Things To Do This Weekend October 4-6, 2024

By: Stephanie Wylie 10/03/2024

Fall is here in Lake County. Whether you're looking for a festival, a scare or a drink, Lake County has you covered. Join us on this journey as we explore the best things to do in Lake County over the upcoming weekend. Prepare for a weekend filled with excitement and enchantment.

Let's look at this list of things to do this weekend, October 4-6, 2024. Fall in Lake County has numerous festivals you'll want to participate in. For a list of Fall Festivals in Lake County, click here.

1.Spooks and Spirits Check-in Challenge

Visit Lake County (VLC) welcomes the fall season with its beloved Spooks & Spirits: Autumn Celebration, running through Halloween. To complement this annual event, VLC launches its Spooks and Spirits Check-in Challenge featuring its Lake County Libation Trail running from October 1-31. The trail is highlighted by 28 local breweries, wineries and distilleries, each offering unique, handcrafted drinks. By visiting five or more participating Libation Trail locations and checking in with a mobile pass, individuals ages 21 and older will be entered into a sweepstakes for the chance to win a bus tour with 95 WIIL ROCK (95.1 WIIL-FM). The tour permits visits to three of your favorite Lake County Libation Trail locations. To enter, aim your mobile device’s camera at the Lake County Libation Trail table tent, which has a QR code directing you to registration, or sign up via VisitLakeCounty.org/Spooks. 

Friday-Sunday, October 4-6. Various locations in Lake County. 

2. Jack-O-Lantern World in Lake Zurich

This fall, Lake Zurich's beloved Jack-O-Lantern World is back, bringing its hand-carved pumpkins and Halloween magic display to Paulus Park. Wander through a trail illuminated by the glow of thousands of intricately carved jack-o’-lanterns. Over 50 talented artisans have come together to create a breathtaking display of nearly 5,000 pumpkins, transforming them into everything from whimsical creatures to towering 15-foot-tall sculptures. In an exciting addition to this year’s festivities, Jack-O-Lantern World will host its inaugural 5K run/walk on October 17. The Lake Zurich event also features Trick or Treat Nights on Thursdays, candy stations, a Fun Zone for the kids that includes mini golf, giant inflatables and more. With its mix of immersive art and interactive photo ops, Jack-O-Lantern World continues to evolve as a premier fall event in Lake County. Visit TheJackOLanternWorld.com for details. The event runs Thursdays through Sundays through October 27.

Friday-Sunday, October 4-6; Starting at 6:30 p.m. Admission: $15.99-$24.99  per person. Jack-O’-Lantern World, Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Rd., Lake Zurich.

3. Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest & Great Skeleton Invasion

Get ready for one of Lake County’s premier fall events, the Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival and Skeleton Invasion, running through October 6. This annual celebration transforms downtown Highwood into a Halloween wonderland with all-you-can-carve pumpkins, carnival rides, costume contests, live music, trick-or-treating for all ages and more. Explore the town’s hundreds of creatively posed skeleton displays, from whimsical to spooky. Experience live music on two stages featuring acts like TNT Chicago, The Prissillas, X-Side, Antler Chandelier, Where’s Maggie and more. Stroll through “Pumpkin Town USA,” where themed pumpkin displays will stay lit throughout October, keeping the Halloween spirit alive long after the festival ends and an attempt to beat the standing Guinness World Record amount of carved orange fruits. Don’t forget to grab an adult beverage for individuals ages 21 and older to check in to win as two Lake County Libation Trail partners reside in Highwood – 28 Mile Distilling Co. and Broken Tee Brewing Co, for the Spooks and Spirits Check-in Challenge. For more information about the jack-o’-lantern party, visit HighwoodPumpkinFest.com.

Friday-Saturday, October 4-6; Fri.: 4-10 p.m., Sat.: 12-10 p.m. and Sun.: 12-9 p.m. Free admission. Downtown Highwood. 

4. Fall Festival by The Village of Fox Lake and Grant Township

Celebrate the autumn season at the Fall Festival hosted by the Village of Fox Lake and Grant Township on Sunday, October 6. This free, family-friendly event invites guests to enjoy a wide range of activities, including live music, craft vendors, pumpkin carving and a pie-eating contest. For kids, there will be inflatables, a petting zoo, public works and law enforcement vehicles on display. Don't miss out on this chance to create lasting fall memories with your loved ones!  For more information and updates, visit FoxLake.org.

Sunday, October 6; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free admission. Grant Township Center, 26725 W. Molidor Rd., Ingleside. 

5. Realm of Terror in Round Lake Beach

Prepare to face your deepest fears at the Realm of Terror Haunted House, this scare space delivers a one-of-a-kind experience for horror enthusiasts. Step into a world of fear as you navigate fully immersive sets designed by professional set designers. The Round Lake Beach Halloween entity also features games and escape rooms, a full bar serving snacks, spooky cocktails and non-alcoholic options for the kids, a gift shop and more. The Realm of Terror also provides the more skittish visitors with a modified family fright (October 26) and no actor nights (October 20) to provide a less intense experience for all Halloween lovers. The haunted house is open on select days through November 2. For tickets and event times, visit realmofterror.com.

Friday-Saturday, October 4-6; Fri.-Sat.: 7-11:30 p.m. Admission starts at $19.99. Tickets can be bought online for a discounted rate. Realm of Terror, 421 W. Rollins Rd., Round Lake Beach.

For more things to do this weekend, October 4-6, click here.