There’s Still Time To Get Into The Halloween Spirit At These 10 Events In Illinois

Halloween is on a Friday this year, which means celebrations will stretch into the weekend in Illinois. Adding to the fun, Halloween won’t fall on a Friday again until 2031.

There’s still time to get in on the Halloween fun at haunted houses, costume parties, ghost tours, and even a free event for the whole family at the zoo.

Below, we’ve rounded up 10 Halloween events to appeal to a variety of tastes.

• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 — Spooky Zoo at the Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago. A free, festive and accessible event includes spooky chats and learning activities, costume parades, scavenger hunt, free trick-or-treating with sustainably sourced candy, kid-friendly entertainment, free carousel rides, and Fall Fest.
• 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 — Arts in the Dark Parade, starts at State and Randolph in Chicago. The 11th annual parade draws over 100,000 attendees, featuring music, dance, costumes and more along State Street. Attendees are also invited to DIY their own costume and enter a costume contest.
• 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 15-19, Oct. 22-26 — Night of 1,000 Jack-o'Lanterns at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. Walk an eerily enchanting path, aglow with artist-carved pumpkins. Live carving, meet costumed characters, light bites for purchase. Buy tickets here.
• Dates and times vary by event through Oct. 31 — Lemonster Days, various locations in Lemont. Most events are free, some may have separate fees. Families can enjoy the Scarecrow Trail, Lemonster trick-or-treating and more. Check out full schedule here.
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday — Boo At The Zoo, Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Family-friendly event includes trick-or-treating, magicians, inflatables and a new art fair on Sundays. Free with zoo membership and included with general admission.
• 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 23 — Halloween Pet Parade, Techny Prairie Park and Fields, 1700 Techny Road, Northbrook. Take part in the Northbrook Park District's pet parade followed by a costume contest, including winners for best look-alike pet, pet and owner combo costume, and the spookiest animal. Registration is available up until the event begins.
• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 24 — Trick or Treat Trail, Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center, 225 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. Free event for kids 12 and under. Walk through the trail and meet friendly characters who will hand out candy to all children. There will also be games, entertainment, and more family fun. No scare zone and parents must accompany children during the entire event. The first 200 kids will receive goodie bags.
• Noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 26 — Downtown Tinley Boo Bash, Harmony Square, 6700 North St., Tinley Park. Fun for families with young children. Activities will include trick-or-treating through business booths, DJ entertainment and much more. Food and beverages will be sold.
• 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends through Nov. 2 — Kids Boo Fest At Six Flags, 1 Great American Parkway, Gurnee. Fall festival with family-friendly activities, Trick-or-Treat Trail, and world-class family rides Live shows, most activities, and most rides included with park admission.
• Through Nov. 1 — Jack O'Lantern World, Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Walk through an immersive, interactive trail featuring more than 20 themed worlds, pumpkins hand-carved by more than 50 artisans. There is also a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, fun zone, food trucks and beer garden.

Are you planning a Halloween or other fall event? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!