Things to do Oct. 9-15: St. Charles Scarecrow Weekend, Jerry Seinfeld, Collect-A-Con and more

Friday, Oct. 9

Glass Pumpkin Patch: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 9-11, at The Morton Arboretum’s west lawn, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. More than 8,000 one-of-a-kind glass pumpkins in traditional and unique colors, shapes and sizes. Glassblowing and flameworking demonstrations. Rain or shine. Presale viewing from 10-11 a.m. Friday. Tickets: mortonarb.org.

St. Charles Scarecrow Weekend: Noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, in downtown St. Charles. Over 100 handmade scarecrows displayed throughout town, Scarecrow Contest, and two zones along First Street Plaza with live entertainment, photo opportunities, family-friendly booths, Scarecrow-to-Go, an inflatable corn maze, a rock-climbing wall, pumpkin painting, food and more. Free. scarecrowfest.com.

Windycon 52: Noon to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, 9300 Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont. “Sanctuary Under the Stars” with sci-fi and fantasy panels, author guests, gaming, a vendor hall and an art show. Three-day: $50; $30 for Friday only, $50 for Saturday only and $20 for Sunday only. Free for kids 12 and younger. windycon.org.

“Mean Girls”: 1:30 and 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10; and 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. The Chicago-area premiere of the Tony-nominated musical based on the Tina Fey film. Tickets start at $34. paramountaurora.com.

Minecraft Experience, Villager Rescue: 2-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, and 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at EXP Rosemont, 9900 Berwyn Ave., Rosemont. The world of Minecraft comes to life in an immersive experience. Tickets start at $28. minecraftexperience.com.

Pumpkin Plunge: 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at FitNation, 1655 Nations Drive, Gurnee. The pool transforms into a floating pumpkin patch. Kids can pick a pumpkin and decorate it. $14-$16. gurneeparkdistrict.com.

Second Fridays in the Arts District: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at Water Street Studios, 160 S. Water St.; Kiss the Sky, 180 First St.; and Warehouse 55, 160 First St., Batavia. Gallery opening reception. Free; donations accepted. waterstreetstudios.org.

Godfrey: 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9-10, and 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Chicago Improv, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. Stand-up comedy. $39.77-$52.62. improv.com/chicago.

Grave Expectations Paranormal Investigations: 7-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at Orange & Brew Bottle Shop and Tap Room, 1027 Burlington Ave., Downers Grove. Starts with light appetizers and a drink before heading on a search for signs of spirits with paranormal experts using paranormal detection equipment. 21 and older. $36-$42. Register: dgparks.org.

Jerry Seinfeld: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, and 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. Stand-up comedy. Tickets start at $73.70. msg.com.

Rendezvous Arts: Strings Attached: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at the Gorton Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. The Woodwind Octet performs a new piece by Scott Stevenson, Jonathan Dove’s “Figures in the Garden” and Antonín Dvořák’s Serenade for Winds in D Minor, Op. 44. With visual artist Fred Draper. $35. gortoncenter.org.

Robby Hoffman: 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at The Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. Comedy. “Live On Tour.” Tickets start at $55. jamusa.com.

World Ballet Company “Swan Lake”: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. With a live orchestra. Tickets start at $59.65. geneseetheatre.com.

Yannis Pappas: 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9-10, at the Comedy Vault, 18 E. Wilson St., Batavia. Stand-up comedy. 21 and older. $36-$41. comedyvaultbatavia.com.

“The Cook-Off”: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, and 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Armerding Center for Music and the Arts Concert Hall, 520 E. Kenilworth Ave., Wheaton. Wheaton College Artist Series and Conservatory of Music present Shawn E. Okpebholo and Mark Campbell’s comedic opera set in the high-pressure world of a televised cooking competition, performed by Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. Tickets: wheaton.edu/calendar-of-events/.

ETC’s “The Thanksgiving Play”: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Elgin Art Showcase, 220 DuPage St., Elgin. A satire about woke but clueless artists attempting to stage a Thanksgiving pageant with disastrous results. General admission (no reserved seats). $23-$25. elgin-theatre.org/next-production.

“From Dust”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9-10, at the Lodge Performing Arts Center, 18 Villa Court, Elgin. Point2point productions’ performance of Eli Campbell’s original work about a doomsday prepper building an underground bunker. Donated pantry goods will be used as props to fill the production’s underground bunker and then be donated to PADS of Elgin after the production closes. $15 plus a $2 service fee per ticket. schaumburgonstage.org/point2pointproductions.

“Laughter on the 23rd Floor”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9-10, at the Batavia Government Center, 100 N. Island Ave., third floor, Batavia. Albright Community Theatre production of Neil Simon’s ensemble comedy offering a fly-on-the-wall look at a zany television writers’ room in the 1950s, amid the backdrop of McCarthyism and network pressure for advertiser-friendly content. $23 or $18 for kids 13 and younger and 65 and older. albrighttheatre.com.

Carlos Mencia: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at American Place Casino, 4011 Fountain Square Place, Waukegan. Stand-up comedy. Tickets start at $33.47. americanplace.com.

Friday Night Concert Series: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. Jon Shain will perform. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., or tune in virtually. Suggested donation $10 (cash or PayPal). twowaystreet.org.

Lucy’s Comedy: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Curated by comic and radio personality John DaCosse. Headliner Mike Marvel featuring Joanna Clark and hosted by Mike Preston. Tickets start at $29. Rauecenter.org.

Saturday, Oct. 10

Collect-A-Con: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Trading card, anime and pop culture convention. Scheduled guests include Steve Aoki, Justin Briner, Johnny Bosch, Kyle Herbert, Monica Rial and more. Tickets start at $48.37 for Saturday, $43.22 for Sunday, $63.82 for both days, and free for kids 7 and younger. collectaconusa.com.

Fall Family Fun Fest: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Izaak Walton Youth Center & Reserve, 899 Jay St., Elgin. The Hanover Township Department of Youth & Family Services event features games, a bounce house, music, free snacks, seasonal crafts and a costume contest raffle. No registration required. Free. hanover-township.org.

Illinois Orchid Society Fall Show & Sale: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Presented by the Illinois Orchid Society, this show will feature artistically arranged tabletop displays from the rarest of species to cultivated hybrids. Individual orchids in 128 classes will vie for ribbons. Illinois Orchid Society offers orchid plants for sale as well as repotting services. Included with general admission. chicagobotanic.org.

Pumpkin Train: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11, at Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, Union. Ride to the pumpkin patch aboard a Halloween-themed electric interurban train. Pick a pumpkin, photos ops, and see an antique farm tractor and hay wagon. $11-$20. irm.org.

Rolling Meadows Fire Department Open House: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Station 15, 3201 W. Algonquin Road, Rolling Meadows. Free. cityrm.org.

Fall Fun Days: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Primrose Farm, 5N726 Crane Road, St. Charles. Pumpkin decorating, wagon rides and activities. $13. Register: stcparks.org/events.

“Ofrenda comunitaria del Día de Muertos” exhibit opening: 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 10, in Gail Borden Public Library’s Meadows Community Rooms, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Learn more about this Mexican cultural tradition. In English and Spanish. gailborden.info.

Autumn Harvest: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at North School Park, 307 N. Evergreen Ave., Arlington Heights. Crafts, games, hayrides, a scarecrow-building contest, live music, entertainment and more. Food for purchase, including Garibaldi’s Pizza, Kori’s Koop and Poppin’ T’s Kettlecorn. Free. ahpd.org.

Fall Festival at Danada: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11, at Danada Equestrian Center, 3S507 Naperville Road, Wheaton. Equestrian performances, hayrides, kids’ activities, displays, food and more. dupageforest.org.

Pumpkin Weekends: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11, at Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora. Pumpkin carver on Saturday and a face painter on Sunday. $11 for 1 and older. foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.

DIY Scarecrow Day: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, behind Fred Astaire Dance Studio, 342 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Build a custom scarecrow using clothing and accessories. Register in advance. $10 per scarecrow. longgrove.org/festival/october-days.

The Great Boo Quest: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Viking Park, 4374 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee. Follow clues, collect treats and meet costumed characters. Includes a hayride, classic car trick-or-treat, visits from superheroes and princesses and more. $10 for residents, $13 for nonresidents per child in advance, $15 at the door, free for 18 and older and kids younger than 3. gurneeparkdistrict.com.

Barrington Fall Wine Walk: 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, check-in at Neoteca, 130 S. Hough St., Barrington. Attendees must check in to receive a souvenir wine glass, Wine Walk tour map and sample tracking sheet. One sample is available at each stop. $50. barringtonchamber.com.

“Love/Sick”: 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at Madden Theatre, 171 Chicago Ave., Naperville. John Cariani’s collection of slightly twisted and funny short plays exploring the pain and joy of love. Presented by North Central College Theater. $14. northcentralcollege.edu/events/love-sick.

OAKtoberfest: 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn. Live music from School of Rock and The Fall Guys, art activities, face painting, a StoryWalk, guided oak tree tours, an acorn talisman craft and a tree treasure hunt. Artist Liita Forsyth of The Little Bits Workshop leads a collaborative community art project. Connect with local groups, including The Conservation Foundation, Saving Monarchs, Glen Ellyn Public Library and more. The Beer Cellar offers draft beer for purchase; a portion of the proceeds benefit the Glen Ellyn Parks Foundation. Free; kids must be accompanied by an adult. gepark.org.

St. Olaf Orchestra in Concert: 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Elgin Community College Blizzard Theater, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Richard Strauss’ “Death and Transfiguration,” Danzon No. 2 by Arturo Marquez and Hungarian Dances No. 2 by Johannes Brahms. $10; free for students and kids. tickets.eccartscenter.org.

Morton Arboretum walking play: 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11, starting at Thornhill Shelter at The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. This retelling of Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights” runs approximately 90 minutes and includes a 1.5-mile walk with no intermission. Suitable for 12 and older, with some dark themes and mild violence. $27 for 18 and older and $17 for kids 2-17. mortonarb.org/explore/activities/events/walking-plays.

St. John Cemetery Walk: 4-5:30 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at St. John the Baptist Cemetery, 27W661 Garys Mill Road, Winfield. Tour one of the oldest cemeteries in DuPage County. winfieldparkdistrict.com.

Stews & Brews: 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave., Highland Park. Stews such as chili, pozole, lamb stew, beef stroganoff, Hungarian goulash, pot pies and a variety of soups and craft beers, spiced wine, hot toddies, mulled ciders and more. Free. enjoyhighlandpark.com.

Ghost Story Train: 5, 6:15 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Fox River Trolley Museum, off Route 31, South Elgin. Ride a spooky trolley to the haunted forest preserve for family-friendly frights, including stories around the campfire with treats from Margie’s Girls’ Kitchen. A ghostly musician will lead campfire songs. Costumes welcome. $20. Register at foxtrolley.org/Ghost-Story-Train.

GreenRoom Improv: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Clean, high-energy improv comedy. $17-$24. greenroomimprov.com.

Thriller on 38: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, in the parking lot behind Vargo’s Dance, Hamilton and Second streets, Geneva. A zombie-themed flash mob event hosted by Vargo’s Dance features food trucks, a live DJ, and performances at 7:30 and 8 p.m. geneva.il.us.

Elgin Symphony Orchestra season opener: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Pianist Drew Peterson will perform Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1. Also on the program: Copland’s “Four Dance Episodes” from “Rodeo” and Stravinsky’s “Symphony in Three Movements.” Tickets: elginsymphony.org.

Jordan Jensen: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. Stand-up comedy. $36-$135. jamusa.com.

Sunday, Oct. 11

Family Storybook Walk: 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, in Eldridge Park, meet at the playground along Spring Road, Elmhurst. As part of the Take a Hike Challenge, families can walk the trail while enjoying the pages of a featured story displayed throughout the park. Complete a nature-themed scavenger hunt and a hands-on craft inspired by the book. Free. epd.org.

Crystal Lake Farmers Market+ At The Dole: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, on the front lawn of the Dole Mansion, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Food vendors, live music, kids’ activities, beverages, food trucks and more. farmersmarketatthedole.org.

Touch-a-Tractor: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Oct. 11-12, at The Growing Place, 2000 Montgomery Road, Aurora. A free, drop-in day for kids and grown-ups to get up close to tractors, loaders and other garden center equipment, with time to climb aboard and explore. Bring a lunch or snack to eat under the big tent. Free. thegrowingplace.com.

Barrington Hills Fall Festival: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at Barrington Hills Park District Riding Center, 361 Bateman Road, Barrington Hills. Live music by the Sons of Bildor, food, family-friendly events and activities such as pony rides, mechanical bull riding, animal exhibitions and more. Free. barringtonhills-il.gov/fall-fest.

Pumpkin Splash: 1-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at The Club, 5050 Sedge Blvd., Hoffman Estates. Swim in the pumpkin patch pool to find a pumpkin. Includes pumpkin decorations and a treat for kids. $10-$12. heparks.org.

“The Spirit of Beethoven”: 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at Orlin Trapp Auditorium on the Waukegan High School Brookside Campus, 2325 Brookside Ave., Waukegan. The Waukegan Symphony Orchestra performs with featured soloists Yang Liu on violin, Dr. Olivia I-Hsuan Tsai on piano and Dr. Benjamin Whitcomb on cello. $20, free for students 18 and younger. waukeganparks.org/wsocc.

Porkchopz: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Comedy Vault, 18 E. Wilson St., Batavia. Stand-up comedy. 21 and older. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $31. comedyvaultbatavia.com.

Monday, Oct. 12

An Evening With David Sedaris: 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. A night of wit, wisdom and storytelling with the acclaimed humorist. Tickets start at $84. Rauecenter.org.

Movie Monday: 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Screening of “Scooby Doo” (2002). Doors open at 6 p.m. $1 (cash only at the door). Concessions via cash or card. paramountaurora.com/series/movie-mondays.

Tuesday, Oct. 13

National Face Your Fears Day: 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 360 Chicago, 875 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Celebrate National Face Your Fears Day with frightful activations including spiders, snakes, a clairvoyant and Chicago’s highest thrill ride. Tickets start at $35. 360chicago.com.

SoloDuo: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the Armerding Center for Music and the Arts Concert Hall, 520 E. Kenilworth Ave., Wheaton. Wheaton College Artist Series debut for this classical guitar duo known for playing early Italian music to modern masterworks. $11.80-$59. tickets.wheaton.edu.

Wednesday, Oct. 14

Critics Classics: 1 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Elk Grove Theatre, 1050 Elk Grove Town Center, Elk Grove Village. Hosted by the Chicago Film Critics Association. See “Christine.” $9 or $7 matinee; $7-$6 for 60 and older, $1.50 booking fee. classiccinemas.com.

Movies on the Green: Dusk, no later than 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Centennial Green at the Mount Prospect Village Hall, 50 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect. See “Wicked.” Bring blankets and chairs. Free. mpdowntown.com/events.

Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns: 6-10:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, Oct. 14-18 and 21-25, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. See hand-carved, LED-lit jack-o’-lanterns staged along a festive paved pathway featuring characters and live pumpkin carving. $20-$24 for adults, $13-$17 for kids 3-12, and free for kids younger than 3. chicagobotanic.org/halloween.

Robert Moor author event: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Lake Forest Book Store, 662 N. Western Ave., Lake Forest. The author will discuss his book “In Trees.” Books will be available for purchase and signing. Free. lakeforestbookstore.com.

Stories in Stone Main Street Cemetery After Dark: 7:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Main Street Cemetery, 5158 Main St., Downers Grove. Guided by lantern and flashlight, hear the stories of the town’s earliest residents. $17-$26. Register: dgparks.org.

“Chrono Trigger” Orchestra Concert: Melodies Across Time: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. Full orchestra, accompanied by iconic scenes from the game. Tickets start at $88.20. auditoriumtheatre.org.

Thursday, Oct. 15

Maureen Corrigan’s “Leave Me Alone, I’m Reading”: 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. Woodstock Fine Arts Association’s 63rd Annual Creative Living Series features the book critic for NPR’s “Fresh Air.” $33. woodstockoperahouse.com.

2026 Ghost Wauk Tours: 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Featuring psychic medium Liz Nygard and paranormal author Sylvia Shults. $45. geneseetheatre.com.

Boo Bash: 5:15-6:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. A new Halloween event created with neurodiverse children and their families in mind. Ages 2 to adult can explore the zoo at their own pace in a safe, low-sensory way with activities that are accessible. Costumes welcome. $7 for 2 and older. Register: cosleyzoo.org/event-calendar.

Carve & Cocktails: 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at 10 North, 10 N. Roselle Road, Roselle. 21-and-older event pairs pumpkin carving with a craft cocktail class by a professional bartender. Pumpkin and carving kit included. Register by Oct. 13. $45-$50. rparks.org.

Cemetery Walk: 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, and 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at West Side Cemetery, 900 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. Respectful 45-minute tour including stories of Batavia’s past residents, weather permitting. $12. Tickets: bataviaparks.org.

Ongoing

“Defining US, The 250th Anniversary of the United States” exhibit: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through April 10, 2027, at the DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton. Exhibit examines how wars, elections, protests and cultural changes resonated in DuPage County. Free; donations of $5 or $2 for kids and seniors appreciated. dupagemuseum.org/visit.

Creepy Critters Month: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 31, at Knoch Knolls Nature Center, 320 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville. Kids can take part in self-guided activities about spiders, bats, rats, crows, worms and vultures, as well as an indoor scavenger hunt to win a prize. No registration required. Free. napervilleparks.org/knochknollsnaturecenter.

Goebbert’s Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Nov. 1, at Goebbert’s Farm & Garden Center, 40 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Animals, corn stalk mazes, wagon rides, camel rides, pig races, fall food, produce and more. Some attractions are only available on weekends. $20 on weekdays, $24 in advance online, and $27 at the door on weekends and Columbus Day. Extra fees for some activities. goebbertspumpkinfarm.com/fall-festival.

Pumpkin Fest: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 31, at Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. See the zoo’s animals and pumpkins lining the zoo’s lawn. Kids’ rides for a fee. Apples, gourds, pumpkins, cider, cornstalks and straw bales for purchase. $12 adults; $10 seniors; and free for kids 11 and younger. cosleyzoo.org.

Randall Oaks Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Nov. 1, at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Pedal tractors, pumpkin enrichments for the animals, pumpkins and fall treats for sale, and on weekends, hayrides for $3. $7; free for kids 1 and younger and U.S. military with ID. dtpd.org/fall-festival.

Dinos! at Brookfield Zoo Chicago: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 25 at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. See 35 life-sized dinosaurs and more. $20.95-$29.95 and free for kids 2 and younger. brookfieldzoo.org/events.

Boo! at the Zoo: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends through Oct. 25, at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Family-friendly Halloween celebration with not-so-scary thrills, festive decorations and more. Included with admission. brookfieldzoo.org/BooAtTheZoo.

Happy Times Pumpkinfest at Didier Farms: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays, though Oct. 31, at Didier Farms, 16678 Aptakisic Road, Lincolnshire. Amusement rides, pony and camel rides, Animal Land Zoo, corn maze, fall merchandise, pumpkin sales, fall treats and more. Free entry; fees for rides and attractions. happytimespumpkinfest.com.

Richardson Sunflower Fields: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 1, at Richardson Farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove. Corn maze, pumpkin patch, observation tower, sunflower field, zip line, zorbing, pig races and more. $26, $22 for kids 3-12, and free for kids 2 and younger. richardsonadventurefarm.com.

Jack-O’-Lantern World: Time slots available usually starting around 6:10 p.m. and running through 10:15 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays through Nov. 1, at Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Walk through an immersive, interactive trail featuring over 20 themed worlds with thousands of jack-o’-lanterns hand-carved by over 50 artisans. Daytime experience available from 1-5 p.m. Oct. 10, 17 and 24. $17.99-$29.99; daytime experience $14.99. thejackolanternworld.com/lakezurich.

“Jekyll & Hyde”: 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 p.m. Sundays, through Nov. 8; plus 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11; and 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 14 through Nov. 4, at Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago. Murder and chaos are pitted against love and virtue in this sweeping Gothic musical. Tickets start at $60.75. broadwayinchicago.com.

“Picasso at the Lapin Agile”: 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 3 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 18, at Playhouse Theatre, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. College of DuPage Theater stages Steve Martin’s comedy of Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein meeting at a Paris cafe in 1904. $18-$20. atthemac.org.

“Dial M for Murder”: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays, through Nov. 1, plus 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 14 and 28; and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Oil Lamp Theater, 1723 Glenview Road, Glenview. Alfred Hitchcock’s chilling thriller with a modern twist. oillamptheater.org.

“Ride the Cyclone”: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Oct. 25, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. The Spirits of St. Cassian High School Chamber Choir return in this musical. $25-$49. metropolisarts.com.

“Come From Away”: Various times Wednesdays through Sundays, through Oct. 18, at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Based on the true story of the time when 38 planes, carrying thousands of people from around the globe, were diverted to the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland, on Sept. 11, 2001. Tickets start at $78.10. marriotttheatre.com.

Six Flags Great America Fright Fest: Fridays through Sundays, through Nov. 1, at Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee. Thrills by day and frights by night with haunted houses, scare zones, spine-chilling shows and rides. Tickets start at $45. For dates and hours, visit sixflags.com/greatamerica/events.

“Walking With Giants” exhibit: Through Oct. 18 at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, the McAninch Arts Center and Cleve Carney Museum of Art, in association with the COD Foundation, host an outdoor, walkable exhibition celebrating American artistic achievement. The exhibition features 10 painted silhouette sculptures, each about 10 feet tall, installed along a walkable route surrounding the MAC. The works honor influential American figures in visual art, music, theater and dance, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Dolly Parton and Lin-Manuel Miranda, among others. Free. theccma.org.