n Woodland Family Hikes:
Fall Color
Oct. 6, 13 or 14
Morton Arboretum
4100 Route 53, Lisle
(630) 968-0074
Enjoy the intricate beauty of colorful trees in the fall on an hour-long family-paced hike around the arboretum’s Meadow Lake. The program is recommended for families with children 4 and older. Time: 10:30 a.m. Fridays, 10:30 or a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Saturdays. Cost: $17. RR
n Fall Color 5K Run and Walk
Oct. 7
Morton Arboretum
4100 Route 53, Lisle
(630) 968-0074
Enjoy the arboretum at the cusp of the autumnal color change at this annual USATF-certified 5K run and walk. A virtual option also is available. A post-race party will be held with live music and a beer (nonalcoholic, too) for participants age 21 and up. Time: 8 a.m. shotgun start. Cost: $55, $45 for virtual 5K. RR
n Fall Festival
Oct. 7-8
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. 7-22
Brookfield Zoo
3300 Golf Road
(708) 688-8400
http://www.czs.org/booatthezoo
Families can have a howling good time at this annual Halloween celebration. Don a favorite costume and take memorable snapshots at the many Halloween-themed photo frames and vignettes, including the Howl-O-Scene. Backdrops feature pumpkins, bales of hay, black cat cutouts and more. Afterwards, tackle the Craized Maize corn maze on the Zoo’s East Mall or take a spin on the Creepy Carousel. Time: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. activities, zoo open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission: $29.95, $20.95 for kids 3-11, $24.95 for seniors plus $17-$20 parking.
n Cantigny Fall Festival
Oct. 13-15
Cantigny Park
1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
(630) 668-5161
The popular fall festival is expanded this year from one day to three. Enjoy the biergarten with food, eight beers on tap and live music by Howl2Go from 4 to 11 p.m. Oct. 13. On Saturday, fun for the family includes inflatables, a petty zoo, hayride, craft vendors and more from 10 am. to 4 p.m., with live music and the biergarten on tap from 4 to 11 p.m. Family fun and live entertainment will be available Oct. 15 as well from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: $15 per car admission, $9 beer tokens.
n Glass Pumpkin Patch
Oct. 13-15
Morton Arboretum
4100 Route 53, Lisle
(630) 968-0074
The Morton Arboretum’s 13th 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 Halloween Cupcake Decorating
Oct. 15
Hinsdale Public Library
20 E. Maple St.
(630) 789-1986
http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
Kids in kindergarten through second grade are invited to listen to a story about fall and decorate Halloween themed cupcakes with frosting, crushed cookies, gummy worms and more. Time: 2 to 3 p.m. RR
n OAKtober Walk
Oct. 15
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 ages 5 and older; those under 18 must be with an adult. Time: 2 to 3 p.m. Cost: $5. RR
n Fall Color Walk
Oct. 15 or 21
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center
12545 W. 111th St., Lemont
(630) 257-2045
Families are invited to enjoy a leisurely nature walk to see the fall colors. Time: 1 p.m. RR
n Mayslake by Moonlight Tour
Oct. 19, 21, 27, 28, 30
Mayslake Peabody Estate
1717 31st St., Oak Brook
(630) 206-9566
See Mayslake Hall in a new light. After the sun sets, enjoy a guided tour of this historic mansion by flashlight. Take in the architecture and history, and thrill to urban legends, tales of hauntings and stories of mischief. The program is for ages 12 and older; those under 18 must be with an adult. Time: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Cost: $15. RR
n Pumpkin Night Hike
Oct. 20
Fullersburg Woods
3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook
(630) 933-7248
Use pumpkins and lanterns to light the way on a self-guided night hike. There will be a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt for kids to complete and a treat at the end. Hikes leave every 15 minutes. All ages are welcome; those under 18 must be with an adult. Time: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Cost: $10 per person 3 and older, free for 2 and younger. RR
n Cider and Ale Festival
Oct. 21
Morton Arboretum
4100 Route 53, Lisle
(630) 968-0074
Enjoy the fall season while savoring hard cider and beers from more than 30 local breweries and cideries. General admission includes a souvenir tasting glass and 20 3-ounce samples. Each VIP ticket provides early entry and includes a welcome drink, 20 3-ounce samples, a beer can-shaped commemorative pint glass and private restroom access. Time: noon to 3 p.m., 11 a.m. VIP entry.
n Gothic Ghost Stories
Oct. 25
Mayslake Peabody Estate
1717 31st St., Oak Brook
(630) 206-9566
Keep the spooks at bay with an evening of ghoulish grown-up tales told in the old manor house at Mayslake Hall. The program is for ages 18 and older.
n Boo Bash
Oct. 30
Hinsdale Public Library
20 E. Maple St.
(630) 789-1986
http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
All ages are invited to come to the library in costume to enjoy trick-or-treating, spooktacular games and activity stations. Time: 4 to 6 p.m.
