mystery history downtown walking tour

DATE | October 7, 2021 | 6pm - 8pm

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LOCATION | Starts at St. Charles History Museum | 215 E. Main Street, St. Charles, IL

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COST | $21 per person

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DETAILS | As a tour guide leads you through the downtown streets, you will listen to stories of years gone by and encounter some of St. Charles’ most infamous characters. Tour starts at the St. Charles History Museum, 215 E Main Street. Tours depart at 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm & 7:30pm

Caravan to candyland

DATE | October 27, 2021 | 5pm - 7:30pm

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LOCATION | James O. Breen Community Park

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COST | $5 per child in vehicle

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DETAILS | Enter James O. Breen Community Park at the Campton Hills Road entrance and follow the Halloween-themed path for a unique trick-or-treating experience! Along the way, from the safety of your own vehicle, stop at candy/prize stations during this spirited and lively event.

All items will be individually wrapped for safety. Characters will use latex gloves for distribution. Candy may be made on equipment that also processes peanuts, nuts and wheat. If a child needs a non-peanut candy option, please tell a staff member wearing an orange vest at the entrance.

pirates & Princesses cruise

DATE | October 2, 2021 | 11am - 1pm

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LOCATION | St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboat, 8 North Ave, St. Charles, IL

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COST | $23, 2 and under are free

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DETAILS | Ahoy ladies & Mateys! Experience a magical paddlewheel riverboat cruise amongst some swash-buckling pirates and royal princesses. Costumes encouraged. Treasure trinkets for every passenger. Discover the river's riches with a game of eye-spy. After your cruise, enjoy a small popcorn and drink, play a complimentary 18-hole round of minigolf and use a treasure map to discover gems within the park.

Please arrive 10 minutes before boarding. All ages must have a ticket to board. Ages 2 & under ride for FREE. One adult may accompany multiple children.

trick or tree

DATE | October 10 - 17, 2021

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LOCATION | Various St. Charles Parks

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COST | FREE!

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DETAILS | Take a walk through various parks. Using clues, find specific trees to learn some fun facts about them. You may encounter a 'trick' tree along your way. Registered participants will receive an email with the park list and clues. Signs will be up until October 17. Please do not remove any event signs. All ages.

haunted hayride

DATE | October 29 and 30, 2021 | 7pm - 9pm

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LOCATION | Primrose Farm, 5N726 Crane Rd, St. Charles, IL

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COST | $12 per participant

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DETAILS | Sit back, relax and prepare to be entertained! This unique adventure will have you clinging to your neighbor in hopes that what’s lurking in the dark doesn’t catch you. Enjoy complimentary hot cider while the haunting ambiance creates a bone-chilling experience. AGES 16+

escape the mansion

DATE | October 16, 2021 from 12:45p - 8:35p (new shifts starting in 10-15 minute increments)

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LOCATION | Stephen D. Persinger Recreation Center, 3507 Kaneville Rd, Geneva, IL

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COST | $10 residents, $13 nonresidents

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DETAILS | Escape the Mansion is an escape room style event that pits groups of 10 people against the clock to see if they can solve a series of challenges, clues, hidden passwords, and more before time runs out. For one night only, the second floor of the Stephen Persinger Recreation Center is transformed into the fictitious Madam Klara’s Mansion, an estate built in 1799 which as been rumored to be haunted and filled with dark magic. Participants will be given a tour of the mansion, featuring a newly discovered room of the building! Come explore the mansion’s own secret laboratory, where Madame Klara’s personal mad scientist, Dr. Johan, conducted many mysterious experiments.

Halloween Hayday

DATE | October 23, 2021 | 10am - 1pm

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LOCATION | Stephen D. Persinger Recreation Center, Geneva, IL

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COST | $8 R, $11 NR in advance, $10 R, $13 NR at the door.

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DETAILS | It’s time to get spooky! Celebrate with us at the Halloween Hayday! Activities include kids games and crafts, a costume contest, science activities, a Halloween egg hunt, bounce houses, hay rides, and more! Ages 14 and under. Pre-registration recommended.

howl o' ween dog parade

DATE | October 23, 2021 | 9am - 9:30am

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LOCATION | Peck Farm Park, 4038 Kaneville Rd, Geneva, IL

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COST | FREE!

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DETAILS | Bring your dogs and dress-to-impress at Peck Farm Park! Pre-registration required. Prizes will be awarded! One handler per dog. One person may bring more than one dog. Additional people are welcome to enjoy the parade, socially distant, within the park area.

A nightmare at west main

DATE | Fridays, October 15 and 22, 2021 | 7pm - 9pm

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LOCATION | West Main Community And Bark Park, 40W101 Main St, Batavia, IL

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COST | Advanced tickets can be purchased through Oct. 14 for $8 per ticket. Admission is $10 day-of.

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DETAILS | The ghosts are coming out to play in the forest at West Main Community Park. Join us for a haunted hike through our spooky trails. Evil lurks in the forest, so enter if you dare! This event is not suitable for kids younger than 10 years old. Every person needs to be registered.

the great pumpkin hunt

DATE | October 16 and 17, 2021 | 10am - 2pm

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LOCATION | Red Oak Nature Center, 2343 S River St, Batavia, IL

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COST | $12 per participant (adults do not need to register if they are accompanying children)

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DETAILS | The Great Pumpkin is out and hidden in our woods! Grab your list of clues from the front desk and investigate our forest to find it! Photograph yourself with the 'Great Pumpkin' and receive a small prize! Registration is required to receive a prize. Adults must accompany children during this self-guided activity, but do not need to register.

forest of fright & delight

DATE | October 23, 2021 | 6pm - 9pm

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LOCATION | Red Oak Nature Center, 2343 S River St, Batavia, IL

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COST | $16

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DETAILS | We’re baaack! Explore our woods to experience what goes bump in the night at Red Oak Nature Center. Sit by the campfire and listen to tales told by one of our historic residents or choose to hike one of our self-guided spirit trails where you never know who or what you’ll meet! Ghouls are encouraged to shake the goosebumps off inside the Nature Center, where they can warm up with a craft, dancing and candy. Most activities are self-guided and outside. Due to thematic elements, it is not recommended that young children attend. Flashlights are strongly encouraged. Pre-registration ends Thursday, Oct. 2.

batfest

DATE | Saturday, October 30, 2020 from 10:00a - 2:00p

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LOCATION | Peg Bond Pavillion

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COST | FREE!

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DETAILS | BatFest is Batavia’s annual Halloween-themed family event attracting over 2,500 ghouls. BatFest includes downtown Trick-or-Treating, Mothers’ Club Parade, pumpkin bowl, contests, BatArt, and games for free family fun.

little park of horrors

DATE | October 21-24, 28-31, 2021 | 6pm - 9 pm

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LOCATION | Wing Park, 1010 Wing Street, Elgin, IL

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COST | TBA

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DETAILS |  What little nightmares might be lurking in the darkness? Perhaps you'll find yourself in the company of skeletons, or swept up in the spiders' lair...you may even spot a certain dancing clown...

Join us for the City of Elgin's newest event, Little Park of Horrors!

This drive-through event through Wing Park will be open to vehicle traffic only. Little Park of Horrors will feature horror props with lighting and audio effects, and will run for several consecutive days this October. Ticket information will be available soon! PG-13

spooktacular halloween stroll at cosley zoo

DATE | Friday, October 15, 2021 | 5:15pm - 8:30pm

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LOCATION | Cosley Zoo, 1356 N Gary Ave, Wheaton, IL

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COST | $12.95 for ages 2-adult. Infants age 1 and under are free but do require a ticket

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DETAILS |  Experience an evening stroll through the zoo while enjoying the family friendly decorations, activities and pumpkin decorating. Cosley Zoo gift shop and concession stand will be open.

Entry times are scheduled in 15-minute increments with the last entry at 7:30P. Space is limited within each entry time.

halloween movie night

DATE | October 30, 2021 | 6pm - 9:30pm

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LOCATION | Blackberry Farm, 100 S Barnes Rd, Aurora, IL

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COST | $10 per attendee

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DETAILS |  Spend the night at Blackberry Farm as we hunt for ghosts. Enjoy s'mores, and activities that Casper the friendly ghost couldn't resist. At dusk all activities will shut down and everyone is invited to bring a blanket, chairs and snacks to join us in the grass to watch Casper on our outdoor movie screen. All attendees must purchase a ticket. All ticket sales are final.

sugar skull city

DATE | October 15 - November 7, 2021

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LOCATION | Downtown Aurora, IL

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COST | FREE!

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DETAILS |  Welcome to Sugar Skull City! Aurora Downtown is honoring Day of the Dead, the beloved Mexican cultural tradition, from October 15 to November 7. Join us in celebrating Dia de los Muertos with art, activities, specials, videos, shopping, and much more. Join in on festivities during First Fridays weekend on November 5 & 6. More information TBA. See link below for full details and a map of attractions.

all hallows Eve at naper settlement

DATE | October 15 - 16, 2021 from 6:30-10:00 p.m.

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LOCATION | Naper Settlement, 523 S Webster St, Naperville, IL

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COST | TBA

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DETAILS |  This two-night event transforms Naper Settlement into a site for the eerie and bizarre with many of the museum’s historic buildings carefully transformed into the backdrop for short, spine-chilling performances and interactive experiences.

Attendees step into their favorite spooky stories, including Frankenstein’s Laboratory, Sweeney Todd, Little Red Riding Hood, and more. Throughout the night the lost souls of the dead will be roaming Naper Settlement's 13-acres and can be found inside the Zombie Maze, Bug Show, and even performing on the event's two stages. Recommended for Ages 8+

howlin' at the moon (21+ event)

DATE | October 22 - 23, 2021 | 5pm - 10pm

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LOCATION | Naper Settlement, 523 S Webster St, Naperville, IL

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COST | TBA

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DETAILS |  Howl along with live music by some of the area’s best cover and regional rock bands. Feast your fangs into local cuisine from our Food Truck Graveyard.

Quench your undying thirst with Dead Guy Ale, Knotty Vines wine, and hard cider at our Boooze Bar. And let your curiosity take hold with special performances by the Carnival of Curiosities, an illusionist, fire dancers, liquid lights, and more! Costumes are encouraged! Ages 21+ only.

sycamore pumpkin festival

DATE | October 27 - 31, 2021

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LOCATION | Downtown Sycamore, IL

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COST | FREE!

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DETAILS |  The historic Sycamore Pumpkin Festival takes place on October 27-31. Thousands of pumpkins, all painted or carved for judging, decorate the courthouse lawn, and food vendors dish up pumpkin pie, caramel apples and other fall favorites.

Also in this pumpkin patch: two arts-and-crafts shows, carnival rides, a historic house walk, 10K Pumpkin Run road race and the giant 2 ½-hour-long parade, starting at 1:00 on Sunday.