Things To Do This Weekend October 11-13
By: Alexander Faerber 10/10/2019
Pumpkins being carved, scarecrows lining the streets, and dogs trick-or-treating are just some of the things you will find this weekend October 11-13!
If getting spooked is your thing, click here to have a scary good time at the top haunted attractions in Lake County. Continue here for the best selection of fall libations to kick off this Columbus Day weekend.
Itching for more autumn fun? Click here to keep up with the fall festivities going on in Lake County.
Here are the top 6 things to do this weekend October 11-13.
Carve out some time this weekend and head to the Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival for family fall fun. This festival is loaded with a variety of fall-themed activities, including a carnival, live tunes, hayrides, pony rides, pumpkin carving, a massive pumpkin display, nightly pumpkin lightings, a parade, the Superhero 5K/10K and other merriments. Unity the Band, Clayton Mann Band, Catfight, Cirrus Falcon and a heavy lineup of other musical acts provide the live entertainment. The annual Highwood fest sponsored by HGTV magazine takes a crack at breaking the world record for most pumpkins carved and lit at once.
Friday-Sunday, October 11-13; 7Fri. 4-11 p.m. Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Daily admission: $5. Other events may have certain admissions. Downtown Highwood, Highwood.
Design a jack-o-lantern and see just how many you can carve at the Fox Lake Pumpkin Jubilee. When you’re finished crafting your “gourd”geous creation, they’ll be lit and displayed on the pumpkin wall. The Lake County village aspires to light 300 of these orange fruits, so you have to hit the ground running. The event also features various delectable eats and beverages, live entertainment and an artisan market. The pumpkins cost $2, which includes carving materials. Your finished jack-o-lantern is available to take home the following day.
Saturday, October 12; 3-7 p.m. Admission: Free. Pumpkins: $2. Community Garden Green, 17 E. School Ct., Fox Lake.
Enter if you dare for Lake Zurich’s freaky Friday Trick-or-Tween Haunted Halloween event. The party gets underway as DJ The Great Boodini brings the beats that will have you out on the dance floor. There will be plenty of pizza to fill up even the hungriest of monsters, and guests will be playing a variety of tricky games. Be sure to dress for success and enter the costume contest for a variety of prizes. The Paulus Park Barn affair is a drop-off event for children ages nine-to-12 years old.
Friday, October 11; 7-9 p.m. Admission: $10-$12. Paulus Park Barn, 200 S. Rand Rd., Lake Zurich.
Visit Volo Bog at their Ghost Stories Plus event for an evening of spooktacular fun. The spooks and spirits event at the state’s lone quaking bog kicks off with tours of their “haunted woods.” Following the ghastly walk, gather around the stage as professional storyteller Anne Shimojima begins sharing spooky tales from the United States, Europe and Japan that are guaranteed to scare and delight. Autumn refreshments will be available for purchase in the visitor center, and guests are encouraged to pack a picnic dinner. This event is for critters age five and older to attend. Advance registration is required. Register by email at
[email protected] or call 815-344-1294.
Saturday, October 12; 5-9 p.m. Admission: $4-$6 (by check or cash only). Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Rd., Ingleside.
Unwind after a ruff week and bring your costumed four-legged friend to Mundelein’s annual Doggy Trick-or-Treat event. Strut your pup through the village’s community park and experience a variety of howl-o-ween-themed activities. In addition to the trick or treating and the costume fashion show, your canine can bob for weenies, scamper on an agility course, capture a photo-op in the booth, search for bones in the graveyard and more. Fare will be available for purchase at this event, and all dogs must be accompanied by an owner age 15 years and older.
Saturday, October 12; Noon-2 p.m. Admission: Free. Mundelein Park District’s Community Park, 1401 N. Midlothian Rd., Mundelein.
Craft and create your very own bird haunter at the Historic Downtown Long Grove at the annual DIY Scarecrow Day. The beloved autumnal event invites creative builders to construct a custom scarecrow that will be displayed around the historic village’s main street throughout their month-long Halloween Town. The Historic Downtown Long Grove Business District will provide participants with the basic structure for the scarecrows, bales of straw and building guidance. Attendees are encouraged to bring old clothing and accessories to decorate their creations. Leftover apparel will be donated.
Saturday, October 12; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Donation: $5. Historic Downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove.
For more things to do this weekend October 11-13, click here. For more information about the Spooks & Spirits Autumn Campaign, continue here.
