Fairs & fests: Ready your costume for suburban Halloween happenings

This weekend

Morton Arboretum's Fall Color Festival and Boo Breakfast: 7 a.m. to sunset daily through Monday, Oct. 31, at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Scarecrow Trail and special events. Trick or Trees from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the children's garden includes games, fall crafts, tree seeds to take home, and small pumpkins to purchase and paint. Boo Breakfast: 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Includes visits from favorite characters. Costumes encouraged. Advanced registration required for the breakfast. General arboretum admission is $9-$14; free for members. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org.

Cosley Zoo Pumpkin Fest: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Monday, Oct. 31, at Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. Straw pyramid, cornstalk tunnel, and apples, gourds, pumpkins, cider, corn stalks and bales of hay for purchase. Fest is included with $4-$5 zoo admission; free for members and kids 17 and younger. cosleyzoo.org.

Didier Farms Pumpkinfest: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Monday, Oct. 31, at Didier Farms, 16678 Aptakisic Road, Lincolnshire. Hayrides, camel rides, Animal Land Zoo, parakeet exhibit, Pumpkin Playland, pig races and more. Free, but some activities require tickets. didierfarms.com/pumpkinfest.

Randall Oaks Fall Festival and Boo at the Zoo: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Sunday, Oct. 30, at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Hay maze, corn bin play area, fall treats, pumpkins for purchase and face painting from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for $3-$5. On weekends, bonfire from noon to 5 p.m. and hayrides for $2. Boo at the Zoo: Trick-or-treating all day. Costume contest at 1 p.m. both days. $3.25 for residents, $4 for nonresidents, free for kids younger than 2. (847) 428-7131 or dtpd.org.

55th Annual Sycamore Pumpkin Festival: Runs through Sunday, Oct. 30, in downtown Sycamore. Features hundreds of decorated pumpkins, teen and kiddie carnivals, scary stories, Autumn Craft and Treasures Market, giant pumpkins and more. Fireworks at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Parade at 1 p.m. Sunday. Free. For a schedule, see sycamorepumpkinfestival.com.

Trick-or-Treat on MainStreet: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at Milwaukee Avenue and Church Street, Libertyville. Trick-or-treat in downtown Libertyville stores. Participating stores will have a bright orange pumpkin sign on doors or windows. Free. mainstreetlibertyville.org.

Fright Fest: Opens at 5 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday through Sunday, Oct. 30, (and 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31) at Six Flags Great America, Six Flags Drive, Gurnee. Daytime hours are family-friendly and include shows and a trick-or-treat trail. In the evenings, ghouls will appear and the haunted houses will be open. For a schedule and admission fees, see sixflags.com/greatamerica.

Vernon Hills Fall Fest: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at the Sullivan Community Center, 635 Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills. For kids: Indoor trick-or-treating, a magic show, a face painter, carnival games and a costume contest. $2; buy tickets online or in person at the Sullivan Community Center. vhparkdistrict.org.

Haunted Hike: 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, and 6:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Camp Big Timber, 37W955 Big Timber Road, Elgin. This 26th annual event features games, food, treat bags and music. $10; $8 for scouts in uniform. Kiddie Hike for $8 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday. (630) 584-9250 or threefirescouncil.org.

Aurora Noon Lions Club's Annual Halloween Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser: 7:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Luigi's Pizza and Fun Center, 732 Prairie St., Aurora. Lions members will dish all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, mini doughnuts, orange juice and coffee or milk. Costumes encouraged. Tickets cost $5 for adults; $3 for kids 3 to 12; $20 for a family. A $1 discount per ticket is offered from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Proceeds will benefit the Lions' vision and hearing-conservation charities. (630) 921-1307.

Halloween Hustle 5K & Kids Dash: 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Adrenaline Sports Management, 345 N. Eric Drive, Palatine. Kids Dash at 8:10 a.m.; 5K at 8:30 a.m. Halloween-themed race runs through historic Palatine with an after-party at Tap House Grill. Portion of the proceeds benefit Fathers Helping Fathers organization. $30-$45 for 5K; $15-$20 for kids dash. Contact events@adrenalinesportsmanagement.com.

Villa Park Junior Woman's Club Trick or Tree 5K Run/Walk: 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Prairie Path at the Gazebo, Park Boulevard and Ardmore Avenue, Villa Park. Registration starts at 7 a.m.; 5K begins at 9 a.m.; Little Devil Dash 1K is at 10 a.m. $10-$65. Proceeds benefit charities. vpjwc.org.

Brookfield Zoo's Boo! at the Zoo: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 29-30, at Brookfield Zoo, 8400 W. 31st St., Brookfield. Fest features not-so-scary activities including trick-or-treat stations, special zoo chats with animal care staff and demonstrations by professional pumpkin carver Steve Dahlke. The costume parade kicks off at 1 p.m. each day by the North Mall. Parade is followed by a costume contest. Other highlights include the Haunted Hayride, scarecrow-making, a corn maze and more. Zoo admission is $12.50-$17.85; free for kids 2 and younger. Parking is $11. (708) 688-8000 or czs.org.

Halloween Hayday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Stephen Persinger Recreation Center, 3507 Kaneville Road, Geneva. Kids' games, a cake walk, a costume contest, cookie decorating, bounce houses, hay rides and more. Preregistration recommended for kids 14 and younger. Preregistration is $5, $8 for nonresidents; day-of registration is $7, $10 for nonresidents. Free for adults. genevaparks.org.

Trick-or-Treat in the Trees: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Red Oak Nature Center, 2343 S. River St., Batavia. Costumes encouraged. Follow a guided path to learn about different trees and get tricks and a few treats along the way. $2 for Fox Valley Park District residents, $4 for nonresidents. (630) 897-1808 or foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.

Trick-or-Treat Safety Town: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Safety Town, 1320 Aurora Ave., Naperville. napervillejuniors.org.

Blackberry Farm's Pumpkin Weekends: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 29-30, at Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora. Roll in the corn crib, ride the Pumpkin Train, experience the new pumpkin paddle, plus crafts and harvest decor. $4.50-$8; free for kids younger than 2. (630) 892-1500 or foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.

Chicago Botanic Garden's Spooky Pooch Parade: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Parking is $30 per car on weekends. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org.

Halloween Fun Fair for Children with Disabilities and their families: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Riley Elementary School, 1209 E. Burr Oak Drive, Arlington Heights. Wheeling Township hosts this annual event for kids 2-15 with disabilities and their families. Games, prizes and a pizza lunch will be provided. Halloween costumes encourage. Free. Registration is required; call Wheeling Township at (847) 259-7730 or email azei@wheelingtownship.com. Please advise if a child will need special accommodations on the day of the event.

Howl-O-Ween Party & Adoption Event: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Springbrook Animal Care Center, 2759 Forgue Drive, Naperville. Family and pet-friendly activities include costume contests for best-dressed, pet photos, food, raffles, giveaways and more. Local rescue organizations will be on hand with adoptable animals. Free. (630) 428-0500 or springbrookanimalcarecenter.com.

Meet Svengoolie at the Volo Auto Museum: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Volo Auto Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo. Meet Rich Koz, the Emmy Award-winning TV personality best known as Svengoolie. He will take pictures with guests and sign autographs. Plus, free haunted train tours run on weekends in October. Check out vehicles from classic films including “Ghostbusters,” “Alien” and Stephen King's “Christine.” Admission is $15 for adults, $9 for kids 5-12. (815) 385-3644 or volocars.com/.

Gorton Ghoulish Feature Fest: Saturday through Monday, Oct. 29-31, at Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. Festival includes film classics with a Halloween theme and a family-friendly Haunted Grotto (open from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday). Grotto is free for those with a ticket to “Casper,” and $2 for others. Films include the 1995 film “Casper” at 2 p.m. Saturday; Alfred Hitchcock's thriller “Psycho” at 7 p.m. Sunday; and the 1984 film “Ghostbusters” at 7 p.m. Monday. Refreshments available for purchase. Costumes encouraged, but not required. All tickets to movies that are part of the Film Series at Gorton and the Gorton Ghoulish Feature Fest cost $5. Purchase in advance at gortoncenter.org/film.

Itasca Halloween Celebration: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Springbrook Nature Center, 130 Forest Ave., Itasca. Pony rides, bounce house, games, pumpkin decorating. $1 donation per child suggested along with a nonperishable item for the Itasca Food Pantry. itascaparkdistrict.com.

Howl 'o Ween Dog Parade: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Peck Farm Park, 4038 Kaneville Road, Geneva. Lineup for this free, all-ages parade is at 1:15 p.m. in front of the Peck House. Parade begins promptly at 1:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded. genevaparks.org.

“Haunted History” program: 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn. Actor and historian Terry Lynch presents tales of historical hauntings of the Midwest. $10 adults; $8 GEHS members; $5 for students 18 and younger. Advance tickets available at Stacy's Corners Store, 800 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn. (630) 469-1867 or glenellynhistory.org.

Pumpkin Palooza: 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Eola Community Center, 555 S. Eola Road, Aurora. Costumes encouraged for this fall-themed festival that includes games, crafts, snacks and a bounce house. $12. (630) 851-8990 or foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.

Gurnee Pumpkin Plunge: 3:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at FitNation, 1655 Nations Drive, Gurnee. Children can collect floating pumpkins then stay for a swim or do a Halloween craft. $7 kids, free for parents and kids 2 and younger. gurneeparkdistrict.com.

Halloween in the Hallow: 3:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Sabatino Park, 71 Thorobred, Sleepy Hollow. Rain date is Sunday, Oct. 30. Chili contest at 3 p.m., costume parade at 4:15 p.m., pumpkin decorating, hay rides, and a bonfire at dusk, with an appearance by the Headless Horseman. Refreshments include hot dogs, hot cocoa and cider, chili, and apple and pumpkin pie. sleepyhollowil.org.

Boo Bash: 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Community Center and Community Park, 1401 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. For kids 3-11 and their families. Costumes are encouraged. Candy and treats provided by local businesses. Games and prizes, storytelling, visits by familiar costumed characters, tractor-pulled wagon rides and more. Will be held rain or shine. Food available for purchase. Free. No registration is required. mundeleinparks.org.

Halloween Hayride: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Knoch Knolls Park Picnic Grove, 320 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville. Costumes encouraged. Kids 3-12 receive a goody bag. Bring chairs, blankets, flashlight, insect repellent and food to cook over a bonfire. Hot chocolate and apple cider provided. $9-$13; free for kids 3 and younger. napervilleparks.org.

Ghost Hunting: 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora. Bus trip to a haunted cemetery in Elgin and other locations. For ages 21 and older. $40 Fox Valley Park District residents, $49 nonresidents. (630) 859-8606 or foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.

Halloween Family Fun Night: 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora. Wacky games, creepy crafts, Halloween candy, and trick-or-treating. $5 Fox Valley Park District residents, $8 nonresidents. (630) 859-8606 or foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.

Haunted Quarry: 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Hall Quarry Beach Park, 100 S. Water St., Batavia. $8. Not suitable for kids 10 and younger. (630) 879-5235 or bataviaparks.org.

Scare-illon Concert: 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Millennium Carillon, 443 Aurora Ave., Naperville. Halloween music. Free. napervilleparks.org.

Halloween Fun Day: 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at the REC Center gym, 12015 Mill St., Huntley. Ghoulish games, costume contest, DJ and prizes. huntleyparks.org.

Halloween Happenings: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, 912 Sindt Court, Naperville. For kids 10 and younger. Games and goodies. Free. napervilleparks.org.

Trick-or-Treat Climb: 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at the Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road, Glen Ellyn. $10 Glen Ellyn Park District residents, $12 nonresidents. (630) 317-0130 or gepark.org.

“Twas the Night Before Halloween - A Not So Scary Halloween Tale”: 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at the Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main St., and nearby Stacy's Tavern Museum. Begin at the History Center with a play, then march up to Stacy's Tavern Museum in Madame Zelda's Happy Halloween Costume Parade. Costumes welcome, but not required. Tickets: $8 for adults/teens; $6 for kids 5-12; free for kids younger than 5. Presented by Curtain Up Players, in partnership with the Glen Ellyn Historical Society. gehs.org.

Fall Festival: 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at the Southminster Presbyterian Church, 680 S. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Fall crafts and games, face painting, treats and more. Free. southminsterpc.org.

Wheaton Trunk or Treat: 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at St. Matthew United Church of Christ, 1420 S. Gables Blvd., Wheaton. Come in costume to trick-or-treat from trunk to trunk. Crafts, games, prizes, hot dogs and dessert. Free. (630) 665-1236 or stmatthewucc.org.