FALLAPALOOZA
n Take-Home Kit: My Silly Skeleton
Oct. 7
Hinsdale Public Library
20 E. Maple St.
(630) 986-1976
https://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
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
https://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
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
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 Boo! at the Zoo
Weekends Oct. 8-23
Brookfield Zoo
3300 Golf Road
(708) 688-8400
http://www.czs.org/booatthezoo
Zoogoers of all ages can enjoy creatures, memorable photo opportunities, sweet treats and fall fun at this annual event. Enjoy the “Crazed Maize” corn maze or take a spin on the carousel with its Halloween-themed decorations. Seasonal fall food and drinks are on sale at the food carts around the zoo. Watch animals play with and eat pumpkin treats, enjoy special zoo chats and receive goodies from Ferrara candy when exiting the park. Time: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. activities, zoo open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission: $24.95, $17.95 for kids 3-11, $19.95 for seniors plus $15 parking.
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.hinsdalelibrary.info
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
https://www.napersettlement.org
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 Fall Color Walk
Oct. 16 & 22
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center
12545 W. 111th St., Lemont
(630) 257-2045
Enjoy a leisurely nature walk with the family to see fall colors. Time: 1 p.m. RR
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
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
https://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
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
https://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
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 Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt
Oct. 30
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
(708) 839-6897
Find all the hidden pumpkins during this fun scavenger hunt. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. RR
n Day of the Dead Celebration
Oct. 30
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
(708) 839-6897
Attend the unveiling of the animal altar dedicated to endangered and extinct specied, talke a night walk and enjoy stories at the campfire. Time: 7 to 8:30 p.m. RR
n Boo Bash
Oct. 31
Cantigny Park
1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
(630) 668-5161
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
