Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Wheeling 2026

Evanston 14 mi Free

Free trick-or-treating at local businesses with a fall photo backdrop.

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 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

Oct 24 – Oct 25

Schaumburg 10 mi $

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

Lincoln Square Apple Fest

Oct 2 – Oct 4

Chicago 17 mi $

Autumn celebration with fresh Midwest apples, cider, live music, and family entertainment.

Lombard Fall Fest

Lombard 18 mi Free

Free autumn celebration featuring a pumpkin patch, candy hunt, and games.

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

Sep 16 – Oct 31

Lincolnshire $$

Chicagoland's fall tradition at Didier Farms

Illustration of costumed children carrying pumpkin buckets along a winding path past glowing cottages at dusk (Lincoln Scared & Ravenswoooood Trick-or-Treat)

Lincoln Scared & Ravenswoooood Trick-or-Treat

Sun, Oct 25

Chicago 17 mi Free

Business district trick-or-treating and pumpkin decorating for costumed kids.

Oaktoberfest

Sep 25 – Sep 26

Oak Park 18 mi Free

Free festival featuring live music, local food, and craft beer.

Illustration of two costumed trick or treaters with candy buckets on a dusk street of glowing houses and carved pumpkins (Central Street Trick Or Treat)

Central Street Trick Or Treat

Evanston 12 mi

Features neighborhood trick-or-treating, fall selfies, crafts, and a DJ dance party.

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

Sep 19 – Oct 31

Waukegan 19 mi $

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

Harvest Fest 2026

Sat, Sep 26

Bensenville 15 mi Free

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

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 17 mi

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

Illustration of clay figures in costumes mingling among striped market tents and pumpkin displays under orange autumn trees (Roscoe Village Halloween Block Party)

Roscoe Village Halloween Block Party

Sun, Oct 18

Chicago 17 mi

Family-oriented street celebration with live music, photo ops, and candy.

Illustration of costumed children and a cat walking a leafy sidewalk past glowing jack-o'-lanterns and cozy houses at dusk (Northcenter Halloween Trick-or-Treat)

Northcenter Halloween Trick-or-Treat

Sat, Oct 31

Chicago 18 mi

Trick-or-treat across the town square and neighborhood storefronts.

Pumpkin Fest at Cosley Zoo

Oct 1 – Oct 31

Wheaton 21 mi $

Thousands of pumpkins line the zoo lawn alongside daily scavenger hunts.

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

Sun, Oct 4

Schaumburg 10 mi $

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

Harvest Fest

Medinah 13 mi Free

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

Family Fall Fest

Elmhurst 18 mi Free

Safety Town trick-or-treating, inflatable corn maze, and carnival games.

Spooktacular

Sun, Oct 18

Lombard 18 mi

Downtown celebration with trick-or-treating, bounce houses, and costume contests.

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 18 mi $

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

Hamilton Boo Bash

Chicago 19 mi

Features a costume parade, carnival games, and a student-hosted haunted house.

Fall Fest at Oak Park

Sun, Sep 27

Oak Park 20 mi Free

Carnival rides, live bats and skunks, and pumpkin carving demonstrations.

Trick or Treat Trail

Fri, Oct 30

Buffalo Grove Free

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

Pumpkin Walk

Buffalo Grove $

Stroll a nature path illuminated by over 100 lighted pumpkins.

Halloween 3K Fun Run

Fri, Oct 23

Northbrook 6 mi

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

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 6 mi $$$

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

Wicked Wilmette

Wilmette 13 mi $$

Family Halloween fun with inflatables, hayrides, pumpkin decorating, and a costume contest

Illustration of small costumed figures and a witch playing on a sunny lawn with pumpkins, hay bales, a tent and orange trees (10/16: Spooktacular Halloween Stroll)

10/16: Spooktacular Halloween Stroll

Wheaton 21 mi $

Evening zoo stroll featuring seasonal decorations and pumpkin decorating.

Halloween Hoopla

Park Ridge 9 mi

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

Illustration of tiny clay musicians playing on a hay stage among pumpkins, bunting and striped booths in autumn (Haunt on Hirsch Street – Family Block Party)

Haunt on Hirsch Street – Family Block Party

Melrose Park 17 mi Free

Free family block party with Halloween displays and train rides

Trick or Treat Trail

Carol Stream 19 mi

A 1.1-mile trick-or-treat trail featuring games, candy, and a bouncy house.

Monster Fun Halloween Wristband

Sat, Oct 31

Lombard 20 mi $$

Unlimited indoor attractions and free parkwide trick-or-treating in costume.

Illustration of striped market booths and pumpkin displays on a street with small clay figures under orange autumn trees (Norwood Park Fall Fest)

Norwood Park Fall Fest

Chicago 12 mi Free

Free autumn festival featuring games, a candy hunt, and a pumpkin patch.

Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Event

Dadeville 17 mi Free

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

Illustration of small purple clay characters carving glowing jack-o'-lanterns on a wooden table with candles and seeds (Family Pumpkin Carving Party)

Family Pumpkin Carving Party

Fri, Oct 23

Melrose Park 17 mi $

You carve the pumpkin and park staff handles the cleanup.

Halloween Hoot and Howl

Fri, Oct 2

River Forest 18 mi Free

Family event featuring pumpkin painting and live music.

Oak Lawn Trunk or Treat

Wed, Oct 28

Medinah 12 mi Free

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

C1 Fall Carnival and Trunk or Treat

Chicago 15 mi Free

Features trunk-or-treating, a chili cook-off, and carnival games.

Illustration of small costumed figures and a witch playing on a sunny lawn with pumpkins, hay bales, a tent and orange trees (Hands-On Family Spooky Snacks and Sweet Treats)

Hands-On Family Spooky Snacks and Sweet Treats

Sat, Oct 31

Chicago 17 mi $$$

Kids and adults cook festive savory bites and sweet treats together.

Pumpkin Volcanoes

Fri, Oct 2

Waukegan 19 mi $

Decorate pumpkins and watch them erupt like volcanoes.

Illustration of a sunny autumn lawn with pumpkins, hay bales, a small tent, a witch and costumed children under orange trees (Autumn Equinox Celebration)

Autumn Equinox Celebration

Tue, Sep 22

Wheaton 21 mi Free

Outdoor nature play, crafts, and family activities celebrating fall's arrival.

Illustration of small costumed figures and a witch playing on a sunny lawn with pumpkins, hay bales, a tent and orange trees (Spooktacular Fun Night)

Spooktacular Fun Night

Fri, Oct 30

Westmont 24 mi Free

Free family games, crafts, and silly fun with Wacky Drac.

Pumpkin Spice Pilates

Fri, Oct 9

Chicago 16 mi $$

Mat Pilates session followed by a seasonal pumpkin drink.

Boo Bash

Thu, Oct 15

Wheaton 21 mi $

A low-sensory Halloween event designed for neurodiverse children and families.

Northbrook Autumnfest

South Barrington 13 mi $$$

Northbrook 6 mi Free

Free community fall festival with classic activities

Pumpkin Smash & Bash

Sat, Nov 7

Park Ridge 10 mi Free

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

Goebbert's Farm Teen Trip

Sat, Sep 26

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