Halloween 2018 Events Guide For Niles, Morton Grove

MORTON GROVE-NILES, IL — Local community groups, businesses and park districts have planned a wide selection of Halloween events this year. Find out more below about some of the spooky activities scheduled for Niles and Morton Grove through the end of the month.

Nightly Through Oct. 31

House of Torment Chicago has been listed as one of the best haunted houses in the country. It bills itself as "more like a trip through a modern horror movie" than just a haunted house. May be too intense for young children, not recommended for those under 12. (7 - 10 p.m., 8240 N. Austin Ave., tickets range from $20-34, fast passes available online.)

Friday, Oct. 19

The Monster Bash is a family-friendly event featuring a buffet dinner, games pumpkin decoratin and a "Monster" good time. Costumes are encourages and all children will receive a goody bag. Registration is required and seating is limited. Ages 3 and up. (6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Howard Leisure Center, 6676 W. Howard St., $16 for residents, $19 for nonresidents.)

Saturday, Oct. 20

The Halloween Family Fest in Morton Grove will include fall crafts, inflatables, hayrides, carnival games, pumpkins for decoration, costume contests and more. Come dressed in costume to this family-friendly event aimed at kids ages 3-14. (3 - 6 p.m., Prairie View Community Center, 6834 Dempster St., free)

Spooky Saturday at the Niles library will feature spooky stories, sweet treats, showing off costumes and trick-or-treating inside the library. Parents are welcome to attend, but caregivers should stay in the room with kids through second grade. (Noon - 1 p.m., Niles-Maine District Library, 6960 W. Oakton St., free)

The Harvest Hustle 5K Run/Walk raises money for Niles Food Pantry and Niles Family Services. Participants are asked to wear a Halloween costume and donate at least one non-perishable food item. Registration required. (8:30 a.m., Notre Dame College Prep, 7566 W. Dempster St., $30 for adults, $15 for ages 17 and under)

Wednesday, Oct. 24

Morton Grove Park District staff will determine a winner of the "Best Decorated Home" in Morton Grove. To be considered, register your address by Oct. 19. Factors to be considered include creatively, originality and use of a theme.

Saturday, Oct. 27

The Halloween Parade & Party in Niles offers a chance for kids ages 1-12 to dress in costume and embark on a bewitching stroll from Oak Park to Grennan Heights. After arrival, there will be a party with games, goodies and surprises starting at 10 a.m. Registration is required ahead of the event. (9:30 a.m. - noon, Oak Park, Main Street and Ottawa Avenue, $12 for residents, $14 for nonresidents)

Make Halloween Spooky Treats in Morton Grove, and spend the morning creating treats so scary you may not want to eat them. The class, aimed at kids ages 5-8, ends with a Halloween-themed craft to take home. (10 - 11 a.m. Prairie View Community Center, 6834 Dempster St., $12 for residents, $16 for nonresidents)

At the Iceland Scary Skate, celebrate Halloween with games, a costume contest and prizes on ice. Gift bags will be given to the first 50 kids in attendance. (12:30 - 1:45 p.m., IceLand, 8435 Ballard Rd., $6 entrance, $4 skate rental.)

Wednesday, Oct. 31

Trick-or-Treat hours in Morton Grove extend from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Niles. Young trick-or-treaters should use sidewalks and be accompanied by a parent, caregiver or older sibling.

Until Nov. 2

Village staff are holding a Halloween photo competition where residents can visit village hall and take their own pictures in Halloween and Fall-themed photo booths, which will be open from from Oct. 19 to Nov. 2. Residents who take photos in costume and and submit the shots to staff will be entered to win prizes. All are welcome to take photos and participation in the competition is not required. (8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at 1000 Civic Center Drive. Email photo submissions to ea@vniles.com.)

» To submit another Halloween event to be added to this list, send information to Niles@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