Halloween

Former Joliet resident Kathy Mihelich and Judy Erwin of Plainfield started and organized the first Witches Night Out fundraiser in 2010

Pumpkins composted, electronics recycled and documents will be shredded at Lewis University on Romeoville on Saturday morning.

Hundreds of children trick or treat during Halloween on the Square on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, in Woodstock. The event featured trick and treating and a costume contest.

Hawthorn is recycling Halloween pumpkins and keeping them out of landfills together with S.B.C. Waste Solutions, a local waste disposal company, SWALCO, the solid waste agency serving Lake County, and SCARCE, an organization dedicated to preserving the Earth’s natural resources.

Costumed characters, tarot card readers and 'Thriller" dancers create Spirits with the Spirits in downtown Joliet on the eve of Halloween.

Waste Management will start their collection services in Joliet an hour earlier on Thursday because of Halloween.

DeKalb County trick-or-treat hours for Halloween 2024, and seasonal spooky events for the whole family

DeKalb neighborhoods filled Thursday with costumed children searching for treats, and maybe a few tricks, for Halloween night.

Halloween is Thursday. Here's a guide to find out when trick or treat hours are for your Will County community.

Hundreds of kids and parents attended Sterling Police Department's Trunk or Treat on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.

A Will County judge will not allow a Joliet man charged with a gang-fueled 2021 mass shooting on Halloween to use cash bail to secure his pretrial release from jail.

Spirits with the Spirits starts at 4:30 p.m. with lessons to learn the “Thriller” dance at the Joliet Public Library at 150 N. Ottawa St. and continues through the night.

Around 800 people attended a trunk-or-treat on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, at Crossroads Community Church's Polo campus.

Children make masks on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, during at Kids Crafternoon at the Harvard Diggins Library. Children were able to chose between several Halloween-themed masks to make.

Haunted Haven now set up near Dixon, is rebounding this season after a May fire burned its Rock Falls site to the ground.

Dave and Aubrey Appel of Plainfield, known for their "floating Max" from "Stranger Things" prop, created new horror props inspired by other pop culture themes.

Discover Dixon held its annual Treat Street trick or treat fest Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in the downtown.

The Joliet Police Department transforms its parking lot into a day of Halloween fun for the annual Trunk-Or-Treat event on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024

Halloween decorating is second to none (sorry Christmas), because the creativity knows no bounds. Christmas pretty much has one linear theme: Santa, lights, maybe a Grinch, some sort of glitzed-up tree. But with Halloween, all bets are off.

Local bars and restaurants are offering spooky specials to celebrate Halloween Thursday, Oct. 31.

Biz Boo! Trick-or-Treat planned in Rock Falls, Halloween Town in Sterling, and parade and Treat Street in Dixon.

A creative outlet for Halloween fans awaits at the free Witches Night Out, which again will feature a costume contest.

Hundreds hit the downtown Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, for the annual Biz Boo Trick or Treat in Rock Falls.

An intimate, fast-paced version of the Shakespeare tragedy with live percussion promises to scare up a chilling entertainment for audiences.

Hawthorn, a super-regional shopping center in Vernon Hills, invites area families to attend a fun-filled trick-or-treating event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 31.

Chaos and Curiosities, a home decor store that specializes in oddities, curios, artisan crafts and esoteric collectibles is located in downtown La Salle.

Check out some scary home decor around the Sauk Valley.

Bring your family and friends to enjoy hot dogs hot off the grill, and a night of community fellowship from 4:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31.

Witches and Wizards of Woodstock took over the Square Sunday with Halloween-y music, costumes, crafts, scavenger hunts, magic – and lots of pointy hats.

The Joliet City Center Partnership recently held its 3rd Annual Disguise Downtown Decorating Contest. Check out the six winning businesses.

Here's a list of trick-or-treat hours, parades and trunk or treats on tap to celebrate the spooky season.

Pumpkins smashed will be composted into the SVCC field soil to help next year’s pumpkins grow.

Rich Goberville, a songwriter and a longtime Joliet Central High School physics teacher, said approximately 20 people helped create the companion music video – including Joliet Central alumni.

The DeKalb Public Library will hold three Halloween parades for children Oct. 29 and 30.

McHenry County has many metaphysical shops that carry crystals, tarot cards, herbs and more for spiritual connection, healing or just some "witchy" fun.

McHenry has at least six metaphysical stores offering a mix of crystals, tarot cards, essential oils, classes and services for those seeking alternatives, spiritual connection or just some "witchy" fun.

Osteria by Capri, located in the Doubletree Suites by Hilton hotel in Downers Grove, will host its inaugural Halloween Party at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. The restaurant offers authentic Italian cuisine and handcrafted cocktails by Chef Joey Capri.

Special education students at Sator Sanchez Elementary School in Joliet were treated to an in-school pumpkin farm field trip, thanks to donations from community businesses.

Lockport transforms Dellwood Park into Halloween daytime fun for kids of all ages.

Dave Appel HorrorProps, who made national attention with his “Stranger Things” display, opened his latest Halloween display in Plainfield.

The “Deadly Prescriptions: Ottawa’s Healers Who Killed” tour runs on select dates through October, while the “Graveyard Stories: Heroes, Hobos & Murderers, Unearthed” tour runs through Dec. 24.

Take a peak inside the Insanity Haunted House on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024 at the Peru Mall. The attraction has been voted the number-one haunted house in Illinois in 2022 and 2023. It is open Friday's Saturdays, and Sundays through Nov. 2. There's also a kids matinee on Sundays. For more info visit www.insanityhh.com

A list of Halloween and fall-related events in Dixon includes the annual Scarecrow Festival, Witches Night Out and the Treat Street Parade & Palooza.

The Evangelical Free Church of Mt. Morris partnered with the Fall Family Festival in Mt. Morris on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, for its Trunk or Treat on the village square. The event included candy, decorated trunks and fun for kids and their families. The Fall Family Festival was sponsored by the Let Freedom Ring Committee and featured a craft show, penny carnival, costume parade, pumpkin carving contest and concessions.

Nightmare on Chicago Street will feature music, food, drinks, a costume contest and more.

Ryan and Ashley Nares already own Nares Event Co. and ‘Til Death Photo and Film, but are opening the ballroom and lounge to take their love of sharing in others’ happiness to the next level.

The Nightmare On High Street 3K Run/Walk encourages runners to dress in their favorite Halloween costume as they stalk the streets. A costume contest will take place at 9 a.m. followed by the start of the race at Genesee and High streets.

Executive Chef Chris Curren and the team are celebrating with a full lineup of Halloween and fall-themed activities, including a Halloween High Tea with a costume contest, prix fixe Beetlejuice-themed dinner and more at the downtown St. Charles restaurant.

The DeKalb Public Library will host several programs this month for patrons to create Halloween-themed crafts.

The DeKalb Park District will host several Halloween-themed events during the fall, including a house decorating contest. Here's how to get in on the spooky fun.