Patch's 2020 Guide To Chicagoland's Best Halloween Yard Haunts

Patch received an overwhelming number of submissions for the scary yard tour we had to put together a second list, and don’t be surprised if there is a third list. Our TENTH annual scary yard tour still has your favorite zombie graveyards, body parts, floating ghosts and devil’s playgrounds. Some of us may not be able to go trick-or-treating, we can still have fun driving around looking at the best Halloween yard haunts in Chicagoland.

>>> WAIT! THERE'S MORE: Patch 2020 Guide To Chicagoland's Best Halloween Yards - PART 2

We've UPDATED our guide for 2020 with displays that are bound to elicit a few 911 calls or set off some pacemakers when a pneumatic-controlled Freddy Krueger lunges at you from the bushes. A few simple rules to keep in mind first:

GET ON THE LIST: Patch's is a friendly list. We LOVE reader submissions, so we'll be updating the list every FRIDAY leading up to Halloween. So tell us why your yard haunt is special and send your pictures to lorraine.swanson@patch.com. (Read more about getting on the list.)

DON'T YELL AT US: We've done our best to contact homeowners whom we've featured in the past to verify that they're decorating in 2020. Some of you we're going to have to hunt down because you can't follow directions.

BE RESPECTFUL: Don’t yell, scream, honk your horn or litter. Please be respectful of people’s neighbors. We think 10 p.m. is a reasonable time to stop looking at houses on weeknights, and 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

COVID-19 RULES: Remember, there is still a pandemic out there. Some of our contributors have instilled COVID-19 rules. We strongly encourage wearing a face mask (or having one handy) and practicing social distancing. Bring hand sanitizer. Don’t argue with the hosts if they ask you to put on a PPE mask. If you don’t feel well -- stay home. #SaveHalloween2020.

COOK COUNTY

Alsip

LOCKWOOD CEMETERY, 12040 S. LOCKWOOD AVE., ALSIP — The 2019 third-place winner in Alsip’s annual Halloween decorating contest, Alex and Jim Evans go for the spooky, elegant look. Many of our decorations are handmade. The haunt is up. Lights go on as soon as the sun sets. Guests are free to walk the path and go up the driveway. But please stay on the path! And of course spooky distance as much as possible. Keep your mask handy in case there are other guests.

Arlington Heights

1643 N. HIGHLAND AVE., ARLINGTON HEIGHTS — Features a graveyard scene, animated grim reaper, homemade props, hand-painted creepy dolls and an animated window scene projected from 6:30-9:30 p.m. daily.

Bridgeview

7807 W. 74TH PLACE, BRIDGEVIEW — Don't trip on the bones coming out of the lawn. This Bridgeview haunt features tombstones and a scary witch that dance to music and singing pumpkins. Listen to the music on a radio station from the warmth of your car. The show runs from 6:30 to 10 p.m. through Halloween. Come back in December when Sherry decks her yard for Christmas.

Burbank

6042 EL MORRO LANE, BURBANK — Dale Penn sent us photos of his son’s family’s haunt. Dale’s son made all the decorations himself. And we agree with Dale, the decorations look pretty awesome.

THE NEPHILIM FALLEN ANGELS, 8211 and 8215 S. MULLIGAN AVE., BURBANK — The Nephilim hauntmeisters made the tough decision to go dark this year due to the pandemic. So don’t bother their neighbors. They’ll be back next year.

Chicago (North Side)

GRACE MANOR, 5715 W. GRACE ST., CHICAGO — The Cubs better be careful!

Des Plaines

KHAOS ON KATHLEEN, 641 W. KATHLEEN DRIVE, DES PLAINES — Check out this haunt in Des Plaines, known as “Dead Plaines” around the Halloween season. Lots of animatronics rule this lawn in the City of Destiny. Social distancing rules in place (thank-you!). All visitors must wear a mask (and NOT a Halloween mask). Please bring a can of food for the Des Plaines Food Bank. Open weeknights from dusk to 10 p.m., weekends to 11 p.m.

Evergreen Park

9410 S. TURNER, EVERGREEN PARK — Jennifer Schelberger and family are new to Evergreen Park. They’re getting off to a good start with their sick (we mean that in a good way) yard haunt.

Hickory Hills

TORRES TORTURE HOUSE, 9021 S. 84th AVE., HICKORY HILLS — Érica Torres has made the yard a little scarrier and more entertaining than usual. She and her husband have six kids and two grandkids, and didn’t have much elsee to do during the quarantined. Unfortunately he wind knocked down Erica’s giant werewolf last yeaer, so Wolfie is no longer with us.

Hometown

LORETTO CEMETERY, 9041 BECK PLACE, HOMETOWN — Tom Roche has been decorating his yard for the past seven years, adding props and animatronics. The haunt includes 25-30 props, a handful which move and talk. Roche and his girlfriend are out most nights haunting the yard with chainsaws and sledgehammers. This homeowner also has another surprise for trick or treaters. Watch out for the man on the lawn mower. Yard lights up 7-7:30 p.m. most nights through Oct. 31.

Homewood

HAUNTED McHUGH MANOR, 18145 RIEGEL ROAD, HOMEWOOD — It is all started 30 years ago when Karen McHugh and her sisters would decorate their parents' front lawn on Kedzie Avenue. Karen and husband Phil have resurrected the tradition by turning their front yard into a skeleton's playlot. Each year we add to it, always to the delight of neighbors and passersby. Walk or drive past "On Halloween we will have a tent at the end of the driveway with individually wrapped treats until 7pm. We ask visitors to respect social distancing and face covering guidelines. We do not age discriminate, everyone is a kid on Halloween." Dusk to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; until 11 p.m Friday-Saturday.

LaGrange Park

HAUNTED MANSION ON HOMESTEAD, 836 HOMESTEAD ROAD, La GRANGE PARK — "Creepies and crawlies, toads in a pond, let there be music from regions beyond!" And you know if Madame Leota is spinning the tunes with the ghoulish instruments in her séance room, those Silly Symphony Dancing Skeletons are going to show up and dance until they're dead on their feet... or is that while they're dead on their feet. Since COVID-19 shut down Disney World, Don Coglianese and his family decided to bring Disney to LaGrange Park. The Coglianese family spent the entire quarantine carefully crafting their own custom happy haunts from Disney’s Haunted Mansion. They plan to add to it every year until all 999 haunts are in their final resting place. All day, but best viewed after the sun goes down, 7-10 p.m. Viewable from the sidewalk and street. Kids will love this haunt.

Midlothian

SCARY LARRY PET CEMETERY, 4348 W. 147TH ST., MIDLOTHIAN — Stephen King would be proud. We’re glad Shaylynn Krause explained that it was a Halloween display and not a real cemetery for pets.

Oak Forest

ABANDONED de CEMETERY, 6825 W. 156th St., OAK FOREST — For years Laynee and Don spooked up the balcony of their Alsip apartment (Haunted deBalcony). Finally, they have a great house and front yard to devote to their favorite holiday. Introducing Abandoned de Cemetery and Funeral Parlor, along with the creepy Pumpkin Tree. The display is open to all ages to come and see. Hang around Ghosts in the Mausoleum long enough and you may see the mourning woman by casket visiting from nearby Bachelor’s Grove. And yes, Don and Laynee are real life paranormal investigators in their spare time. Their Spectrewaves Paranomal YouTube channel will scare the crap out of you.

Oak Lawn

5364 KIMBALL AVE., OAK LAWN — Several decorations are animated in this south suburban hidey-hole, including a butcher, spider and electrocution. Ghost images fly around in front of the house. The pig butchering one of his own is disturbing, but in really a good way. 6 to 11 p.m. nightly.

SPIRITS ON SPROAT, 9028 S. SPROAT AVE., OAK LAWN — Erik Martin’s display is a local legend and a favorite of ME-TV’s Svengoolie. This who's who of Hollywood monsters populates both the front and backyards, showcasing over 75 replicas — most custom-made — of your favorite scary movie characters and horror icons, plus several originals. Enjoy humorous museum-like signage describing each character, creepy horror movie music mixed with sound effects. COVID-19 rules in effect. Visitors who wish to interact must wear face masks (or a Halloween mask); capacity will be limited to 50 people. Spirits on Sproat was named to the Horror Tourers Hall of Fame. Now in its 17th fabulous year, Spirits on Sproat runs weekends from 7-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 7-10 p.m. through Oct. 31 and weeknights during Halloween week.ys and Saturdays; and 7-10 p.m. through Oct. 31 and weeknights during Halloween week.

Tinley Park

6240 167TH St., TINLEY PARK — Halloween lovers Chris and Melissa Krussell have been decorating for seven years. Their haunt is best viewed from the southeast corner of Gaynelle and 167th Street.

DUPAGE COUNTY

Downers Grove

2308 College Road, Downers Grove — Diane Duncan had put up a lovely and whimsical display suitable for all ages. Lit every night weather permitting from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

422 71ST, DARIEN — Lou Cassano offers up this creepy haunt. These are the kind of kids your mother didn't wat you to play with.

Lombard

CREEPY ON CLARENDON, 381 N. CLARENDON AVE., LOMBARD — Halloween-veteran Lisa Galinsky and family have been creeping up their property with animatronic and static props 20-plus years. Each year new props are added and older props are retired. “Our entire family loves Halloween and the yard display has grown over the years. We put up the display for our enjoyment and hopefully it is enjoyed by others who have seen it.” Dusk to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Naperville

3411 INTERLOCHEN LANE, NAPERVILLE — None of that store-bought junk for Lewis Lancaster. He made all his decorations by hand, featuring a witch, skeleton swing, cauldron, fencing and more. Weekends feature fog and a smoking cauldron. Folks are invited to get out the car, but please remain on the sidewalk. Lights are usually on from dusk to 10 p.m.

North Auroa

STATE STREET CEMETERY, 410 W STATE ST., NORTH AURORA — This is the Brandee and Dave Arndt’s twelfth year of turning their property into a cemetery. Dave makes every prop by hand. Nothing is store bought, even downto the electric wiring. “We are no gore but creepy and spooky for the whole family to enjoy!” Dusk to 10:30 p.m. through Halloween.

Wheaton

1696 DARWIN COURT, WHEATON — We love the pumpkin head and flowing burlap in this end unit township. Carl Ritacco’s fiance is a lucky woman.

GRUNDY/KENDALL

Minooka

THE NIGHTMARE HAUNTED HOUSE/MALICE IN WONDERLAND, 509 E. HUNTER LANE, MINOOKA — This home haunt is as close to pro you can get and was rated one of Haunted Illinois “Top 10 Halloween Events.” Features live actors and a walkthrough, “Malice in Wonderland.” COVID-19 rules, including temperature checks at start of line, hand sanitizer, cleaning/sanitizing and crowd limits. Face masks required. Weekends through Oct. 31.

Montgomery

2 HUNTER COURT, MONTGOMERY — Gina Edwards and her family love to decorate for Halloween. Each year it gets bigger and bigger. The pictures do not do this yard haunt justice.

LAKE COUNTY (IL)

THE HALLOWEEN HOUSE, 4003 LONGACRE LANE, ISLAND LAKE — This awesome display by Nick and Sarah Wright has been bringing smiles to their Lake County neighbors for 13 years. Every year they add something new. Features music, static, moving props and fog. No live actors this year due to COVID-19. Located in the Westridge Subdivision, at the corner of River Oaks and Longacre Lane. Dusk to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

McHENRY COUNTY

4 McKINLEY ST., LAKE IN THE HILLS — A wonderful scary haunt perfect for those frosty fall nights in McHenry County. We love the skeletons climbing up the tree. Nice job, Chris Skaja.

Lakemoor

SCARY SHERRI’S CREEPY CARNIVAL, 415 EASTVIEW AVE., LAKEMOOR — This creative haunt starts with a ticket booth (donation box), free hugs (photo hop) featuring arms and feet from a skeleton, rotten candy, a skeleton head ring toss, eyeball toss (ping pong balls and cups), bloody darts, bob for rats, test your strength (show only), killing booth, and a sideshow featuring a 3-headed man with six hands, Spidora (half-woman, half-spider) and Apeboy (half ape, half man). Other highlights include Tarot card lady, scarecrow corn maze (non-walk through) and mini graveyard, topped of by a 25-foot-tall clown. The display is pretty dark but lit by strobe lights. Ask to make the display kid-friendly by turning on a few extra lights. There is also a 30-foot walkthrough. Limited to groups of six at a time. Wear a face mask. Live actors, static and moveable props. Opening October 3rd through Halloween every Friday and Saturday 6 to 11 p.m.

WILL COUNTY

Bolingbrook

533 EMERSON CIRCLE, BOLINGBROOK — Norb Przybylski’s lawn o’ ghouls is open 6 to 10 p.m. daily. We love the blend of Christmas and Halloween motif.

Channahon

7715 E. Hansel Road, Channahon — Bring your dinosaur-loving kids to the Page family’s spooky collection of dinosaur skeletons, a 6-foot dragon and a 6-foot-tall werewolf. Features scary sounds and music, and a little bit of fog on Friday and Saturday nights. Located just east of Dollinger Family Pumpkin Farm.

Crest Hill

CREEPERS ON CARLTON, 21526 CARLTON ST., CREST HILL — The monsters have come out to play in the Cambridge Crest neighborhood. Hand carved tombstone, homemade monsters and lots of moving stuff too. Be advised that if it rains, the monsters will all have their rain gear on so it would be best to check back on a clear day. Dusk to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Joliet

616 TERRY DRIVE, JOLIET — We love Lisa Walden’s whimsical wood cuts and skeleton carriage.

TERROR ON FITZGERALD, 2615 RUTH FITZGERALD DRIVE, JOLIET — Nick Green has been scaring up his yard since 2012, always with a new display. “This year’s theme is all over the place, but includes many scary monsters.” Kind of like 2020. Lights run 7 to 11 p.m. daily.

Lockport

ST LUCIFER’S GARDEN OF LOST SOULS, 312 EDINBURGH DRIVE, LOCKPORT — Nancy Gonzalez loves to share her passion for Halloween. Every Halloween her front yard sprouts lost souls. She’s been turning her front lawn into a graveyard and features a walk-thru display with spooky music. A donation box is up for the TLC Animal Shelter in Homer Glen. Now in its 21st year, this is her biggest year yet. Daily from 6 to 11 p.m. Visitors are welcome day and night.

New Lenox

CURSE OF GLAS HOUSE, 573 LENOX, NEW LENOX — Richard Glas’s house is definitely worth a driveby in New Lenox. Operating nightly from dusk to 9 p.m. on weekdays and dusk to 10 p.m. weekends.

HAUNTED HUNTER HOUSE, 1702 WHISPERING OAKS DRIVE, PLAINFIELD — The Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz has nothing on the collection of ragamuffins in this haunted cornfield that includes homemade scarecrows, animatronics, lighting, fog and sound effects. The display is available for 24/7 viewing through Halloween. Lit daily from 6 to 11 p.m.

FRIGHT ON TWIN FALLS, 7005 TWIN FALLS DRIVE, PLAINFIELD — How about a double feature? Buy a ticket from the insane clown in the ticket booth and some Milk Duds at the Rotten Candy Stand. Drive by or walk around the graveyard with zombies, the Grim Reaper, Jason Voorhees and Scream, plus a couple of Jeepers Creepers scarecrows. Lots of lights and spider webs. Tony Ferenzi’s neighbors love it!

CRYPT OF KENDALL RIDGE, 7214 COURTWRIGHT DRIVE, PLAINFIELD — Kevin and Bonny Niksacky are doing their part to keep Halloween alive during the pandemic. Their crypt features an assortment of creepy characters. Kevin tends to display props from display props from Pro Haunts and popular home haunts that are no longer in operation. Guests are asked to mind 6-foot social distancing and wear a face mask, if getting out of the car. Haunt opens Oct. 11 to Oct. 31. Lit from dusk to 10 p.m.

Mokena

SPOOKY HOUSE ON SARKIS, 19410 SARKIS DRIVE, MOKENA — Don't let those friendly pumpkin inflatables on the front lawn fool you. We're happy to have John and Lisa Fabian back on the 2020 tour of scary yards. The Fabians run a different digital 3-D mix every night in this home's six windows and front door. Some nights you'll see witches stirring brews to ghastly ghosts flittering across the windows. On Sunday nights the Fabians unleash zombies where the windows turn blood red. ("My wife thinks they're a little gory.") Young kids will enjoy this haunt, except you might want to skip Zombie night. Creative and fascinating. We've included a YouTube video that Fabian put together. Find out what's playing at the Spooky House on Sarkis Drive Facebook Page. Hours are dusk until 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursday, 11 p.m. on weekends, through Oct. 31. The Fabians will be collecting donations for the New Lenox Township Food Pantry