Top 5 Halloween Things To Do in Lake County 2025

By: Stephanie Wylie 10/17/2025

Forget the fall routine—Lake County is calling with a full roster of Halloween happenings! This season, your weekend itinerary is packed, whether you’re wrangling the kids for the perfect photo op at a pumpkin patches or seeking genuine chills at a premier haunted attraction. Don't forget to embark on the Spooks & Spirits Check-in Challenge for your favorite adult refreshments. It's time to trade in your rake for a cider donut and explore the very best of Lake County's festive fall lineup.

1. ENCHANTING FESTIVALS FOR THE ULTIMATE FALL FUN

The season's bewitching festivals are here and Lake County is your magical host. Immerse yourself in the Halloween spirit at one of our spooktacular festivals, where scares and fun collide for a hauntingly good time!

• October Days in Historic Downtown Long Grove (through Oct. 24) INFO»
• Night of 1,000 Jack-o-Lanterns at Chicago Botanic Garden (through Oct. 26) INFO»
• Happy Times Pumpkinfest at Didier Farms (through Oct. 26) INFO»
• Richardson Adventure Farm and Corn Maze (through Oct. 26) INFO»
• SeptOber Fest at Independence Grove (through Oct. 30) INFO»
• Howl-O-Ween at Great Wolf Lodge Illinois (Now through Oct. 31) INFO»
• Spooks & Spirits Autumn Celebration (through Oct. 31) INFO»
• Jack-o-Lantern World in Lake Zurich (through Nov. 1) INFO»
• Oktoberfest at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee (through Nov. 2) INFO»
• Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS® in Gurnee (through Nov. 2) INFO»
• Kids Boo Fest in Gurnee (through Nov. 2) INFO»
• Frights and Delights Halloween Festival in Vernon Hills (Oct. 18) INFO»
• Hawthorn's Fall Family Fest and Maker's Market (Oct. 18) INFO»
• WaukTober Family Fall Festival (Oct. 18) INFO»
• ZombieWauk (Oct. 18) INFO»
• Winthrop Harbor's Fall Fest (Oct. 18) INFO»
• Mundelein Boo Bash (Oct. 18) INFO»
• Fall Bash at Deer Park Town Center (Oct. 18) INFO»
• Riverside Foundation 3rd Annual Oktoberfest 5k Run/Walk at Half Day Brewing (Oct. 19) INFO»
• PumpkinFest in Grayslake (Oct. 23) INFO»
• Lincolnshire Boo Bash (Oct. 24) INFO»
• Costume Party at Brothers' Field (Oct. 24) INFO»
• Season End Party at Brothers' Field (Oct. 25) INFO»
• Fall Farm Fest at Elawa Farm (Oct. 25) INFO»
• Trick or Treat on the Farm at Lambs Farm (Oct. 25) INFO»
• Trick or Treat on MainStreet in Wauconda (Oct. 26) INFO»
• Fox Lake Halloween Howl (Oct. 27) INFO»
• Day of the Dead Celebration in Round Lake Beach (Oct. 31) INFO»
• MainStreet Libertyville Trick or Treat (Oct. 31) INFO»
• First Friday on MainStreet Libertyville (Nov. 7) INFO»
• Wicked Witches Day Out in Antioch (Nov. 22) INFO»

2. Ghoulish Grub and Grand Sips: The Spooks & Spirits Check-in Challenge

Lake County is mixing up the perfect blend of cozy flavors and festive fun! Dive into the season's best sips with the comprehensive Fall Libations, spotlighting incredible seasonal beers, wines, spirits and meads from local craft stops like Buffalo Creek Brewing's Oktoberfest Märzen, Phase Three Brewing's Frog Stack sour and The Parlor at Pips Meadery's unique Banana Walnut Bread Mead.

Embark on the Spooks & Spirits Check-in Challenge along the Lake County Libation Trail. Visit five or more participating breweries, wineries and distilleries between October 1–31 to automatically be entered for a chance to win exclusive prizes. It’s the perfect excuse to explore over 30 delectable local spots and toast to an unforgettable autumn. Grab your mobile pass, check in and let the liquid courage (and prizes) flow!

3. Fresh Finds and Farm Fun: Your Guide to Lake County's Best Markets

October is the season of harvest, and Lake County’s farms and farmers markets have plenty of vibrant colors and flavors of fall! Whether you’re on the hunt for the perfect, massive pumpkin for carving, seeking out fresh seasonal produce or want a picture-perfect family adventure, Lake County has it all. Explore incredible corn mazes and hayrides at places like Didier Farms and Richardson Adventure Farm to pumpkin farms like Tobie Family Farm and Kroll's Fall Farm Harvest Farm. Or if you're in the market for seasonal produce, you can stock up before the season is over: 

• Elawa Farm Market (through Oct. 25) INFO»
• Grayslake's Farmers Market (through Dec. 13) INFO»
• Ravinia Farmers Market in Highland Park (through October) INFO»

4. Trick or Treat hours in Lake County

Gather your little ghosts and goblins because Halloween is almost here! Be sure to check your town's official hours—most communities host trick-or-treating on October 31st, though times vary widely across the county.

• Village of Antioch: October 31; 4-7 p.m. INFO» Downtown Antioch – Treat the Streets: October 25; 11 a.m.-1 p.m. INFO» Harvest Fest: October 25; noon-4 p.m. INFO»
• Village of Deerfield: October 31; 3:30-7 p.m. INFO» Halloween Hoopla Family Fun Fest: October 17; 6-8 p.m. INFO» Deerfield Park District's Trunk or Treat: October 18; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. INFO» 
• Village of Fox Lake: October 31; 4-7 p.m. INFO» Fox Lake Police Department's Halloween Howl: October 27; 4-7 p.m. INFO»
• Village of Grayslake: October 31; 4-7 p.m. INFO» Grayslake Area Chamber of Commerce's Annual Business Trick or Treat: October 25; 11 a.m.-1 p.m. INFO» Trunk-or-Treat at The Sapling School: October 24; 4:30-6 p.m. INFO» Skeleton Egg Hung: October 29 INFO» 
• Village of Gurnee: October 26; 2-5 p.m. INFO» Warren Special Recreation Association's Trunk or Treat: October 19; 1 to 3 p.m. INFO» Gurnee Mills Boo Bash: October 30; 5-7 p.m. INFO» 
• City of Highland Park: October 31; 3:30-7 p.m. INFO» Downtown Highland Park Business Trick or Treat: October 23; 3:30-7 p.m. INFO» Candy Stroll at Ravinia District of Highland Park: October 24; 3:30-5 p.m. INFO» Park District of Highland Park's Trunk or Treat: October 30; 3:30-5 p.m. INFO»
• City of Highwood: Downtown Highwood: Trick or Treat Trek, October 23; 3-6 p.m. INFO» 
• Village of Lake Zurich: October 31; 3-8 p.m. INFO»
• Village of Libertyville: October 31; 5-8 p.m., MainStreet Libertyville: October 31; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. INFO» Trunk or Treat in Adler Park: October 25; 10 a.m.-noon. INFO»
• Village of Lincolnshire: October 31; 4-8 p.m. INFO», Lincolnshire Boo Bash: October 24; 5-8 p.m. INFO»
• Historic Downtown Long Grove: October 24; 3-5 p.m. INFO» Village of Long Grove: October 31; 3-7 p.m.
• Village of Mundelein: October 31; 4-8 p.m., Boo Bash Trunk-or-Treat: October 18; 2-5 p.m. INFO» 
• City of North Chicago October 26; 3-5 p.m., Community Trunk or Treat: October 25; 2-5 p.m. INFO» 
• Village of Vernon Hills: October 31; 4-8 p.m. INFO» Hawthorn Trick or Treating: October 31; 11 a.m.-1 p.m. INFO»
• Village of Wauconda: October 31; 4-8 p.m., Trick or Treat Main Street: October 26; 1-5 p.m. INFO»
• City of Waukegan: October 26; 2-5 p.m. INFO» Go Waukegan Zombie Walk: October 18; 3-4 p.m. INFO» ZombieWauk: October 18; 5-10 p.m. INFO» Trunk or Treat with Heart of the City; October 23. INFO» Waukegan Park District Trick or Treat Trail: October 25; 1-3 p.m. INFO» Puerto Rican Society Trunk or Treat: October 31; 6-9 p.m. INFO» 
• Village of Winthrop Harbor: October 31; 4-7 p.m. INFO» Winthrop Harbor Parks and Recreation's Trunk or Treat, October 18; 3:30-5:30 p.m. INFO»
• City of Zion: October 26; 2-5 p.m. Trail of Treats and Fest hosted by the Zion Park District: October 31; 4-6 p.m. INFO».

5. Beyond the Grave: Exploring Lake County's Hidden Haunts and Spectral Tales

This fall Lake County transforms into a playground for the paranormal. Whether you’re chasing heart-pounding thrills or spine-tingling ghost stories, there’s no shortage of ways to embrace the season’s supernatural side. The Harry Potter™: A Forbidden Forest Experience invites guests to wander through a woodland illuminated by scenes and creatures from the wizarding world. Over in Round Lake Beach, the Realm of Terror Haunted House delivers movie-level scares with its new “Rotten Origin” storyline—an immersive nightmare of cursed crops and sinister secrets. For a mix of adrenaline and nostalgia, Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS® at Six Flags Great America turns Gurnee’s amusement park into a shadowy realm of monsters, mazes and moonlit coaster rides. Fans of ghost lore can join American Ghost Walks, an all-day tour of Lake County’s most haunted locations or board the Paranormal Train Tour at the Volo Museum to uncover the chilling history that lingers between its exhibits. New this year, American Nightmare Scream Park at Richardson Adventure Farm offers Chicagoland’s first haunted corn maze—a 25-minute trek through 12 acres of pure terror. Whether you’re casting spells, chasing ghosts or confronting your fears in the dark, one thing’s for certain—this fall, Lake County proves that the scariest stories are the ones that hit closest to home.

Extra Chills and Thrills

Immerse yourself in the Halloween spirit with imaginative crafting workshops or relax by inviting bonfires beneath a starry sky, bringing a sense of warmth to this eerie season. Discover local haunted history tours or savor seasonal culinary delights, enhancing your Halloween experience with a variety of memorable activities.

• Halloween Movie Marathon at Romney Brown Candle Co. (Various Nights Through October) INFO»
• Paranormal Tours at Volo Museum (Through Nov. 2) INFO»
• Dungeon of Doom in Zion (Through Nov. 8) INFO»
• Flick and Float at Lakeview Fitness in Vernon Hills (Oct. 18) INFO»
• Sips and Sweets Sparkling Wine and Chocolate Walk (Oct. 18) INFO»
• Poolside Pumpkin Patch Family Swim Night (Oct. 18) INFO»
• Winthrop Harbor's Trunk or Treat (Oct. 18) INFO»
• Highland Park's Pumpkin Pool Splash (Oct. 18) INFO»
• Pumpkin Plunge in Gurnee (Oct. 17) INFO»
• Halloween Spooktacular at Venture Athletics in Mundelien (Oct. 18) INFO»
• Halloween Bash at Hotel Ten Gurnee (Oct. 19) INFO»
• Trick or Treat Trail at Round Lake Area Park District (Oct. 18) INFO»
• Trunk or Treat in Deerfield (Oct. 18) INFO»
• Trunk or Treat in Gurnee (Oct. 19) INFO»
• Night Scare on Elm Street in at Patty Turner Center (Oct. 24) INFO»
• Jack O'Lantern Geocache at Heller Nature Center (Oct. 24) INFO»
• Halloween Hikes at Ryerson Woods (Oct. 24-25) INFO»
• Lake County Ghost Adventure in Long Grove (Oct. 25) INFO»
• Bat Out of Helloween: Celebrating Meat Loaf and Rocky Horror Picture Show at Genesee Theatre (Oct. 25) INFO»
• Halloween Trick or Treat Trail at Bowen Park in Waukegan (Oct. 25) INFO»
• Family Fall Halloween Party at O'Toole's Libertyville (Oct. 26) INFO»
• Haunt Season: Movie Night at Realm of Terror (Oct. 30) INFO»
• No Actor Night at Realm of Terror (Oct. 30) INFO»
• Buffalo Creek Brewing Halloween Party (Oct. 31) INFO»
• Waukegan History Tour at the Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie (Oct. 31) INFO»
• Dave & BOO-sters Halloween Family Event in Vernon Hills (Oct. 31) INFO»
• "Dracula: A Live Radio Show" at Improv Playhouse (Oct. 31-Nov. 1) INFO»
• Svengoolie Meet and Greet at Volo Museum (Nov. 1) INFO»
• Spooky Artisan Fair at Volo Museum (Nov. 1) INFO»
• Dia de Muertos Community Celebration in Waukegan (Nov. 1) INFO»
• Dia de Muertos Dinner at Elawa Farms (Nov. 1) INFO»
• Make Your Own Glass Pumpkins at Peter Patterson Glassworks (Various Days through Nov. 2) INFO»

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