Chicago–Naperville–Elgin · IL / IN
Things to do with kids in Chicago — October 2026
139 family events in October 2026, 110 still to come. Every listing links to the organizer’s own page. Dates are in Central Time.
What’s on now in Chicago →Still to come
Oct22ThuArts & craftsThrough Nov 29
Where Memory Lives: 40 Years of Día de Muertos — Family Ofrenda Visit
National Museum of Mexican Art
FreeAll ages
Oct22ThuOutdoorsThrough Oct 25
Boo! at the Zoo with Dinos 2026
Brookfield Zoo Chicago
PaidAll ages
Oct23FriOutdoorsFri, Oct 23 · 10:00 AM
Fall Fest — Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo
FreeAll ages
Oct22ThuPumpkins and patchesThu, Oct 22 · 6:30 PM
Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns 2026
Chicago Botanic Garden
From $17All ages
Oct22ThuSports & playThu, Oct 22 · 5:00 PM
$5 Thursday Nights at DCM
DuPage Children's Museum
From $5
- STEM & discovery
Thu, Oct 22 · 3:00 PM
LEGO Club — Legler Regional
Chicago Public Library — Legler Regional
Ages 6+
Oct22ThuArts & craftsThrough Dec 13
'The Stick' Traveling Exhibition by Clay Rice
Isle a la Cache Museum
FreeAll ages
- Sports & play
Sat, Nov 28 · 2:00 PM
Family Archery at Heller Nature Center
Heller Nature Center
From $14Ages 8+
- Arts & crafts
Thu, Oct 22 · 10:30 AM
Medieval Monsters Painting Workshop
Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier
With admission
- STEM & discovery
Mon, Oct 26 · 3:00 PM
LEGO Club — Douglass Branch
Chicago Public Library — Douglass
Ages 6+
Oct22ThuArts & craftsThu, Oct 22 · 7:00 PM
Beetlejuice Jr. — Northbrook Theatre Youth Company
Northbrook Community Center
From $15
- STEM & discovery
Tue, Oct 27 · 3:00 PM
STEAM Tuesdays — Little Italy Branch
Chicago Public Library — Little Italy
Ages 5–10
- Sports & play
Wed, Dec 16 · 5:15 PM
Nerf Attack at Vaughan Athletic Center
Vaughan Athletic Center
From $11Ages 6–10
Nov4WedOutdoorsWed, Nov 4 · 10:00 AM
Wee Wandering Wednesdays at Crabtree Nature Center
Crabtree Nature Center
FreeAges 2–6
Oct22ThuArts & craftsThu, Oct 22 · 6:00 PM
Miss Jamie Concert at the Dunn Museum
Dunn Museum
Free
- STEM & discovery
Thu, Oct 22 · 3:30 PM
Solar Punk Pizza Party — Grades 6–8
North Park Village Nature Center
Free
- Trick-or-treat
Fri, Oct 23 · 5:30 PM
Cantigny Family Night Trick-or-Treating
Cantigny
- Community
Fri, Oct 23 · 6:00 PM
Daddy Daughter Date Night: Ties & Tiaras — Mount Prospect
Friendship Park Conservatory
From $30Ages 4–12
- Community
Fri, Oct 23 · 5:30 PM
Eugene Field Monster Bash
Eugene Field Park
From $3All ages
- Sports & play
Fri, Oct 23 · 5:00 PM
Fall Skating Exhibition at Centennial Ice Arena
Centennial Ice Arena
FreeAll ages
Oct23FriSports & playFri, Oct 23 · 6:30 PM
Fright on Ice at Ridgeland Common
Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex
Oct23FriSpooky and hauntedFri, Oct 23 · 7:30 PM
Ghostlight Gathering: Monster High Dance Show — Oak Lawn
Erica Heilmann Theatre (Oak View Center & Museum)
Paid
Oct23FriSports & playFri, Oct 23 · 6:00 PM
Halloween 3K Fun Run/Walk — Northbrook
Techny Prairie Park & Fields
From $15All ages
- Spooky and haunted
Fri, Oct 23 · 6:30 PM
Haunted Forest Walk — Woodridge
Hawthorne Hill Woods
Paid
Oct23FriSpooky and hauntedFri, Oct 23 · 3:00 PM
Kelvyn Halloween Monster Mash Party
Kelvyn Park
FreeAll ages
- Sports & play
Fri, Oct 23 · 7:00 PM
Scary Skate at Centennial Ice Arena
Centennial Ice Arena
From $10All ages
Oct23FriSports & playFri, Oct 23 · 7:00 PM
Splash Into Fall at Fountain View Recreation Center — Carol Stream
Fountain View Recreation Center
From $5All ages
- Trick-or-treat
Fri, Oct 23 · 6:00 PM
Trick or Treat in the Woods at Riverview Farmstead
Riverview Farmstead Preserve
From $5All ages
Oct23FriTrick-or-treatFri, Oct 23 · 5:30 PM
Trunk or Treat at Ridgeland Common — Oak Park
Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex
All ages
Oct24SatCostumes and paradesSat, Oct 24 · 6:00 PM
Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade 2026
Columbus Drive parade route
FreeAll ages
- Community
Sat, Oct 24 · 3:00 PM
Day of the Dead Opening Celebration: Tarde de Catrinas
Jens Jensen Park
FreeAll ages
Oct24SatPumpkins and patchesSat, Oct 24 · 9:00 AM
DCM Pumpkin Palooza
DuPage Children's Museum
Paid
- Oct24SatArts & crafts
Sat, Oct 24 · 3:00 PM
Día de los Muertos Xicágo 2026
Harrison Park and the National Museum of Mexican Art surroundings
FreeAll ages
Oct24SatPumpkins and patchesSat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM
Dvorak Pumpkin Patch
Dvorak Park
FreeAll ages
- STEM & discovery
Sat, Oct 24 · 5:00 PM
EcoLab: Murder Mystery in the Mansion
Creek Bend Nature Center (LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve)
From $5Ages 8+
- Sports & play
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM
Fall Orienteering Adventure at Deep River County Park
Deep River County Park — Big Maple Lake
Ages 8+
Oct24SatSports & playSat, Oct 24 · 12:30 PM
Family Swim at FitNation — Gurnee
FitNation
From $8
- Oct24SatCommunity
Sat, Oct 24 · 2:00 PM
Ghoulfest at Gompers
Gompers Park
With admission
Oct24SatOutdoorsSat, Oct 24 · 9:00 AM
Gillson Beach Clean-Up with Go Green Wilmette
Gillson Beach
Free
Oct24SatSTEM & discoverySat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM
Girls Build! Public Art & Architecture — Fall 2026
Chicago Center for Arts & Technology
Free
Oct24SatPumpkins and patchesSat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM
Halloween Hayday — Geneva
Stephen D. Persinger Recreation Center
From $11Up to 14
Oct24SatSports & playSat, Oct 24 · 3:00 PM
Halloween Open Gym — Oak Lawn Gymnastics Center
Racquet, Fitness & Gymnastics Center
Oct24SatTrick-or-treatSat, Oct 24 · 1:00 PM
Halloween Trick or Treat Trail at Bowen Park — Waukegan
Bowen Park
Free
- Not-so-scary
Sat, Oct 24 · 1:00 PM
Haunted Forest Afternoon Walk (Not-So-Spooky) — Woodridge
Hawthorne Hill Woods
From $5
- Oct24SatPumpkins and patches
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM
Margate Park Pumpkin Patch
Margate Park
From $10All ages
- Spooky and haunted
Sat, Oct 24
Naper Settlement Family Spooktacular
Naper Settlement
From $10
Oct24SatPumpkins and patchesSat, Oct 24 · 5:30 PM
Pumpkin Patch Pool Party — Vaughan Athletic Center
Vaughan Athletic Center
From $13All ages
- Pumpkins and patches
Sat, Oct 24 · 1:00 PM
Pumpkin Pool Splash at Park Fitness
Park Fitness
From $15Ages 3–12
Oct24SatOutdoorsSat, Oct 24 · 8:00 PM
River Trail Nightlife: The Return of Scary Stories
River Trail Nature Center
From $5Ages 8+
Oct24SatSpooky and hauntedSat, Oct 24 · 2:00 PM
Spooky Stories & S'mores at Thatcher Woods
Thatcher Woods Pavilion
Free
Oct24SatSTEM & discoverySat, Oct 24 · 11:00 AM
Teen Saturday Studio: Concrete Creations
Revolution Workshop
Free
Oct24SatTrick-or-treatSat, Oct 24 · 12:00 PM
Trick or Treat Trail at Red Hawk Park — Carol Stream
Red Hawk Park
PaidAges 4–17
Oct24SatTrick-or-treatSat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM
Trunk or Treat at Pioneer Park — Arlington Heights
Pioneer Park
From $10Ages 2–13
Oct24SatTrick-or-treatSat, Oct 24 · 12:00 PM
Trunk or Treat at Prairie Lakes — Des Plaines
Prairie Lakes Community Center
Ages 3+
- Outdoors
Sat, Oct 24 · 5:30 PM
Whispers of the Woods at Pilcher Park
Pilcher Park Nature Center
From $8Ages 9+
Oct25SunArts & craftsSun, Oct 25 · 1:00 PM
Cornhusk Doll and Storytelling Workshop at Sand Ridge
Sand Ridge Nature Center
Free
- Community
Sun, Oct 25 · 10:00 AM
Cornmeal in the Making at Deep River County Park
Deep River County Park — Wood's Mill
Free
Oct25SunCostumes and paradesSun, Oct 25 · 1:00 PM
Costume Open Skate — Oak Lawn Ice Arena
Oak Lawn Ice Arena
From $5All ages
Oct25SunCostumes and paradesSun, Oct 25 · 1:30 PM
Costumed Scavenger Hunt Walk at Trailside Museum
Trailside Museum of Natural History
Free
- Pumpkins and patches
Sun, Oct 25 · 2:00 PM
Floating Pumpkin Patch at Inwood Athletic Club
Inwood Athletic Club
Oct25SunCommunitySun, Oct 25 · 1:00 PM
Naperville Halloween Happening
Riverwalk Grand Pavilion
FreeUp to 10
Oct25SunPumpkins and patchesSun, Oct 25 · 3:00 PM
Pumpkin Plunge at Tinley Fitness
Tinley Fitness
From $8
- Oct25SunPumpkins and patches
Sun, Oct 25 · 11:00 AM
Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt at Crabtree Nature Center
Crabtree Nature Center
Free
Oct25SunPumpkins and patchesSun, Oct 25 · 9:00 AM
Pumpkins & Pancakes at Villa Olivia — Bartlett
Villa Olivia
Paid
- Spooky and haunted
Sun, Oct 25 · 10:30 AM
The Un-Haunted Forest Story Hike
River Trail Nature Center
FreeUp to 9
- Trick-or-treat
Sun, Oct 25 · 2:00 PM
Trick or Treat Fest at Chase Park
Chase (Salmon) Park
From $10All ages
Oct25SunTrick-or-treatSun, Oct 25 · 12:00 PM
Trunk or Treat at Eggers Grove
Eggers Grove
Free
Oct26MonSports & playMon, Oct 26 · 11:00 AM
Autumn Day of Play — Plainfield
Prairie Activity & Recreation Center (PARC)
- Trick-or-treat
Mon, Oct 26 · 4:00 PM
Trunk or Treat at Main Street — Glen Ellyn
Main Street Recreation Center
Free
Oct27TueCommunityTue, Oct 27 · 6:00 PM
Free Movie: Monster House at the Egyptian Theatre
Egyptian Theatre
Free
Oct28WedSTEM & discoveryWed, Oct 28 · 4:00 PM
Creatures of the Night at Garfield Park Conservatory
Garfield Park Conservatory
All ages
Oct28WedSTEM & discoveryWed, Oct 28 · 5:00 PM
Dark Matter Day at Adler Planetarium
Adler Planetarium
All ages
- Arts & crafts
Wed, Oct 28 · 6:30 PM
Family Art Night at West Ridge Community Center
West Ridge Community Center
From $15Ages 4+
Oct28WedSpooky and hauntedWed, Oct 28 · 5:30 PM
Haunted House Festival at Pulaski Park
Pulaski (Casimer) Park
From $10All ages
- Outdoors
Wed, Oct 28 · 10:00 AM
Stories in the Woods at Heller Nature Center
Heller Nature Center
From $12Up to 6
Oct28WedTrick-or-treatWed, Oct 28 · 5:30 PM
Trick or Treat Trail at Vogt Woods
Vogt Woods
From $5
Oct29ThuSports & playThu, Oct 29 · 4:00 PM
Fall Open Climb at Camp Sullivan
Camp Sullivan
Free
- Community
Thu, Oct 29 · 6:00 PM
Field of Fright at Joliet Memorial Stadium
Busey Bank Field at Joliet Memorial Stadium
Oct29ThuSTEM & discoveryThu, Oct 29 · 11:00 AM
Meet a Scientist: Neotropical Bats
Field Museum — Grainger Science Hub
With admissionAll ages
Oct29ThuArts & craftsThu, Oct 29 · 10:30 AM
Nature's Art Box at Little Red Schoolhouse
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
FreeAges 3–6
Oct29ThuSTEM & discoveryThu, Oct 29 · 7:00 PM
Night at the Museum at Trailside
Trailside Museum of Natural History
FreeAges 13+
Oct29ThuFestivals and partiesThu, Oct 29 · 5:30 PM
Oriole Children’s Halloween Dinner and Reptile Party
Oriole Park
From $10
- Outdoors
Thu, Oct 29 · 5:30 PM
Owl Prowl at Creek Bend Nature Center
Creek Bend Nature Center (LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve)
FreeAll ages
Oct30FriArts & craftsFri, Oct 30 · 3:00 PM
Boo Busters Performing Arts Workshop — Gurnee
Hunt Club Park Community Center
Oct30FriCommunityFri, Oct 30 · 4:00 PM
Boo-tiful Adventure at Galewood Park
Galewood Park
Free
- Spooky and haunted
Fri, Oct 30 · 6:30 PM
Campfire Chillers: Spooky Stories at Deep River County Park
Deep River County Park
Free
Oct30FriFestivals and partiesFri, Oct 30 · 6:00 PM
Family Field Nights: Boo with SUE
Field Museum
From $40All ages
Oct30FriSpooky and hauntedFri, Oct 30 · 6:30 PM
Family Spooky Swim — Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center
Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center
All ages
- Festivals and parties
Fri, Oct 30 · 12:00 PM
Halloween Bash at LeClaire-Hearst Park
LeClaire-Hearst Park
Free
- Arts & crafts
Fri, Oct 30 · 4:00 PM
Halloween Magic Mania at Haas Park
Haas (Joseph) Park
Free
- Oct30FriCommunity
Fri, Oct 30 · 4:00 PM
Halloween Palooza at Green Briar Park
Green Briar Park
FreeAll ages
- Oct30FriFestivals and parties
Fri, Oct 30 · 4:00 PM
Halloween Party at West Lawn Park
West Lawn Park
Free
- Spooky and haunted
Fri, Oct 30 · 6:00 PM
Haunted House at Avalon Park
Avalon Park
From $5All ages
Oct30FriSpooky and hauntedFri, Oct 30 · 7:00 PM
Kooky Spooky Skate — Northbrook Sports Center
Northbrook Sports Center
From $5All ages
Oct30FriPumpkins and patchesFri, Oct 30 · 5:00 PM
Lanterns and Legends: Historic Jack-O’-Lanterns
Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center
From $15All ages
- Oct30FriSpooky and haunted
Fri, Oct 30 · 11:00 AM
Meet a Scientist: Spooky Spider Webs
Field Museum
With admissionAll ages
- Oct30FriOutdoors
Fri, Oct 30 · 6:00 PM
Owl-oween Bash at Crabtree Nature Center
Crabtree Nature Center
Free
Oct30FriPumpkins and patchesFri, Oct 30 · 6:00 PM
Pumpkin Carving Contest — Waukegan
Belvidere Recreation Center
From $10Ages 6+
- Oct30FriTrick-or-treat
Fri, Oct 30 · 4:00 PM
Skate or Treat Halloween Party at Douglass Park
Douglass (Anna and Frederick) Park
FreeAll ages
- Spooky and haunted
Fri, Oct 30 · 5:00 PM
Spooktacular Fun Night — Westmont
Westmont Community Center
FreeAges 2–10
Oct30FriOutdoorsFri, Oct 30 · 10:00 AM
Wild Child at Hidden Oaks Nature Center
Hidden Oaks Nature Center
FreeAges 3–5
- Not-so-scary
Sat, Oct 31 · 10:00 AM
Boo at the 'Boo: Not-So-Spooky Halloween at Bellaboo's
Bellaboo's Play & Discovery Center
With admission
Oct31SatArts & craftsSat, Oct 31 · 11:00 AM
Butterfly Fandango with Son Monarcas
Garfield Park Conservatory
All ages
Oct31SatOutdoorsSat, Oct 31 · 1:00 PM
Family Drop-In Days at Ryerson Woods
Edward L. Ryerson Welcome Center
Free
- Spooky and haunted
Sat, Oct 31 · 11:00 AM
Haunted House and Halloween Fun at Columbus Park
Columbus (Christopher) Park
Free
- Oct31SatTrick-or-treat
Sat, Oct 31 · 12:00 PM
Horsin’ Around Day: Trick-or-Treat at Danada
Danada Equestrian Center
FreeAll ages
Oct31SatOutdoorsSat, Oct 31 · 10:00 AM
Jubilee Point Park Grand Opening — Woodridge
Jubilee Point Park
All ages
Oct31SatSpooky and hauntedSat, Oct 31 · 1:00 PM
Spooky Skate at Centennial Ice Rinks
Centennial Ice Rinks
From $5All ages
Oct31SatPumpkins and patchesSat, Oct 31 · 12:00 PM
The Great Sand Ridge (Tiny) Pumpkin Hunt
Sand Ridge Nature Center
Free
- Costumes and parades
Sat, Oct 31 · 12:00 PM
Upside Down Halloween Parade at Washington Park
Washington (George) Park — Russell Drive near the Refectory
FreeAll ages
Already happened
- Outdoors
EndedPast · Oct 11 · 11:00 AM
Fall Festival at Danada 2026
Danada Equestrian Center
FreeAll ages
Oct11SunCommunityEndedPast · Oct 11 · 1:00 PM
Family Lotería at the Arboretum
The Morton Arboretum — Firefly Pavilion
From $30All ages
- STEM & discovery
EndedPast · Oct 12 · 8:30 AM
DCM Detective Agency Day-Off Camp
DuPage Children's Museum
From $125
Oct14WedSTEM & discoveryEndedPast · Oct 14 · 10:00 AM
National Fossil Day — Field Museum
Field Museum
With admissionAll ages
Oct14WedArts & craftsEndedPast · Oct 14 · 11:00 AM
PlayLab PlayDate: Diwali Storytime and Craft
Field Museum
With admissionAges 2–6
Oct16FriSpooky and hauntedEndedPast · Oct 16 · 11:00 AM
Creepy Tales From the Fungal Kingdom
Field Museum — Grainger Science Hub
With admissionAll ages
Oct16FriCommunityEndedPast · Oct 16 · 7:00 PM
Hocus Pocus — Campfire Movie at Ridge
Ridge Park
FreeAll ages
- Check?datesPumpkins and patches
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 5:30 PM
Pumpkin Night Hike for Families
Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center
From $10All ages
- Festivals and parties
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 3:00 PM
Boo Bash! at West Ridge Community Center
West Ridge Community Center
From $10Ages 2–13
- Community
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 11:00 AM
Fall Family Bash — Prisco Community Center
Prisco Community Center
From $10
- Outdoors
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 4:00 PM
Fear Factor at Hidden Oaks Nature Center
Hidden Oaks Nature Center
FreeAges 7+
Oct17SatCommunityEndedPast · Oct 17 · 1:30 PM
Field Favorites in ASL
Field Museum
With admission
- Pumpkins and patches
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 4:30 PM
Haunted Hayrides at Eaton Preserve
Eaton Preserve
Paid
Oct17SatSTEM & discoveryEndedPast · Oct 17 · 9:30 AM
Itty Bitty Explorers: T. rex Teeth & Tails
Field Museum
From $40Ages 3–5
- Pumpkins and patches
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 6:00 PM
Kids Night Out: The Great Pumpkin
Heller Nature Center
From $28Ages 5–12
- Community
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 10:00 AM
North Park Village Fall Festival
North Park Village Nature Center
FreeAll ages
Check?datesSTEM & discoveryEndedPast · Oct 18
Open House Chicago — Family-Friendly Architecture Weekend
Participating Chicago buildings and community sites
FreeAll ages
- Trick-or-treat
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 11:00 AM
Shabbona Trunk or Treat
Shabbona Park
FreeAll ages
Oct17SatSpooky and hauntedEndedPast · Oct 17
Spooky Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo
FreeAll ages
- Oct17SatSTEM & discovery
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 11:00 AM
Teen Saturday Studio: Architectural Photography
Harold Washington College
Free
- Outdoors
EndedPast · Oct 18 · 10:00 AM
Fall Festival at River Trail Nature Center
River Trail Nature Center
FreeAll ages
- Outdoors
EndedPast · Oct 18 · 10:00 AM
Fungus Among Us at Pilcher Park Nature Center
Pilcher Park Nature Center
- Pumpkins and patches
EndedPast · Oct 18 · 1:00 PM
Pumpkin Splash at Arlington Ridge Center
Arlington Ridge Center (ARC)
PaidAges 2–7
- Not-so-scary
EndedPast · Oct 18 · 10:00 AM
Sensory Friendly Boo Bash at Cheney Mansion
Cheney Mansion
Ages 4–12
- Trick-or-treat
EndedPast · Oct 18 · 2:00 PM
Trunk or Treat at Addams Park
Addams (Jane) Park
Free
- Pumpkins and patches
EndedPast · Oct 21 · 6:30 PM
Family Halloween Pumpkin Carving at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum
Arlington Heights Historical Museum
From $36
- Not-so-scary
EndedPast · Oct 21 · 10:00 AM
Not So Spooky Spider Party
West Ridge Community Center
From $10Ages 2+
Oct21WedArts & craftsEndedPast · Oct 21 · 11:00 AM
Observational Drawing Using Unusual Specimens
Field Museum
With admissionAll ages
- Outdoors
EndedPast · Oct 21 · 10:00 AM
Stories in the Sand at Rosewood Beach
Rosewood Beach
From $12Up to 6