Palatine Fall Fun: Pumpkin Patches, Spooky Stories

PALATINE, IL — Halloween is almost upon us in Palatine, and there’s still time to get in some seasonal fun. Even in the time of coronavirus, the Chicago area’s pumpkin patches are open — and there’s still time to scare up some fun with Patch’s tour of spooky yard haunts and tales of local lore.

Here’s a list list of some of our favorite pumpkin patches near Palatine.

Name: Didier Farms — Pumpkin Fest

Address: 16678 W. Aptakisic Rd., Lincolnshire, IL

Season opening/closing dates: Now through 4 p.m. on Oct. 31; no hayrides this year due to coronavirus restrictions.

Attractions: Pig races — Saturdays, Sundays and Columbus Day (12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.); Monday through Friday (11 a'm); Animal Land, rides, kids activities, pumpkins; concessions, bake shop; Pumpkin Playland, pony rides, camel rides, and more.

Hours: Saturdays, Sundays, and Columbus Day — 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Farmstand open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day during Pumpkinfest.

Pricing: No admission fee; all activities and rides are individual tickets only; military special wristband; buy tickets online.

Phone: 847-634-3291; fax — 847-634-329

Website: didierfarms.com

Name: Goebbert's Pumpkin Patch — Fall Festival

Address: 40 W Higgins Rd., South Barrington

Season opening/closing dates: Through Oct. 31; masks are required for entry for everyone 3 years old and above.

Attractions: Pumpkins, Red Barn Cafe & Bakery, store; Animal Land — Multiple tents of animals, Giraffe Barn, Slide, Pumpkin Eating Dinosaur & Pig Racing. Supervision is required for all children under 18yrs old. ; Little Farmer's Play Yard — Wagon ride, Playground, Corn stalk maze, Pumpkin tunnel, Charlotte's web, Pumpkin hut, Wooden truck, Wooden train, Corn hole games, Straw pyramid, Who's your pumpkin game, Interactive fire truck, Straw town maze and Weekend Magic Shows; pony rides, camel rides, Jumping Pillow, Duck Derby, Farmer Gem's Gem Mining; Haunted House

Hours: Monday through Friday. Goebbert's does not require a timed entry ticket. You can purchase tickets for the activities, but will not be asked to choose a time slot. If you wish to shop for produce, pumpkins or fall merchandise, you will be able to during the week (Monday - Friday) excluding Oct. 12 (Columbus Day) with no entrance fee required.

Pricing: There is an entrance fee on Saturdays, Sundays and Columbus Day, and online tickets are required before you come to the farm for ages 3 and older. The entrance fee will include Animal Land & Little Farmer's Play Yard, the Haunted House as well as access to the market, Red Barn Cafe & Bakery and additional activities. Fall Festival Entrance Fee — $16.99; Animal Land & Little Farmer's Play Yard — $12.99; Weekday Season Pass (excludes Columbus Day) — $38; free parking.

>> Individual attraction pricing and more information

Phone: 847-428-6727; fax: 847-428-6850

Website: goebbertsgardencenter.com/pricing

Fall events in Palatine:

Halloween Party —

Where: Salt Creek Sports Center — 647 Consumers Avenue

When: 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 28)

Pre-registration is required!

Halloween Hustle 5K and Kid's Dash —

What: This is the 15th annual fall race event. A fast, fun, USATF-Certified course. All 5K participants receive a dri-fit shirt, a hauntingly festive finisher medal and more. All are invited to partake in a special after-party following the race at Tap House Grill. Bring your costumes!

When: 9 a.m. on Oct. 31

Where: 345 North Eric Drive, Palatine, IL, 60067, followed by an after-party at Tap House Grill, 56 W. Wilson Street, Palatine.

>>Tickets/registration and more information

Turkey Shoot

Where: Twin Lakes — 1200 E. Twin Lakes Drive
When: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Nov. 7

And if pumpkin patches aren’t enough to get you into the Halloween spirit, check out Patch’s tour of haunted yards

• Patch 202 Guide to Chicagoland’s Best Halloween Yards - Part 1
• Patch 2020 Guide To Chicagoland's Best Halloween Yards - Part 2

And while you’re at it, read through Patch’s roundup of urban legends and vote for the scariest — from Resurrection Mary to the Demon Barber of Palos.

If we missed your favorite pumpkin patch, be sure to share it with readers in the comments section.

More fall fun:

• Halloween 2020: Submit Your Haunt For Patch's Tour o' Scary Yards
• 2020 Fall Foliage Peak Map: When Leaves Are Best In Illinois
• Fall Fun Amid COVID-19: Illinois Apple Orchards, Fall Fests Reopen