Happy Halloween!

All month long, residents and visitors alike can find spooky happenings throughout the Chicago Southland. These Halloween activities are perfect for boys and ghouls of all ages!

Pumpkin spice things up

Leave the kiddos at home and have some scary good fun!

This October, take a not-so-scary step back in time at the 1950s Park Forest House Museum in Park Forest. The museum will be decked out with vintage Halloween decorations, including die-cuts and Gurley candles. Admission is $5. The museum is open 1-3:30 PM on Wednesdays and Saturdays or by appointment. Call 708-481-4252 to verify the museum is open or make your appointment to visit!

Are you brave enough for the Hayride of Horror and The Curse of the Bayou? Find out by heading to Dellwood Park (199 East Woods Drive) in Lockport. The spine-tingling experience takes place every Friday and Saturday in October from 7-10 PM. Enjoy one of the attractions for $15 or both for $25. For more information, please click here.

Have a scary good time at Horrors and Ha Ha’s: An Improvised Fright Night on October 23 at the Tinley Park Performing Arts Center. Join the cast on a journey into a place beyond time and space. Prepare to be scared but not too scared—it’s still comedy after all! For more information, please go to TinleyParkDistrict.org. 

Don’t miss Haunted Flutes on October 27 at the Moraine Valley Community College Fine & Performing Arts Center in Palos Hills. The flute choir will explore flute music from a wide range of eras and styles. Admission is free; space is limited so be sure to reserve your tickets soon! A livestream of the performance will also be available. Haunted Flutes begins at 7 PM. Click here to reserve your tickets or to watch the livestream.

On October 31, stop by Accelerate Indoor Speedway & Events in Mokena for a Scary Clown Chase…if you dare! Come out for a night of thrills and chills. Get chased around the go-kart track by the scariest clown in the Chicago Southland! Visit AccelerateSpeed.com for more info. 

Wicked awesome fun

Bring the whole family along to these frightfully fun festivities!

Open every day in October, Bengston’s Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen is the perfect location for a day full of family-friendly fun. This season, Bengston’s has three new amusement rides: Rockin’ Rabbits, Barrel Blast and Rooster Rodeo! Plus, don’t forget to visit the pumpkin patch and grab an apple cider donut. For more information, go to PumpkinFarm.com.

Rockin’ Rabbits at Bengston's Pumpkin Farm

Have family fun down on the farm…Odyssey Fun Farm, that is! Built on a 110-acre farm, Odyssey Fun Farm features a corn maize, hayrides, a petting zoo, fall treats and more! Looking for a fun photo op? Visit the hay pyramid and pumpkin house! Go to OdysseyFunFarm.com for more.

Grab your best ghoul-friends and head to Tinley Junction Miniature Golf and Batting Cages for a round of Ghostly Golf on October 2! Enjoy a game of nighttime golf on the decorated miniature golf course. Each golfer will receive a glow necklace and popcorn! Costumes are encouraged. Adult admission is $4.50; senior and child admission is $4.00. Visit TinleyParkDistrict.org for more information.

On October 2, gather the family and attend The Great Pumpkin Party in Orland Park! Held at Centennial Park (15600 West Avenue at Fun Drive) this event will be a fun-filled day full of fall activities. Activities include hayrides, pony rides, toasting marshmallows by the fire, crafts, games, barrel train car rides and more! DJ Greg Carter will be on hand to spin your favorite tunes. Plus, check out the Pet Costume Party and vote for your favorite well-dressed pup! Registration for residents is $3.00 and non-residents is $4. Each registered child will receive a pie-sized pumpkin! For more information and to register, please click here.

Partake in some “hocus pocus” at the Halloween Movie in the Park in Oak Forest! On October 8, visit El Morro Park (155th and Arroyo Drive) for a screening of Disney’s Hocus Pocus. Concessions will be available for purchase. The fun starts at 6:45 PM! For more information, visit OakForestParks.org.

From October 8 through 10, daredevils of all ages will enjoy the Windy City Carnival at Halloween Hollow in Mokena! The carnival will be held at Yunker Park (10847 West La Porte Road). Unlimited carnival ride wristbands will be available. Plus, don’t miss the ghoulish goodies from local food vendors. Visit MokenaPark.com for a full schedule of activities!

Beginning on October 9, have a howling good time at Boo! at the Zoo at Brookfield Zoo Chicago! This annual celebration features the Craized Maize corn maze, the Creepy Carousel and more! Click here for more information and to buy your tickets!

Don’t miss the Thriller at Main Park in Frankfort on October 15! This family-friendly Halloween event will feature a DJ dance party, balloon artist, spooky games, hayrides, a haunted path, Thriller dance contest, kids crafts and a small pumpkin patch. Please register for this event by October 12. Visit FrankfortParks.org for more info!

Stop by El Morro Park (155th and Arroyo Drive) in Oak Forest for Spooky Golf on October 16 and 17! Ghosts and goblins will inhabit the mini golf course for the weekend. Visit OakForestParks.org for more.

Wear your best costume and get ready for a pumpkin carving contest! Bring the family out to the Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center (8125 West 171st Street) in Tinley Park for a Family Pumpkin Contest on October 26. Pumpkins, carving tools, patterns and extra decorating pieces will be provided. Pumpkins will be entered in the crowd’s choice contest! Then, on October 29, head back out for the Monster Mash Dance! A DJ, inflatable haunted house, photo area, face painting, carnival games and more will be available at this family-friendly dance extravaganza. Visit TinleyParkDistrict.org for more information on both of these spook-tacular events!

A bag of tricks (and treats!)

The Village of Monee will be hosting a Trunk or Treat on October 29. Head over to 5130 West Court Street to join in on the fun! Visit VillageofMonee.org for more information.

On Halloween from 2-4 PM, stop by Fox Pointe in Lansing for free trick-or-treating! Tables will be set up throughout the facility by local businesses and organizations. Kids can visit the tables and gather goodies. Fox Pointe will be decorated, and voting will be open for the scarecrow contest (the winners will be announced at the end of the event)! Go to FoxPointe.org for more information.

Eat, drink and be scary!

Grab a “chilling” beer at Arrowhead Ales Brewing Company in New Lenox. This Halloween, try a seasonal favorite: Chocolate Coffin Creeper, an imperial milk stout with chocolate, marshmallow, vanilla and milk sugar. Try it on tap or enjoy at home with a four-pack!

Chocolate Coffin Creeper

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

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