Fallapalooza

https://www.napersettlement.org

Bring the family on this signs-of-fall scavenger hunt, and sharpen nature observational skills while enjoying the seasonal features of St. James Farm. The program is for ages 5 – 11 with an adult. Time: 2 to 3 p.m. Cost: $5 a person. RR

n Oktoberfest

Sept. 30 & Oct. 1

Naper Settlement

523 S. Webster St. Naperville

(630) 420-6010

Celebrate fall inside the event’s signature beer tent with live music, traditional German cuisine, live polka bands, rock music at night, themed contests and a selection of local and traditional Oktoberfest beer varieties. On Saturday, try the stein holding contest and lawn games for the whole family. Time: 5 to 10 p.m. Sept. 30, 3 to 10 p.m. Oct. 1. Cost: $20, $15 for kids 4-12. RR, MD

n Great Library Pumpkin Decorating Contest

Oct. 1

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

(630) 986-1976

Decorate a literary-themed pumpkin using a favorite book, character, scene or quote at this drop-in activity. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. RR

n Fall Bloomers

Oct. 1

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center

12545 W. 111th St., Lemont

https://www.fpdcc.com

(630) 257-2045

Walk with a naturalist to see what autumn flowers are in bloom. The program is for ages 18 and older. Time: 1 p.m. RR

n Fall Color 5K Run and Walk

Oct. 1

Morton Arboretum

4100 Route 53, Lisle

https://www.villageofhinsdale.org/pr

This annual run and walk follows east side roads through scenic, rolling terrain surrounded by fall color. The post-race party includes live music and a complimentary beer for participants age 21 and older. On-site participants can choose from a shotgun start or an open start; a virtual 5K is also available. Time: 8 a.m. shotgun start, 9:30 a.m. open start. Cost: $50, $45 for virtual race. RR, MD

n Halloween Gore-tastic Lab

Oct. 3

Downers Grove Park District

4500 Belmont Road

(630) 789-7090

Kids ages 6-12 will investigate what makes Halloween so chilling in this drop-off science workshop offered by Lisa Lombardi Coaching. Have fun with weird and horrifying concepts like puking pumpkins, static powered witches, blood and bruises, the science of a haunted fall carnival, creepy candy experiments and more. Themed souvenirs are included. Time: 5 to 6 p.m. Cost: $30. RR

n Take-Home Kit: My Silly Skeleton

Oct. 7

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

(630) 986-1976

Create a skeleton out of paper. Learn about bones while looping paper to create different parts of the skeleton’s body with this take home kit for kids up to second grade. RR

n Teen DIY Take-Home Kit: No-Sew Fabric Pumpkin

Oct. 7

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

(630) 986-1976

Take home a kit with everything needed to create a small fabric pumpkin patch. RR

n Cantigny Fall Festival

Oct. 8

Cantigny Park

1S115 Winfield Road, Wheaton

(630) 668-5161

https://www.cantigny.org

This full day of attractions includes a craft show, pumpkin decorating, a petting zoo, hay rides, multiple bounce houses, entertainment, food trucks and more. Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: Free with $5 parking; some activities have small fees.

n Fall Festival

Oct. 8-9

Danada Equestrian Center

3S507 Naperville Road, Wheaton

(630) 668-6012

The DuPage County Forest Preserve District’s largest event returns for two days this year. Festivities will include equestrian performances and demonstrations in the outdoor arena, wagon rides, pony rides and other children’s activities, barn tours and more. Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: Free, with small fees for some activities.

n Glass Pumpkin Patch

Oct. 12-16

Morton Arboretum

4100 Route 53, Lisle

(630) 968-0074

The Morton Arboretum’s 12th annual Glass Pumpkin Patch features demonstrations by artists as they turn bits of glass into stunning molten pumpkin masterpieces. Guests also can visit the Halloween tent to find enchanting and frightful works of art to decorate the home and garden. Glass pumpkins are available for sale from 1 p.m. Oct. 14 to 5 p.m. Oct. 16. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: free with timed admission of $16 for adults, $14 for seniors, $11 for kids ages 2-17 and free for those 2 and younger.

n Friday Fright Film Night

Oct. 14

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

(630) 986-1976

https://www.napersettlement.org

Experience a frightful film on a Friday night at the library — “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.” Snacks will be provided. Time: 4 to 6 p.m. RR

n Fall Family Fest

Oct. 15

Hinsdale Middle School

100 S. Garfield St.

Dress in costume and join in on a free day of fun for all ages, with a costume contest, pumpkin decorating (pumpkins free for first 500 attendees), inflatables and entertainment. Stop by The Hinsdalean booth to have a professional photo taken and check in at the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce table for costume judging from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (winners announced at 2 p.m.) Trick-or-treat at participating downtown businesses from noon to 3 p.m. The event is sponsored by the village, the Hinsdale Public Library, The Community House, the chamber and The Hinsdalean. Time: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

n All Hallows Eve

Oct. 14-15

Naper Settlement

523 S. Webster St. Naperville

(630) 420-6010

Monsters, witches and werewolves have escaped their homes on the pages of favorite Halloween stories and are running loose on the grounds of Naper Settlement. Experience All Hallows Eve like never before with a newly reimagined lineup of outdoor activities and performances designed for families with kids 16 and younger. Time: 6:30 to 10 p.m. Tickets: $20.

n Howlin’ at the Moon

Oct. 21-22

Naper Settlement

523 S. Webster St. Naperville

(630) 420-6010

https://www.napersettlement.org

Come dressed in costume and enjoy thrilling performances and attractions at this annual event for adults 21 and older. Howl along with live music, feast your fangs into local cuisine from the Food Truck Graveyard and quench your undying thirst at the Boooze Bar. Other attractions include a Moonlight Market, Dark Art Gallery, costume contest, fire dancers, liquid lights show, contortionist, magician and more. Time: 5 to 10 p.m. Cost: $20. RR, MD

n Cider and Ale Festival

Oct. 22

Morton Arboretum

4100 Route 53, Lisle

(630) 968-0074

Savor 20 3-ounces samples of hard cider and seasonal beers selected from more than 30 local breweries and cideries. Breathe in the fresh autumn air and stroll among the trees while sipping and enjoying live music from the AD3 Trio from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tasting booths will be spread out along the Meadow Lake, Frost Hill and Conifer walking paths. Ticket purchasers must be 21 or older. Time: 1 to 4 p.m., noon to 4 p.m. for VIP guests. Tickets: $60, $70 for VIP. RR, MD

n Pumpkin Night Hike for Families

Oct. 22

Fullersburg Woods

3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook

(630) 933-7248

Use jack-o-lanterns to light the way on a self-guided night hike, with a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt for kids to complete and a treat at the end. Hikes leave every 15 minutes. The program is for all ages; those under 18 must be with an adult. Time: 5:30 to 9 p.m. Cost: $10, free for 3 and younger. RR

n Halloween Spooktacular

Oct. 22-23

McAninch Arts Center

College of DuPage

421 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn

(630) 942-4000

https://www.atthemac.org

This bewitching New Philharmonic performance features classic musical treats — from Bach, Stokowskis, Berlioz, Wanger and Offenbach and popular films — and ghoulishly fun costumes. Audience members are welcome to wear their own spooky costumes. Time: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22, 3 p.m. Oct. 23. Tickets: $53.

n Corn Harvest

Oct. 22-23 & 29-30

Kline Creek Farm

1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago

(630) 876-5900

Experience life as a field hand while helping to harvest this year’s corn crop, which will feed the farm’s livestock throughout the year and provide seed for next year’s plantings. Learn about the importance of this crop to farmers in the 1890s and today. The program is for all ages; those under 18 must be with an adult. Time: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

n Halloween Party

Oct. 23

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

(630) 986-1976

Different stations will be set up around the children’s department with Halloween-themed games and crafts. Costumes are encouraged at this party for all ages. Time: 2 to 4 p.m.

n Thrills and Chills Book Club

Oct. 25

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

(630) 986-1976

Readers who dare are invited to read “City of Ghosts” by Victoria Schwab. Time: 7 to 8 p.m. RR

n Lantern-Lit Halloween Hike

Oct. 28-29

St. James Farm

2S541 Winfield Road, Warrenville

(630) 933-7248

Experience a 2-mile self-guided lantern-lit walk along the trails, ending with haunted conversation around the fire and decorated buildings. The program is for ages 12 and up; those under 18 must be with an adult. Hikes leave every 15 minutes. Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Cost: $10. RR

n OAKtober Walk

Oct. 30

St. James Farm

2S541 Winfield Road, Warrenville

(630) 933-7248

Enjoy the fall colors and learn about oaks on a guided walk. Participants may bring crayons and paper to make their own leaf and bark rubbings. The program is for those 5 and older; those under 18 must be with an adult. Time: 2 to 3 p.m. Cost: $5. RR

n Boo Bash

Oct. 31

Cantigny Park

1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton

(630) 668-5161

https://www.cantigny.org

Little ones ages 3-5 and grown-ups are encouraged to come dressed in costume to enjoy Halloween stories, crafts and a special treat. Time: 10 to 11 a.m. Cost: $12 per child. RR, MD

n Scarecrow Trail

Daily in October

Morton Arboretum

4100 Route 53, Lisle

(630) 719-2468