During the fall, tis the season to be spooky. That's why after all of the ghosts and goblins (or spooks) have headed to bed, you can indulge in some spirits around Lake County. Continue here to learn more. Also continue here for our trick or treat hours for your little creepy crawlers.
I'll shut up and let you know where all of the Spooky events in Lake County are popping off!
Haunted Houses
Dungeon of Doom
You may be wondering, what’s going on in the old Briquette Factory in Zion. Well the award-winning Dungeon of Doom Haunted House has moved there. This place is notorious in their reputation in having an extremely bone-chilling, wild-ride in Lake County. There is an underground feel to this space, and they are prepared to scare the living daylights out of you. 
Fright Fest Haunted Houses
Gates of Hell This is the home of Nox; the sworn leader of all things sinister in Six Flag Great America’s Fright Fest. He has placed his most tortured souls here and challenged them with the task of capturing more souls for his collection. It all takes a terrible turn in the House of Terror. Stand before the Gates of Hell and brace yourself for Fright Fest’s largest haunt ever!
Apocalypse: Zombie Experience
This brand new refugee camp from the zombie outbreak has been overrun. If you were expeting to take refuge, you were sadly mistaken. For an additional fee, you can grab a gun and do your part in destroying the zombie invaders to reclaim this camp. Apocalypse guns can be purchased at SF Outfitters. Both of these new rides are located in Mardi Gras
Big Top Terror – BRAND NEW
Located in the County Fair district – this house is no laughing matter. Take a stroll (or brisk walk if you’re a scaredy cat) through this insane Big Top sponsored by M&M’s. There’s no way you will have the same perspective on clowns. I know I won’t.
Investation! –BRAND NEW
Situated in the Southwest Territory where scary creatures like the Viper and the Raging Bull hang around, this is worse than what goes bump in the night. These scares are a collection of your greatest fears unleashed. Enter if you dare to this haunted house sponsored by Twix.
Massacre Medical Center
This decrepit hospital was rumored to be vacated of patients and doctors years ago following a great massacre. Passersby near the hospital recall eerie noises and inexplicable images in the building – begging the question… who or what lurks within?
Manslaughter Manor: Sadie’s Revenge
This manor, tucked away in the Southwest Hills, has the reputation for being cursed by the residents of Skull Valley. Do you dare enter?
Watch the video below of our trip through Six Flags Great America’s Fright Fest.
For more details about Fright Fest, continue here. The Spooky events in Lake County just keep going on throughout the Halloween season!
Carnival of Chaos House at Barefoot Bay
When I see this place, I just think of Pennywise from Stephen King’s book/movie, ‘It.’ This demented carnival has arrived with scare connoisseurs to terrify, disgust and amaze. This is also not a place for the faint of heart and for children ages 14 and over. The Realm of Terror Haunted House 
f you have been looking for the craziest, most intense, extreme Halloween experience, you have found it. The Realm of Terror is the Highest-Ever rated Haunted House in Illinois, having been named #1 Haunted House by HauntedIllinois.com and HauntedHouseChicago.com, and has been featured in HuffingtonPost, The Chicago Tribune, The Daily Herald, Chicago Sun Times, WGN News & Radio and more. Needless to say: Leave the Kids at home for this one. Open Sept. 30, Oct 1-2, 7-9, 14-16, 20-23, 27-31. We've moved our 2016 season. We are now haunting the Asylum in Antioch, IL! Come join us at our new haunt for this season's scares. We are still supporting The Buddy Foundation, so with any ticket purchase, please feel free to bring a canned or bagged pet food donation. See the website for promotions and discounts relating to pet food donations. VIP tickets also available to jump to front of the line. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Visit the website for discounts.
More Spooky Events in Lake County
Richardson Corn Maze
The featured attraction is the World's Largest Corn Maze, with 33 acres and 11 miles of trails. Explore the entire maze or just a short trail. Other attractions include: 50' tube slide, 50' tall observation tower, bridges, pedal carts, pumpkin patches, corn crib, goats, chickens and play area. Concessions and free wagon rides on weekends. Explore the maze at night by flashlight or moonlight. Wooded picnic area with free campfires. For big kids and grown-ups: zip line, Zorbing and brew pub. Reservations suggested for groups and for private picnic tables and campfires. The Birds @ Citadel Theatre
Everyone remembers the terrifying Alfred Hitchcock film, The Birds – which is an adaptation of the short story by Daphne Du Maurier. Tis the season to be spooked at the Citadel Theatre as the Lake Forest theatre gives you the live version of the movie. Take a journey through the unsettling look at human relationships in the face of societal collapse. Watch relentless birds take on the show’s protagonists Nat, Diane and Julie as they flee for shelter. The show runs till Sunday, October 30. GhostWauk Tours of the Genesee Theatre
The Genesee Theatre is proud to announce the return of our GhostWauk Tour - Tales of the Historic Genesee Theatre. This limited time tour will take guests on a walking tour inside the theater as they hear the true, and still to be verified, stories about what lives in The Genesee Theatre after the lights go dark. Tours will be held Wednesdays, October 12, 19 & 26. Each tour is limited to 20 guests so reservations are strongly suggested
October People Something Wicked in Waukegan Saturday, October 15; 4:30 - 8 p.m.
Celebrating the legacy of the native son Ray Bradbury with an exciting evening or performances of Something Wicked This Way Comes at downtown Waukegan locations. Pick up a map in front of the Carnegie Library for the list of all the venues exhibiting Something Wicked Scenes, from 5m-8pm, during the monthly ArtWauk.
Waukegan's 6th Annual ZombieWauk Saturday October 15; 5-10 p.m.
Come out for the Waukegan's ZombieWauk Metal on the Rocks. Stage, lights, with the area's most devastating metal acts live on stage in the streets of Downtown Waukegan. Downtown Waukegan overrun by flesh eating mutants, you have no reason to not show up to Metal on The Rocks this year. Bands include Everything Must Die, Wings of Severance, Escapist, Cereviscera, and more. There will also be food and beer vendors, face painting and more. Show is free and for all ages.
Ryerson Woods' Halloween Hikes October 21-22; 6-9:30 p.m.
Bring the family to this long standing tradition at Ryerson Woods and enjoy an evening on a guided walk along a candlelit trail. The hour long hike makes stops along the trail to watch nature-themed skits. At the end of the hike enjoy cider and donuts in front of a fire in a log cabin. This program isn't scary, so even preschoolers will have fun. This program is meant for individual families and not organized groups. Friday & Saturday. 90 minute event. One hour hikes begin every 30 minutes from 6–8 pm. Total distance walked is about 1.5 miles.
Haunted Halloween @ National Museum of the AMerican Sailor Saturday October 22; 1-4 p.m.
At the event, children can make Halloween crafts, get their face painted, decorate mini-pumpkins, and more! There will be an animal demonstration at 2:00 pm, including a tarantula and a fruit bat. Halloween costumes are encouraged. This event is free and open to the public.
Sunday Tours at the Gold Pyramid House
Come out and take a tour of the Gold Pyramid House on Sunday afternoons April
17 through October 23rd. The tours are usually 1-2 hours long. Visit King Tuts tomb, tour the inside of the pyramid, and discover exciting artifacts in the gift shop. Please arrive a little early to make sure the tour can start on time. Groups of 6 or more can call for private tours. Tours are scheduled for 2pm in April, May September & October and 11am & 2pm June through August.
Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns at Chicago Botanic Garden October 20-23; 6:30-10:30 p.m.
In a new Halloween event called Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns, more than 1,000 hand-carved pumpkins, some as large as 150 pounds, will light up the night at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Replacing HallowFest, Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns is the only event of its kind in the Chicago area. The LED-lit jack-o’-lanterns will be staged along a festive, paved pathway, starting at the Esplanade. Along the way, encounter entertaining characters, view the ghostly trains in the Model Railroad Garden: Landmarks of America, and find seasonal light food and drink, such as apple doughnuts, cider, and ale, for sale.
Long Grove Historical Society Ghost Walk Friday, October 28; 6:30-9 p.m.
The Long Grove Historical Society’s Annual Ghost Walk will be held Friday night, October 28th from 6:30pm to 9pm. The event is family friendly and involves a haunted 45 minute walk through the historic downtown. At about a half a dozen locations you'll stop for a few minutes to meet some characters from Long Grove's past. Some of their tales seem to jive pretty closely with real history, but other parts seem like they're lavishly embellished. Required donation of $5/adult and $3/child. Reservations are required and space is limited.
Zombie Laser Tag Nights Oct 21-29
Laser Tag will be taken to an awesome level for 2 weekends on in October. Come out on Friday and Saturday nights beginning October 21-22 & 28-29 and zap as many zombies as possible from 6pm-10pm. Our "zombies" may frighten younger guests. Parental guidance is requested. Regular laser tag admission price applies.
Guided Walking Tour - Ghost Tour @ Douglas House Oct28-29; 6-8 p.m.
Learn the haunted and strange stories of Waukegan's past on this guided tour. The tour starts outside of the Douglas House in Upton Park. The tour will cover 3 miles and will last 2 hours. Two tours are available, one Friday night and one Saturday night. Please pre-register for walking tours at waukeganparks.org, call the Jack Benny Center for the Arts at 847-360-4740 or visit the Jack Benny Center
Meet Svengoolie at Volo Auto Museum October 29
Come over to the Volo Auto Museum and enjoy a special appearance, Chicago's 
Horror Host, Svengoolie. Meet & greet Svengoolie and get a souvenir photo and autograph. Also enjoy a free Haunted Train Ride, first come first serve and weather permitting.
For more spooky events in Lake County, continue here
