Happy Halloween Week! Celebrate to the fullest and get into the Halloween spirit by attending these Oak Park and River Forest events. Catch all this spooky, scary family fun that will lead right up to Halloween night, just in time for Trick-or-Treating! Before diving into all the events taking place in your neighborhood, let’s knock out the most important thing first: Trick-or-Treating hours! Make sure to have your costumes on and candy bags, pillowcases, or baskets ready by 3 or 4 depending on your neighborhood!
Official trick-or-treating hours:
Oak Park: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
River Forest: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 25
Spooky Trivia 6-9 p.m.
One Lake Brewing is hosting a Halloween-themed trivia night, where groups of families and friends can put their knowledge to the test to win prizes and bragging rights. This trivia night is sponsored by Baig of Tricks Entertainment, who will test all groups on their knowledge regarding horror films. How much do you know about the Halloween movies? Do you know who Ghostface, Jason, and Michael Myers are? To beat out all the other teams, this may be the time to do your homework and catch up on all spooky and not-so-spooky horror movies. Don’t be scared, none of the stories are true… or are they? While teams battle it out in the beloved game of trivia, One Lake Brewing Company will keep the drinks coming! Gather up your friends, families, and fellow horror-movie junkies to test your wits! Trivia starts at 6 p.m. so either show up early to get your group a table or make a reservation at One Lake Brewing.
One Lake Brewing, 1 Lake St., Oak Park
Thursday, Oct. 26
Ghost Busting (Grades 5-8)
Middle schoolers are invited to case the library to see if its really haunted. Special ghostbusting equipment will be included. Advanced registration required.
3:30-4:30 p.m., River Forest Public Library, 735 Lathrop Ave., River Forest
Friday, Oct. 27
Outta Halloween Bash with the Amazing Heeby Jeebies and Big Hair Big Trouble
These two bands are going to fill the season with that houserocking psychobilly spirit. The Amazing Heeby Jeebies will perform the songs of horror-rockers the Cramps, while Big Hair Big Trouble opens the show with what they call “psychedelic country.”
$10, 6840 32nd Street, Berwyn.
Halloween Party with the Lizard Kings
While the Lizard Kings perform songs from Quentin Tarantino movies, come dressed as your favorite Tarantino character to win a $250 gift card to FitzGerald’s and Babygold Barbecue.
9 p.m., FitzGerald’s 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.
Saturday, Oct. 28
Fall Family Fun in the Hemingway District
To kick off Halloweekend, the Collaboration for Early Childhood is hosting Fall Family Fun with the Park District, Oak Park Public Library, and Birth to Five Illinois. This family event will take place on Oak Park Avenue in the Hemingway District and will include a costume parade, an early childhood resource fair, and treats on the Avenue. Dress up in your Halloween costume and walk in the parade that will begin at 10 a.m. Not only can kids dress up, but so can parents! During the parade, the resource fair will occur until 12:30 p.m. where families and other caregivers can learn about resources their young children may need. Throughout the week, try to find Cece the Flying Pig in Hemingway businesses to collect all kinds of prizes!
Hemingway District, Oak Park
Día De Muertos/Day of the Dead
The Omeyocan Dance Company will stage an Aztec dance performance, where the mesmerizing rhythms and vibrant colors of traditional Aztec dance come to life. There will also be a marketplace with vendors selling all kinds of treasures, plus a face painter. Fun for all ages. Presented in partnership with the Día de los Muertos in Oak Park and River Forest group, Quetzali Child Care, Unity of Oak Park, and the Oak Park Public Library, bringing the community together for an unforgettable cultural experience. Register now at oppl.org/calendar.
2 – 4 p.m., Unity of Oak Park, 405 N. Euclid Ave., Oak Park
Rocky Horror Picture Show Sing-Along
Live singalong with this long-running classic. Costumes not necessary to “do the time warp,” but definitely encouraged. Adult content, not recommended for children.
$15, 9 – 11 p.m. Madison Street Theater, 1010 Madison Street, Oak Park
Sunday, Oct. 29
Hephzibah Halloween Fun Run & Walk
Take the Sunday Scaries to a whole new level on the 29th, for there will be so much time to take in all the Halloween fun! From 9-11 a.m., join the Oak Park Auxiliary of Hephzibah Children’s Association 2nd annual Halloween Fun Run/Walk. This run/walk is perfect for runners and walkers alike, so everyone is welcome! The event went so well last year that members decided to bring it back! The run/walk will take place for 1.5 miles across the neighborhoods surrounding Constitution Park in River Forest, where participants will be cheered on by members of the community. This is a Halloween event so costumes are highly encouraged! Kids, take this time to wear your costumes outside of Trick-or-Treating, but ask your caregivers for permission, of course. Last year, the event raised over $6,800. To register, visit: https://www.hephzibahhome.org/event/halloween-fun-run-walk-2022/
9 – 11 a.m., Constitution Park, 7715 Greenfield St, River Forest
Halloween extravaganza ft Trunk or Treat
The Unity of Oak Park will be hosting a free Halloween Extravaganza from 11:30-1:30 p.m. for children ages 2-10 that will include face painting, music, spooky videos, crafts, and fall-themed refreshments. Children can participate in their trunk-or-treat in the parking lot as well!
Unity of Oak Park, 405 North Euclid Ave.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics at the Oak Park Arts Center
There will be a Halloween Candlelight concert at the Oak Park Arts Center. Depending on your time at either 4 p.m. or 6:15 p.m., the doors will open 45 minutes prior to start time and the show will last 65 minutes. The Metropolis String Quartet will perform 12 numbers, some including Lacrimosa from Mozart’s Requiem from Amadeus, Zombie by Cranberries, Nightmare Before Christmas by Danny Elfman, and Thriller by Michael Jackson. For tickets, visit https://feverup.com/m/118398.
Oak Park Arts Center, 200 N. Oak Park Ave.
