Haunted village: History meets horror at Naper Settlement's All Hallows Eve

All Hallows Eve returns to Naper Settlement this weekend for its 18th year of thrills, chills and eerie entertainment.

The annual Halloween event on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18 and 19, transforms the museum's 13-acre grounds at 523 S. Webster St. in Naperville into a spooky, haunted village that blends history and horror.

Guests can explore more than 20 different haunt experiences, from frightful re-enactments of Vlad the Impaler and Sweeney Todd to face painting, fire spinners and illusionists. Each experience has a fright factor rating from one to three skulls, allowing guests to customize their experience throughout the evening.

New additions include:

• Little Red Riding Hood haunt experience.

• Evil Rock stage, featuring spooky performances by local School of Rock music students.

• Expanded Zombie Maze.

• Bugs, insects and spiders on display from Crosstown Exotics.

• Fifty decorated pumpkins in the “Fort Pain” Dark Art Gallery for the Naperville's Heritage Society's 50th Anniversary.

More than 200 volunteers from school groups and arts organizations will participate as scare actors.

“All Hallows Eve is Naperville's annual celebration of the occult, where instead of one haunted house, guests are frightened by over a dozen bone-chilling haunts and numerous hair-raising performances,” Adison Glick, special events team leader, said.

All Hallows Eve runs from 6:30 to 10 p.m. each night and is not recommended for children younger than 8.

Tickets are $20; free for museum members.

For details or to purchase tickets, visit napersettlement.org/AllHallowsEve.

All Hallows Eve

When: 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18-19

Where: Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville

Cost: $20, museum members free; not suggested for children younger than 8

Info: <a href="http://www.napersettlement.org/AllHallowsEve">napersettlement.org/AllHallowsEve</a>