October 2025 Community Calendar of Events for Lake County: It’s a Scary Good Time This Month!

Oct 1, 2025

It’s officially October! We’re so excited to announce that we’re back with yet another Community Calendar of Events in Lake County, this time with a little spooky twist. We’ve got plenty of Oktoberfests, fall festivals, and halloween themed fun this month. From tours to pumpkin picking to costume contests and more, you’ll have a scary good time with your friends and family at these amazing events.

Come on down to Romney Brown Candle Company in Grayslake on Friday October 3rd at 6PM to 8PM for “Candles and Cannolis” fall workshop! Seating is limited so you must purchase your tickets in advance!

Hawthorn is hosting the “Autumn Nights Pop-Up Market” at Hawthorn Row featuring the Mama Mia Food Truck and live music by Ghostfyre from 4PM to 8PM on October 3rd. Local artisans and makers will be selling their wares as well as a live glass blowing and DIY art kits!

Lambs Farm is hosting “Fall on the Farm” for families on October 4th from 10AM to 4PM in Libertyville. Enjoy barrel train rides, touch-a-tractor, festive arts and crafts, games, autumnal snacks, and more!

Romney Brown Candle Company in Grayslake is having a busy month of October with Saturday October 6th hosting “Hocus Pocus 2” Candle Making and movie night from 6PM to 8PM with custom candle, themed topper, pizza, and a movie.

Enjoy an afternoon of early Halloween fun at the Jewett Park Community Center in Deerfield. Come on down from 1PM to 3PM and enjoy Spooky Ceramics class at Jewett Park on October 4th. Sculpt clay and create seasonal crafting fun! Children aged 6 and up are encouraged to attend. Registration is required.

The Annual CLF Fall Festival is happening this year in Antioch on October 4th from 12PM to 4PM. Enjoy a climbing wall, inflatables, food and drink, family friendly games and activities, and a car show!

The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival is running from Thursday October 2nd through Sunday October 5th at Downtown Highwood in Highland Park. Enjoy pumpkin carvings, pets and kids costume contests, trick or treating, pumpkin pie eating contests and much more!

The Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake is hosting the Festival of Arts and Crafts from Friday October 3rd through Sunday October 5th (hours vary). Come and shop artisanal goods and one-of-a-kind artworks. You’ll only find hand-crafted, artisanal made items here – no MLMs and prefab junk!

Head over to Ingleside from 10AM to 3PM on Sunday October 5th for the Fall Festival Sponsored by Grant Township and Village of Fox Lake for some good ol’ fashion family-friendly autumnal fun! This event is free and open to the public!

The annual Oktoberfest Weekend Celebration is happening At Buffalo Creek Brewing from Friday October 3rd through Monday October 7th in Long Grove.

Scarecrow Fest is coming to Century Park Pavillion in Vernon Hills on October 9th from 4PM to 5:30PM. Decorate and build your own scarecrow with family and friends! Please register in advance to participate.

It’s a Witches Night Out at Hawthorn Mall from 4Pm to 7:30PM on October 10th! Enjoy a magical vendor market, mystical workshops, live music, and more halloween-themed fun! Sweet treats and specialty drinks will be offered by retailers and restaurants.

Halloween Fall Fest is happening on October 22th from 1PM to 4PM in Gurnee at the Hunt Club Park Community Center. Enjoy halloween-themed activities, a trick-or-treat path, carnival rides and games, arts and crafts, entertainment, a hayride, and more.

Hawthorn will be hosting a special Hispanic Heritage Celebration in Vernon Hills on Saturday October 11th from 12PM to 2PM called “Celebra La Cultura!” featuring latin dance, hands-on crafts, mask making, lino printing, and more. There will also be Hispanic-owned vendors selling unique goods. Event is free to the public!

The Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade and Expo is coming to Lake Zurich at Staples PArk on Saturday October 11th from 10AM to 1PM. The doggy parade begins at 11AM and will have a costume contest, photo booth, and more. Enjoy pet vendors, food trucks, pet talk lectures, and animal adoption! Preregistration is recommended.

Enjoy a spooky good time at the Antioch Ghost Tour on October 11th from 6PM to 10PM in the Village of Antioch. Explore local legends and learn all about the spooky history of the community! Space is limited so register early!

It’s time for the Pumpkin Jubilee in Fox Lake at Lakefront Park on Sunday October 12th from 12PM to 3PM. Enjoy artisan vendors, live music, food vendors and drinks, a kids costume contest, and pumpkin carving!

Wauktober Family Fall Festival is back in Downtown Waukegan from 2PM to 7PM on OCtober 18th! This family friendly event is free and welcome to all to attend. Enjoy performers, live entertainment, a beer garden, costume contests, petting zoo, food trucks, and so much more. Register ahead of time for a free Trick or Treat Bag!

The Edward L Ryerson Conservation Area is hosting Halloween Hikes on Friday October 24th and Saturday October 25th in Riverwoods. Events are 90 minutes long and include a guided walk with (weather permitting) a halloween inspired campfire while enjoying apple cider and a donut. All family members are welcome, everyone including children 3 and under must register. This event is very popular so make sure that you register ASAP.

Romney Brown Candle Company is knocking it out of the park with spooky fun this month. On Saturday October 25th from 6PM to 8:30PM, enjoy the Halloween Reboot and custom candle making movie night! Create your own custom candle, enjoy a themed topper and label, and enjoy pizza while watching a scary movie.

Save-A-Pet is hosting “Fall Festivities” at Richardson Farm in Spring Grove from 12PM to 2PM. Enjoy wagon rides, pumpkin patch, slides and activities, farm animals, and more. Tickets required for all aged 3 and up to adults.