Halloween in Evanston
It’s the season for tricks and treats, candy and costumes, and pumpkins and pumpkin pie. The closer we get to Halloween, the more events will be popping up all over town! This year your family can enjoy everything from a Fall Fest at the Farmers’ Market to a free Halloween Skate Party! Check out information for all of the events below and review the safety tips brought to you by the City of Evanston.
Bug-a-Boo Halloween Walk Oct. 22
This year’s theme is “Nightlife on the Canal.” The program is suitable for ages 2 and up and will be held at the Ecology Center and in the adjacent Ladd Arboretum.
This non-frightening Halloween event is hosted by the Evanston Ecology Center. Their annual Halloween event showcases nocturnal animals that can be found here in Evanston. Learn about these local critters and find out what they might be up to when you are sleeping! You’ll meet these characters (costumed volunteers) outside as you travel around the Ladd Arboretum; then you’ll enjoy snacks at the Ecology Center.
To avoid overcrowding or long waits, please pre-register for a specific start time between 4:00 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. This is a family program, so register all attending family members. This program lasts about one hour. The fee is $4.50 per person ($2.50 per person for Evanston Environmental Association members). 847/448-8256. Click here for more information about this event.
Class # Time
132115A1 4-5pm
132115B1 4:20-5:20pm
132115C1 4:40-5:40pm
132115D1 5-6pm
132115E1 5:20-6:20pm
132115F1 5:40-6:40pm
132115G1 6-7pm
132115H1 6:20-7:20pm
Preschool Halloween Party Oct. 28
Robert Crown Community Center will host a free party for preschoolers on Fri., Oct. 28. From 10:30am to noon (new time), there will be games and prizes, play time activities, professional face painting, balloons and more. Nutritious snacks will be served, and participants in costumes will be rewarded with treats to take home. For more information, call 847-448-8258 or click here.
Halloween "HallaDaze" Oct. 28
Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center hosts a free evening of fun, games and live entertainment with a 
magic show, spooky clowns, exotic balloons, face painting and refreshments. See if you can recognize the staff dressed in their costumes.
Evanston children age 4-12 are invited to drop by on Fri., Oct 28, from 6-8:30pm. The Center is located at 1655 Foster St. For more information, please call 847-448-8254 or click here.
Fall Fest at Farmers' Market Oct. 29
Join the farmers as they welcome autumn. Bring your children/grandchildren/relatives to paint their own pumpkins and receive goodie bags. All market visitors are welcome to guess the weight of Jack and Jill pumpkins. The winners get to take them home to grace their doorstep! 847/448-8138.
This event will take place at the Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market, University Place at Oak Avenue on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 7:30am to 1pm. Click here for more information.
Free Halloween Skate Oct. 31
Join us for a Halloween Skate on Robert Crown Center’s studio rink from 4:30-5:45pm on Mon., Oct. 31. Come in costume and both admission and skate rental will be free! The Center is located at 1701 Main St. 847/448-8258.
Halloween Trick or Treat Oct. 31
The City of Evanston's official trick or treating time is 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 31.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued safe tips for Trick or Treating this Halloween. Below are tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters and party guests.
Going trick-or-treating?
- Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
- Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
- Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
- Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.
- Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.
- Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation.
- Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
- Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
- Only walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
- Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
- Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the cook well.
- Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Otherwise, stay outside.
- Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.
Expecting trick-or-treaters or party guests?
- Provide healthier treats for trick-or-treaters, such as individual packs of raisins, trail mix, or pretzels. For party guests, offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, and cheeses.
- Use party games and trick-or-treat time as an opportunity for kids to get their daily dose of 60 minutes of physical activity.
- Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls.
- Keep candle-lit jack-o’-lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended.
- Remind drivers to watch out for trick-or-treaters and to drive safely.
- Follow these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for everyone!