Cheap stuff: Pooches, pumpkins and pancakes

Free

‘Halloween Spooktacular'

Musician and singer Dave Rudolf helps get music lovers of all ages into the Halloween spirit at his “Halloween Spooktacular” event at Woodfield Shopping Center. Listen and dance to Rudolf's family pop/rock tunes including the “Frankenstein Dance” and the “Ghostly Ghoul Limbo.” The event also features a costume contest.

10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 29, in the lower level of Lord & Taylor Court at Woodfield Shopping Center, Golf Road at Route 53, Schaumburg. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. Free. (847) 330-1537 or shopwoodfield.com.

Halloween at the Ar-BOO-retum

The Arboretum of South Barrington hosts its Ar-BOO-retum, A Halloween Celebration with family-friendly seasonal activities. The event includes face painting, pumpkin painting and trick-or-treating for youngsters at participating stores at The Arboretum. Four-legged friends can join in the fun at the canine costume contest.

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at The Arboretum of South Barrington, Route 59 and Higgins Road, South Barrington. Free admission. (847) 426-6200 or shopthearboretumsb.com.

Connie and Johnny

Singer Connie Marshall and pianist Johnny Gabor present an evening of pop songs at The Chambers in Niles. The performers will be dressed for Halloween. Guests are invited to dance to the music.

5 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, at The Chambers, 6881 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles. Free. (847) 459-9678.

$10 and under

Pile on the pancakes

The Aurora Noon Lions Club hosts its fourth annual Great Pumpkin Pancake Breakfast with unlimited pancakes, sausage, doughnuts and beverages. Children are invited to dress in Halloween costumes for the breakfast and get a free photo taken with a costumed pumpkin character.

7:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at Luigi's Pizza, 732 Prairie St., Aurora. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3 to 12. Maximum charge is $20 per family. Tickets are available from Lions members or at the door. Admission is discounted $1 per person from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. (630) 921-1307.

‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show'

Rich Koz, best known as the TV horror-movie host Svengoolie, will be the master of ceremonies at “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 8 p.m. Halloween attire is suggested for the classic interactive movie event.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, with Svengoolie signing autographs in the lobby of the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. The film begins at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $7. (847) 931-5900 or hemmens.org.

Spooky stories and more

Yesterday's Farm Museum and the Wood Dale Public Library present an evening of stories and autumnal activities at Ghost Stories in the Barn. Storyteller Donna Dettman will present stories for both younger and older guests. Other events include hayrides, games and food, including doughnuts, cocoa and cider.

Events begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at Yesterday's Farm Museum, 850 N. Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale. Not-so-scary stories for younger guests run from 7 to 8 p.m. in the barn. Scarier stories for teens and older runs from 8 to 9 p.m. by a fire. The cost is $3.50 per person. Children ages 2 and younger admitted free. Call Judi at (630) 595-0360 or Ann at (630) 766-4216.

Tuesday Night Line Dances

Denim and Diamonds hosts its weekly Tuesday Night Line Dances with lessons for beginners offered for those wanting to brush up on their steps. All ages are welcome.

7 to 10:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2, at the White Eagle Banquets & Restaurant, 6839 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles. Admission is $7. (847) 965-6353.

Fairs and festivals

Buffalo Grove Trick or Treat Trail, Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive, Buffalo Grove: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29. A no-scare zone for children ages 1 to 12 accompanied by parents. Friendly characters hand out candy and small prizes and will pose for pictures. Attractions include face painting and carnival games. $6 for Buffalo Grove residents and $9 for nonresidents. Visit bgparkdistrict.org.

Creatures of the Night Halloween Fest, Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 29-31. Features The Trail of Terror pathway with scary scenes along with a Haunted Tram. For younger guests, not-so-scary activities include a Monster Mash Dance Party, pumpkin carving, cookie decorating and more. Activities are free (except cookie decorating, pumpkin carving and the carousel) with paid general zoo admission. Kids 2 and younger admitted free. Parking is free after 6 p.m. Combo zoo and Creatures of the Night tickets are available for $12-$18. (708) 688-8000 or CZS.org.

Grayslake Business Trick or Treat, downtown Grayslake: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. The Grayslake Area Chamber of Commerce will host a festival allowing children to collect treats from local businesses in the village's downtown area. (847) 223-6888 or grayslakechamber.com.

Halloween Howl, Fox Lake Police Station, 301 W. Route 59, Fox Lake: 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31. Children should wear costumes to the event, which will feature safety tours and a witch's kitchen. (847) 587-2151 or foxlake.org.

Haunted Harvest, Lambs Farm, 14245 W. Rockland Road, I-94 at Route 176, Libertyville: 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. All-night pass costs $15 per person, kids 3 and younger admitted free with purchase of an adult pass. Individual activity pricing also available: Graveyard golf $5, creature walk $5, enchanted carousel $3 and train of terror $5. (847) 362-4636 or lambsfarm.org.

Morton Arboretum's Fall Color Festival, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle: Runs through Sunday, Oct. 31. Features a Scarecrow Trail with scarecrows decorated by local scouting groups, fall crafts, a gourd show and sale, fall fare and more. General admission to the arboretum is $8-$11. Parking is free. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org.

Pumpkinfest, Didier Farms, 16678 W. Aptakisic Road, Prairie View: Runs through Sunday, Oct. 31. Features hayrides, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, pony rides, children's carnival rides and inflatables. New this year is a Big Cats exhibit, camel rides and a 200-creature exhibit. Farmstand features homegrown vegetables, fall decorations and pumpkins. Food includes pumpkin and apple cider doughnuts. Hours and fees vary. (847) 634-3291 or didierfarms.com.

Sycamore Pumpkin Festival, downtown Sycamore: Runs through Sunday, Oct. 31. Features hundreds of decorated pumpkins, teen and kiddie carnivals, a scary stories program, a house walk, a pie-eating contest, an antique craft and flea market and other family activities. Visit sycamorepumpkinfestival.com.

Trunk or Treat, Arlington Heights Public Works Building, 222 N. Ridge Ave., Arlington Heights: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29. Children ages 3-10 travel from car to car to show off their costumes for prizes and treats. Also includes children's arts and crafts project and inflatables. $5 per child. Caregivers must accompany their children. (847) 577-3000 or ahpd.org.