Best Bets: Howl-O-Ween at Morton, Day of the Dead celebrations and comedian Gabriel Rutledge at Zanies

Posted October 28, 2026 11:02 am

By Scott C. Morgan | Daily Herald Correspondent

Dogs and their owners can join the Howl-O-Ween dog costume parade and contest Saturday, Oct. 31, at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle. (Hailey Hoffman/The Morton Arboretum)

Spooky pooches

Marvel at the creativity of pet owners during the Howl-O-Ween dog costume parade and contest at The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. The event includes trick-or-treating, pet-friendly vendors and loads of photo opportunities. $17.95; $11.95 for seniors and kids; $7 per dog admission. 630-968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 31; dogs and their owners are allowed on the grounds until sunset

The Howl-O-Ween dog costume parade and contest takes place Saturday, Oct. 31, at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle. (Hailey Hoffman/The Morton Arboretum)

Ghostly legend

• Orland Park-based Ballet 5:8 teams with the Elgin Public Library to present the story ballet “La Llorona.” Jeremy Slager of Ballet 5:8 said that Mexican American choreographer Julianna Rubio Slager took her own experience with postpartum depression and used it to re-frame the mythical title character “not as a monster, but as a mother in crisis whom no one knew how to help.” Ballet 5:8 recently toured “La Llorona” to New Mexico, and now it plays Saturday at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $40-$50 before fees. Discounts available for kids, students and seniors. 847-697-3616 or hemmens.org/tickets or ballet58.org. 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31

Ballet 5:8 and Elgin Public Library present Mexican American choreographer Julianna Rubio Slager’s story ballet “La Llorona” at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin on Saturday, Oct. 31. (Ballet 5:8)

They will ‘Rock’ you

• Rock out to hit songs such as “Another One Bites the Dust,” “We are the Champions” and more when “One Vision of Queen Featuring Marc Martel” headlines the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. This Queen tribute act features Martel, who lent his singing voice to Freddie Mercury in the 2018 blockbuster film “Bohemian Rhapsody.” $43.90-$60.90. 847-263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” plays the Chicago Theatre Saturday, Oct. 31. (20th Century Studios)

• Fans of the 1975 midnight cult film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” won’t want to miss the special screening Saturday at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. It’s hosted by original film stars Barry Bostwick (Brad), Nell Campbell (Columbia) and Patricia Quinn (Magenta) with a live shadow cast. $52.95-$93.15 with VIP upgrade available. For mature audiences only. 212-465-6000 or msg.com/the-chicago-theatre. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31

Comedian Gabriel Rutledge plays Zanies in Rosemont on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30-31. (Gabriel Michael)

Getting real

Comedian Gabriel Rutledge got very real about his career with his book “Happiness Isn’t Funny: True Stories of a Road Comic.” If you’ve enjoyed Rutledge’s YouTube specials “A Reasonable Hour” and “Nectarine,” then catch him this weekend at Zanies Comedy Club, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. For 21 and older. $37.95 plus a two-item purchase. 847-813-0484 or Rosemont.Zanies.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, and 6:30 and 8:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31

Halloween markets

• The Twisted Sisters Halloween Bash Artisan Fair arises on Saturday on the grounds of the Volo Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo. Kids can go trick-or-treating at select booths while adults can shop handmade goods from more than 40 vendors. Free fair admission; museum admission and other attractions cost extra. 815-385-3644 or Volofun.com. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31

• The Wheaton All-Night Flea Market takes on a Halloween theme Saturday at the DuPage Event Center & Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Dress in costume to go shopping for antiques, collectibles and more. $10 admission; free for kids 12 and younger with a guardian. 630-668-6636, dupagecountyfair.org/ or zurkopromotions.com. 3 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Oct. 31

Day of the Dead celebrations

• Honor loved ones who have passed at Naperville’s 4th annual Dí a de Muertos on Sunday at the Naperville Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, 912 Honorary Sindt Memorial Court, Naperville. Organized by ALMAS (Alliance of Latinos Motivating Action in the Suburbs). Free. 630-848-5000, napervilleparks.org or almascommunity.org. 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1

• The Lake County Cultural Association presents a Day of the Dead Celebration/Celebració n Dia De Muertos on Sunday at Lakehurst Center, 300 Lakehurst Road, Waukegan. The all-ages event features performances by Mariachi Estrellas, Ballet Folkló rico Tayahua and more. Free admission. 847-360-4700, waukeganparks.org or lakecountyculturalassociation.org. 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1

• “Hasta La Muerte” is a multidisciplinary production inspired by Indigenous and Mexican Day of the Dead traditions. The two-act performance features music, dance, poetry and storytelling to reflect on grief, loss and the celebration of life. Presented by Las Cafeteras on Sunday at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $20-$37 with discounts available for students, seniors and military service members. 847-697-3616 or hemmens.org/tickets. 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1

Spin the wheel

• One of TV’s longest-running game shows goes touring with “Wheel of Fortune Live.” See it at two area venues: first on Wednesday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, 630-962-7000 or arcadalive.com, then on Thursday at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines, 224-354-2333 or desplainestheatre.com. $46.75-$98.75 (VIP upgrade available) at both venues. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, in St. Charles and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, in Des Plaines