Fox Lake and Libertyville bring back the Halloween Express for 2026 Pumpkin Jubilee
After a successful first trip down the tracks last fall, the village of Fox Lake Parks & Recreation Department and Libertyville Recreation are teaming up again for the 2026 Pumpkin Jubilee from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Lakefront Park, 10 Riverview Ave., Fox Lake.
This year’s Pumpkin Jubilee is growing, with 25 food, craft market, and community organization vendors, including many favorites from Fox Lake’s popular Friday Night Live. Families can also enjoy a trackless train, free balloon twisting and face painting, DJ Kathy from Music Connections, games and a kids costume contest.
Two new additions for 2026 will bring some hometown spirit to the lakefront. The Grant Community High School Marching Band and Color Guard will perform its halftime show at Lakefront Park at 12:30 p.m. Local nonprofit Keeping Families Covered will host a diaper donation drive in the event's market area, inviting attendees to bring a package of diapers to help support local families in need.
Pumpkin carving remains at the heart of the Jubilee, with pumpkins from Von Bergen’s Country Market available for $4 each. Admission to Pumpkin Jubilee and the event’s family activities are free.
“Pumpkin Jubilee is exactly the kind of event we want at Lakefront Park: families outside together, community partners involved, and people discovering Fox Lake,” said Jennifer Kuhn, Director of Parks & Recreation for the village of Fox Lake.
The Halloween Express partnership takes advantage of the Metra Milwaukee District North Line connecting the two communities. Fox Lake’s Metra station is a short walk from Lakefront Park, allowing visiting families to leave the car behind and make the train ride part of their fall experience.
“We’re excited to bring the Halloween Express back to Fox Lake,” Director of Libertyville Recreation Patrick Bodame said. “It’s a fun way to connect our communities and give families a unique fall experience together.”
The 2026 Pumpkin Jubilee is sponsored by Power Home Remodeling, Ray Auto Group and McDonald’s/ARC Limited Family McDonald’s Restaurants, in partnership with Libertyville Recreation.
2026 Pumpkin Jubilee highlights:
• 25 food and craft market vendors
• Grant Community High School Marching Band halftime show at 12:30 p.m.
• Pumpkin carving with pumpkins from Von Bergen’s Country Market, $4 per pumpkin
• Free trackless train rides, face painting and balloon twisting
• DJ Kathy and kids costume contest
• Keeping Families Covered diaper donation drive
For event information, visit foxlake.org/392/Pumpkin-Jubilee or follow Fox Lake Parks & Recreation on Facebook, at facebook.com/VFLparksandrec.