There's still time for Halloween family fun
Boo at the Zoo, Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield: Not-too-scary fun awaits guests at Brookfield Zoo's annual Halloween celebration. Features professional pumpkin-carving demonstrations, animal Zoo Chats, scarecrow-making and other craft activities, a costume parade and haunted hayrides. Events begin at 11 a.m. today, Oct. 25. (708) 688-8000 or czs.org.
Fall Color Festival, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle: Walk the grounds to see scarecrows, decorated by Girl Scouts, on the Scarecrow Trail. The scarecrows each feature an animal theme. Other fest highlights include a taffy apple bar and family activities. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (or sunset) daily through Sunday, Nov. 1. Admission is $8. Children younger than 2 admitted free. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org.
19th annual Fright Fest, Six Flags Great America, I-94 and Route 132, Gurnee: Weekends through Sunday, Nov. 1. Features spooky activities for all ages - including haunted houses, shows and parades. Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays; and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays. Visit sixflags.com for information.
HallowFest: A Garden of Good ... and Evil, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe: Features family events including music, Halloween crafts, fortune tellers, a spooky Model Railroad Garden, pumpkin decorating and more from 3 to 5:30 p.m. today. Tickets cost $14-$16. Children ages 2 and younger admitted free. Parking is $20 per car; free for garden members. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org.
Harvest Weekend, Susanna Farms, 24153 Town Line Road, Lake Villa: Celebrate the fall season with Harvest Weekends at a 55-acre working farm. Highlights include a 10-foot tall corn maze, a children's mini-maze, hayrides and animal exhibits. See Scottish Highland cows, horses, lambs and chickens. Harvest Weekend is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. (847) 838-0798 or susannafarms.com.
Illinois International Film Festival, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles: Screenings from 9 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. today. Presents a wide spectrum of filmmaking, including animation, documentaries, short film, feature film, experimental and more. Awards ceremony after final screening. $10 (cash only) at theater for full access. Visit illinoisinternationalfilmfestival.com or thearcada.com.
Pumpkin Festival, Didier Farms, 16678 W. Aptakisic Road, Prairie View: Petting zoo, carnival rides, horse-drawn hayrides, a pumpkin patch, games, baby chicks and piglets, food and family activities. Open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Saturday, Oct. 31. (847) 634-3291 or didierfarms.com.
Pumpkin Weekends, Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora: Pumpkin patch, carousel, train and hayrides from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. $3 residents of the Fox Valley Park District; $5 nonresidents. (630) 892-1550.
Sycamore Pumpkin Festival, various sites in Sycamore: Features hundreds of decorated pumpkins, teen and kiddie carnivals, a scary-stories program, a house walk, a pie-eating contest, antique craft and flea market and other activities. Runs through today. Free general admission. Visit sycamorepumpkinfestival.com for schedule.