Patch's Best 2022 Halloween Yard Haunts: Will, Kendall, Grundy

WILL-KENDALL-GRUNDY COUNTY, IL — If you're looking for new zombie graveyards, body parts, floating ghosts and devil's playgrounds to explore for Halloween, you've come to the right place. Patch has assembled its annual scary yard tour for 2022, created by some of Chicagoland’s most imaginative and demented exterior decorators.

Given the scary yard tour’s past history of breaking the internet, we have organized the 2022 list by county. So click on the link for the list of scary yards near your house, or go crazy and visit them all.

GET ON THE LIST: We LOVE reader submissions, so we'll be updating the list every FRIDAY leading up to Halloween. So send in your pictures and tell us why your yard haunt is worth a drive-by to lorraine.swanson@patch.com. Read more about how to get on the list. If you participated in years past and didn’t get an email from us, send Patch your info.

This year, your Patch editors will be selecting the best decorated yard haunt and awarding a $100 Amazon gift card to the winner.

Also, check out these lists for more scary yards throughout the Chicago area: Chicago Haunt Builders, Haunted Illinois Directory, Illinois Haunted Houses and We Love Halloween. There's free fun to be had in the days leading up to Halloween, so set your GPS for these spooky standbys and nightmarish newbies.
See what other counties are doing:

• Cook County/Chicago
• DuPage/Kane County
• Lake/McHenry County

Check out these slick yard haunts in Will, Kendall and Grundy Counties:

Bolingbrook

637 Blackhawk Lane, Bolingbrook – The best is yet to come.

Crest Hill

1426 BERTA DRIVE, CREST HILL — Katie and Manny’s yard haunt is known as the "Halloween House." This is their second year on the list. “We had so much fun following last year’s guide and getting to get out and see all the local yard haunts that it inspired (and challenged) us for bigger and better things this year. We feel like we’re finally ready to join the tour.” The couple has some inspired props. We love the creepy X-ray skeleton. Lights go on around 6-ish through Oct. 31.

Creepers on Carlton, 21526 Carlton St. Crest Hill (Cambridge Crest subdivision) – Drive-by worthy yard haunt with hand carved tombstones, homemade monsters and lots of moving stuff.
Featured on WGN for Must See Halloween Houses 2020. Hand carved tombstones, homemade monsters and lots of moving stuff too. This house was featured on WGN’s “Must See Halloween Houses.” Please be advised that if it rains, the monsters will have their rain gear on, so come back another day. Dusk to 9:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, until 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday (with fog) until Oct. 31.

Frankfort

GHOULS ON GLASGOW, 19821 S. GLASGOW, FRANKFORT — Kyle Showalter started with a single Michael Myers prop and his lawn o’ ghouls has escalated ever since. This yard haunt attracts thousands of people every Halloween season, who come to gaze upon the three dozen or more eye-popping props. Warning: Sometimes Showalter’s neighbors like to dress up like monsters and terrorize the looky-loos. The Showalters are accepting donations for the Illinois Chapter of the TEARS Foundation. The yard is lit daily from 6 to 10 p.m. daily. Read TJ Kremer III’s story on Patch.

7901 Havest Drive, Frankfort – Shuts down around 10:30 p.m.

Gardner

401 N East St. Gardner — We love Rebecca Wheeler's levitating witch. Display will be up through Oct. 31. Photo ops and treats for kids. People are welcome to get out and look, just don't go past the tape. Excellent.

Homer Glen

NEW! Devil’s Grove, 12449 Walden Road, Homer Glen – Weekday dusk until 9 p.m., until 10 p..m. weekends.

Joliet

HALLOWEEN HOUSE, 513 CORNELIA ST., JOLIET — The skeletons are swinging their partners round and round in Thomas Lancaster’s skeleton square dance. This year, he’s added a 15-foot-tall phantom.

COUNT KUHAJDA'S HAUNTED HAUS, 1112 NICHOLSON ST., JOLIET — Mark and Nancy Kuhajda have been spooking their block for over 20 years (now we're hungry for a bowl of Count Chocula) and receive over 1,000 visitors each Halloween season. This elegant front- and backyard haunt offers a kid friendly amusing walkthrough. There are no actors to terrify your kids. The front yard features mostly traditional Halloween fare. Belly up to the demon bar where a deceased bartender introduces visitors to the haunt. The backyard features the house band the Dead Beats. The cemetery and props are based on Universal Studios and sci-fi related characters. All figures and tombstones are handmade. The Kuhajdas will once again be accepting donations for American Veterans Service Dog Academy, a great organization that trains rescue dogs as companions and service dogs for veterans. Haunt hours are 7 to 9 p.m. Friday; 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; and 3 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31.

NEW! The Corpse & Cauldrons on Caton, 1211 Caton Ave., Joliet — Lauren Schultz and her mom, Christine Canzona, have been keeping the spirit of Halloween alive with their crazy display featuring a haunted farm, ominous graveyard and witches’ corner. The cauldrons will be a-brewin’ and the corpses will be dancin’ Oct. 25 through Oct. 27, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.’ Oct. 28 and Oct. 29, 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. and on Halloween, 4 p.m. to midnight.

NEW! May St. Manor, 1208 N. May St., Joliet – Robert and Kristi Roper, not to be confused with Stanley and Helen Roper, have filled their yard with static and animatronic props, and fog machines. The Ropers have been decorating for over 15 years, and each year it gets a little bigger. There may a little, extra fright on Halloween. Lit daily from dusk to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays there’s a fog machine going. Less scary for little ones during the day.

NEW! 616 Terry Drive, Joliet

NEW! 1002 CAMPBELL ST., JOLIET — Ed Kowalski makes many of the handmade items himself, including a hand-painted Hallowee train. The haunt runs through Nov. 3, when Ed starts decorating for Christmas.

NEW! UnHALLOWED GROUNDS, 1085 RONALD DRIVE, JOLIET — A still life of skeletons, ghouls and even a werewolf. Running through Halloween. Located in the Chicago Estates subdivision.

Lockport

ST LUCIFER'S GARDEN OF LOST SOULS, 312 EDINBURGH DRIVE, LOCKPORT — Every Halloween season, Nancy Gonzalez’s front yard sprouts lost souls. Her third year on the scary yard tour, she's been turning her lawn into a graveyard, which features a walk-thru display with spooky music. There is no gore, so young children will love whistling through this graveyard enjoying the static and animatronic props. A donation box is up for the TLC Animal Shelter in Homer Glen. The yard haunt is open daily from 6 to 11 p.m. Visitors are welcome day and night. Featured on WGN and Fox 32.

Morrow Cemetery, 314 MacIntyre St., Lockport – This year Robert and Catherine Morrow will be passing out tons of delicious goodies at their spooky cemetery. Lights go on typically 5 p.m. and shut off at 3 a.m.

16048 W Pennyroyal Lane, Lockport – This home haunt claims to have the most MASSIVE ghouls set up in the Sagebook subdivision. Also, the weekend before Halloween, the haunt says it will have the biggest, baddest animatronic ghoul up and lit. (They’re still putting it up as of Oct. 7.) Sounds of ghosts and howling wolves add to the chilling effect. Lights turn on 6:45-ish thorough 11 a.m.

NEW! 602 Gloria St., Lockport – Proud parents Erin and Mark Gotts are excited about their 17-year-old son’s display, who hhas always been interested in decorating for Halloween. This year, he has created a larger, full-yard display. Many of the motorized parts their son has created himself, including a windshield wiper motor, a fish tank pump, pallets and more. He does it all himself. He is also collecting for the Lockport FISH Food Pantry.

NEW! Creepers Curve, 17922 S. McCabe Lane, Lockport – This is the Stacks third year of decorating for Halloween, which includes a mix of animatronics and static decor and sometimes even live actors joining in the fun. Since officially being added to the Chicago Haunt Builders list, the Stacks have gotten some increased attention and could not be more excited for Halloween thighs year. Open every night in October, from dusk to 9 p.m. weekdays, and until 11 p.m. on weekends. They will be collecting items and cash for the Illinois Veterans Home in Manteno. There is a collection box at the haunt and donations can be made via Venmo: @bsblchik

NEW! Lockport Hallween Display, 15440 W. 163rd St., Lockport – Laura Zak Baus is submitting her brother Dan Zak’s AWESOME yard haunt. Dan makes everything himself and typically gets hundreds of visitors every day. This family-friendly display includes scenes from Little Shop of Horrors, Skeleton Town, the Invisible Man, a cemetery, Ghostbusters, superheroes and more.

Lockport/Romeoville

NEW! Halloween at the Wards, 19218 W. Jacquie Ave., Lockport/Romeoville – Bill Ward has been decorating his Lockport/Romeoville home for 39 years. Thousands have visited over the years. Most of the ghoulish creatures on display are handmade by Bill. Many are motorized animated. Lights, laser lights and Halloween music fill the air, while Halloween movies play in the front window. Lit nightly through Oct. 31.

Manhattan

HOLIDAY HOUSE PROJECTIONS, 24361 SHAWNEE LANE, MANHATTAN — Michael Hesser's yard haunt is a technological marvel, done entirely with computers. Michael starts programming and editing weeks in advance, using a technique called 3D mapping creating 3D projections across the front of the house. The Hessers also have a Christmas show. The audio is broadcast over FM radio, so people can watch from the safety and comfort of their car. To keep things fresh, new scenes are added throughout the month leading up to Halloween. “We have received unbelievably kind letters from families from across Illinois letting us know our house has become a family tradition,” Hesser says. “The letters are usually addressed to ‘The Halloween House’ or ‘The Christmas House’ since we do displays for both.”

Minooka

The Nightmare Haunted House, 509 E. Hunter Lane, Minooka – Michael Peters offers a free, award-winning haunted home walkthrough and yard display with live actors, scares and fun for everyone. Peters is collecting cash donations for Shorewood HUGS. This was voted the #1 Home Haunt in Illinois by the Illinois Top 5 Review Team, and the Illinois Top 10 Halloween Event by Haunted Illinois (Voters Choice). The yard is lit from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and until 9 p.m. Sunday through October, and from 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31. A PG guided, low-fright tour offered at all times.

Mokena

NEW! Herman’s Graveyard, 19817 116th Ave., Mokena – Creepy sounds, strobe effects, some spooky animatronics and fog. Michael Myers might make an appearance closer to Halloween, looking for his next victim. Come stop by if you dare! Of course, the first thing that comes to our mind is Herman Munster and the late, great Fred Gwynne. Dusk to 10 p.m. through Nov. 6; fog effects Friday through Saturday and Oct. 31.

19910 Mokena St., Mokena – Stop by Mike Diamond’s yard haunt and join the skeletons for a game of “Ring A Round O’ Rosie.”

MONEE MANOR, 24066 S. CICERO AVE., MONEE — Take a drive down Cicero Avenue to where the streetlights end and the dark country takes over. This is the Berryhill family's ninth year of doing their country yard haunt. Last year they got more visitors than ever, when their house appeared on the Patch tour. Creepy animatronic and static ghosts await you, mostly homemade. Come see the huge graveyard with 10-foot pillars, skeleton stock chambers and basement zombies. Watch out for the MASSIVE rooftop spider and the elaborate toxic waste dump. The neighbors also do a great display. There's plenty of shoulder area to park and walk along the front of the property to get a closer look. Dusk to midnight through Nov 3rd. Monee Manor - Halloween Yard Display.

New Lenox

Nightmare on Lenox Street, 248 Lenox St., New Lenox – This yard haunt features a wide array of Halloween decorations, including lights, scary sounds and a live monster or two, skeletons, clowns, zombies and an insane asylum. Come take a look and come ready for a scare. Runs daily 6:30 to 10 p.m. through Halloween.

HAUNTED MANOR OF EVIL, 2867 FERRO DRIVE, NEW LENOX — Jeff Eggener has covered the exterior of his house entirely of wood. It looks like a real 13th Century dungeon. Everything is made by hand. Amazing. Read Patch editor TJ Kremer's story. This year, Jeff is accepting donations for Ronald McDonald House Charities.

2837 Taylor Glen Drive, New Lenox

Oswego

RAVEN HILLS CEMETERY, 224 PRESIDENTIAL BLVD., OSWEGO — This awesome display is all lit up with strobe lights and features animatronics, projector special effects and fog machines. The Dienoffs are planning a special surprise on Halloween. “We always give out candy (of course), toy bags for kids, treats for the adults, and even treats for the dogs.”

NEW! 5 Belmont Drive, Romeoville – Dan and Lisa Lugo have a monster mash of motorized creatures, a spinning lighted Ferris wheel, and a lighted motorized swing. They also happen to have a large parking lot across the street for easy off-road parking if you want to get out and look at the yard.

Plainfield

Pumpkin Riot, 1702 Whispering Oaks Drive, Plainfield – Brian and Kate Hunter have changed up their display to give people the greatest experience possible. New this year is “Riot Jack” the pumpkin monster. The display also features an evil pumpkin patch infested with scorched witches and giant pumpkin creatures who overlook the whole display. The Hunters will be handing out an assortment of candy and treats this Halloween.

2205 Cedar Lakes Ct., Plainfield (Wesmere subdivision) – Kelly and Tom Zink have been decorating their yard for Halloween for over 20 years. Many of their props are handmade, including a 20 ft spider, a "working" guillotine, the monster mouth garage, and this year's addition, an Alien/Zombie crash site. They hope to have it up by Oct. 15. Walkers are welcome as the front porch is always decked out in a theme. This year it’s Creature Features. Lights typically go out at 10:30 p.m. On Halloween, the Zinks give out choices of full and giant size candy bars, as well as their very popular jello shots for adults. “I love Halloween.”

NEW! 14042 S Largo Court, Plainfield – We want to go trick or treating at the Woodisons, who’ve put up a family-friendly Halloween haunt.

NEW! INFESTED OAKS, 1806 Whispering Oaks Court, Plainfield – Aubrey and David Appel have become a TikTok sensation with their display, which includes "Stranger Things"-themed decor — complete with Max, in the thrall of Vecna, floating over the yard. One TikTok video that shows Max floating garnered more than 14.5 million views and a response from Netflix, which called the Appels the show's "#001 fan for sure." Fans of the display are invited to try to solve the mystery: How is Max levitating? The "Infested Oaks" haunt will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Nov. 6. Lights will be off Monday through Thursday. Follow @horrorprops on TikTok for updates.

16324 Fairfield Drive, Plainfield – This bathed-in-blue haunt has fog on the weekends and some “moderately scary” jump scares. Lights on weekends from 5 to 11 p.m., until 9:30 p.m. weekends.

NEW! ELLA'S WEB, 13240 SKYLINE DRIVE, PLAINFIELD —If you suffer from arachnophobia, exposure therapy offers the best cure. Welcome to the dark web, with three gigantic spiders, several large and hundreds of medium and small furry little friends. Their home is adorned with beautiful webs and several eggs sacks waiting for the right moment to hatch. Several unfortunate visitors have been hosted and hoisted to dinner and are still hanging about. One still has a little life left in her and occasionally has a moment of panic screaming as she slowly spins in her cobweb cocoon. The real Spider-Man sits on a large bush watching, or is he? Several skeleton spiders move about rustling the bush that a gigantic spider is perched upon. Pumpkins and pumpkin-heads greet you as you walk up to the front path, it is Halloween after all. There’s nothing itsy bitsy about these spiders.

NEW! 1603 Hawthorne Ridge Drive, Plainfield – Live from Plainfield! This is Erik Manis’s first year on the scary yard tour. Lots of people like to stand on the sidewalk and gawk at the handmade gravestones, fence lights and characters. “I’m fairly new to Halloween, it’s just a fun display for all ages.” A big supply of candy will be at the ready for trick-or-treaters on Oct. 31. Blowups and lights are on from 4 to 9 p.m. weekdays, and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, through Halloween.

NEW! 2222 Candlewood Drive, Plainfield – Zach Brenza will be handing out king-size candy bars on Halloween, but first trick-or-treaters have to get past the clowns, skeletons, pumpkin graveyard, flying witches and cauldrons. Say hello to the classics, like Jason and Scream. Lit from dusk to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until midnight.

NEW! 7005 Twin Falls Drive, Plainfield – A drive-by worthy collection of creepy clowns, scarecrows, monsters, witches and a graveyard.

NEW! Dancing Skeletons House, 26640 W. Red Apple Road (Chatham Square subdivision), Plainfield – The Rutherfords’ house is causing some buzz, so go look it. Features dancing skeletons, a 12-foot witch, a pirate ship and haunted trees that you really don’t want to tick off. Watch out for the bones and spiders. Not to over the top, but just enough to convey the Halloween spirit.

2107 Glenridge Court, Plainfield

Shorewood

NEW! Sleepy Hallow Cemetery, 609 Edgebrook Drive, Shorewood – “Many of the items featured in our yard are hand made and build but also with a mix of store bought items. We have been setting up our yard for 17 years now.” Open 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

NEW! 22521 S. Queens Court, Shorewood — Kevin Sauerwein’s large yard display comes with a variety of homemade pneumatic and motorized props. Guests are encouraged to park and come take a look at the display up close – if you dare. The haunt is lit Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 10 p.m.

Yorkville

NEW! Chestnut Cemetery, 1433 Chestnut Lane,Yorkville – Neighbors from around the subdivision come by every year too gape at the Landorf family’s homemade cemetery. The display will be lit daily from dusk to 10 p.m. through Oct. 31