There’s a chill in the air . . . and little ghosts and goblins everywhere are on the hunt for a good scare! These haunted trails, haunted hayrides, and haunted houses range from cute to scary, so be sure to pay attention to age recommendations.
If you have younger or spook-sensitive kiddos, be sure to look for events offering daytime or special scare-free times as well. Some lean more into the Halloween theme, while others are a bit more seasonally fall focused.
This article is sponsored by the featured listings.
Parental discretion is always recommended. If you’re unsure whether a particular event or venue listed below is age-appropriate for your kids, call ahead!
Haunted Trails and Other Spooky Events
Oswego Cemetery Walk
October 3, 2024 | 7:00pm – 7:45pm
Participants are guided through a cemetery visit with spirits from the past. Registration the day of the event is $10 and a flashlight and comfortable shoes are encouraged.
Tales and Tombstones (Lombard)
October 4-5, 2024 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Participants take a guided candlelit walk through the Lombard Cemetery. Light refreshments will be served. Pre-registration is required.
Ghost Stories in the Park…in the Dark (Naperville)
October 4 – 6, 2024 | times vary
Bundle up for scary stories at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion. Tickets can be purchased online in advance, or at the performance. All guests are $7.
Spooky Stories and a Hayride (Barrington)
October 4, 11, and 18, 2024 | 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Halloween stories, spooky hayride through Citizen’s Park and s’mores. Pre-registration is required.
Halloween Trick or Treat Trail (Oak Brook)
October 5, 2024 | 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Come in costumes for a spooky walk in the park. This 1/2 mile walk in the woods includes games and crafts before participants head to the trick or treat trail and a leisurely haunted wagon ride. Please note, you will need to register for a specific one-hour time slot.
Haunted Stacks (St. Charles)
October 12, 2024 | 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Visit the scary or not-so-scary levels of the St. Charles Public Library. Festive movies will also be showing.
Haunted Ghost Story Train (Fox River Trolley Museum, South Elgin)
October 12, 19, and 26, 2024 | 5:00pm – 8:30pm
Ride a family-friendly, spooky trolley to a haunted forest. All guests will need a $20 ticket.
The Reckoning Haunted House (Lincoln Center, Downers Grove)
October 18 and 19, 2024 | 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Purchase tickets in advance, or day-of tickets as space allows. $15 per guest.
Haunted Hayrides (Eaton Preserve, Plainfield)
October 18 and 19, 2024 | 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Non-scary hayrides offered from 5:00pm – 6:00pm. Increased pricing and scary experiences after 6:00pm. Must register in advance.
Haunted Forest (Westmont)
October 19, 2024 | 3:00pm – 9:30pm
A wagon ride through Diane Main Park will take patrons to the haunted woods. Kid-friendly version from 3:00pm – 6:30pm, with scarier performance from 7:00pm – 9:30pm.
Scarewalk in Wood Dale
Scarewalk
White Oaks Park
111 S. Wood Dale Road
Wood Dale, IL 60191
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Family-Friendly Hour: 5:30-6:30pm
Active Scare Hours: 6:45-8:30pm
October nights bring Halloween delights, where pumpkins glow and witches take flight. Embark on a journey with Wood Dale Park District, where there is mystery and excitement at every turn, offering an unforgettable experience for those seeking thrills and chills.
Family Friendly hour recommended for ages 10 and younger.
Purchase pre-sale tickets for $6 per person or you can purchase tickets at the event for $7 per person. No refunds or rain checks. Click here to purchase pre-sale tickets.
Haunted Trail (Itasca)
October 19, 2024 | 6:00 – 7:00pm Family Friendly Hour, 7:15pm – 9:30pm Scary Hours
Located at the Ray Franzen Bird Sanctuary. Age 11 and under must be supervised by an adult.
Main Street Cemetery Flashlight Tour
October 19, 2024 | 7:00 – 9:30pm
Learn about local ghost stories at the Main Street Cemetery in Downers Grove. Register in advance.
Ackerman Haunted Trail (Glen Ellyn)
October 24 – 25, 2024 | 4:00pm – 9:00pm
Games, treats, and walk a spooky trail at this scary event. Trail is less scary from 4pm – 6pm and geared towards older kids from 6pm – 9pm. $10/person for evening event | $5/person for afternoon event | Ages 2 and under are free
Scary Stories (Willowbrook)
October 24, 2024 | 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Read scary stories at Willow Pond while enjoying hot cider and hot chocolate. Register in advance, as tickets are $10 per person.
Spooky Trail (West Chicago)
October 24, 25 and 26, 2024 | 7:30pm – 9:00pm and open until 10:00 pm on October 25th and 26th
Haunted trail full of ghosts and ghouls in Reed-Keppler Park. Register ahead of time to avoid waiting in line.
Halloweekend Haunted House and Story Telling Tour
October 25, 2024 | 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Visit scary houses and listen to spooky stories. Admission is free, but you must register in advance.
Haunted Forest Walk (Woodridge)
October 25 – 26, 2024 | Friday & Saturday: 6:30pm – 9:30pm | Saturday Matinee: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Features scary characters around every dark corner — the Saturday matinee will be more suitable for kids 9 and under. Purchase your tickets inside the Fred C. Hohnke Community Center the day of the event and enjoy a hayride to Hawthorne Hill Woods.
Night Terrors Haunted House (Hodgkins)
October 25, 26, and 31, 2024 | 6:00pm – 10:00pm
The lights are on for the first hour, but off for the remainder of the evening.
Lantern-Lit Haunted Hike (St. James Farm, Warrenville)
October 25 and 26, 2024 | 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Register in advance for tickets to this spooky 2-mile walk, which ends around a campfire. $10 per person.
Haunted House (Riverside)
October 26, 2024 | 4:00pm – 8:30pm
Less scary production in earlier time slots; register for the appropriate one for your comfort level.
Worth Park District Haunted Trail (Worth)
October 26, 2024 | 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Spooky creatures and other haunts along the Worth Boat Launch Trail. $10 per person.
Family Wicked Wagon Ride (Roselle)
October 26, 2024 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Guests must register in advance for this spooky ride after the Roselle Park District’s Zombie Run.
The Haunted District (Bensenville)
October 26, 2024 | 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Visit the new Haunted Water Park for $3 per person.
River Trail Nightlife: The Return of Scary Stories (Northbrook)
October 26, 2024 | 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Register in advance for this spooky night at River Trail Nature Center.
Campfire in the Park Spooky Stories (La Grange Park)
October 27, 2024 | 2:00 pm
Spooky stories and s’mores provided by the La Grange Park Library.
Haunted House (Franklin Park)
October 30, 2024 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Visit the Franklin Park Public Library for their annual spooky event.
Ongoing Haunted Events
Goebbert’s Farm Wagon Rides (South Barrington)
September 7 – October 31, 2024
Hop on the wagon and travel a corn stalk trail to the Haunted Barn. Included with admission wristband.
Sonny Acres Farm Haunted Wagon Ride (West Chicago)
September 27 – October 27, 2024 | Friday: 7:00 – 10:00pm, Saturday: 7:00 – 10:00pm, Sunday: 7:00 – 9:00pm
29W310 North Avenue
West Chicago, IL 60185
Spooktacular fun awaits for all ages on the wagon ride during the day. Nighttime brings scarier fun.
House of Creeps (Wintrust Field, Schaumburg)
October 18 – 20 and October 25 – November 2, 2024 | times vary
Offered in conjunction with the Schaumburg Halloween Carnival, special kid-friendly hours are offered on select afternoons. Tickets can be purchased in advance for a discounted rate.
Haunted Houses
Please note that some of these haunted houses do not allow children or may be very scary, while others host family-friendly times. Check out the websites, call if you have questions, and use your parental discretion.
Canyon Trail Cemetery Halloween Display
Check Facebook for dates/times/updates to this event.
371 Canyon Trail
Carol Stream, IL 60188
info@canyontrailcemetery.com
Elaborate and extensive residential Halloween display that goes all out with moving parts and special effects, including some elements that pop out.
Goebbert’s Farm Haunted House
September 7 – October 31, 2024 | 9am – 6pm
40 W. Higgins Rd.
South Barrington, IL 60010
(847) 428-6727
10-room haunted house designed to scare school-aged children. Entry included with farm admission.
Disturbia Haunted House
Opens September 13, 2024
1213 Butterfield Road
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 896-2466
Not recommended for children ages 12 and under.
13th Floor Haunted House
Opens September 13, 2024
5050 River Road
Schiller Park, IL 60176
(708) 571-3326
info@13thFloorChicago.com
Not recommended for children ages 12 and under.
Bengston’s Haunted Barn
September 6 – October 31, 2024
13341 W 151st Street
Homer Glen, IL 60491
(708) 301-3276
Kids under age 12 must be with an adult.
Six Flags Boo Fest and Fright Fest
Select days between September 14 – November 3, 2024
Six Flags Great America
1 Great America Parkway
Gurnee, IL 60031
(847) 249-1776
Six Flags recommends not bringing children after 6pm — their scariest frights are at night. During the day, a kid-focused Boo Fest brings the Halloween theme without the scares.
Basement of the Dead
Opens September 13, 2024
42 West New York Street
Aurora, Illinois 60506
(630) 896-2466
Midnight Terror Haunted House
Opens September 27, 2024
5520 West 111th Street
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
(708) 639-3279
Hellsgate Haunted House
Opens September 27, 2024
301 W. 2nd Street
Lockport IL 60441
(605) 301-4283
Sonny Acres Farm Haunted Barn
September 27 – October 27, 2024
29W310 North Avenue
West Chicago, IL 60185
(630) 231-3859
Days and times may vary; check their website for the most updated information.
Dungeon of Doom
Opens October 4, 2024
600 29th Street
Zion, IL 60099
(847) 262-3666
No one under the age of 12 can enter this haunted house. The experience features gore, suggestive themes, and intense situations that are designed for an adult audience.
There are so many fun events happening this fall to keep your entire family happy. Check out our excellent fall fun list for all the best ones!
