McHenry Family-Friendly Fall Activities 2026

52 family-friendly fall activities in McHenry and nearby.

McHenry and surrounding towns are hosting numerous family Halloween celebrations this season. From large fall festivals in places like South Elgin to pumpkin patches and trick-or-treat events closer to home, there's plenty to choose from.

Consider events like the family-focused Apple Orchard and Pumpkin Patch at All Seasons Orchard or the free Truck or Treat in Crystal Lake if you're looking for specific experiences.

All Family-Friendly Fall Activities Around McHenry

Illustration of a glowing ferris wheel and carousel at dusk with pumpkins, jack-o'-lanterns and small costumed figures (Schaumburg Halloween Carnival)

Schaumburg Halloween Carnival

Schaumburg 23 mi $$

Classic carnival with a Halloween twist

Illustration of a pumpkin patch full of orange pumpkins with two small farmers, red wheelbarrows and a farm stand (All Seasons Orchard Fall Festival)

All Seasons Orchard Fall Festival

Woodstock 12 mi $$

Features over 30 barnyard activities and a Dolly Parton corn maze.

Illustration of a pumpkin patch with many orange pumpkins, curling vines, a wheelbarrow and a small farm stand at dusk (The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival)

The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival

Highwood 25 mi Free

Features massive pumpkin walls, community carving, carnival rides, and costume contests.

Illustration of two costumed figures in a festive autumn street at dusk with pumpkins, string lights and a glowing bonfire (Santa's Village Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival)

Santa's Village Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival

East Dundee 17 mi

A complete fall makeover with pumpkin patches, mazes, and amusement rides.

Illustration of clay figures walking past striped market stalls and pumpkins on a paved square with orange autumn trees (Howl-O-Ween Canine Costume Contest)

Howl-O-Ween Canine Costume Contest

Buffalo Grove 19 mi Free

Features a doggy egg hunt alongside a creative pet costume competition.

Illustration of a ghost and two costumed kids trick or treating past glowing houses with pumpkins and autumn leaves at dusk (Tricks & Treats in the Valley)

Tricks & Treats in the Valley

Schaumburg 24 mi $

Half-mile trick-or-treat trail past historic farm buildings and woods.

Illustration of tiny clay musicians playing on a hay stage among pumpkins, bunting and striped booths in autumn (Happy Times Pumpkin Fest at Didier Farms)

Happy Times Pumpkin Fest at Didier Farms

Lincolnshire 19 mi $$

Chicagoland's fall tradition at Didier Farms

Illustration of a ghost and a small witch carrying a pumpkin bucket on a sidewalk past glowing porches on an autumn street (Boo in the Barn at SOUL Harbour Ranch)

Boo in the Barn at SOUL Harbour Ranch

Barrington 12 mi $$

Freaky fundraiser featuring trick-or-treating and visits with therapy animals.

Illustration of a sunny autumn lawn with pumpkins, hay bales, a small tent, a witch and costumed children under orange trees (Kroll's Fall Harvest Farm)

Kroll's Fall Harvest Farm

Waukegan 20 mi $

Educational corn maze, hayrides, petting zoo, and pre-picked pumpkin patch.

Boo at the Zoo

West Dundee 15 mi $

Features trick-or-treating throughout the zoo and daily costume parades.

Illustration of costumed figures mingling among striped festival booths, pumpkins, and orange autumn trees at dusk (Halloween Fun Fest 2.0 & Parade)

Halloween Fun Fest 2.0 & Parade

Bartlett 24 mi

Costume parade, downtown trick-or-treating, and a haunted art gallery.

Illustration of clay goats, a duck and costumed figures among pumpkins and hay beside a small wooden shelter in daylight (Crystal Lake Trick or Treat Halloween Event)

Crystal Lake Trick or Treat Halloween Event

Crystal Lake 8 mi

Plaza trick-or-treating with magic shows, a petting zoo, and games.

Illustration of a fall festival street with big pumpkins in front, striped booths, and small figures under orange trees (Autumn Harvest Fest at Spring Valley Nature Center)

Autumn Harvest Fest at Spring Valley Nature Center

Schaumburg 24 mi $

Experience 19th-century farm life demonstrations and seasonal harvest activities.

Illustration of two tiny costumed figures near a flag among tall golden cornstalks, with small farm houses and pumpkins (Richardson Adventure Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch)

Richardson Adventure Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch

Spring Grove 10 mi $$

Home to the world's largest corn maze spanning 28 acres.

Illustration of a Halloween costume contest on a small stage with a pumpkin, robot, witch, ghosts, trophy and audience (Halloween Hustle 5K & Kids Dash)

Halloween Hustle 5K & Kids Dash

Palatine 19 mi $$$

Costume-themed 5K run/walk and Kids Dash benefitting the Boys & Girls Club.

Pumpkin Walk

Buffalo Grove 19 mi $

Stroll a nature path illuminated by over 100 lighted pumpkins.

Trick or Treat Trail

Buffalo Grove 20 mi Free

No-scare candy trail with friendly characters, games, and live entertainment.

Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Event

Dadeville 20 mi Free

Canine costume contest featuring treats, prizes, and owner-pet coordination.

Illustration of an older person handing out candy to costumed children on a glowing neighborhood porch at dusk (Trunk or Treat at Trademark Events)

Trunk or Treat at Trademark Events

Woodstock 9 mi Free

Free family gathering featuring decorated trunks, games, candy, and goodie bags.

Pumpkin Volcanoes

Waukegan 21 mi $

Decorate pumpkins and watch them erupt like volcanoes.

Oak Lawn Trunk or Treat

Medinah 25 mi Free

Free trick-or-treating among creatively decorated themed car trunks.

Goebbert's Farm Teen Trip

South Barrington 19 mi $$$

Fall farm trip for teens featuring a corn maze and entertainment.

Illustration of a candlelit ofrenda altar with marigolds and skull decorations as clay figures stand in a plaza at dusk (Sugar Skull Decorating Workshop)

Sugar Skull Decorating Workshop

Waukegan 22 mi $

Decorate your own calavera de azúcar to take home.

Illustration of glowing jack-o'-lanterns, candles, pumpkin seeds and small figures on a wooden table under string lights (Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns)

Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns

Glencoe 28 mi $$

Features 75 giant 150-pound pumpkins, live carving, and costumed performers.

Sycamore Pumpkin Festival

Sycamore 32 mi

Community celebration featuring over 1,000 decorated pumpkins, carnivals, and a giant parade.

Fall at the Farm - Jerry Smith Farm

Kenosha 28 mi $$

Family-owned farm featuring a six-acre corn maze, bounce pads, and pumpkins.

Halloween Hayday

Geneva 32 mi $

Features a costume contest, bounce houses, Mad Scientist, and hayrides.

Lindberg Pumpkin Patch

Caledonia 31 mi $

Northern Illinois fall farm featuring a 7-acre pumpkin patch and corn maze.

Harvest Fest 2026

Bensenville 32 mi Free

Free admission festival featuring live music, farm activities, and artisan vendors.

Harvest Fest

Medinah 27 mi Free

Annual community festival featuring live music, hayrides, games, and food trucks.

Illustration of costumed children carrying pumpkin buckets along a winding path past glowing cottages at dusk (East Troy Railroad Museum Trick or Treat Trains)

East Troy Railroad Museum Trick or Treat Trains

East Troy 32 mi $$

Costume train ride featuring trick-or-treating, park games, and pumpkin picking.

Illustration of a pumpkin patch with many orange pumpkins, a scarecrow, a red wheelbarrow, hay and a wooden farm stand (Glen Ellyn Park District Boo Bash)

Glen Ellyn Park District Boo Bash

Glen Ellyn 32 mi $

Trick-or-treat trail and pumpkin patch for kids ages 2–10.

Illustration of a row of cars with open trunks decorated for Halloween at sunset with balloons, pumpkins and costumed kids (Kenosha YMCA Trunk or Treat)

Kenosha YMCA Trunk or Treat

Kenosha 26 mi Free

Trick-or-treat from creatively decorated trunks in the parking lot.

Halloween 3K Fun Run

Northbrook 27 mi

Costumed 3K run and walk featuring themed activities and costume contests.

Illustration of a Halloween craft scene with clay kids, a friendly ghost, bats and glowing pumpkins under party bunting (Coyote Crossing Mini Golf - Not So Scary Golf)

Coyote Crossing Mini Golf - Not So Scary Golf

West Chicago 29 mi

Scare-free family mini golf featuring costumes, tricks, and treats.

Halloween Hoopla

Park Ridge 30 mi

Family scarecrow stuffing, pumpkin carving, campfire s'mores, and hayrides.

Illustration of small cars parked at sunset with orange balloons, tiny houses on their roofs, a pumpkin and string lights (Special Needs Trunk-or-Treat)

Special Needs Trunk-or-Treat

Kenosha 28 mi Free

An inclusive trunk-or-treat celebration designed for children with special needs.

Illustration of an orange tractor pulling a wooden hay wagon with costumed characters past pumpkins, trees and a red barn (Play Date: Adventure Train and Pumpkin Day)

Play Date: Adventure Train and Pumpkin Day

East Troy 32 mi $$

Hosted family train ride and orchard hayride to the pumpkin patch.

Illustration of cars with open trunks decorated with pumpkins and balloons, with a child figure beside an orange car at dusk (Paddock Lake Halloween Party)

Paddock Lake Halloween Party

Elkhorn 29 mi Free

Features a trunk-or-treat hosted by the Paddock Lake Ward.

Illustration of a corn maze path with tall golden cornstalks, small costumed figures, a flag, pumpkins and a red barn (Windy Acres Farm Fall Festival)

Windy Acres Farm Fall Festival

Geneva 33 mi $$

Geneva farm festival featuring a corn maze, petting zoo, and rides.

Northbrook Autumnfest

Northbrook 27 mi Free

Free community fall festival with classic activities

Illustration of clay figures in costumes mingling among striped market tents and pumpkin displays under orange autumn trees (Pumpkin Smash & Bash)

Pumpkin Smash & Bash

Park Ridge 31 mi Free

Roll, smash, and launch pumpkins into compost piles at Centennial Sled Hill.

Illustration of toy goats, a pony and white ducks among pumpkins and hay in a fenced pen with two costumed children (Stade's Farm & Market Fall Festival)

Stade's Farm & Market Fall Festival

McHenry $$

Nine weekends of family fun with over 40 attractions

Illustration of costumed figures beside a table with two gold trophies on a hay covered stage with pumpkins and string lights (Halloween Boo-wling Spooktacular)

Halloween Boo-wling Spooktacular

Hoffman Estates 18 mi $

Halloween bowling with crafts and costume contest

Pumpkin Splash

Hoffman Estates 18 mi $

Swim through a pumpkin patch to find your own pumpkin.

Goebbert's Fall Festival

South Barrington 19 mi $$

Iconic 'Happy Jack' fiberglass pumpkin landmark

Illustration of costumed children and a cat walking a leafy sidewalk past glowing jack-o'-lanterns and cozy houses at dusk (Elgin Police Department's Halloween Extravaganza)

Elgin Police Department's Halloween Extravaganza

Elgin 20 mi $

Trick-or-treat at the police department

Tom's Farm Market Fall Festival

Huntley 13 mi $

All-day fall festival with unique nighttime maze and hayride.

Illustration of a child in a witch costume holding a pumpkin bucket on a leafy sidewalk lined with glowing houses at dusk (Des Plaines Trunk or Treat)

Des Plaines Trunk or Treat

Des Plaines 27 mi $

Trick-or-treating from decorated car trunks

Halloween Skelebration

Glenview 29 mi $$

Fright-free indoor/outdoor Halloween bash for kids

Illustration of a row of cars with open trunks decorated for Halloween at sunset with balloons, pumpkins and costumed kids (Trunk or Treat at Hidden Creek AquaPark)

Trunk or Treat at Hidden Creek AquaPark

Highland Park 25 mi Free

Kids trick-or-treat from decorated car trunks.

Illustration of costumed children and a cat walking a leafy sidewalk past glowing jack-o'-lanterns and cozy houses at dusk (Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players: Trick or Treat! A Halloween Show)

Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players: Trick or Treat! A Halloween Show

Highland Park 28 mi $

Family Halloween show with trick-or-treating

Explore More Categories

Illustration of a Halloween gathering at dusk with a smiling ghost, costumed figures, glowing jack-o'-lanterns and lights

Food, Drink, and Parties

1 of 6 BOOze Bar Crawl Arlington Heights

Drink tastings across suburban stops along the Metra train line.

See all 6 parties & tastings →

Illustration of a small cottage with glowing windows, ghosts, jack o'lanterns and black cats under a full moon at dusk

Haunted Experiences

1 of 19 Dungeon of Doom Haunted House Zion

Nearly one-hour walkthrough across 45,000 square feet with nearly 100 performers.

See all 19 haunted attractions →

Illustration of a pumpkin character and a ghost performing on a lit stage with red curtains before a crowd at night

Movies, Theater, and Entertainment

1 of 3 Waukegan Symphony Orchestra & Concert Chorus: Nightfall: Music of Fear & the Unknown Waukegan

Halloween-themed concert by the Waukegan Concert Chorus

See all 3 shows & screenings →

Illustration of friendly ghosts on small town rooftops with pumpkins and glowing windows as two witches fly past a full moon

Unique & Unusual

1 of 2 Spooktacular Halloween Decorating Contest Mount Prospect

Village-wide Halloween decorating contest and community tour map.

See all 2 unique events →

Find Family-Friendly Halloween Fun on Our Map!

See all trunk-or-treats, pumpkin patches, and kid-friendly events nearby.

Open the map →

McHenry Halloween events map - Click to view interactive map

Frequently Asked Questions

How accessible are pumpkin patches and fall festivals near McHenry for wheelchairs?

Farm terrain is the challenge: grass, gravel, and rutted fields vary by venue and by how much rain fell that week. Call and ask about packed paths, accessible restrooms and parking, and whether the picking field has a firm route, since some farms bring pumpkins to a paved area on request. Festivals on fairgrounds or paved lots are the safer default.

Can we bring our dog to pumpkin patches or fall festivals in McHenry?

Policies split hard: many farms ban pets outright for animal-safety and food rules, while some festivals welcome leashed dogs and even run costume contests for them. Check the venue's FAQ the day before, never assume. If dogs are allowed, bring water, keep them clear of petting zoos and food lines, and be honest about whether crowds plus kids stress your dog.

How does trunk-or-treat work in McHenry and why choose it over door-to-door?

Cars line up in a lot with decorated trunks, and kids walk the loop collecting candy in one contained, well-lit place, usually in a single hour on a posted date before Halloween. It's ideal for toddlers, wheelchairs, wagons, and nervous first-timers, with no traffic or dark porches. Arrive at the start time, because popular trunks run out of candy fast.

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