There's Still Time To Catch Fall Festivals And Fun Near Oak Forest

OAK FOREST, IL — Fall is a great time to get outside in Illinois and take in the rich offering of festivals.

The changing colors of autumn provide a scenic background for fall and harvest festivals, which have contests ranging from apple bobbing and pumpkin carving to lumberjack contests and Halloween parades.

Fall is also the season for corn mazes, pumpkin patches and apple orchard visits.

Here are a few festivals and events in or near Oak Forest worth putting on the calendar:

Oct. 15

• McCord Gallery Trunk or Treat!, 9602 W. Creek Rd., Palos Park
  • 12 to 2 p.m. FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! So, get your costume on & stop by for some treats!
• Free Pumpkin Fun Run Set For Oct. 15 At Hadley Valley Preserve
  • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free, all-ages run will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, at Hadley Valley - Gougar Road Access in Joliet.

OCT. 21

• Halloween Murder Mystery Dinner Party, 933 S. State St., Lockport
  • Get ready for a glamorous Halloween evening of mystery, intrigue, and murder at this masquerade ball murder mystery party at the only speakeasy in town!

OCT. 22

• Scary at the Prairie 5K Costume Run & Spooky Sprint, Breidert Green Park, Frankfort
  • 10:30 a.m. Run, walk, creep, or crawl in your favorite Halloween costume through Prairie Park in Downtown Frankfort.
• Halloween Hoedown
  • 1 to 3 p.m. on Oct. 22 in downtown Lemont. The free event includes a parade, costume contest, trick-or-treating downtown Lemont, and photo opportunities.
• The Ghastly Grins: An Improvised Fright Night, 7 p.m. at 16801 S. 80th Ave., Tinley Park
  • 7 p.m. It’s not funny to be scared yourself. But it is sometimes funny to see other people get scared. So why not see our actors get scared for your amusement? As composer Danny Elfman wrote in the classic This is Halloween, “Wouldn’t you like to see something strange? Come with us and you will see.” Admission is $9.

OCT. 27

• Family Halloween Party at Gaelic Park, 6119 147th St.
  • 6 p.m. start! Bring the kids and invite a friend to our Halloween Party! Gaelic Park's annual Halloween tradition is a wonderful time to make memories with the kids.
    We'll have hayrides, s'mores around the fire pit and more Halloween fun! Costumes are optional. Free event. Food and drink available for purchase. Call (708)687-9323 with questions.
• Boo Bash at Orland Square Mall, 288 Orland Square Dr.
  • 3 to 6 p.m. Wear your favorite costume and join in the annual Boo Bash on Thursday, Oct. 27! Enjoy face painting, balloon artists, airbrush tattoos, character meet & greet, make & take crafts, dance performances from American Dance Center and more!

• Trunk Or Treat at St. George School, 6700 W. 167th St., Tinley Park
  • 6 to 8 p.m. Trunk or treat! Lou Malnati's Food Truck will be available for food purchases!

OCT. 28

• Painting & Costume Party, with Prizes & Candy, at Arts and Crafts Studio by Mucci World, 7913 W. 171st. St., Tinley Park
  • It's all treats, no tricks, at our painting and costume party! Join us for painting, prizes, and play! We will have an instructed pumpkin canvas painting session, a costume contest, candy bags, and more! The first prize will win a canvas party for four, the second prize wins a ceramic party for two, and the third win four free studio passes to use our paints and supplies. Refer a friend and get $5 off your ticket. More info online.

OCT. 30

• Downtown Tinley Boo Bash, Oak Park Avenue Metra Station, 6700 South St., Tinley Park
• Noon to 3 p.m. Boo Bash includes spooky hayrides, games, crafts, entertainment, and much more. Food and beverages are available. The event runs from Noon to 3 p.m.
• Howl-o-ween Dog Walk!, 5657 Albert Dr., Oak Forest
  • 12 p.m. Family friendly dogs and friendly owners welcome to a dog walk. FREE. Costumes are not required. Short walk. Contest at end. Approximately less than an hour. Invite your neighbor and their dog. Must pick up after dog.

Oct. 31

• Trick-or-treating in Oak Forest!
  • Hours are set for 3:30 to 7 p.m.