Arlington Heights Family-Friendly Fall Activities 2026

Get ready for a spooktacular Trunk or Treat event at Pioneer Park! This Halloween celebration features over 40 decorated trunks filled with treats, exciting inflatables, a giant slide, and a fun photo booth. A DJ will keep the energy high...

Lace up your running shoes and don your most creative costume for the 20th Anniversary of the Halloween Hustle 5K and Kid's Dash. This festive event benefits The Boys and Girls Club of Palatine, offering a scenic 5K route for...

Embark on a delightful Trick-or-Treat Trail where friendly characters await to hand out candy. This event offers a safe, no-scare zone perfect for children 12 and under, ensuring a fun-filled experience with games and entertainment. Parents must accompany children throughout...

Get into the Halloween spirit at the Des Plaines Trunk or Treat! Kids aged 3 and up are invited to wear their costumes and visit decorated car trunks to collect festive treats. Registration is required for all participants, with free...

Unleash the fun at the Howl-O-Ween Canine Costume Contest! Dogs and their humans are invited to strut their stuff in creative costumes for a chance to win prizes. Even if you don't have a dog, all are welcome to join...

Step back in time at the Autumn Harvest Festival, where they're bringing 19th-century farm life to life. Enjoy hands-on activities like pumpkin decorating, crafts, and games for kids. Experience live music and savor delicious food and beverages from local vendors....

Experience a delightful trick-or-treat adventure at Tricks & Treats in the Valley. This all-ages event invites families to follow a half-mile trail starting at Heritage Farm, venturing through historic buildings and into the scenic woods. Costumes are encouraged for this...

Get ready for a frightfully fun time at the Schaumburg Halloween Carnival! This event promises a thrilling carnival experience with exciting rides and classic games. Immerse yourself in a festive Halloween atmosphere filled with spooky decorations and community spirit. It's...

Experience Chicagoland's cherished fall tradition at Happy Times Pumpkin Fest, held at Didier Farms. This family-friendly event offers a delightful array of attractions, including a challenging corn maze, exciting amusement rides, and a petting zoo. Visitors can also enjoy unique...

Join the Hoffman Estates community for the Haunted Hoffman Family Fest, a day filled with free family fun and friendly frights. Enjoy live entertainment, games, a bounce house, and a scenic hayride. Meet local firefighters and police officers, and bring...

Get ready for a spooktacular time at the Oak Lawn Trunk or Treat! This free, community event transforms the Connolly Recreation Center parking lot into a Halloween wonderland. Families can stroll through creatively decorated car trunks, each offering a unique...

Join the Halloween Skelebration for a fright-free evening of fun for ghouls, goblins, and skeletons aged 2-12. This indoor/outdoor bash features a live DJ, face painting, creepy-cool crafts, ghoulish games, and spooky entertainment. Parents must accompany children, and costumes are...

Lace up your running shoes and don your best costume for the annual Halloween 3K Fun Run and Walk! This festive event winds through the scenic Techny Prairie Park and Fields, offering a perfect way to embrace the spooky season....

Teens can get into the Halloween spirit at this special 'glow' event. They can show off their costumes in a contest, dance to music, and enjoy a night of festive fun. It's a great opportunity for them to celebrate the...

Goebbert's Fall Festival offers a full day of autumn fun for the entire family. Navigate a challenging corn stalk maze, cheer on racing pigs, and meet a variety of farm and exotic animals. Don't miss the iconic Pumpkin-Eating Dinosaur or...

Join the Park District of Highland Park for a free, family-friendly Trunk or Treat event at Hidden Creek AquaPark. Children aged 2 and up are invited to dress up in their favorite costumes and go car-to-car collecting treats from creatively...

Experience the magic of Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns at the Chicago Botanic Garden. This enchanting event features thousands of artist-carved pumpkins, including giant gourds and themed displays. Enjoy live carving demonstrations, meet costumed characters, and savor festive food and drinks...

Celebrate the autumn season at the Bensenville Harvest Fest! This family-friendly event at Fischer Farm offers a delightful day of free admission, live music, and engaging activities. Enjoy classic carnival games, wagon rides, and hands-on crafts. Savor delicious fall-themed treats...

Get ready for the 4th annual 'BOO in the Barn' at SOUL Harbour Ranch! This festive Halloween fundraiser offers a spooky trail walk, trick-or-treat stations, a craft project, and a campfire cookout. Meet the ranch's beloved therapy animals, including mini...

Norwood Park transforms into a festive fall haven for a weekend of fun. Enjoy live music spanning rock, country, and blues, alongside a diverse array of food vendors from Chicagoland. Browse local merchandise, and explore the dedicated Family Zone with...

Get ready for a spooktacular time at the annual Ravinia District Halloween Candy Stroll! This beloved event invites families to visit participating businesses for delightful trick-or-treating. It's the perfect way to enjoy a festive Halloween afternoon filled with treats and...

Dive into a unique Halloween experience at The Club at Prairie Stone! Participants will swim through a 'pumpkin patch' to find their perfect pumpkin. After the exciting hunt, enjoy open swim until 2:30 PM, followed by pumpkin decorating and a...

Get ready for a spooktacular time with Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players! This Halloween show, 'Trick or Treat!', is perfect for the whole family. Known for his 'kiddie rock' and feel-good songs, Justin Roberts delivers a...

The 15th annual Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival returns October 3-5, 2025, transforming Downtown Highwood into a fall wonderland. This family-friendly event features a massive carnival, live music across three stages, pumpkin carving stations, and a variety of food and artisan...

Main Event Hoffman Estates transforms into a spooky arcade for a frightfully fun Halloween night. Enjoy bowling, creative crafts like pumpkin and pin decorating, and engaging contests. It's a monster mash of fun for friends and family, complete with giveaways...

Experience the magic of Pumpkins in the Woods at Hubbard Woods Park! This family-friendly event features pumpkin decorating, exciting carnival games, and fun bounce houses. Register for the costume contest with categories for most original, scariest, and funniest, with winners...

Get ready for a spooktacular time at the 15th Annual Halloween Fun Fest 2.0 & Parade! This exciting event features a vibrant parade, a town-wide Trick/Trunk-or-Treat, and a chilling 'Haunted Hallway'. Businesses are encouraged to participate and hand out treats,...

Get into the Halloween spirit at Gladstone Park's Boo Bash! This family-friendly event invites everyone to come dressed in their best costumes. Enjoy an evening filled with engaging games, creative crafts, and sweet candy, making it a perfect way to...

Join the Central Street Trick Or Treat event for a delightful family celebration. Children can visit participating businesses to collect treats, enjoy creative Halloween-themed crafts, and soak in the festive community spirit. It's a perfect way to celebrate the holiday...

Embrace the autumn spirit at Lombard's annual Fall Fest! This free community event offers a delightful afternoon for families, featuring games, dancing, face painting, and a special candy hunt. Children can pick out their own pumpkin from the patch. Attendees...

Join the Glen Ellyn Park District for a spooktacular Boo Bash! Children aged 2-10 can don their favorite costumes and explore a delightful trick-or-treat trail, meeting beloved characters along the way. The event also features a pumpkin patch where attendees...

Get ready for Spooktacular 2025 in Downtown Lombard! This exciting Halloween festival features a day packed with family fun, including trick-or-treating, a costume contest, and a scavenger hunt. Enjoy inflatable attractions, a craft fair, and live entertainment. It's the perfect...

Celebrate the autumn season at the Family Fall Fest, a vibrant community gathering. Kids can enjoy trick-or-treating at Safety Town, bounce through an inflatable corn maze and obstacle course, and play carnival games. Delicious food truck options will be available,...

Join the Haunt on Hirsch Street for a free family block party filled with Halloween fun. Enjoy inflatables, music from a DJ, and engaging games. Capture memories with spooky displays and don your favorite costume. Complimentary hot dogs are available...

Get ready for a creative and spooky good time at the Family Pumpkin Carving Party! They provide the pumpkins and carving tools, making it easy for everyone to participate. After you've finished your jack-o'-lantern masterpiece, they'll even handle the cleanup....

Santa's Village transforms into a fall wonderland for their annual Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival. Wander through multiple pumpkin patches, enjoy a harvest-themed menu, and experience added attractions like a corn pit and mini straw maze. The park's amusement rides...

Bring the whole family to Linden Square for a delightful trick-or-treating adventure! Participating businesses will be handing out treats and giveaways. Don your favorite Halloween costume, whether you're a goblin, ghost, wizard, or superhero. The event features live entertainment and...

This fall, Wicked Wilmette moves lakeside to Gillson Park and the Lakeview Center for an evening of family-friendly frights. Kids can enjoy inflatable bounce houses, face painting, and a spooky hayride adventure. Explore 'Spooky Stations' for treats and pick out...

Get into the Halloween spirit at the Monster Bash! This event offers a delightful mix of spooky games and ghoulish treats, perfect for a festive afternoon. Attendees are encouraged to wear their costumes for a chance to be part of...

Join the NSPT Evanston team for a festive Halloween open house! This family-friendly event is a great opportunity for current and past clients, along with their families and staff, to celebrate the holiday together. Come in costume if you wish,...

Bring the kids to Downtown Evanston for a delightful trick-or-treat stroll on Saturday, October 25th. Families can wander at their own pace, stopping at participating businesses marked with special posters to collect candy and Halloween treats. The event kicks off...

Join the Elgin Police Department for their annual Halloween Extravaganza! This free, family-friendly event offers a haunted house, a special trick-or-treat experience at the police station, music, and snacks. Kids 12 and under can showcase their costumes in a dedicated...

Get ready for a spooktacular day at the annual Roscoe Village Halloween Block Party! This vibrant community event brings neighbors, local schools, and businesses together for a festive celebration. Enjoy live music, a dedicated drink tent for adult refreshments, and...

Experience the magic of Cosley Zoo after dark at the Spooktacular event. Wander through charming seasonal decorations, enjoy family-friendly activities, and get creative by decorating your own pumpkin. It's a delightful way to celebrate the season with loved ones.

Join the community for OAKtoberfest, a celebration of Illinois oaks and fall fun! This family-friendly event features live music, engaging activities like platform tennis and 'a-corn hole,' and creative nature-themed crafts. Discover local environmental organizations and businesses, enjoy delicious cider...

Join the 28th Annual Spooktacular in Downtown DeKalb for a festive Halloween celebration. Families and friends are invited to don their costumes and embark on a trick-or-treating adventure, visiting over 30 local businesses for delightful treats. Following the candy collection,...

Oaktoberfest returns to Downtown Oak Park, celebrating the autumn season with a vibrant community festival. Attendees can enjoy a dynamic live music lineup, a diverse selection of craft beers and wines, and delicious food from local eateries. A special Kids'...

Step into a world of enchantment at the DuPage County Historical Museum's annual Halloween party. This magical evening invites guests of all ages to don their best costumes for a night filled with wonder. Discover hidden treasures on a flashlight...

Celebrate the autumn season at the Fall Fest, a beloved Northwest Side tradition. This family-friendly event features a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, and delightful pony rides. Enjoy seasonal treats from the Harvest Café & Grill and immerse yourself in...

This Halloween party at Cheney Mansion offers a fun and engaging experience tailored for families with sensory sensitivities. Children aged 4-12 can enjoy the festivities in a comfortable environment, complete with costume fun and photo opportunities with the Great Pumpkin....

Join the barnyard crew for a Halloween celebration in this delightful musical adaptation of Doreen Cronin's "Click, Clack, Moo" series. When Farmer Brown tries to stop the fun, Duck, Pig, Cow, and Hen use clever trickery to ensure a festive...

Join the Lincoln Scared and Ravenswoooood event for a delightful trick-or-treat experience for children. Participating businesses in the Lincoln Square Ravenswood district will hand out treats. Additionally, families can enjoy a free pumpkin decorating activity hosted by Concordia Place outside...

Venture into Central Park West for a spooktacular Halloween Trick or Treat Trail! This family-friendly event features a 1/2 mile walk through the woods, where costumed characters await with treats. After the trail, enjoy a Haunted Wagon ride, bounce houses,...

Experience a thrilling Spooky Night at Coyote Crossing Mini Golf! Navigate a creatively decorated 18-hole course designed for Halloween fun. Enjoy yard games, gather around the fire pit for s'mores, and explore themed nights with music and contests. It's the...

Get ready for Aville-o-Ween in Andersonville! This festive celebration offers trick-or-treating through the business district, where local shops hand out candy and prizes. Don't miss Fright on Farragut for spooky games, a DJ, and a popular pooch costume contest. Additional...

Oak Park invites families to a classic Halloween trick-or-treating experience on October 31st. From 4 PM to 8 PM, children can collect treats from participating households. The event encourages safety with tips on costumes and candy inspection, and promotes inclusivity...

Step into the Oak Park Conservatory for a 'Boo-tanical' Halloween experience. This annual event transforms the Conservatory into a festive, spooky wonderland. Guests are encouraged to wear costumes while exploring the unique plant life, including those that grow in the...

Get ready for a spooktacular morning of Halloween fun in the Northcenter neighborhood! Families are invited to don their most creative costumes and join in a festive trick-or-treat event. It's a perfect opportunity for kids to gather goodies and enjoy...

Join the Wheaton Park District for a hauntingly good time at Halloween Happening! This family-friendly event features carnival games, a bounce house, a life-size Candyland Trail, and a popular Touch-a-Truck experience. Costumes are encouraged for an evening packed with fun,...

Gather your little ghosts and goblins for a fang-tastic time at Randall Oaks Zoo's Boo at the Zoo event. This family-friendly celebration features trick-or-treating all day, opportunities to see favorite animals in costume, and daily costume parades. It's a perfect...

Experience a vibrant Fall Festival at Cantigny Park, featuring a full weekend of seasonal delights. Enjoy live music from diverse bands, explore over 100 craft vendors, and indulge in delicious food and craft beers at the Biergarten. Families will love...

Families are invited to don their costumes for a delightful trick-or-treat adventure at Cantigny Park. This walking tour winds through the park, offering numerous candy stations, including teal pumpkins for allergy-conscious trick-or-treaters. Entertainment and attractions await along the path, promising...

Get ready for Hamilton's Annual Boo Bash, a spooktacular fall festival packed with family fun! Kids and adults are encouraged to wear costumes for a vibrant parade and a Thriller Flash Mob dance lesson. Discover interactive reptile and insect encounters,...

Celebrate the start of autumn at the 38th Annual Lincoln Square Apple Fest. This beloved community tradition features a vibrant street festival with over 80 vendors offering fall essentials, alongside a delicious selection of apple-inspired dishes and ciders. Enjoy live...

Get ready for a frightfully fun time at Spooktacular! This beloved Halloween event transforms Lincoln Park into a trick-or-treat wonderland. Families can gather their costumes and candy buckets to collect treats from over 40 local businesses along Lincoln Avenue on...

Celebrate Oktoberfest at Brookfield Zoo Chicago with a day of German-style fun! This family-friendly event features live polka music, traditional dancing, and engaging games. Indulge in a special seasonal menu with classic Oktoberfest fare like bratwurst and pretzels, alongside unique...

Brookfield Zoo Chicago transforms into a Halloween wonderland for 'BOO! at the Zoo,' a family-friendly celebration from October 4-31, 2025. Visitors can enjoy festive decorations, themed food and drinks, and trick-or-treating. Weekends bring extra fun with costume parades, a magician,...