Naper Settlement's All Hallows Eve celebration promises a night of fright

The creep factor has gone pro at this year's All Hallows Eve celebration at Naper Settlement.

Organizers of the annual two-day scarefest brought in the professionals — three area acting groups — to generate an authentic aura of horror throughout its 12-acre grounds in downtown Naperville.

The annual event, geared toward teenagers, is set to send chills up and down your spine from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 19 and 20, at the settlement, 523 S. Webster St.

One warning: this one isn't meant for kids 8 and younger.

“It's going to be a really scary but fun experience,” said Hilary Decent, the All Hallows Eve event chairwoman. “We kind of fit in the middle. We're not places like Statesville (Haunted Prison), which is totally terrifying. And we're not Safety Town.”

Organizers have “revampired” the event, says Decent, by creating a “village of fear.”

In addition to volunteers, this year's party includes actors from Magical Starlight Theatre, the Comedy Shrine and Kidz Kabaret.

In the chapel, the Magical Starlight Theatre troupe has created a Harry Potter setting.

In the Caroline Martin Mitchell Mansion, Comedy Shrine members aren't telling jokes: they're using their quick wit to scare.

“Don't think it's going to be funny,” Decent said.

And in the school house, Kids Kabaret will perform a vignette, “Too Cruel for School.”

In addition to vignettes in the buildings, there will be multiple characters roaming the grounds.

“You never really know who you're going to come up against,” Decent said. “It's a mixture. Some of them are creepy. Some of them are gory. Some of them are goofy. There's a mixture of creepiness and gore.”

Musical performances and creepy Cold Blooded Creatures will take to the spooktacular stage throughout both evenings.

Guests are asked to leave costumes at home. “It's generally a scary event,” said Lauren Visher, special event coordinator at Naper Settlement. “We want everyone to have a fun and safe time.”

The event benefits the Naperville Heritage Society, which oversees Naper Settlement.

You can purchase a two-day admission ticket for $20. Single tickets purchased in advance are $10, $15 at the gate.

For details, visit napersettlementmuseum.museum or call (630) 420-6010.