Tours last about an hour and depart the front gates every 10 minutes, with the last tour leaving at 11 a.m. Ages 10+. Admission $20.
Times vary at Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd., Evanston
This family-friendly Halloween event will highlight amazing creatures found in nature. Learn fun facts about animals while traveling through the Ladd Arboretum. Then, enjoy s’mores around the campfire and Halloween-themed games! $11 Residents, $15 Non-Residents, 2 years and up.
Kooky Spooky Candy Trail
3 to 5 p.m. at Oakton Park, 4701 Oakton St., Skokie
Collect candy and prizes by visiting each interactive station along the trail. Costumes are encouraged. Check-in by 4:40 p.m. required. For ages 2-13. Tickets $12.
Lights on Scream Scene
3 to 5 p.m. at Skokie Water Playground, 4701 Oakton St., Skokie
Today, walk through the haunted house in broad daylight, nonetheless, a very scary experience! With its chainsaw maniacs, insane clown maze, new characters, sets and scenes, Scream Scene has been terrifying visitors for nearly 30 years. Parental discretion advised: Not recommended for children under 10 years old. Admission $3.
Oct. 25-26
‘13 Jr.’ by Northbrook Theatre Youth Company
Field Middle School, 2055 Landwehr Road, Northbrook
Coming-of-age musical about a 12-year-old who moves from New York City to a quiet Indiana town and wants to throw the best Bar Mitzvah ever. Tickets $15 plus fees.
Scream Scene Haunted House
7 to 11 p.m. Saturday and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Water Playground, 4701 Oakton St., Skokie
With its chainsaw maniacs, insane clown maze, new characters, sets and scenes, Scream Scene has been terrifying visitors for nearly 30 years. Parental discretion advised: Not recommended for children under 10 years old. Admission $14.
Oct. 26
3 to 6 p.m. at Historic Wagner Farm, 1510 Wagner Rd, Glenview
Wear costumes to our kid-friendly bash that includes a haunted wagon ride, pumpkin games, and more. $10/person. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Oct. 29
Murder and Mayhem in Skokie Walking Tour
5:30 to 7 p.m. at Skokie Heritage Museum, 8031 Floral Ave., Skokie.
Listen to spine-tingling and sometimes silly stories of murder and mayhem in Skokie while exploring downtown and learn about the ghosts of Skokie’s past, including a serial arsonist, the attempted murder of Skokie’s founding father, local ties to infamous gangsters, and some eccentric small-town emergencies. Ages 10+. Tickets $15.
Oct. 31-Nov. 2
Scream Scene Haunted House
7 to 10 p.m. Friday, 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Skokie Water Playground, 4701 Oakton St., Skokie
With its chainsaw maniacs, insane clown maze, new characters, sets and scenes, Scream Scene has been terrifying visitors for nearly 30 years. Parental discretion advised: Not recommended for children under 10 years old. Admission $14.
Nov. 7 -Nov. 8
Glowstick Scream Scene
7 to 10 p.m. at Skokie Water Playground, 4701 Oakton St., Skokie.
Navigate the terrifying Scream Scene Haunted House with nothing but a glowstick. Parental discretion advised: Not recommended for children under 10 years old. Admission $14.
