Unleash your inner monster and explore Skokie's creepiest corners with our expertly crafted Halloween guide, packed with terrifying events and macabre mysteries. Discover spooky spots suited to every supernatural seeker.
Popular Events: Experience the vibrant atmosphere of Bengtson's Pumpkin Fest, where families can enjoy pumpkin picking, hayrides, and festive activities throughout the season. For a uniquely urban twist, the Navy Pier Slightly Spooky Saturday offers a blend of Halloween-themed crafts and attractions against the backdrop of stunning lake views. And the Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing a brilliant display of carved pumpkins along with live entertainment. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Skokie
- Bengtson's Pumpkin Fest (Homer Glen)
- The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival (Highwood)
- Navy Pier Slightly Spooky Saturday (Chicago)
- 2024 Chicago Halloween Bar Crawl (Chicago)
- Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest (Chicago)
- Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up (Chicago)
- Brookfield Zoo Boo at the Zoo (Brookfield)
- Midnight Terror Haunted House (Oak Lawn)
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum BOO-seum Bash (Chicago)
- Disturbia Haunted House (Downers Grove)
See these and even more events listed below!
Skokie Area Haunted Experiences
Midnight Terror Haunted House
What to Expect:
An immersive, actor-driven haunted house experience with multiple themed scare zones.
Description:
Midnight Terror Haunted House is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a mix of "Old School" scares and cutting-edge technology. The attraction features multiple scare zones, including Black Oak Grove, the Factory of Malum, and Chainsaw Alley. Visitors can expect an immersive experience with actor-driven shows, special effects, and themed areas designed to haunt their Halloween season.
Where: Oak Lawn | More Info: Midnight Terror Haunted House
Disturbia Haunted House
What to Expect:
Experience over 30,000 square feet of immersive haunted house attractions with state-of-the-art special effects and expertly trained actors.
Description:
Disturbia Haunted House is a premier destination for those seeking a heart-pumping, spine-tingling thrill. Located in Downers Grove, IL, this haunted house attraction features expertly designed rooms and scenarios, state-of-the-art special effects, and expertly trained actors. Each year, Disturbia brings fresh themes and terrifying experiences that will leave visitors breathless. With over 30,000 square feet of immersive haunted house experiences, it is renowned for its unparalleled scares.
Where: Downers Grove | More Info: Disturbia Haunted House
Hayride of Horror
What to Expect:
An immersive haunted hayride experience with eerie movies and a bonfire.
Description:
Hayride of Horror is an immersive Halloween experience at Dellwood Park. Ride through the heart of the park while spirits of the long forgotten haunt your every turn. Eerie movies will air on a 20-foot outdoor movie screen, and a bonfire will keep you warm while keeping evil at bay. Line entertainment will keep you both terrified and delighted.
Where: Lockport | More Info: Hayride of Horror
Shadow Carriers: Andersonville Ghost Tour
What to Expect:
Explore Andersonville's hidden haunts and legendary spots with nationally renowned storytellers.
Description:
Join veteran paranormal tour guides Orion Couling and Zack Meyer on a 1.5-mile walking tour through Andersonville's most haunted spots. This tour explores the dark history of the neighborhood with eerie stories and legends. Nationally renowned storytellers, Orion and Zack, bring their unique style of storytelling from the 'Shadow Carriers' podcast to life. This event is perfect for those interested in ghost stories and local history.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Shadow Carriers: Andersonville Ghost Tour
Ghost Tours
What to Expect:
A unique blend of paranormal investigation and historical exploration in a haunted setting.
Description:
Experience a guided paranormal tour at the Cambre House and Farm in Nauvoo, Illinois. Each three-hour tour starts in the barn, covering the history of the farm and ghost hunting basics. You will then investigate the barn and the house, assisted by Augusta Paranormal and Raven Rose Paranormal. The tour is limited to ten participants and costs $20 per person, available on Friday and Saturday nights at 7, 8, 9, and 10 PM.
Where: Nauvoo | More Info: Ghost Tours
Sonny Acres Haunted Hayride & Barn
What to Expect:
Immersive haunted experiences with live actors, animatronics, and pyro techniques in a family-friendly setting.
Description:
Sonny Acres Farm offers a thrilling Halloween experience with its Wicked Hallows Haunted Hayride and Curse of the Scarecrow Haunted Barn. The haunted hayride features creepy live-action characters and dynamic scenery, while the haunted barn offers a haunting maze with twists and turns. Both attractions are designed to provide a memorable experience for all ages, with a recommended age of 12 and over for the nighttime haunts.
Where: West Chicago | More Info: Sonny Acres Haunted Hayride & Barn
Spider Hill Haunted Attractions
What to Expect:
Unique paranormal investigation experience with professional investigators.
Description:
Spider Hill Haunted Attractions is celebrating its 25th year of production, offering four terrifying experiences: Massacre Mansion, Trail of Terror, Paranormal Investigations, and the new Rage Room. Guests can explore over 8,000 square feet of frightful occurrences, interact with spirits, and experience dread in a haunted forest. This event is perfect for those seeking a unique and thrilling Halloween experience.
Where: Chillicothe | More Info: Spider Hill Haunted Attractions
Lost Souls Haunted Bus Tour
What to Expect:
A VIP bus tour to Chicagoland's biggest and best haunted houses with exclusive access and entertainment.
Description:
Lost Souls Haunted Bus Tours offers a premier haunted house experience in Chicagoland. Each tour features a VIP bus ride to some of the biggest and best haunted houses, including Basement of the Dead, HellsGate Haunted House, and Joliet Haunted Prison. Enjoy drinks, live entertainment, contests, and free merchandise during the ride. This tour provides a unique glimpse into the haunted house industry with over 30 years of experience from Terry and Brewster Bonesaw.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Lost Souls Haunted Bus Tour
Terror At Skellington Manor
What to Expect:
An immersive horror experience with talented actors and performers creating an unforgettable atmosphere.
Description:
Step into the dark side of Skellington Manor for a bone-chilling adventure like no other. This haunted manor experience combines fear and fun, immersing you in a macabre atmosphere filled with spine-tingling surprises. Talented actors and performers will create an unforgettable experience, making it the ultimate destination for spine-chilling entertainment.
Where: Rock Island | More Info: Terror At Skellington Manor
Sinister Acres
What to Expect:
Sinister Acres offers two distinct haunted experiences, Sinister House and Tomahawk Trail, each with its own terrifying legend and intense atmosphere.
Description:
Sinister Acres is Southern Illinois' premier haunted attraction, featuring two terrifying and unique haunts: Sinister House and Tomahawk Trail. Sinister House is a journey into the world of deranged serial killer Otis Hodge, while Tomahawk Trail tells the legend of an ancient evil that lived in the forest. Both attractions offer an intense and horrific experience.
Where: De Soto | More Info: Sinister Acres
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Skokie
Navy Pier Slightly Spooky Saturday
What to Expect:
A day filled with tricks, treats, and interactive activities for families to enjoy.
Description:
Navy Pier's Slightly Spooky Saturday is a free event celebrating the spooky season with trick-or-treating throughout the Pier. Enjoy free workshops, axe throwing, live performances, and more while wearing your favorite costumes. This family-friendly event offers a variety of activities to create unforgettable moments for everyone.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Navy Pier Slightly Spooky Saturday
The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival
What to Expect:
The festival attempts to break two Guinness World Records: the longest line of pumpkin pies and the most jack-o'-lanterns displayed.
Description:
The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival is a family-friendly event celebrating its 14th year. From October 4-6, 2024, the festival will attempt to break two Guinness World Records: the longest line of pumpkin pies and the most jack-o'-lanterns displayed. Enjoy all-you-can-carve pumpkin stations, live music on three stages, children's and pet costume contests, a variety of food and artisan vendors, full bars, a carnival, hayrides, and more. The festival grounds will be spread throughout Highwood, featuring Pumpkin Town USA and Superhero Skeleton Displays.
Where: Highwood | More Info: The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival
Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up
What to Expect:
A comprehensive fall festival with a variety of activities including axe throwing, fortune tellers, and a large pumpkin display.
Description:
Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up is Chicago's largest fall festival, featuring 10,000 pumpkins, a corn maze, axe throwing, fortune tellers, gem mining, and multiple bars with specialty cocktails. The event is designed for all ages and offers a wide range of activities, making it the ultimate destination for fall festivities.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up
Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest
What to Expect:
A festive celebration of autumn with a variety of family-friendly activities and attractions at Lincoln Park Zoo.
Description:
Lincoln Park Zoo's Fall Fest Presented by Jewel-Osco is a free, family-friendly celebration of autumn. The event features ticketed attractions like the Fun Slide, Ferris wheel, and inflatable activities. Enjoy free musical entertainment, professional pumpkin carvers, and fall-themed animal enrichment activities amidst the zoo's beautifully decorated gardens bursting with fall color.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest
Brookfield Zoo Boo at the Zoo
What to Expect:
A fun-filled Halloween celebration in a zoo setting with various themed activities for all ages.
Description:
Brookfield Zoo's Boo at the Zoo is a family-friendly Halloween celebration featuring giant inflatables, sweet treat stations, and photo frames. Enjoy rides on the Creepy Carousel, pumpkin decorating, and special animal enrichment activities. All ages can have a fang-tastic time with plenty of fun activities and memorable photo ops.
Where: Brookfield | More Info: Brookfield Zoo Boo at the Zoo
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum BOO-seum Bash
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration featuring animal encounters and crafts at a nature museum.
Description:
Join the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum for a spooktacular BOO-seum Bash Enjoy an afternoon of animal encounters, crafts, and Halloween fun. Slither up with the museum's spectacular snakes, get curious with creepy crawly bugs, and dig into the boneyard of the Nature Museum's collections. Costumes are encouraged, and all ages are welcome. This family-friendly event includes access to all museum exhibits.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum BOO-seum Bash
Central Street Trick or Treat
What to Expect:
Trick-or-treating at participating Central Street businesses with Halloween-themed crafts and activities.
Description:
Central Street Trick or Treat is a family-friendly event celebrating Halloween. On Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 11 AM to 1 PM, participants can trick-or-treat at various businesses along Central Street, enjoy Halloween-themed crafts, and engage in other festive activities.
Where: Evanston | More Info: Central Street Trick or Treat
Sycamore Pumpkin Festival
What to Expect:
A community celebration showcasing local non-profit organizations with a variety of fall activities and pumpkin displays.
Description:
The Sycamore Pumpkin Festival is a community celebration in downtown Sycamore, Illinois, featuring hundreds of pumpkins on the Historic DeKalb County Courthouse Lawn. The festival includes fall food vendors, carnivals, craft shows, and free family fun entertainment. Activities include pumpkin check-in, a giant cake cutting ceremony, a Kiwanis Prayer Breakfast, a downtown trick-or-treat event, and various carnival rides and games. The event also features a parade and a historic homes tour, making it a vibrant and family-friendly fall festival.
Where: Sycamore | More Info: Sycamore Pumpkin Festival
Northbrook Halloween 3K Fun Run
What to Expect:
A festive Halloween-themed run/walk with costume contests and themed activities.
Description:
Join Northbrook Park District for the Halloween 3K Fun Run/Walk through the festive Techny Prairie Park and Fields course. This event is perfect for getting into the Halloween spirit, with participants encouraged to come dressed in costume. After the race, enjoy fun themed activities, including a costume contest with various categories. T-shirts and bags will be available for pick-up on October 23 at the Techny Prairie Activity Center.
Where: Northbrook | More Info: Northbrook Halloween 3K Fun Run
Skatium's Halloween Skate & Costume Contest
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration with costume contests and goodie bags for participants.
Description:
Join Skatium Ice Arena for a spooky yet fun Halloween Skate & Costume Contest. Skaters of all ages are encouraged to dress in their best, scariest, or most creative costumes, ensuring they are ice-safe. The event will feature a 2-hour session of family-friendly Halloween fun, with trophies awarded to the top 3 costumes and goodie bags given to all skaters 14 and under.
Where: Skokie | More Info: Skatium's Halloween Skate & Costume Contest
Trick or Treat in Downtown Skokie
What to Expect:
A festive Halloween celebration with trick-or-treating, giveaways, and fun activities in Downtown Skokie.
Description:
Join the spooky fun in Downtown Skokie this October The annual Trick or Treat event invites all ghosties, ghouls, and their families to prowl the streets of Oakton and Lincoln Avenues. Visit businesses and organizations for candy, special giveaways, dancing, and freaky fun. See you for a howling good time!
Where: Skokie | More Info: Trick or Treat in Downtown Skokie
Skokie Park District Children’s Candy Trail Walk
What to Expect:
Interactive stations along the trail where participants can collect candy and prizes.
Description:
The Kooky Spooky Candy Trail is an interactive event where participants journey along a kooky spooky trail to collect candy and prizes by visiting each interactive station. Costumes are encouraged, and the event is designed for children aged 2-13. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved indoors.
Where: Skokie | More Info: Skokie Park District Children’s Candy Trail Walk
Spirited Escapes / Haunted Mansion Escape Room
What to Expect:
Offers a wide range of indoor and outdoor attractions suitable for all ages, including go-karts, miniature golf, laser tag, and more.
Description:
Haunted Trails Joliet offers a variety of family-friendly attractions for all ages, including 3 go-kart tracks, 2 award-winning miniature golf courses, a laser tag arena, amusement rides, batting cages, and hundreds of games. The park is perfect for celebrating birthdays, family reunions, fundraisers, and company picnics. With its indoor entertainment center and outdoor activities open from April to October, Haunted Trails ensures everyone has a good time, rain or shine.
Where: Joliet | More Info: Spirited Escapes / Haunted Mansion Escape Room
Halloween Costume Parade
What to Expect:
The opportunity for children to parade through the Kids Room in their costumes and enjoy indoor trick-or-treating.
Description:
The Halloween Costume Parade at Skokie Public Library is a fun and festive event where children can come dressed in their costumes and parade through the Kids Room. This event includes indoor trick-or-treating, making it a delightful experience for kids of all ages. The library strives to make events welcoming to people of all abilities and offers accessibility services upon request.
Where: Skokie | More Info: Halloween Costume Parade
Bengtson's Pumpkin Fest
What to Expect:
Offers a wide range of family-friendly activities and attractions, including new rides and live entertainment.
Description:
Bengtson's Pumpkin Fest is a premier Fall festival and pumpkin patch in the Chicagoland area. Enjoy unlimited rides, award-winning food, and exciting activities perfect for the whole family. The event features unique rides like the NEW Egg Drop ride, a petting zoo, live music, pig races, and photo ops. It has become a cherished Autumn tradition for countless families.
Where: Homer Glen | More Info: Bengtson's Pumpkin Fest
The Clown Show On Woodland
What to Expect:
A family-friendly yard display with new clowns added every year, enhanced by integrated fog effects on weekends.
Description:
The Clown Show On Woodland is a family-friendly yard display in Addison, Illinois, featuring a creepy clown show with plenty of photo opportunities and interactions. Integrated fog enhances the entertainment on weekends, especially on Halloween. New clowns are added every year, making it a unique and thrilling experience for all ages.
Where: Addison | More Info: The Clown Show On Woodland
Stemfest 2022
What to Expect:
A celebration of science, technology, engineering, and math with over 100 interactive exhibits and demonstrations.
Description:
STEM Fest 2024 is a free family event celebrating science, technology, engineering, and math. Held on the campus of Northern Illinois University, this event features over 100 exhibits, speakers, and demonstrations designed to inspire and engage guests of all ages with opportunities for STEM learning. It is one of the largest free family events in northern Illinois, showcasing interactive activities and expert speakers on various STEM topics.
Where: Dekalb | More Info: Stemfest 2022
Halloween Food, Drink, and Parties Near Skokie
2024 Chicago Halloween Bar Crawl
What to Expect:
Enjoy exclusive perks like waived door covers, unbeatable drink and food deals, and other exclusive perks with your Bar Crawl LIVE wristband.
Description:
Experience the best of Chicago's Halloween spirit with the 2024 Official Halloween Bar Crawl in River North. This premier event features a night of sinister specials, electric vibes, and memories that will linger long after the costumes are put away. Enjoy free entry to top bars and nightclubs, discounted drinks, and food specials, all while navigating through an eclectic mix of venues each with its own twist on Halloween fun.