Highland Park 2018 Halloween Events, Trick-Or-Treat Hours

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — The arrival of fall means there are plenty of spooky activities planned around town ahead of Halloween 2018, which falls on a Wednesday. Find more information below about what's on offer in Highland Park and Highwood this year.

Saturday, Oct. 20

The Halloween Kids' Fest at the Highwood Public Library will include a spooky magician show, games, raffles and pizza aimed for kids ages 3-10. (1:30 p.m., 102 Highwood Ave., Free, Registration required, call 847-432-5404 or email msanramon@highwoodlibrary.org)

Thursday, Oct. 25

Halloween Candy Stroll at participating stores in downtown Highland Park features free activities at Port Clinton Square and Renaissance Place, including music, pony rides, haywagon rides, store-to-store trick-or-treating and more. (3 - 6 p.m. at stores throughout downtown Highland Park, Free)

The Highland Park High School Bands perform a Halloween concert with band members dressed for Halloween and costumed attendees set to parade across the stage. Following the performance, trick-or-treating will take place in a decked out music department. (6:30 - 8 p.m., HPHS Auditorium, 433 Vine Ave., Free)

Friday, Oct. 26

West Ridge Trick-or-Treat invites all West Ridge program participants, friends, and family members to trick-or-treat inside and play spooky and silly games. Bring a bag to collect your treats and prizes. No registration required. (5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., West Ridge Center, 636 Ridge Rd., Free)

Saturday, Oct. 27

The Halloween Railroad returns to the Highland Park Public Library as The North Central 'O' Gaugers' railroad club sends model trains "through Spookytown." Wear your costume and stop by anytime to celebrate Halloween at the library with model trains and more themed activities at the youth services department. (9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Auditorium at HPPL, 494 Laurel Ave., Free)

Halloween Scary Skate at the Centennial Ice Arena offers free skating for anyone who comes dressed in costume for this Halloween party on ice. (1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., Centennial Ice Arena, 3100 Trail Way, Free in costume, regular fees for skate rentals and those not in costume.)

The Monster Bash is the annual Halloween party at the Deer Creek Racquet Club, featuring a prize for the best in costume. Members who bring a friend receive 50 percent discount on fees. (6 - 8 p.m., Deer Creek Racquet Club, 701 Deer Creek Pkway, $30)

Wednesday, Oct. 31

Official trick-or-treating hours in Highland Park run from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Highwood announced trick-or-treating hours in town run from 4 to 7 p.m.

» To add another Halloween event to our list, submit listings to HighlandPark@Patch.com

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Safety tips to prevent Halloween from being truly scary this year:

• Do not eat any treats until they are examined by an adult.
• Stick to the village's designated trick-or-treat time and pick subdivisions and areas with many homes.
• Plan a safe route so you know where your children are at all times. Set a time for their return home. If your child goes out with just friends, make sure he or she has a cell phone.
• Stay with a group if trick-or-treating without an adult. Let parents know who you are with and where you are going.
• Stay in well-lighted, populated areas and do not wander off alone.
• Never enter a stranger's home, back or side yard or get into a stranger's car. Call 911 or go to a neighbor's house for help if in trouble or a stranger bothers you.
• Carry a flashlight, glow stick or wear reflective tape to make costumes more visible to cars.
• Make sure costumes are flame retardant or have been treated with fire retardant spray. Avoid masks that limit vision. Use make-up instead.
• Consider reviewing the locations of registered offenders forbidden from handing out candy.

More from Patch:

• Illinois Haunted House Guide 2018
• Illinois' Haunted Best Place To Visit
• Fall Fests Worth Checking Out In Chicago Area
• Best Chicago-Area Pumpkin Patches 2018
• Local Haunts: 5 Haunted Spots In Illinois
• Apple Orchards, Corn Mazes Open For Fall Season