2018 Halloween Events, Trick-Or-Treat Hours In Skokie

SKOKIE, 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 Skokie and Lincolnwood this year.

Weekends Through Oct. 28

Scream Scene is back for its 21st consecutive year. The Skokie Water Playground again becomes the site of "the most frightening experience in Skokie" with an insane clown maze and chainsaw maniacs. The haunted house includes more than 20 unique rooms and is not recommended for children under age 10. But for the faint of heart, there's a $3 "lights on" haunted house for the faint of heart on Oct. 20 and 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (7 p.m. - 10 p.m., 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Sundays, weekends through Oct. 28, 4701 Oakton St., $12 per person, $17 for speed passes)

Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20

Things That Go Bump In The Night is an event for all ages intended to be fun and informative without being frightening. On a guided tour along the trail, visitors will learn about several "untouchable" creatures. The visit ends at a campfire with snacks and songs. Tickets will only be available at the gate if still available, find more information by calling 847-674-1500, ext. 2500. (6 - 8:15 p.m. Friday, 5:30 - 8:15 p.m. Saturday, Emily Oaks Nature Center, 4650 Brummel St., $5 per person.)

Pumpkins in Prosel Park is an annual Halloween party featuring Hallowee-themed games and prizes, a bouce house, inflatable obstacle course, and a DJ. Costumes are strongly encouraged. (1 - 3 p.m., Saturday at Prosel Park Shelter, 6915 N. Kostner Ave., free)

Friday, Oct. 26

The Skatium Costume Contest & Public Skate has been haunting families at Halloween for decades. 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 - 9 p.m., Skatium Ice Arena, 9300 Weber Park Pl., $10 adults, $8 kids, $3 skate rental)

Saturday, Oct. 27

The annual Trunk or Treat event will take place in the parking lot behind the school building at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Attendees are invited to come in costume and bring a bag. Hot dogs and popcorn will be available, and the event will be indoors in case of rain. (10 a.m. - noon, St. Paul Lutheran Church, 5201 Galitz St., call 847-673-5030 for more information.)

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. New for 2018, Halloween fun at the Skokie Public Library will close out of the "spooktacular" day with trivia, a singalong and roast marshmallows. (1 p.m. -3 p.m., Downtown Skokie, free)

The Monster Bash at The Exploritorium will have carnival games, prizes, crafts, a bounce house, magic and free popcorn. 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 strongly recommended. (10 a.m. to noon, 4701 Oakton St., $3 for adults 16 and over, $14 for resident kids ages 1-16, $16 for nonresident kids.)

Wednesday, 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 - 11:15 a.m., Youth Department, 5215 Oakton St., free)

The First Annual Lincolnwood Trunk-or-Treat promises a fun and safe trick-or-treating experience for kids as they go from truck to truck and see what treats they can find. The theme is "Monster Bash" and the event is free. Residents, businesses and community groups interested in decorating a crate and participating in a contest for the most "monsterific" vehicle were encouraged to contact recreation@lwd.org. (5 to 7 p.m., Proesel Park Family Aquatic Center, 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.

» To suggest another Halloween event for our list, send information to Skokie@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