The Glen Ellyn Park District is hosting nine fall events between Thursday, Oct. 22, and Saturday, Nov. 7.
The slate, listed by Shaw Local and the park district, spans Halloween staples and a free Día de los Muertos celebration. Most events require registration at gepark.org.
The Ackerman Haunted Trail opens Oct. 22 and Friday, Oct. 23, from 4 to 9 p.m. at Ackerman Park, 800 St. Charles Road. The 10-minute walk is tamer from 4 to 6 p.m., with full scares after 6 p.m. Anyone older than 3 must register. The fee is $7 per person.
Saturday, Oct. 24, brings two events to the Ackerman campus. The Boo Bash runs noon to 1:30 p.m. with trick-or-treating, snacks and a pumpkin to take home. It is open to children ages 2–10 with an adult, at $15 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. The Autumn Craft Fair fills the Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center from noon to 4 p.m. with more than 30 local artisans. Admission is free.
Trunk or Treat at Main Street takes over the Main Street Recreation Center, 501 Hill Ave., on Monday, Oct. 26, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The free event includes decorated trunks, treats and a pumpkin carving station. No registration is required. Attendees can bring baby and children's items for a donation drive benefiting Share Our Spare, a nonprofit that provides essentials to families across the Chicago area. Carved pumpkins enter the Pumpkins on Main Carving Contest, displayed outside the recreation center through Oct. 31. Prizes include a $25 park district gift certificate and free mini golf at Holes & Knolls. Drop-off is Oct. 26 or Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Tween Hallow's Eve Silent Disco brings wireless headphones and a costume contest to the Lake Ellyn Boathouse, 645 Lenox Road, on Friday, Oct. 30, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Ages 9–12. The fee is $25 for residents and $30 for nonresidents.
On Monday, Nov. 2, the park district hosts a free Celebración de Día de los Muertos at the Spring Avenue Recreation Center, 185 Spring Ave., from 5 to 7 p.m. Activities include crafts, sugar skull face painting, music and building a community ofrenda. Families can bring a photo and a favorite food of a loved one to add to the display.
The Autumn Masquerade on Friday, Nov. 6, moves to Abbington Distinctive Banquets, 3S002 Route 53, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Children ages 3–11 and their adults dance under black lights with a DJ, photo booth and ice cream sundae bar. The fee is $37 for residents and $50 for nonresidents.
The run wraps Saturday, Nov. 7, with the Pumpkin Smash at Village Green Park, 130 S. Lambert Road, from 9 to 11 a.m. Pumpkins must be weighed and cleared of all decorations, candles and paint before smashing. Participants who want to smash should bring a bat or shovel. The event is free with no registration required.
Glen Ellyn's recommended trick-or-treat hours are 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, according to the village's Halloween page.
