Winnetka, Glencoe 2018 Halloween Events Guide

WINNETKA, 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 Winnetka and Glencoe through the end of the month.

Thursday, Oct. 18

Halloween Trivia Night is open to all high school students regardless of residency for a spooky evening of Halloween-themed trivia. (5 - 7 p.m., Winnetka Youth Organization, 620 Lincoln Ave., free)

Friday, Oct. 19

Pumpkins in the Woods returns to transform Hubbard Woods Park into a pumpkin patch for some pre-Halloween family-friendly fun. There will be bounce houses, carnival games, pumpkin decorating, a DJ, a costume contest (scariest, funniest, most original) and more. (4 to 6 p.m., Hubbard Woods Park, 939 Green Bay Road, $5 for residents, $10 without.)

Saturday, Oct. 20

Spooky Pooch Parade at the Chicago Botanic Garden will feature "cleverly costumed canines" marching along a parade route. There will be a costume contest, with categories including "Best Horticultural Interpretation" and various nonprofits and local vendors will be on hand. Viewing the parade is free but anyone bringing a dog must purchase registration. (11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Chicago Botanic Garden, tickets for members are $15 in advance, $20 on the day of the event. For nonmembers they are $20 in advance and $25 on the day.)

Haunted Trail of Terror at Lloyd Beach returns, this year recommended only for ages 10 and up. The 7th annual haunted trail runs along the beach and challenges you and your friends to escape the terrors that await along Lake Michigan and in the boat house. (6 - 9 p.m., Lloyd Beach, 799 Sheridan Rd., $5 tickets, no registration required.)

Wednesday, Oct. 24

Pumpkin Carving with the Winnetka Park District offers all the fun of carving your own pumpkin with none the clean up. Organizers will serve you snacks, like hot cider and freshly baked cookies, as the cost of registration includes a pumpkin, all necessary carving materials and snacks. (5 - 6 p.m., Park District Administrative Office Community Room, 540 Hibbard Rd., $25 per person.)

Thursday, Oct. 25

Glencoe's Boo Bash invites "all ghosts and goblins" to enjoy the "boo-tiful evening" with treats, crafts, carnival games and entertainment and a pizza dinner. All children must be accompanied by a paying adult. Attendees were asked to wear a costume and bring a trick-or-treat bag. Advance registration is encouraged. (5:30 - 7 p.m., Takiff Center, 999 Green Bay Rd., tickets are $8 before Oct. 24 and $10 on the day of the event.)

Friday, Oct. 26

Dave Rudolf's Halloween Spooktacular promises fun for the whole family with "not very scary definitely" songs and stories. Kids come dressed in costume can share the stage with Dave. (1 - 2:30 p.m., Winnetka Community House, 620 Lincoln Ave., Tickets $10 in advance, $15 at the door.)

The Northfield Boo Bash is intended for kids ages 3 to 8, who must be accompanied by an adult. There will be a special "ghoulish train ride", carnival games, crafts, cookie decorating, a balloon artist and treat bags. (6 - 7:30 p.m., Northfield Community Center, 401 Wagner Rd., Free)

Saturday, Oct. 27

Halloween Party on Ice invites skaters to come in costume and bring a food donation to support the New Trier Township Food Pantry and skate to some "chilling" Halloween tunes. (1:40 p.m. - 2:55 p.m., 490 Hibbard Rd., Admission free with donation of non-canned food, Skate rental $4)

A Kids Halloween Tennis Party invites children aged 7 to 13 to the court for tennis games and contests followed by pizza and a movie. Costumes are encouraged, but proper footwear is required and "masks are discouraged." (A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center, 530 Hibbard Road, $20 for residents, members and $30 for non-members.)

Wednesday, Oct. 24 - Sunday, Oct. 28

Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns at the Chicago Botanic Garden will feature more than 1,000 hand-carved pumpkins lining a paved pathway along which visitors will encounter costumed characters in the only such event in the Chicago area. Snacks and drinks such as ale and cider will be sold, with hearty seasonal fare available at the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden. (6:30 - 10:30 p.m., Advance tickets for adults are $16 for nonmembers and $14 for members, for children ages 3-12 they are $13 for nonmembers and $11 for members. After Oct. 23, all ticket prices will rise by $2. Children 2 and under are free and parking is $25 for nonmembers and free to members.)

_{Promotional video from Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns}

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

For more local news and information, subscribe to Winnetka-Glencoe Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts or download the iPhone or Android app.

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.

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