Weekend Windup: 25 Fall and Halloween Events in the Chicago Suburbs October 15-18, 2020

 

25 Fall and Halloween Events in the Chicago Suburbs October 15-18, 2020

Crispness is in the fall breeze. Nights are getting longer --- and spookier! This weekend is absolutely full of fall fun! I have gathered 24 picks for this weekend -- some with the warm charm of fall, some a little spooky and some highlighting some great treasures here in the Chicago suburbs! Have a fun weekend:

Ongoing:

Ongoing Apple Picking and Amaze 'N Apples Maze, Royal Oak Farm Orchard, See Facebook for details and COVID precautions

Ongoing Richardson Corn Maze -- Did you know that the Chicago area is home to the World's Largest Corn Maze? We certainly are! One of our favorite corn mazes is Richardson's Corn Maze which is the World's Largest and features a new theme each year. This year's maze celebrates Earth Day's 50th Anniversary.  This year's maze is open September 12-November 8. Don't forget the apple cider donuts! 

Ongoing Shades of Autumn Festival --  This year, Stade's Shades of Autumn Festival will look a little different. While the play area will not be open, families will still be able to pick apples and pumpkins! Please check website for information and u-pick dates.

Ongoing Pumpkin Daze -- Abbey Farms in Aurora hosts family fun on the farm during Pumpkin Daze each year. Abbey Farms delights with a corn maze, pumpkin picking, a rope maze and much more. Take a peek at the live music on the farm options as well! Please check website for more information on COVID protocols. Pumpkin Daze runs through November 1. Don't forget to snag some apple cider donuts!

Ongoing through November 1 Scarecrow Trail -- Stroll around Meadow Lake at Morton Arboretum enjoying scarecrow creations crafted by local organizations. We have been pretty impressed by the creativity of each year's contributions. The trail is included in admission BUT you must reserve timed entry, so head over to the website to reserve your time. 

Ongoing through October 31 Terror in the Timbers Halloween Drive Through in Elgin, Fridays and Saturdays; Thursdays the last two weekends in October, this is a scary drive so more for families with teens; $65 per car; to provide a true family event there will be Family Fun Trick-or-Treats Oct 23, 25, 30 and 31 for $20 per car, must reserve tickets 

Ongoing October 10-31 Skeleton Scavenger Hunt, LaGrange, fun and free skeleton hunt

Ongoing through October 31 Windows Into Art: Love Where You Live art display throughout downtown Wheaton, local artists have painted incredible scenes on the windows of local businesses, check out the map and go on an art hunt

Ongoing Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Outdoor Tours; it is preferred that you order tickets online: https://flwright.org/

Ongoing Dunn Museum Timed Entry, Libertyville, 10AM-3:30PM, must reserve timed entry, nonresident $10, $6 seniors, $6 kids, resident $6, $3 and $3 respectively, under 4 free, learn about the history and culture of Lake County, museum open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only

Ongoing through October 31 Naperville Settlement timed entry, Naperville, $5 per person, residents free, register online, must follow social distancing guidelines and wear a mask, open Tuesdays-Sundays

Thursday, October 15:

October 15 - November 15 Sugar Skull City, Aurora, self guided walking tour of Sugar Skull designs on storefronts downtown, special first Friday event November 6, special menu items, Sugar Skull scavenger hunt, special locally crafted items and more, see website

October 15-31 Carol Stream's 2020 Halloween Decorating Contest, click link to get map

Friday, October 16:

October 16-18 Pop-Up Haunted Park, Thornwood Park, Wilmette, 6AM-9PM, enjoy a park decorated with spine-tingling decor, free and at your leisure, please maintain social distance and wear a mask if crowded

October 16-25 Open House Chicago, reimagined architectural celebration including OHC trails, virtual experiences and more, there is an app to download to begin to explore Chicago's architectural treasures on this special weekend, 20+ neighborhoods

October 16-October 31St. Charles Halloween Tour, pack up the car and tour spooky Halloween decor, see more online

Saturday, October 17:

October 17-18 Corn Harvest, Kline Creek Farm, West Chicago, learn about the corn harvest and experience picking corn by hand alongside horse drawn equipment, learn how to properly shuck, $5 pp,  must register, various times, must wear a mask

October 17 Spooktacular Kids Yoga, Hop Along Yogi, Klehm Park, Arlington Heights, 9:30AM, $8 per person, must register, will be following social distancing; geared towards families with children ages 2-6. Halloween themed -- costumes encouraged!

October 17 Rockin' Jewelry Making Virtual via Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, 10AM-11AM, must pick up kit ahead of time, must register

October 17 & 18 Patterson Glassworks Open House: Make a Pumpkin, Mundelein, $35 for a small one; $65 large, you can make an appointment, walk-ins permitted but appointments prioritized, 

October 17-31 Halloween Walk with a Twist, Cary and Fox River Grove, Free, trick-or-treat participating businesses with a passport

October 17 & 18 Falling Into Autumn Walks, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook, 11AM, 1PM, 2PM, must register, call 847-824-8360, free, must wear masks and follow social distancing

October 17 Star Walk, Greene Valley, Naperville, 8:30PM-10PM, join a naturalist at the scenic overlook to spot stars, ages 12 and up, under 18 must be with an adult, $5 pp, must register

Sunday, October 18:

October 18  Croctober Fest, Wildlife Discovery Center, Lake Forest, 10AM-4PM, outdoor experiences, feeding demos, meet reptiles, free, no registration required, donations appreciated, some fee events available, must wear mask and practice social distancing

October 18  Fall Color, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington, 1PM, take a 1.5 hour hike to learn about the science behind fall color changes, for ages 12 & up, must register, call 847-381-6592, must wear a mask and practice physical distancing, free