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The Local Detour
OCTOBER 16–18 · CHICAGO SUBURBS

This Weekend, Sorted.

Glass pumpkins, fall festivals, rivalry football, live shows and a few easy free plans.

38PICKS
19FREE + CHEAP
19TICKETED
DETOUR OF THE WEEK Westmont Wicked West Fest: Trick-or-Treat Trail & Casket Race Westmont · Saturday

Hi Neighbors,

We picked 38 suburban plans for October 16–18, from Westmont’s homemade casket races and Oswego’s lantern parade to live music and kid-friendly Halloween outings.

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Five Worth Leaving the House For

01
DETOUR OF THE WEEK

Westmont Wicked West Fest: Trick-or-Treat Trail & Casket Race

SATURDAY · Saturday 10:15 AM–1 PM; casket race about 12:30 PM · Westmont · Free to watch trail and race; casket race team entry separately costs $25
FREE / CHEAPFAMILYDATE NIGHTWestmont

A downtown trick-or-treat trail turns into a homemade casket race on Cass Avenue.

Best forFamilies who want free candy plus something unusual
Why goA downtown trick-or-treat trail turns into a homemade casket race on Cass Avenue.
Know before you go: Racers pay an entry fee; spectators can watch free. Organizer controls 12:30 PM race time.
02FREE / CHEAPOswego

Oswego Lantern Festival & Night Market

SATURDAY · Saturday Fall Night Market 6–9 PM; lantern procession after dark (specific departure unconfirmed) · Oswego · Free public parade/market entry; food and purchases extra
FREE / CHEAPFAMILYDATE NIGHTLIVE MUSIC

Neighbors carry handmade glowing lanterns from the library toward a Fox River night market with makers and music.

Best forFamilies or couples who want something genuinely new
Why goNeighbors carry handmade glowing lanterns from the library toward a Fox River night market with makers and music.
Know before you go: Night market 6–9 PM; parade departure time is not yet specified by Village. Do not promise a fixed procession start.
03FREE / CHEAPWest Chicago

Sonny Acres Fall Festival

FRIDAY–SUNDAY · Fri–Sat 10 AM–10 PM; Sun 10 AM–9 PM · West Chicago · $10 admission Friday–Sunday for ages 13+; ages 12 and under free; parking free; rides/attractions extra
FREE / CHEAPFAMILYDATE NIGHTLIVE MUSIC

A farm-scale fall festival pairs seasonal treats with carnival rides and separately ticketed haunted experiences.

Best forFamilies and adults who want a large fall outing
Why goA farm-scale fall festival pairs seasonal treats with carnival rides and separately ticketed haunted experiences.
Know before you go: Friday–Sunday entry is NOT free for ages 13+; rides and haunts cost more.
04TICKETEDNaperville

Candlelight: A Tribute to The Beatles

FRIDAY · Friday 6:30 PM · Naperville · Zone B $57 or Zone A $71 plus fees in Oct. 16 selector; lower zones sold out when checked
DATE NIGHTLIVE MUSIC

A string quartet revisits Beatles songs inside Wentz Concert Hall by candlelight.

Best forAdults who want a familiar Beatles night with a different sound
Why goA string quartet revisits Beatles songs inside Wentz Concert Hall by candlelight.
Know before you go: Tickets and zones can change at checkout; age 8+, under 16 with adult.
05TICKETEDLisle

Plant Bingo at the Morton Arboretum

SATURDAY · Saturday 5–8 PM · Lisle · $25 members / $30 nonmembers; Arboretum admission included
DATE NIGHT

Plant-themed bingo trades ordinary number prizes for botanical rewards inside the Arboretum.

Best forFriends and couples who like game night with a twist
Why goPlant-themed bingo trades ordinary number prizes for botanical rewards inside the Arboretum.
Know before you go: Ages 21+; 5 PM cocktails, bingo at 6 PM. Tickets include Arboretum admission.
THE FULL GUIDE

More Plans, Organized by Day

The featured five stay up top. Everything else is organized by day below.

Want this list before Friday next week? Get the Thursday email →
OCT
16

Friday

Also featured above: Sonny Acres Fall Festival, Candlelight: A Tribute to The Beatles

FREE + CHEAP
7 free/cheap choices.
7 PICKS

Pumpkin Night Hike for Families

FREE / CHEAPFAMILYOak Brook
5:30–9 PM; last hike departs 7:30 PM · $10 ages 3+; ages 0–2 free · Oak Brook

Boos at the Bridge

FREE / CHEAPDATE NIGHTOswego
6–10 PM · $10 no-drink admission; $25 advance drink package or $30 door · Oswego

Prairie Star Quilt Guild 2026 Quilt Show

FREE / CHEAPFAMILYWheaton
Fri 9 AM–5 PM; Sat 9 AM–4 PM · $10 admission; cash or check per organizer · Wheaton

LOTUS Illuminated Art Installation

FREE / CHEAPFAMILYDATE NIGHTNaperville
After sunset to 10 PM nightly · Free public viewing · Naperville

Ghoulish Glow Golf

FREE / CHEAPFAMILYDATE NIGHTGlen Ellyn
Friday 6–11 PM · $12 per person walk-up; weather permitting · Glen Ellyn

Boo Bash at ARC Center

FREE / CHEAPFAMILYWest Chicago
Friday 5:30–8:30 PM · $12 resident child advance / $15 nonresident or walk-up where available; adults free · West Chicago

Haunted Library

FREE / CHEAPFAMILYGlen Ellyn
Friday 6–8 PM · Free Halloween library program; no ticket price listed · Glen Ellyn
TICKETED + HIGHER COST
5 ticketed choices.
5 PICKS

Boos & Clues Halloween Scavenger Hunt

DATE NIGHTNaperville
6–10 PM; check-in 6–6:30 PM · $35 per person; optional purchases extra · Naperville

Greg Fitzsimmons at The Comedy Vault

DATE NIGHTBatavia
Fri–Sat 7 PM & 9:30 PM sets · $31 general admission; 21+; two-item minimum · Batavia

Buddy Guy 90

DATE NIGHTLIVE MUSICJoliet
7:30 PM; doors 6:30 PM · Tickets from $49 plus fees · Joliet

The Addams Family Musical

FAMILYNaperville
Fri–Sat 7:30 PM; Sun 2 PM · Ticketed; current seats and prices vary · Naperville

Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen

DATE NIGHTLIVE MUSICNaperville
Friday 8:45 PM · Zone D $34.50 or Zone A $57 plus fees in Oct. 16 selector; other zones may be sold out · Naperville
OCT
17

Saturday

Also featured above: Westmont Wicked West Fest: Trick-or-Treat Trail & Casket Race, Oswego Lantern Festival & Night Market, Sonny Acres Fall Festival, Plant Bingo at the Morton Arboretum

FREE + CHEAP
10 free/cheap choices.
10 PICKS

Pumpkin Night Hike for Families

FREE / CHEAPFAMILYOak Brook
5:30–9 PM; last hike departs 7:30 PM · $10 ages 3+; ages 0–2 free · Oak Brook

Witches Night Out

FREE / CHEAPDATE NIGHTBatavia
5–8:30 PM · Free to browse; tarot readings/workshop/purchases extra · Batavia

Trunk or Treat and Monster Mash Dance Party

FREE / CHEAPFAMILYLa Grange Park
5–6:30 PM (library event; chamber lists until 7 PM) · Free · La Grange Park

Downtown Downers Grove Market — Season Finale

FREE / CHEAPDowners Grove
7 AM–12:30 PM · Free entry; purchases extra · Downers Grove

Wasco Nursery Fall Fest

FREE / CHEAPSt. Charles
Sat 9 AM–4 PM; Sun 10 AM–3 PM · Free admission; food and shopping extra · St. Charles

Blackberry Farm Trick-or-Treat

FREE / CHEAPFAMILYAurora
11 AM–3 PM · $11 per person age 1+; trick-or-treat included · Aurora

Festival of Arts & Crafts

FREE / CHEAPFAMILYGeneva
Sat–Sun 10 AM–4 PM; music 1–3 PM · $5 admission; ages 11 and under free; free parking · Geneva

Prairie Star Quilt Guild 2026 Quilt Show

FREE / CHEAPFAMILYWheaton
Fri 9 AM–5 PM; Sat 9 AM–4 PM · $10 admission; cash or check per organizer · Wheaton

Trick-or-Treat at Naperville Safety Town

FREE / CHEAPFAMILYNaperville
9:30 AM–12:30 PM · $15 donation per family plus one shelf-stable food item; $16.88 including listed ticket fees · Naperville

LOTUS Illuminated Art Installation

FREE / CHEAPFAMILYDATE NIGHTNaperville
After sunset to 10 PM nightly · Free public viewing · Naperville
TICKETED + HIGHER COST
11 ticketed choices.
11 PICKS

Memorial Park After Dark

Wheaton
5–8:30 PM · $25 general admission advance; $30 day-of; bourbon tasting upgrade extra; 21+ · Wheaton

Cantigny 5K Run & Walk

Wheaton
5K starts 9 AM; kids runs afterward · $30 5K through Oct 15; $45 on-site Oct 16–17; kids runs $5 · Wheaton

Greg Fitzsimmons at The Comedy Vault

DATE NIGHTBatavia
Fri–Sat 7 PM & 9:30 PM sets · $31 general admission; 21+; two-item minimum · Batavia

Laughter on the 23rd Floor

Batavia
Sat 7:30 PM; Sun 2:30 PM · $23 adults; $18 seniors 65+/children 13 and under · Batavia

Dogstar: All in Now Tour

DATE NIGHTLIVE MUSICAurora
8–10 PM · Ticketed; current prices vary by seat · Aurora

DuPage Symphony: Brahms and Beyond

DATE NIGHTLIVE MUSICNaperville
7:30 PM · $12–$50 tickets by seat according to local arts listing · Naperville

The Barricade Boys: Broadway at the Movies

DATE NIGHTLIVE MUSICGlen Ellyn
7:30 PM · $60–$70 by seating section · Glen Ellyn

Oak + Bean Fall Wine Fest

Oswego
VIP 4–7 PM; GA 5–7 PM · $55 GA; $65 VIP; $25 designated driver; fees possible · Oswego

The Addams Family Musical

FAMILYNaperville
Fri–Sat 7:30 PM; Sun 2 PM · Ticketed; current seats and prices vary · Naperville

Wuthering Heights Walking Play

DATE NIGHTLisle
4 PM start; approximately 90 minutes · $27 adult/$17 child; members $17/$7; under age 2 free · Lisle

Monster Madness

FAMILYLisle
Saturday 3–6 PM · $20 advance child wristband ages 2–10; $25 at event if available; adults free · Lisle
OCT
18

Sunday

Also featured above: Sonny Acres Fall Festival

FREE + CHEAP
5 free/cheap choices.
5 PICKS

Montgomery Halloween Safety Event

FREE / CHEAPFAMILYMontgomery
10 AM–2 PM · Free · Montgomery

Wasco Nursery Fall Fest

FREE / CHEAPSt. Charles
Sat 9 AM–4 PM; Sun 10 AM–3 PM · Free admission; food and shopping extra · St. Charles

Festival of Arts & Crafts

FREE / CHEAPFAMILYGeneva
Sat–Sun 10 AM–4 PM; music 1–3 PM · $5 admission; ages 11 and under free; free parking · Geneva

Ben Tatar Children’s Concert at Blackberry Farm

FREE / CHEAPLIVE MUSICAurora
1–1:45 PM; park open 11 AM–4 PM · $11 Blackberry Farm Pumpkin Weekends daily admission for guests 1+ (performance included); artist listing says free concert but does not waive farm gate · Aurora

LOTUS Illuminated Art Installation

FREE / CHEAPFAMILYDATE NIGHTNaperville
After sunset to 10 PM nightly · Free public viewing · Naperville
TICKETED + HIGHER COST
6 ticketed choices.
6 PICKS

Laughter on the 23rd Floor

Batavia
Sat 7:30 PM; Sun 2:30 PM · $23 adults; $18 seniors 65+/children 13 and under · Batavia

An Evening of Alton Brown

DATE NIGHTJoliet
7 PM; doors 6 PM · Tickets from $53 plus fees · Joliet

Halloween Hayride at Blackberry Farm

FAMILYAurora
5–6:30 PM · $11–$16 listed; confirm exact price at checkout · Aurora

The Addams Family Musical

FAMILYNaperville
Fri–Sat 7:30 PM; Sun 2 PM · Ticketed; current seats and prices vary · Naperville

Wuthering Heights Walking Play

DATE NIGHTLisle
4 PM start; approximately 90 minutes · $27 adult/$17 child; members $17/$7; under age 2 free · Lisle

Naperville Half Marathon, 10K & 5K

Naperville
Sunday start 7 AM; individual wave/event timing varies · Registration fee depends on half marathon / 10K / 5K distance; independent listing shows $55–$115 range; no fee for spectators · Naperville
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