Lake Co. Halloween events
There is much more to celebrating Halloween than just visiting a haunted house or trick-or-treating through the neighborhood. Villages across Lake County are planning a variety of family events leading up to the holiday, Friday, Oct. 31. So grab a costume and have fun.
Antioch
Treat the Streets will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, in downtown Antioch. Along with trick-or-treating, there will be a magician, games and a haunted house. For details, call (847) 838-4032.
Fox Lake
The Fox Lake Police Department will hold a Halloween Howl from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at the police station, 301 S. Route 59. Wear costumes and join safety tours or visit the Witches' Kitchen. For details, call (847) 587-3100.
Glencoe
Chicago Botanic Garden hosts Trains, Tricks and Treats from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25-26. Families are encouraged to trick-or-treat throughout the garden's Model Railroad Garden, which is decorated in spider webs, ghosts, goblins and pumpkins. Children will receive candy, temporary tattoos and glow sticks for treats. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3 to 12. Garden members will save $1. The Chicago Botanic Garden is at 1000 Lake-Cook Road in Glencoe. For details, call (847) 835-5440 or visit chicagobotanic.org.
Grayslake
Grayslake's annual Halloween Family Fall Festival will take place Saturday, Oct. 25. From noon to 3 p.m., downtown will be alive with ghosts, goblins and witches during the Grayslake Area Chamber of Commerce Business Trick-or-Treat. There will be music by Ernie Garner from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Centennial Park.
An undercover team of experts will be handing out prizes for best costumes in all age groups.
Take a free hayride that leaves from the 4 Kids Daycare parking lot, or register at noon to join the scavenger hunt, which begins at 1 p.m. Visit the Grayslake Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Centennial Park.
This year, there also will be a Kid Zone on Slusser Street, including games and fire trucks to climb. And join the Grayslake Historical Museum and make a rope the old fashioned way.
Gurnee
The Gurnee Park District will host a children's Halloween party at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at Viking Park Dance Hall, 4374 Old Grand Ave. Open to ages 4 to 8, the party will include a hayride, crafts and games. Ghoul-Ade and Halloween treats will be served. Parents or guardians need not attend. Cost is $7 for residents and $9 for nonresidents. For details, call (847) 623-7788.
Hainesville
Trick-or-treating hours in the village of Hainesville are set for 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31. The village also will be offering hayrides for residents. There will not be a cost for the hayride, but participants are asked to donate non-perishable canned goods at the hayride site for the Avon Township Food Pantry. Rides go from 4 to 5 p.m. on Centennial Drive, behind the village hall; from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. at Brittany Park, and from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Antler Park. Adult supervision is required for the hayride. For more information, call the village of Hainesville at (847) 223-2032.
Island Lake
The Island Lake Recreation Department will hold a Trunk or Treat Halloween party from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Island Lake village hall gym and parking lot, 3720 Greenleaf Ave. Decorate your car with a Halloween theme. Parents are asked to then bring candy to pass out to children who will trunk-or-treat from car to car at the end of the party. There also will be games, a haunted house, costume contest, apple cider, popcorn, candy and hayrides, weather permitting. Admission is $3 at the door. Tickets for the hayride and games will be 25 cents each or five for $1.
Libertyville
Libertyville will host a Halloween Fest from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at Adler Park, 1500 Milwaukee Ave. There will be hayrides, weather permitting, storytellers and games throughout the night. Admission will be $5 per car. For details, call (847) 362-2430.
• Improv Playhouse will hold a Hannahween Bash with Hannah Montana impersonator Charlotte Bishop from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. A costume contest, prizes, goodies, interactive entertainment, singing and dancing Hannah Montana style will be offered. Children are encouraged to dress in their finest Halloween gear. Entry fee is $5 at the door. Call Improv Playhouse at (847) 968-4529 or visit improvplayhouse.com for details.
Lincolnshire
The Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce will hold Boo Bash from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at City Park on the southwest corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Aptakisic Road. There will be free ghoulish games, fun and frightening food. A costume parade will begin at 6:30 p.m., and prizes will be awarded at 7 p.m. Visit all the stores and booths at City Park for tricks or treats. Entertainment will be provided by A-Z Entertainment. For details, visit lincolnshirechamber.org or call Ines at (847) 325-9322.
Mundelein
Community Protestant Church in Mundelein will host a Pumpkin Fest from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the church, 418 S. Prairie Ave. Children ages 12 and younger are invited to carve and decorate pumpkins. Snacks will be provided. Participants are asked to bring a nonperishable food item to be donated to a local food pantry.
• A Halloween Howl Pet Event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at K-9 Playtime, 403 Washington Blvd., Mundelein. There will be open playtime, games, costume contest, food and photos. For details, call (847) 970-7529.
• The Mundelein Park District will host the Night Before Halloween from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at Carl Sandburg Middle School, 855 W. Hawley St. There will be games, prizes and treat bags for children ages 3 to 11. A parent or guardian must accompany all children.
North Chicago
Trick-or-treat along the "haunted" trail, then come inside for games, crafts and refreshments. The Greenbelt Cultural Center's Halloween event takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. The program is open to families with children ages 12 and younger. Cost is free. For details or reservations, call (847) 968-3477.
Round Lake
The Round Lake Area Park District will hold its Great Pumpkin Celebration from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the community center, 814 Hart Road.
There will be a Halloween fantasy maze, carnival games with prizes, indoor trick-or-treating, children's entertainment, hayrides and food and drinks to purchase. There also will be a costume contest starting at 2:30 p.m.
This is a free family event. For details, call (847) 546-8558.
Vernon Hills
The Vernon Hills Park District will host a Fall Fest from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at the Sullivan Community Center, 635 N. Aspen Drive. Children will enjoy trick-or-treating from local vendors in addition to a magic show, balloon artist, crafts, storytelling, carnival games and costume contest. Star Auto Authority of Vernon Hills will be staffing a themed photo booth, where kids and families can get their picture taken. Refreshments will be available to buy. Tickets cost $1 per person ages 2 and older and can be purchased at the center. Tickets cost $5 the day of event.
Wauconda
The Wauconda Park District will hold a family Halloween gala from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Cook Park. Come in costume and enjoy carnival games, a haunted hayride, contests and more. Refreshments will be available to purchase. Admission is $10 for the first child and $8 for each additional child; adults are free. Check out the duck race at 5:30 p.m. Ducks will be available to purchase for an additional fee.
Waukegan
The Waukegan Park District will hold Halloweenfest from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Bowen Park. Among scheduled activities will be an enchanted walk from 3 to 5:15 p.m., a haunted house from 3 to 7:45 p.m. and haunted walk from 6 to 7:45 p.m. There also will be costume contests, wandering performers, children's games, a maze, concessions, magic show, storytelling, live music and train ride. For details, call (847) 360-4700.
Trick-or-treating hours
Antioch: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31
Fox Lake: 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31
Grayslake: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31
Gurnee: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26
Hainesville: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31
Hawthorn Woods: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31
Island Lake: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31
Kildeer: 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31
Lake Villa: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31
Lake Zurich: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31
Libertyville: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31
Lincolnshire: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31
Lindenhurst: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31
Mundelein: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31
Round Lake: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26
Round Lake Beach: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26
Round Lake Heights: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26
Round Lake Park: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26
Vernon Hills: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31
Volo: 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31
Wauconda: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31