Things to do Oct. 31 to Nov. 6: Halloween and Dia de Muertos events, the 312 Comedy Festival and more

Starts before Friday

Creepy Critters Month: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m. through Friday, Oct. 31, at Knoch Knolls Nature Center, 320 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville. Kids can drop in to take part in self-guided activities about spiders, bats, rats, crows, worms and vultures and participate in an indoor scavenger hunt to win a prize. No registration required. Free. napervilleparks.org/knochknollsnaturecenter.

McHenry Stade’s Farm Market: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Friday, Oct. 31, at 3709 Miller Road, McHenry. Free. stadesfarmandmarket.com.

Pumpkin Fest: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Friday, Oct. 31, at Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. See the zoo’s animals and thousands of pumpkins lining the zoo’s lawn. Kids’ rides for a fee. Apples, gourds, pumpkins, cider, cornstalks, straw bales and fall merchandise for purchase. Proceeds benefit Cosley Zoo. Admission: Free for Wheaton Park District residents and Cosley Zoo members; nonresidents: $12 for 12-59, $10 for 60 and older, and free for kids 11 and younger. cosleyzoo.org.

Randall Oaks Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Sunday, Nov. 2, at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Pedal tractors, pumpkins and fall treats for sale, and on weekends, hayrides for $3 and animal shows at 1:30 p.m. $6; free for kids 1 and younger and U.S. military with ID. dtpd.org/fall-festival.

Boo at the Zoo: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, Oct. 31, at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Family-friendly Halloween celebration with not-so-scary thrills, festive decorations and more. Included with zoo admission. brookfieldzoo.org/BooAtTheZoo.

The Other Art Fair: 6-10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30; 5-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at Artifact Events, 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago. Buy works directly from over 115 independent artists in a variety of mediums. Includes artist-designed mini golf: five playable holes that double as immersive installations. “Halloween Edition” on Friday night offers spooky vibes, bug pinning workshops, costume contests and more. Tickets are $40 Thursday, $25 Friday, and $18 Saturday and Sunday. theotherartfair.com/chicago.

Jack O’Lantern World: Time slots start around 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 30 through Nov. 1, at Paulus Park, 215 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich, and The Forge, 227 Heritage Quarries Drive, Lemont. Thousands of pumpkins arranged in displays, a pumpkin patch, 30-foot inflatables, food trucks, a beer garden, mini golf and more. Tickets range from $17.99-$27.99. Thejackolanternworld.com.

Día de los Muertos Week: Various times through Sunday, Nov. 2, in downtown Highland Park. Community events and Día de los Muertos-inspired activities, culminating with a Tarde de Catrinas cultural runway contest from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at 1900 Sheridan Road. Free. hpculturalarts.org.

Friday, Oct. 31

St. Charles Farmers Market: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, in the parking lot next to the old police station on Riverview and Cedar Avenue, St. Charles. Meat, eggs, cheese, breads, sweets, honey, microgreens, mushrooms and more. facebook.com/STCFarmersMarket.

Huntley’s Trick-or-Treat Around the Square: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. Trick-or-treat at participating businesses displaying an orange balloon in downtown Huntley. huntley.il.us.

MainStreet Libertyville’s Trick-or-Treat on MainStreet: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, in downtown Libertyville. Trick-or-treat at participating stores. Free. libertyville.com.

Bensenville Trunk-or-Treat: 3-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, on Center Street next to the village hall, 12 S. Center St., Bensenville. Organizations and businesses will be transforming their trunks into creative candy stations, handing out treats to kids 3-11 in costume. bensenville.gov.

Blodgett House Boo Fest: 3-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at the Downers Grove Museum, 831 Maple Ave., Downers Grove. Trick-or-treat through the Victorian Blodgett House, plus a festive scavenger hunt and spooky-themed games on the museum campus. Costumes encouraged. Free. dgparks.org.

Halloween on the Square: 4-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, in Woodstock Square, 100 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. Trick-or-treat at businesses around the square. Costume contest at 4:45 p.m. woodstockil.gov.

Six Flags Great America Fright Fest: 5-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, Nov. 1; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at Six Flags Great America, Six Flags Drive, Gurnee. Thrills by day and frights by night with haunted houses, scare zones, spine-chilling shows and rides. Plus, kids’ Boo Fest. Tickets start at $45. sixflags.com/greatamerica/events.

Trunk Or Treat: 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at Second Presbyterian Church, 1201 Superior St., Aurora. Second Presbyterian Church and Trinity Grace Christian Church present a Trunk-or-Treat with games and activities, face painting, free food and candy and more. Free. secondpresaurora.org.

Haunted Waukegan Tour: 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at the Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie, 1 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan. Learn the haunted and strange stories of Waukegan’s past on this guided tour, which covers two miles and lasts approximately 1.5 hours. $10 for residents, $15 for nonresidents. waukeganparks.org/history.

Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show — In Concert”: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, and 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Stage production based on the cult classic film. Character costumes welcome. Approved audience participation bags are available for sale by phone and in person, while supplies last. Contains mature themes and language; kids younger than 15 must be accompanied by a guardian 21 or older. $40. metropolisarts.com.

“The Rocky Horror Show”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, and through Nov. 9 at the Theater at Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville. BrightSide Theatre’s revival. $32-$37. (630) 447-8497 or brightsidetheatre.com.

“Dracula Radio Drama”: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at 130 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Staged version of Orson Welles’ 1938 radio play “Dracula,” adapted from the Bram Stoker novel. Advance: Adults $18, seniors $16, students $12; at the door: $23/$20/$15. (847) 968-4529 or improvplayhouse.com.

Halloween Party, A Tribute to Black Sabbath: 8-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway Ave., Aurora. Tribute to Black Sabbath, costume contests and drink specials. $23.86-$29. themusicvenue.org.

7th heaven Live at The Piazza: Halloween Bash: 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at The Piazza, 85 Executive Drive, Aurora. Live music with 7th heaven and a $500 cash Halloween costume contest. Tickets start at $14.14. piazzaaurora.com.

Saturday, Nov. 1

Wheaton French Market: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Main and Liberty streets, Wheaton. Outdoor market offering fresh produce, flowers, handcrafted goods, specialty foods, jewelry, crafts, baked goods and more. bensidounusa.com/wheaton.

Bensenville Pumpkin Smash: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Bensenville Village Hall main parking lot, 12 S. Center St., Bensenville. Remove all decorations and candles before smashing your pumpkin into compost. bensenville.gov.

Day of the Dead 5K: 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Sports Center Park, 2004 N. Municipal Way, Round Lake. This certified USATF race will begin and end outside the Sports Center. Registration fee includes a race shirt, bib and virtual goody bag. $35. rlapd.org.

Pumpkin Smash: From Ground to Garden: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 1, at Frontier Park, 1933 N. Kennicott Drive, Arlington Heights. Bring Halloween pumpkins to help the park district’s EnviroGroup smash and pitch them into compostable material. Free. ahpd.org.

Randall Oaks Boo at the Zoo: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1-2, at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. See creepy crawlers, trick-or-treating all day, and costume parades at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. $6. dtpd.org/boo-at-the-zoo.

Fall-A-Palooza: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Lions Park, 1200 Silver Lake Road, Cary. Cary Park District event featuring hayrides, pony rides, petting zoo, crafts, pumpkin roll, pumpkin smash, DJ and more. $15 for 3 and older, $10 for kids 1-2, and free for kids younger than 1 and adults. carypark.com.

Sneaker Con Chicago: Noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. Vendors and attendees can buy, sell and trade some of the most sought-after footwear. $28.19. sneakercon.com.

Volo Paranormal Tours: Noon, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1-2, at the Volo Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo. Tour brings to life stories of paranormal encounters at the Volo museum. $3 with museum admission. Reservations recommended. volofun.com.

Dia de Muertos Community Celebration: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Jack Benny Center for the Arts, 39 Jack Benny Drive, Waukegan. Altar exhibits, art vendors, music and dance performances, pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and sugar skull decorating workshops. Free. waukeganparks.org/diademuertos.

Owl-O-Ween: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Springbrook Nature Center, 130 Forest Ave., Itasca. Wings and Talons shows how resident owls adapt and thrive in the ecosystem. Free. itasca.com.

Naperville’s Third Annual Día de Muertos: 2-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, 912 Honorary Sindt Memorial Court, Naperville. Celebrate life and memory with music, dance, art and community tributes. Free. facebook.com/share/19p8apMXkB.

Northwest Concert Band’s fall concert: 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Community Church of Rolling Meadows, 2720 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. Featuring Mussorgsky’s 1874 “Pictures at an Exhibition” in its entirety, as well as John Williams’ “Lincoln,” “Mancini! A Medley for Concert Band” and “Country Road” by James Taylor. $10, payable at the door. Free for 18 and younger. northwestconcertband.org.

Bridge Communities’ Sleep Out Saturday Rally: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. 22nd annual event raises awareness of families facing homelessness and raises funds for Bridge Communities’ transitional housing and mentoring program. Outdoor rally featuring music, games, speakers, food and giveaways will be held in partnership with the College of DuPage from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Lakeside Pavilion before Sleep Out participants spend a night outside. Donations accepted. Register: Sleepoutsaturday.org.

The Lovettes: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Hemmens Cultural Center Main Stage Theatre, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. The Chicago-based trio performs music of girl groups from the 1940s-’60s. $10-$29. (847) 931-5900 or hemmens.org.

New Philharmonic: “Romeo & Juliet” and “Cinderella”: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at Belushi Performance Hall, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. This “Candlelit Symphony of Love” features Tchaikovsky’s overture-fantasy based on Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet” and the music of Prokofiev’s “Cinderella.” $55-$57. atthemac.org.

Tower of Power and WAR: 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Two iconic bands of the ’70s. Tickets start at $73. geneseetheatre.com.

Sunday, Nov. 2

Great Midwest Train Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Over 110 exhibitors from across the U.S. with new and used model trains, accessories, parts and more. $7 online or $8 at the gate; cash only. Free for kids 11 and younger with an adult. trainshow.com.

Holiday Boutique: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at Congregation Beth Shalom, 3433 Walters Ave., Northbrook. Vendors selling jewelry, baby gifts, personalized items, stationery, clothing, children’s clothing, serving pieces, Judaica and more. Free entry. bethshalomnb.org.

Nurtured by Nature: 10-11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at Oakhurst Forest Preserve, 1680 Fifth Ave., Aurora. Incorporates gentle stretching, deep breathing and a focus on awareness during gentle hikes designed to nurture the mind, body and spirit. For ages 18 and older. Free; registration is required. kaneforest.com.

Día de los Muertos: Noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at Lakehurst Center, 300 Lakehurst Road, Waukegan. Join Asociacion Cultural Lake County for a Día de los Muertos celebration. Free. waukeganil.gov.

Children’s Book Author Fest: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at the Geneva Public Library, 227 S. Seventh St., Geneva. Meet with local children’s book authors, discover new titles and buy books. Free. gpld.org.

Fox Valley Concert Band: 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, in the Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles. “Green and Pleasant Land.” Free. fvcb.org/wp.

Monday, Nov. 3

Yuletide Treasures: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 3-29, at DuPage Art League, 218 W. Front St., Wheaton. DuPage Art League’s annual show features one-of-a-kind gifts, all handmade by local artists. Featuring painting, photography, ornaments, holiday and home decor, jewelry, woodwork, pottery, wearable textiles, greeting cards, candles and more. Free parking on Front Street and in the parking garage across the street. dupageartleague.org.

Dinovember: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily Nov. 3-30 at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Learn about dinosaurs at 1:30 p.m. daily during the Dino-keeper Chat. Plus, embark on the Dinosaur Scavenger Hunt; complete it and claim a prize at the gift shop. $6 or free for ages 1 and younger or U.S. military with ID. dtpd.org/dinovember.

Tuesday, Nov. 4

312 Comedy Festival: Various times Tuesday through Sunday, Nov. 4-9, at locations in Chicago. Comedy from Fortune Feimster, Ralph Barbosa, Pete Holmes, Dusty Slay, Earthquake, Patrick Warburton and more. For ticket info and the schedule, see 312comedyfestival.com.

Wednesday, Nov. 5

Stargazing Party: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Peck Farm Park Orientation Barn, 4038 Kaneville Road, Geneva. Fox Valley Astronomical Society hosts a short discussion, then heads outside to discover the stars, sky and planets through their giant telescope. If there’s heavy cloud cover, stargazing will be canceled, but the lecture will be held. Dress for the weather. No registration required. Free. genevaparks.org.

“Million Dollar Quartet Christmas”: Various times most Wednesdays through Sundays and some Tuesdays, Nov. 5 through Jan. 4, at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Christmas musical in which Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley come together to celebrate the holidays at Sun Records studio. Ticket start at $70. marriotttheatre.com.

Thursday, Nov. 6

Holiday Sneak Peek: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, in downtown Batavia. Stores will be decorated and stocked for the holidays. Free. downtownbatavia.com.

Tusk: The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $43.90. geneseetheatre.com.

Ongoing

Alex Ross — Heroes & Villains: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays and Wednesdays and 2-8 p.m. Thursdays through Feb. 16, 2026, at the Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County, 1899 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville. A larger-than-life presentation of the work of legendary comic book artist Alex Ross featuring heroes and villains from the Marvel and DC universes. Museum admission $3-$10, exhibit tickets $5-$10, and free for kids 3 and younger. LCFPD.org/planyourvisit.

Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience: Time slots start at 4:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays through Nov. 30 at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s Camp Duncan, 32405 N. U.S. Hwy. 12, Ingleside. Lights transform the landscape into a magical outdoor trail featuring creatures from the “Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts” films. A themed village at the end of the trail offers food and drink (Butterbeer) and a gift shop. Tickets start at $31 for kids 3-12 and $46 for adults. HPForbiddenForestExperience.com.

“The Haunting of Hill House”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, through Nov. 8, at Village Guild Theatre, 2S720 Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn. A group of supernatural investigators journey to the ominous Hill House. $25. villagetheatreguild.com.