Your Guide to 15 Downtown Elgin 2022 Halloween Happenings

This Guest Blog Courtesy of Judson Student Abigail Herman

Are you looking to have some spooky fun this Halloween? Look no further. Check out these spooktacular events happening around Downtown Elgin!

Little Park of Horrors from The City of Elgin in Wing Park

In a dark, strange wood, something stirs … What little nightmares might be lurking in the darkness? Perhaps you’ll find yourself in the company of skeletons, or swept up in the spiders’ lair, you may even spot a certain dancing clown! Experience some spooky fun with the return of Little Park of Horrors in Wing Park beginning on October 21. Dates are Thursdays-Sundays, October 21-24 and October 28-31 from 6 to 9pm.

This drive-through event in Wing Park will be open to vehicle traffic only. Little Park of Horrors will feature frightening props with spooky lighting and chilling audio effects. Advance ticket purchase is required for Little Park of Horrors – Click Here. Tickets are $10 per vehicle (standard car, van, truck or motorcycle). Buses/coaches are not permitted due to height limitations. Vehicles must enter on McClure Avenue only. Due to the spooky nature of the event, Little Park of Horrors is rated PG-13.

Paint a Ceramic Sugarskull Bank or Witches Hat Lantern

Looking for something to do on Halloween, join Ceramica, an Art Affair to paint a ceramic sugarskull bank or a witches hat lantern while enjoying some music, food and beverages. Tickets available now. Sunday, October 31 from 11am – 1pm.

Spooky Trivia Night at Elgin Public House

Come on in with your group or solo and see what kind of useless Halloween knowledge you have stored away. There will be some awesome prizes awarded for First, Second and Third place. Trivia questions will be in three different Halloween style categories and one final double jeopardy style question. Free! Thursday, October 28 from 7pm – 9pm.

Trick-or-Treat Elgin

Halloween will officially be celebrated on Sunday, October 31 with Trick-or-Treat hours in Elgin of 4pm to 7pm. The Elgin Police Department asks parents to follow safety recommendations including practicing COVID-19 safety precautions like wearing a mask, social distancing and limiting group size. Have fun and celebrate safely!

Adult Costume Contest at Elgin Public House

Come in your Halloween costume anytime between 11am to 7:30pm to enter the Elgin Public House Costume Contest. A winner will be announced at 8pm, but you do not have to be present to win. Although if you are present, at 7:30pm they’ll have a fun Costume showdown where you can strut your stuff through the restaurant. Photos will be taken and put on display in the restaurant. There will be cash and other prizes awarded to the winners. Also, just by wearing your costume, you will receive $5 off your meal so today, everybody is a winner! Ages 13 and up please. Friday, October 29 from 11am to 7:30pm.

Halloween for the Kiddos at Elgin Public House

Bring the kids for a Magician from 12pm to 3pm walking around entertaining all restaurant guests. Pumpkin Painting will also be available in the EPH Backyard Fear Garden. Pumpkins and paint will be provided. A costume contest for the kids will be held from 11am to 4pm. Any child that enters will receive a fun toy out of the EPH Treasure Box. You do not have to be present to win prizes, but there will be a fun costume parade at 4pm. For ages 0-12 years old. Saturday, October 30 from 11am to 4pm.

Halloween Extravaganza with the Elgin Police Department

The Elgin Police Department invites you to join their Halloween Extravaganza with a variety of outdoor events happening on Tuesday, November 2 from 5pm to 7pm (note, this event was rescheduled from it’s original date in October due to poor weather). Get ready for a night of family fun, community resources, music, entertainment, a costume contest and more. Join the EPD and enjoy the fun with some of your favorite real life superheroes. CDC protocols will be followed.

Halloween Costume Party at Martini Room

A BOO-tiful Halloween Costume Party with DJ Bren happens at Martini Room on Saturday, October 30 at 8pm. Come in your best attire for the Halloween costume contest and dance party! Space is limited. First come, first serve; no reservations. BOO-tiful cocktail specials include the Bloody Eve, Witches Brew, Beetlejuice and more. $10 at the door.

Spooky Stories from Elgin with The Gin City

Spooky Stories from Elgin, IL is an October feature of stories from Elgin residents about unusual happenings, spooky events or an other-worldly resident that might still be hanging around. These stories are meant to provide a safe and fun scare during the spookiest time of the year. If you dare, read Spooky Stories from Elgin, IL @thegincity on Instagram. Maybe you can guess where in Elgin these spooky stories are from or who they are about!

Something Wicked at Side Street Studio Arts

Visit the Side Street Studio Arts Gallery throughout October to view the Something Wicked Exhibit. In it’s 9th year, this special exhibit feature a variety of arts media whose subject matter is meant to instill a combined sense of wonder, awe and perhaps a little dread in the City of Elgin art scene. Gallery open Friday’s 3pm to 7pm, Saturday’s Noon to 6pm and Sunday’s 11am to 3pm. 15 Ziegler Court.

Halloween Art from Side Street Studio Arts

Shop online for a wide variety of strange and spooky art created by local artists.

Halloween Costume Contest at Meraki Market Hub

Visit Meraki Market Hub on Sunday, October 31st from 10am – 4pm and show off your best costume! Adults and children are welcome to dress up for their visit to the market, and all kids will receive a candy treat while supplies last! There is also a fun game for all the adults with a chance to win a $25 Meraki Market Hub Gift Certificate! Play the Meraki game here.

Halloween Treats from Cook’s Sweet Boutique

Cook’s is in the spooky spirit of the Halloween season! Come in to try their seasonal cupcakes and themed treats to satisfy your sweet cravings. Pick up some of their unique candies in seasonal flavors including apple, pumpkin, candy corn and more! Bring in your little ghosts and ghouls this month for all treats and no tricks at Cook’s Sweet Boutique! 213 E. Chicago.

Fall Eat & Treat at the Dream Hall

Bring your little ones to the Dream Hall at 51 to show off their costumes or give some SPOOKS! They’ll have lots of free candy and coloring pages plus there will be games spread out on the patio including Corn Hole, Jenga and more. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from Dream Hall vendors. Saturday, October 30 from noon to 7pm.

Dia De Los Muertos Kids Day at Side Street Studio Arts

Join in the fun as Side Street Celebrates El Dia De Los Muertos. The day will be filled with fun Day of the Dead crafts and kids will learn a little bit about why this Mexican Holiday is so important, and different from Halloween. $5 suggested donation. Properly-worn masks are required in all Side Street spaces. 15 Ziegler Ct. Saturday, October 30 from Noon to 3pm.

Trick-or-Treat for PADS of Elgin with First Congregational Church 

October 7 through October 24 the Women’s Bible Study Group at First Congregational Church of Elgin will be hosting a special Trick-or-Treat themed Donation Collection, “Trick-or-Treat for Pads of Elgin”, to impact lives of kids, teens, and families in our community affected by Homelessness. The collection will benefit clients utilizing services at PADS of Elgin. (Public Action to Deliver Shelter). FCC Elgin will be collecting items from the PADS Needs List through October 24 in the Church Lobby located at 256 E. Chicago Street between 9am – 3pm Monday through Thursday, Fridays from 9am to Noon, and Sundays during Worship. More details including suggested donation items are available here.

We hope these spooky events will cater to your Halloween curiosity, and will entice you to participate in them yourself! Happy Halloween from Downtown Elgin!