Get An Early Start On Candy-Collecting At These Area Trunk Or Treat Events

There will be plenty of opportunities to fill up plastic jack-o-lanterns at area trunk-or-treat events in the coming days before the big candy finale on Halloween. Whether you call it “trunk or treat,” or “trick or trunk,” count on creative car decorations filled with candy and goodies.

Trunk-or-treat events offer kids a safe space where they can dress up in their costumes and make the rounds of decorated vehicles. Other activities may also be included, like pet parades, games and pumpkin patches.

Hosts are also looking for people to decorate their trunks and fill them with candy to pass out to the kids. Some events require an RSVP, and most are free except where noted.

Little ghosts and goblins can get an early start on their Halloween treat collecting at these “trunk or treat” events in the coming week:

Friday, Oct. 24

Calvary Church, 10056 S. Central Ave., Oak Lawn, 5 to 7 p.m. – Come dressed in your favorite costume and enjoy an evening full of candy, music, games and fun.

Trunk or Treat With the Vets, American Legion Post 854, 9701 S. Kedzie Ave., Evergreen Park, 6 to 9 p.m. – Children are invited to peruse the variety of trunks, all decked out for Halloween and filled with candy and other goodies. Raffles, games and more are featured. Fat Johnnie's Daughter, of Burbank, will be there for your food needs. If you’d like to decorate your trunk and fill it with candy or giveaways, call Gina at 708-422-9531.

Saturday, Oct. 25

Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School, 5345 W. 99th St. (99th Street and 54th Avenue), noon to 2:30 p.m. – The time for pumpkins, costumes, and candy is almost here. The Oak Lawn Lions Club will be hosting a trunk or treat event. Get ready for a frightfully fun afternoon for the whole family full of Halloween magic.

Alive Church, 8844 S Austin Ave, Oak Lawn, 3 to 5 p.m. – Join us for a spook-tacular evening of family fun at the annual trunk or treat event. Dress up in your favorite costume and bring the entire family for a safe, fun, and festive night of trick-or-treating from creatively decorated car trunks. There will be candy, games, music, and plenty of Halloween spirit. For more information or to sign up to host a trunk, contact: Erica Caban at ecaban@livealive.church

Oak Lawn United Reformed Church, 9350 S. 54th Ave., 3 to 5 p.m. – The community is invited for an afternoon of candy and food. Kids can dress up and visit all the decorated trunks to gather candy. Trick or treaters are invited to stay for hot dogs, chips and nachos.

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9701 S. Brandt Ave., Oak Lawn, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Boo! You’re invited to trunk or treat for costumes, treats and family-friendly fun. They could use a few more trunks. Contact Diane Valdez, 708-704-0581.

St. Laurence High School, 5556 W. 77th St., Burbank, 9 to 11 a.m. – Children 9 years old and younger are invited to dress up in their costumes and walk the high school's halls, trick or treating in different classrooms and participating in Halloween activities along the way. This is a fun event for the family and a great way to get in the spooky spirit. Register in advance.

ADDED! Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7800 S. McCarthy Road, Palos Heights, 3 to 4:30 p.m. – Families are invited to Come on out and see the decor, fellowship with friends and get lots of candy. This trunk or treat is allergy/dietary restriction friendly, so everyone can take part.
Goodie bags will be given out upon arrival while supplies last. Volunteers will pass out candy and other goodies from decorated trunks. Options will be available for children who have severe food allergies or other food restrictions. The event is free. Attendees are encouraged to dress up. Some first responders will be on hand if no emergencies arise. In case of bad weather, the event will move inside. Information is at (708) 448-4170.

Peace Memorial Church UCC, 10300 W. 131st St. Palos Park, 3 to 5 p.m. – Bring your family, friends, and little goblins for an evening full of safe trick-or-treating, creative car decorations, and Halloween fun for all ages! There will be a FREE Trunk Or Treat in the back parking lot of the church. In case of rain, the event will be moved inside. The community is invited to come out not only for the trick or treating, but to decorate your trunk as well. Popcorn, candy and cotton candy are featured. For more information, call the church office at 708-448-7833.

Sunday, Oct. 26

Garden Homes Fire Protection District, 3800 W. 110th St., Alsip, 2 to 5 p.m. – The volunteer firefighters are planning a free trunk-or-treat event for the youngsters. Event set up and car decorating starts at noon. Decorate your car and fill the trunk with candy. The firefighters are still accepting a few more vendors, local businesses and residents who’d like to decorate through cars and pass out candy. Music, games and more are featured. Decorated vehicles and costumes are encouraged. For more info, contact Earl Abercombie at abercrombiee@ghfpd.org or on Facebook messenger.

First Church of God, 4600 W. 111th St., Oak Lawn, 2 to 3 p.m. – Decorate your car and load it with candy as we invite our church neighbors for a free, family friendly and fun alternative to Halloween. Bring your kids to enjoy collecting candy from 2-3pm, jumping in the bouncy house and games. The Pet Parade is back, so dress up your friendly fur babies and show them off. They’ll do it again about 3:15 p.m.

Pilgrim Faith United Church of Christ, 9411 S. 51st St., Oak Lawn, 3 to 5 p.m. — Wear your costume and bring your plastic jack o’ lantern over to Pilgrim Faith for tunk or treat. For anyone who would like to decorate their car and pass out candy, please let the church know by filling out this form. Please spread the word to any little goblin or ghoul you know so they can come enjoy the fun!

First United Methodist Church of Oak Lawn, 100th Street and Central Avenue, Oak Lawn, 2 to 4 p.m. – The “Pumpkin Church” will host a trunk-or-treat in the church parking lot. While you’re there, check out the adorable pumpkin patch and pick a pumpkin or two. Lots of photo ops, hay rides and more in the scenic pumpkin patch.

Monday, Oct. 27

Mother McAuley High School’s “Not-So-Haunted House,” 3737 W. 99th St., Chicago, 4 to 6 p.m. – Students will host a not-so-haunted house for children ages 2 through 8. Stop by for an afternoon of crafts, games and more. Wear your costume. Cost is $3 per child, adults are free. RSVP online. All are welcome.

Wednesday, Oct. 29

Worth Township 7th Annual Trunk or Treat, 11601 S. Pulaski Road (Pulaski and 116th St.), Alsip, 4 to 6 p.m. – Children can wear their costumes and walk a designated path to see all the decorated cars and tables, that will be held in the back parking lot and multipurpose room. Bring your own bag to trick or treat (while supplies last). Call 708-371-2900 for more information.

SXU Baseball’ Team Annual Trunk or Treat, 3700 W. 103rd St. (Parking Lot 3, 5:30 p.m. – The entire Saint Xavier University baseball team is teaming up to decorate as many cars as possible and are ready to hand out lots of candy to little Disney princesses and super heroes, in Parking Lot 3 near Shannon Center. Bring the entire family and tour the beautiful campus, get a first peek at the Cougars’ brand-new turf baseball field, and meet the players and coaching staff. All are welcome.

Friday, Oct. 31

Maranatha Chapel, 9731 S. Pulaski Road, Evergreen Park, 5 to 7 p.m. – Bring the kids over on Halloween for Light the Night or trunk-or-treat. RSVP in advance, so the church has enough candy, 708-422-4340.

Did we miss one? Send your information to lorraine.swanson@patch.com.