The scares are available all month long in the North Shore.

The event calendar is packed with Halloween activities to help you celebrate the October holiday. From family extravaganzas and dance parties to library crafts and costumed skates, we have collected info on dozens of events in the North Shore.

Happy haunting.

Trick-or-treat hours

Halloween events (listed by date)

(Missing something? Send event details to joe@therecordns.org to be included)

Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival
When: Oct. 4-6
Where: Highwood City Hall (17 Highwood Ave.), Everts Park (111 North Ave.), Painters Park (420-424 Sheridan Road and the Highwood Metra station)
What: Three days of live entertainment, costume contests, games, rides, and, of course, an attempt at multiple Guinness world records: the longest line of pumpkin pies and most jack-o’-lanterns on display. More information.

Fall Harvest Fest
When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 5-6
Where: Chalet Nursery, 3132 Lake Ave., Wilmette
What: Family activities include a live petting zoo and live entertainment from Miss Jamie. Cider and popcorn available. More information.

Truck or Treat
When: 9:30-noon Saturday, Oct. 5
Where: Hidden Creek AquaPark, 1220 Fredrickson Plaza, Highland Park
What: Big shiny trucks on display and pick up some candy as you have a look. The first half hour will be sensory friendly — no horns, sirens or flashing lights. More information.

Fall Cookie Decorating
When: Noon-1:30 p.m. Oct. 12
Where: Northfield Library, 1785 Orchard Lane, Northfield
What: Pastry chef Kelly Dull will lead attendees (age 15+) to decorate four cookies. More information.

Family Pumpkin Decorating Contest
When: 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15
Where: Northfield Library, 1785 Orchard Lane, Northfield
What: Transform a plain pumpkin into a masterpiece for a chance to take home a prize. More information.

Night of 1,000 Jack-O-Lanterns
When: 6:30-10:30 p.m. Oct. 16-20 and 23-27
Where: Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road
Details: More than 1,000 carved pumpkins will be on display along a paved path that will included costumed entertainers, live carving demos and more over the two-week stretch. This year’s pumpkin themes include popular album covers, haunted tales from Chicago and more. More Information.

Mini Pumpkin Decorating
When: Oct. 19 (multiple sessions)
Where: Winnetka Library and Northfield Library
What: Ages 0-4 use stickers, gems, and other craft materials to decorate mini pumpkins. More information.

Jack-O-Lantern Workshop
When: 3-4:30 p.m.-noon Oct. 20
Where: Chalet Nursery, 3132 Lake Ave., Wilmette
Details: Visit the garden to create a pumpkin masterpiece for your doorstep. Registration is required. Cost: $14.99. More information and to register.

Spooky Season Fandom Celebration
When: 7-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17
Where: Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette
What: Celebrate your favorite scary fandoms with crafts, games, treats and giveaways. Costumes welcome. For Grades 7-12.

Scary Halloween Miniature Golf
When: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
Where: River’s Edge Mini Golf, 2205 Skokie Valley Road
Details: Dress in costume and receive a discount.

Wicked Wilmette
When: 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
Where: Hibbard Park, 3000 Glenview Road, Wilmette
Details: Family-friendly occasion with inflatables, face painting, magic shows, a hay maze, pumpkin patch and more. Visit each of the Spooky Stations scattered throughout the park to collect various giveaways and treats. La Cocinita will be on site with food available for purchase. Ages 12 and under. Registration: $25 for resident/$32 nonresident. More information.

Winnetka Witch Ride
When: 2-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20
Where: Hubbard Woods Park (start), 939 Old Green Bay Road, Winnetka; Fred’s Garage (end), 574 Green Bay Road
What: In the spirit of the season, a group of local women and families dressed in their witching wear will ride bikes through Winnetka — with stops at Skokie Playfields and Dwyer Park — while raising money for House in the Wood Camp. More information.

Chicago’s Movie Ghouls, Spirits and Demons
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 24
Where: Virtual
What: This event will look at how certain Chicago movies’ spooky and spiritual elements emerged against the backdrop of Chicago’s most iconic neighborhoods. Examples include the legend of Candy Man, life after death in Flatliners, spiritual murders in Nightmare on Elm Street and more. More information.

Ravinia District Candy Stroll
When: 3:30-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25
Where: Ravinia District (east of Green Bay Road on Roger Williams Avenue)
What: Trick or treat at Ravinia businesses, such as Ravinia Brewing Company, The Chunky Scone and Abigail’s. Free bags available at Jens Jensen Park. Participate in the giant pumpkin contest also at the park. More information.

Pumpkins in the Woods
When: 4-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25
Where: Hubbard Woods Park, 939 Old Green Bay Road, Winnetka
Details: The park will become a pumpkin patch surrounding by carnival games, bounce houses and a DJ. There will be a costume contest and pumpkin decorating, as well. Pumpkins may be purchased at the event. More information and to register.

Boo Bash (Glencoe)
When: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25
Where: Takiff Center, 999 Green Bay Road, Glencoe
Details: Navigate eerie sights and sounds throughout the Takiff Center, where costumed children can trick or treat and enjoy shows, special activities and other surprises. Recommended for ages 2-8 with an adult. Cost: $17. More information and to register.

Jack-O-Lantern Geocache (At capacity)
When: 5:30-7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25
Where: Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Road
Details: Go from glowing pumpkin to glowing pumpkin, discovering clues and candy with your trusted GPS. Solve the riddles and make it to the end to receive a spooky prize. Cost: $13. More information.

Scary Skate
When: 7-8:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25
Where: Centennial Ice Arena, 3100 Trail Way, Highland Park
Details: Wear a Halloween costume and skate with family and friends. Costumed skaters skate for free. No registration required.

Not So Spooky Halloween
When: All day Oct. 26-27
Where: Winnetka Library, 768 Oak St., Winnetka
What: A fun and not-too-frightening Halloween experience for ages 2+. More information.

Halloween Railroad
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26
Where: Highland Park Public Library, 494 Laurel Ave.
Details: Watch model tails travel through Spookytown. The special tracks also feature Thomas along with Percy and Diesel. Presented by the North Central ‘O’ Gaugers Railroad Club.

Linden Square Pumpkin Walk
When: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 26
Where: 4th Street and Linden Avenue, Wilmette
Details: Free family event for trick or treating at local businesses, as well as a petting zoo, live entertainment, dance performances, giveaways and more.

Halloween Dancetacular
When: 2:30-3:30 p.m. Oct. 26
Where: Community Recreation Center, 2300 Glenview Road, Wilmette
What: For Ages 4-7, an afternoon of dancing, storytime and craft making. Costumes are encouraged but not necessary. Registration is $25 for resident/$30 nonresident. More information.

Edible Haunted Houses
When: 4-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30
Where: Northfield Library, 1785 Orchard Lane, Northfield
What: Make a haunted house out of cereal treats, frosting and candy. More information.

Halloween Horror Trivia Night
When: 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30
Where: Virtual
What: Grab a group or participate individually in this virtual event on Kahoot! (app). More information.

Halloween Hello
When: 10a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31
Where: Downtown Glencoe
What: Trick or treating at local businesses in Glencoe. Visit the Village Hall for Village “Hall”oween and a special treat, and walk through the Ghosts of the Garden at the Glencoe Historical Society. More information.

Dia De Los Muertos
When: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2
Where: Recreation Center of Highland Park, 1207 Park Avenue West
Details: A day of dance, music, art projects and sugar-skull face painting. No registration required. More information.

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Subscribe to The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a subscriber? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.