Enjoy: Halloween! Ways to celebrate in Evanston
Halloween may just be our favorite holiday of the year. You can choose to keep it light: decorating your front porch with mums, enjoying pumpkin lattes, and collecting candy with friends, or dive straight into the world of ghost stories and haunted houses. To help you get into the spirit, we’ve collected a few of our favorite upcoming events around town.
Saturday, Oct. 5 | Costume Swap | 1-3 p.m.
Hosted by the City of Evanston at Noyes Cultural Arts Center
Bring in all of the old costumes that you’ve outgrown and help them find a new life. Learn More.
Saturday: Oct. 12 | Pumpkin Painting at Shower Blooms | 12-3 p.m.
Hosted by Shower Blooms at 1917 Central Street
Join Shower Blooms for some pumpkin decorating and family-friendly fun to soak up the season. Learn More.
Saturday, October 19 | Zombie Scramble | Starting at 5 p.m.Hosted by the City of Evanston at Ladd ArboretumLace up your shoes and prepare for a run like no other in a city overtaken by zombies! In this fun, interactive race, you’ll lose your “lives” aka flags and race to the finish without becoming “infected.” Learn More.
Saturday, Oct. 19 | Kid’s Fall Festival at Mack’s Bike and Goods | 1-3 p.m.
Hosted by Mack’s Bike and Goods at 2948 Central Street
It’s good old-fashioned fun at Mack’s Bikes. Enjoy face painting, pumpkin decorating, and games at this fall fest. Learn More.
Sunday, Oct. 20 | Halloween Family Crafts at Rebuilding Exchange
Hosted by Rebuilding Exchange Evanston
Drop-in between 1-3pm for sustainable spookiness at the Rebuilding Exchange Evanston! We’ll be creating Halloween decorations out of reclaimed materials. When you’re done crafting the fun will continue as you search the warehouse for treats in a trick-or-treat scavenger hunt. Learn More
Friday, Oct. 25 | Trunk or Treat | 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Hosted by City of Evanston at Robert Crown Community Center
Get ready for a frightfully fun afternoon at the City of Evanston Parks and Recreation Trunk or Treat event! Bring your little ghouls and goblins for a safe and exciting Halloween experience filled with decorated trunks, delicious treats, and festive fun. All ages are welcome to attend, though the recommended age is up to 5 years old. Registration is not required. Learn More.
Friday, Oct. 25 | Nightmare on Foster Street | 6-9 p.m.
Hosted by City of Evanston at Fleetwood - Jourdain Community Center
Prepare for a spine-chilling evening at the Nightmare on Foster St. Haunted House! This haunted attraction will transport you to a world of eerie thrills and terrifying chills as you navigate through the dark and twisted corridors of Fleetwood-Jourdain. Learn More.
Saturday, Oct. 26 | Central Street 2024 Trick or Treat | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Hosted by Central Street Business District
Make your way through the shops of Central Street and enjoy some fun trick-or-treating. Learn More.
Sat., Oct. 26 | Downtown Evanston 2024 Trick or Treat Stroll | 2-4 p.m.
Hosted by Downtown Evanston Business District
Bring your kids to Downtown Evanston on Saturday, Oct. 26 for trick-or-treating at local businesses! Stroll around Downtown and stop in at participating businesses for candy and other Halloween goodies. Meet up at Fountain Square to pick up your official Trick-or-Treat Stroll map and get started. Learn More.
Saturday, Oct. 26 | Spooky Saturday | 11 a.m - 6 p.m.
Hosted by Main-Dempster Mile Business District
Find some spooky fun for the whole family with trick-or-treating at local businesses starting at 11 a.m., a pumpkin carving contest, kids costume parade, pet costume contest, and more! Learn More.
Saturday, Oct. 26 | Bug A Boo | 4-7 p.m.
Hosted by Evanston Ecology Center at Lovelace Park
Join the Ecology Center staff for their annual Halloween event that will highlight the creatures that call the North Shore Channel home. Learn fun facts and amazing adaptations of animals that live right here in Evanston. Learn More.
