As the crisp autumn air settles in and leaves begin to turn, it’s time to embrace the spooky season with festive Halloween events in and around Oak Park! From enchanting candlelit concerts to delightfully spooky family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. This October, gather your loved ones and enter a world filled with thrills, chills, and heartwarming community spirit.
Whether you’re a ghost, goblin, or simply looking for a good time, these local festivities promise unforgettable memories for families of all ages!
Oak Park
Candlelight: A Haunting Evening of Classics
Get ready for a soul-stirring evening of music at Candlelight. Hosted at the historic Arts Center of Oak Park, this multi-sensory musical experience is set against a sea of flickering candlelight, creating the perfect atmosphere for an enchanting evening. The 65-minute show, performed by the Metropolis String Quartet, features classical renditions of your favorite bone-chilling songs, ranging from Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor to Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Choose from one of two showings on October 19th at 6:30 pm or 8:45 pm. Tickets range from $52 to $75.
Fright At Night
Prepare for a wickedly good time at Oak Park’s annual Fright at Night, where Oak Park’s Conservatory transforms into the spooktacular "Boo-Tanical" Conservatory! Wander through shadowy paths and discover the eerie world of poisonous plants that lurk in the dark. Costumes are encouraged, so come dressed to impress (or terrify)! This family-friendly event is open to all ages—just don’t forget to register in advance for your hauntingly good time since tickets sell out fast! The event takes place on October 18th from 5 pm to 8 pm, with entry offered every half hour.
Halloween Makeup Workshop at Studio 928
Get ready to transform this Halloween at Studio 928’s Spooky Makeup Workshop! Join them on Wednesday night, October 23, for a hands-on session where a professional makeup artist will teach you how to create terrifyingly stunning Halloween looks. Whether you're a beginner or a makeup pro, this workshop is perfect for anyone wanting to take their costume to the next level. Bring your own makeup or use their supplies, and don’t forget—you can purchase Lena’s exclusive makeup kit to master your look!
Park District
The Park District of Oak Park offers a range of eerie events that are sure to put the whole family into the spooky holiday spirit. The annual Trunk or Treat event takes place at the Ridgeland Commons parking lot on October 25th from 5 pm to 7 pm. Local groups and organizations will be stationed with their decorated cars, ready to distribute candy to trick-or-treaters of all ages. Looking for a fun adults' night out? Take your special someone on a pumpkin carving date night at the Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center. Tap into your creativity, enjoy local brews, and relax to a backdrop of your favorite chilling tunes. When you’re ready to say goodbye to Halloween, bring your pumpkins to the Pumpkin Smash & Compost Party at Barrie Park. This composting process helps divert organic waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions and returning valuable nutrients to the soil.
Brookfield
Boo! at the Zoo
Get ready to greet all the creepy crawlers and ghoulish guests at Brookfield Zwoo’s Boo! at the Zoo, a not-so-scary, fun-filled event perfect for the whole family. Every Saturday and Sunday from October 5th to October 20th, enjoy an array of spooktacular activities, from rides on the Creepy Carousel to bouncing around the Inflate-a-Boo zone for kids ages 3-10. While there’s no costume contest, dressing up is highly encouraged—especially for the daily children's costume parade at 12:30 pm in Discovery Center Plaza. Don't forget to swing by the Sweet Treat Stations and catch special "Pumpkins to Animals" feedings. From pumpkin carving in the beer garden to spooky thrills and sweet treats, there’s something for everyone. So dress in your spooky best, bring the whole family, and join the festive fun.
Haunted Halloween Costume Ride
Pedal into the spooky season with CycleBrookfield’s Haunted Halloween Ride on Friday, October 25th! You’ll pedal through Brookfield’s most hauntingly decorated homes. Dress in your best costume, deck out your bike with spooky lights, and enjoy a ride filled with festive frights. This 6.2-mile slow roll begins and ends at The Compassion Factory, with treats and a cozy bonfire. Bring a friend and get ready for a spooky good time!
Forest Park
Casket Races
Coming up on its 13th year, the Forest Park Casket Races is an event you must see to believe! This quirky spectacle has become a local favorite for good reason. Teams create their own "caskets"—coffin-shaped carts on wheels decked out to match their unique themes. The teams then push their contraption with all their might down a 585-foot course. Prizes are awarded for the fastest racers, most creatively decorated caskets, and the final finisher who takes home the coveted "Dead Last" award.
Franklin Park
Trick or Treat at the Park
Get ready for a ghoulishly good time at Franklin Park’s Trick or Treat at the Park on October 28th! Stroll along North Park’s walking path, while stopping at spooky tables passing out treats and offering fun games. Costumes are a must, so come dressed in your Halloween best! Feeling creative? Register to decorate your own table and add some extra fright to the festivities. Just remember, all treats must be in sealed packages—no homemade goodies! Franklin Park’s Trick or Treat at the Park is a fun, family-friendly event where the crisp fall air and fiery leaves set the perfect Halloween scene.
Scary Skate
Glide into the Halloween spirit at Franklin Park's Scary Skate! Join us for a spooktacular time on the ice, where wearing your scariest or most creative costume gets you half off admission to public skating. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes, so bring your A-game! Don’t miss out on the frightful fun, but please remember—masks are discouraged for safety. Grab your skates, and let’s make this Halloween a howling good time!
La Grange
Halloween at Bottle and Bottega
Get into the Halloween spirit at Bottle & Bottega in La Grange this October with a palette full of spooky fun! Throughout the month, you can learn to paint a range of eerie masterpieces that will unleash your creative side. Whether you're into haunted landscapes or ghoulish designs, there's a spooky art lesson for every artist. Grab a glass of wine, bring some friends, and let your inner ghost or goblin come alive on canvas. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season with a creative twist!
Halloween Party
Get ready for a Boo-tiful good time at the Halloween Party hosted by the Park District of La Grange! Join us for an evening packed with thrilling activities, games, and spooktacular entertainment. There will be plenty of prizes to win, including a chance to raffle off two bicycles donated by the La Grange Fire Department! So dust off your costume, bring your family and friends, and make it a night to remember at the park district—where fun and frights await!
Trunk or Treat
Join us for a ghostly good time at the Trunk or Treat in La Grange on Saturday, October 12th! Come "trick or treat" from creatively decorated trunks in the Sedgwick parking lot, and stick around for even more Halloween fun with games, prizes, and more! This fang-tastic event is free for all ages, so gather the family and get ready for a night of treats and thrills. Don’t miss out on the frightful festivities!
Maywood
Pumpkin Patch Parade
Get ready to groove with the Maywood Fine Arts community at the Pumpkin Patch Parade on Saturday, October 12th! The theme is “Rhythm on the Runway – Spotlight on the Arts.” The festivities begin at 9 am, featuring immersive, hands-on experiences in Dance, Tumbling, Music, Drama, Visual Arts, and Karate. Enjoy games, delicious treats, face painting, and a thrilling obstacle course alongside a pumpkin bounce. At 10 am, performances will light up the Pumpkin Patch Runway stage, followed by the Walk for Equity and Opportunity in the Arts at 11 am. Families that raise $250 for Maywood Fine Arts will earn a special Rhythm on the Runway Photo Shoot and a 24″x 36″ Photo Poster, which will be displayed in Maywood Fine Arts and the Stairway of the Stars! Join us in raising awareness that every child deserves the chance to grow and thrive in the arts. Don’t miss this fun-filled day of creativity and community spirit!
North Riverside
Family Zombie Ball
Come bust a move at the Family Zombie Ball in North Riverside, where it's sure to be a graveyard smash! Join us on October 25th from 6 pm to 8:30 pm at the Village Commons Gymnasium for a creeptacular family dance party. Whether you’re a mummy or a zombie, this frightful event is the perfect chance to show off your ghoulish costumes and dance the night away. Groove to our DJ’s spooky beats and take part in family-friendly activities. Register by October 21st using code #2842-01 for $8 admission (or $10 for non-residents). Don’t miss out on the chance to dance till the witching hour—let the monster mash begin! For more info and to sign up, visit our website or call the Village Commons Gymnasium.
Halloween at the Mall
Head over to the North Riverside Park Mall for a Halloween extravaganza! Join us for a hair-raising lineup of events, starting with a magic show and ghost hunt on Saturday, October 19th, from 1 pm to 3 pm, featuring the amazing James Jensen—perfect for kids of all ages! Then, on Thursday, October 31st, enjoy some trick-or-treating at participating stores from 5 pm to 7 pm, followed by a thrilling costume contest in center court at 6 pm, exclusively for Kids Club members. With three age groups to compete in, there’s a chance for every little monster to win! Mark your calendars for a ghastly good time—Halloween fun awaits at the mall!
River Forest
Halloween Fun Run
Join us for a Phantom-tastic time at the annual Halloween Fun Run/Walk in River Forest, hosted by the Hephzibah Oak Park Auxiliary! On Sunday, October 27th, gather your family, friends, and neighbors for a festive morning filled with Halloween cheer—all for a great cause. The fun begins at Constitution Park with a group warm-up at 9 am, with the race to follow at 9:30 am, winding through the beautiful, tree-lined streets of River Forest. Whether you run or walk, this 1.5-mile event encourages costumes, so don your best spooky attire! With pre-race activities, post-race raffles, and treats from local businesses, the Halloween Fun Run is a fantastic way to celebrate the spooky season. Entry is just $10 for kids, $20 for adults, and $50 for a family of four. Rain or shine, come join the Halloween fun and support a wonderful cause!
Riverside
Witches Ride
Trade your broom for a bike and join fellow witches at the Riverside Witches Ride on Friday, October 25th, from 5:30 pm to 9 pm! Hosted by the Riverside Swim Club, this eerie evening begins with check-in at 5:30 pm before the bewitching ride at 6 pm. Get ready to cast spells of joy as you cruise through town, cackling and tossing candy to the delighted kids along the way. The joyous journey will end at the Swim Club, where you can enjoy adult (witches’) brews and tasty bites from Riverside Foods. This charitable event supports WINGS, a program dedicated to helping families break the cycle of domestic violence. So summon your coven, don your best witch attire, and get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with fun and community spirit! Don't forget to check out the local businesses supporting our ride, including Gears2You for bike tune-ups, Riverside Foods for delicious refreshments, and La Barra for post-ride festivities.
Westchester
Halloween Party & Canine Costume Contest
The Westchester Halloween Party has everything needed for a great fall festival: pony rides, petting zoo, mini pumpkin patch, hay rides and more. You can even bring your dog and enter it into the canine costume contest! It'll be a howling good time.
Meet Us for a Scary Good Time!
Oak Park and its neighboring communities are set to come alive with festive fun this October. From the whimsical Pumpkin Patch Parade to spine-tingling haunted rides, each event offers a unique way for families to celebrate the season together. So grab your costumes, gather your friends and family, and immerse yourselves in the magic and mystery of Halloween. Let this spooky season be one of creating cherished memories and new traditions.