2017 Skokie Halloween Events Guide

SKOKIE, IL — There's a variety of Halloween events planned for Skokie this year. Spooky activities sponsored by the Skokie Park District, businesses and community groups are underway already and set to run until the end of the month.

» To add another Halloween event to our list, submit listings to Skokie@patch.com

Weekends: Oct. 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29

Scream Scene returns for its 20th consecutive year, as the Skokie Water Playground will host "the most frightening experience in Skokie" with an insane clown maze and chainsaw maniacs. The haunted house includes more than 20 unique rooms, but it is not recommended for children under age 10. There is also a $3 "lights on" haunted house for the faint of heart on Oct. 28 at 11:30 a.m. (7 p.m. - 10 p.m., 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Sundays, weekends through Oct. 29, 4701 Oakton St., $12 per person, $17 for speed passes)

Friday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 21

Things That Go Bump In The Night offers an opportunity to meet some of the fascinating but often misunderstood critters of the forest. The event is intended to be fun and informative but not frightening. Participants will venture to three places – the cave, forest, and marsh – and hear from the animals that live there as you're guided along the trail. The walk ends with snacks and songs at a campfire. Tickets will only be sold at the gate if still available. Call 847-674-1500, ext. 2500 for more information. (6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Friday, 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Emily Oaks Nature Center, 4650 Brummel St., $5 per person.)

Wednesday, Oct. 25

At Halloween Cupcake Decorating at Mariano's enjoy a spooky night of decorating Halloween cupcakes. They're as tasty as they are "Boo-tiful." Registration required. (4 p.m. - 5 p.m., Mariano's Skokie, 3358 W. Touhy Ave., $5)

Friday, Oct. 27

The Skatium Costume Contest & Public Skate has been haunting families at Halloween for more than 40 years. Dress up in costume and hit the ice for a two-hour public skating session, and a skater with the best costume will be selected. (7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Skatium Ice Arena, 9300 Weber Park Pl., $10 adults, $8 kids)

At this year's Trick or Treat in downtown Skokie, all kids 12 and younger in costume are welcome to participate. Pick up a bag from Crafty Beaver, Mini Man Monkey Brains or North Branch Yoga and start your adventure by looking for participating merchants with a pumpkin poster placed in the window. (1 p.m. -3 p.m., Lincoln Avenue and Oakton Street, free)

Saturday, Oct. 28

The Monster Bash at The Exploritorium will have carnival games, prizes, crafts, a bounce house, face painting and candy. The event price includes play at the Exploritorium. Attendees are invited to come in costume to this family-friendly event that won't scare. Pre-registration required. (10 a.m., 4701 Oakton St., $2 for adults 16 and over, $10 for resident kids ages 1-16, $13 for nonresident kids.)

Tuesday, Oct. 31

Halloween Stories and Parade is a drop-in event at the Skokie Public Library. Come decked out in your costume and hear some fun stories followed by a Halloween costume parade and trick-or-treating in the library. For kids ages 2-6. (10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Youth Department, 5215 Oakton St., free)

Halloween Trick-or-Treat Hours in Skokie run from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please respect the privacy of homeowners and do not ring doorbells before or after this period. If the outside house light is not on, do not disturb the homeowner by doorbell. Young trick-or-treaters should use sidewalks and be accompanied by a parent, caregiver or older sibling.

More North Shore Halloween Events:

• Niles & Morton Grove Halloween Events, including the House of Torment
• Evanston Halloween Events, including the Zombie Scramble
• Glenview Halloween Events, including a Family Halloween at Wagner Farm
• Northbrook Halloween Events, including the Halloween Spooktacular
• Winnetka & Glencoe Halloween Events, including Night of 1,000 Jack O'Lanterns
• Wilmette & Kenilworth Halloween Events, including the Halloween Happening
• Highland Park & Highwood Halloween Events, including the X-Fearience
• Deerfield & Bannockburn Halloween Events, including the Halloween Hoopla
• Lake Forest & Lake Bluff Halloween Events, including the Spooktacular at Elawa Farm

_{Top photo via Patch file}