WHERE TO GET SPOOKED (AND CANDY) IN THE CHICAGO SOUTHLAND

Looking for the places in the Chicago Southland to eat, drink and be scary? Don’t be a scaredy cat, put on a costume, grab the kids and head out to one or all of these spooktacular places.

Odyssey Fun Farm is open now through October 30 where families can enjoy fall favorites like a corn maize, hay rides, petting zoo, fall treats and more!

Whether it’s day or night, Spooky Park at Heritage Park in Homer Glen opens October 2-31 and will be decorated all things spooky for the entire month. Also at Heritage Park, starting October 8th is Scarecrow Walk where you can view the creative scarecrow displays and vote for your favorite.

Get an early start to the festivities at Halloween Hollow at the Yunker Farm Bandshell in Mokena. This three-day event (October 7-9) is packed with everything you’d find at a carnival plus a scarecrow laboratory, costume contest and pumpkin painting.

El Morro Park in Oak Forest offers Halloween Movie In The Park on October 7^th. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy Disney’s Hocus Pocus.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Boo! At The Zoo is a fun-filled family event running October 8-23. This event offers great photo opportunities and of course your little ghosts and goblins will be leaving with a sweet treat! 

Tinley Junction Mini-Golf & Batting Cages transforms their golf course into Ghostly Golf At Tinley Junction on October 8th. Want a free treat? All you need to do is wear your costume to this Tinley Park business.

Looking for a Halloween event for your four-legged friend? Howl-A-Woof Dog Halloween Event at Bark Park at Commissioners Park in Frankfort wants you to bring your bestie decked out in their most original costume on October 15.

Put your own legs in action at the Pumpkin Fun Run at Hadley Valley Preserve (access the start in Joliet) on October 15^th. Participants of all ages are encouraged to enjoy the leisurely run or walk. Afterwards, participants will be given a pumpkin to take home.

Also on October 15 & 16 is Spooky Golf at El Morro Park in Oak Forest. Ghosts and goblins will inhabit the mini-golf course for a fun golfing experience and kids get a treat bag to take home.

The Village of Frankfort is loaded with Halloween options. On October 20th, Witchy Night Out gives ladies the opportunity to shop, dine and play in the historic downtown district. Kick-up your metabolism on October 22nd at Scary At The Prairie 5k And Spooky Sprint. Wear your favorite costume while running a 5k (adults), 1-mile run (children 10 & under) or a 100-yard dash (5 and under). They’ll also host Trunk Or Treat at Breidert Green on October 29th.

Now we can’t confirm or deny Charlie Brown will be at The Great Pumpkin Patch in Palos Heights on October 20, we do know you’ll be able to pick out and decorate your favorite pumpkin at the event held at Meyers Park. And on the 21st, the Palos Heights Parks and Recreation Department and South West Special Recreation Association are excited to introduce their first ever Sensory Friendly Pumpkin Patch which includes crafts, sensory play and other fun activities!

Moonlight Masquerade at the Plum Creek Nature Center in Beecher is adults only. Come dressed in costume and hike along a glowing night trail. This BYOB event includes special treats plus roasting hot dogs and marshmallows by the fire on October 21st.

Haunted Trails Family Entertainment Center in Burbank introduces their R.I.P Max Pack beginning October 24-31. This package includes 3 premium attraction tickets, 2 hours of unlimited Miner Mike Coaster and Crazy Cabs rides plus $30 in game play.

On October 27th, costumed kids under 12 can attend Boo Bash At Orland Square for free (no, we aren’t clowning around)!! Activities include balloon twister, airbrush tattoos, character meet and greet plus a party favor bag for the first 500 kids.

Touch-A-Truck & Treat on October 27^th at the Palos Heights Pool Parking lot will give your little goblins a chance to explore trucks, tractors, heavy equipment and emergency vehicles while receiving treats from each vendor.

The Village of Monee’s Parks & Recreation Department is hosting Halloween Happenings on October 28^th at Firemen’s Park. This trunk-or-treat event also offers hayrides, a DJ and costume contest.

Walk the Halloween Haunted Trail at the Worth Boat launch Pavilion October 28-30, but beware of the creatures that hide in the woods. Are you brave enough to get out? On October 30th, the Worth Park District will also host Lights On Haunted Trail, perfect for young children (and scaredy cats) to walk down the trail during the day and see other people in costume.

Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center in Olympia Fields will host a Flashlight Pumpkin Hunt on October 29th. This after dark event includes completing activities and solving mysteries along the way. Prizes include pumpkins, decorating kits and of course……sweet treats!

The Great Sand Ridge (Tiny) Pumpkin Hunt returns to the Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland on October 29th. Discover all the hidden pumpkins on a scavenger hunt and take one of the tiny pumpkins home with you. 

On Halloween, Accelerate Indoor Speedway & Events in Mokena rolls out Scary Clown Chase. Racers who can avoid getting caught or passed by the clown chaser will get to pose with the clown and have a chance to win an additional gift card.

Step Back Into A 1950’s Halloween at the 1950s Park Forest House Museum at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The museum is decorated in vintage Halloween doodads including die-cuts and Halloween Gurley Candles, plus a few extra special touches.

Last but not least, running until October 30^th is Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen which has rides, food and a petting zoo that make memories that last a lifetime!

We strongly encourage calling ahead to verify that an event is still scheduled to take place. Please stay safe this Halloween and have a scary good time!

Related Articles