October 1 – 31

• The Great Pumpkin Hunt
  • Location: Parks throughout Champaign & Urbana
  • Find hidden pumpkin and Halloween-themed rocks all month. Tag #CUpumpkinhunt on social media.

October 4

• Fall for Mahomet Festival
  • Time: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Location: Downtown Mahomet
  • Live music, pumpkin sales, food trucks, beer and wine, kids’ games, vendors, and community spirit.
• SPOOKY SPACE: Halloween Planetarium Show
  • Time: Oct. 4, 11, 18, Nov. 1; various times
  • Location: Staerkel Planetarium, Parkland College
  • Halloween-themed fulldome performance for all ages.

October 9

• Cornbelt Fire Protection District Open House
  • Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Location: 506 East Main Street, Mahomet
  • Free hot dogs & drinks, fire truck rides, bounce house, meet Brutus the Fire Dog, apparatus tours, Jr. Firefighter Combat Course.

October 10, 17, 31

• Fall Prairie Skies—Constellation Tour
  • Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Location: Staerkel Planetarium, Parkland College
  • Live-narrated stargazing and lore.

October 18

• Eerie Illinois
  • Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Location: Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods
  • S’mores, cryptid talks, hayrides, spooky fun, local vendors. FREE.
• Fall Family Festival at Stephens Family YMCA
  • Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Location: 2501 Fields South Drive, Champaign
  • FREE hot dog lunch first 1,000 guests, bounce houses, pumpkin decorating, face paint, Kona Ice. Costumes encouraged.
• Champaign County Republican Party Fall Festival
  • Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Location: Well’s Family Farm, Sidney
  • Barn dance, bonfire, country music, hayrack rides, s’mores.

October 19

• Harvest Fest & Touch-A-Truck
  • Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  • Location: Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods
  • Pumpkin carving, hayrack rides, apple peeling, hands-on truck display.
  • Pumpkin reservation required for $5.
• Whiskey Hike
  • Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  • Location: Buffalo Trace, Lake of the Woods
  • Guided autumn hike with whiskey tastings; kids attend free with parent ticket.

October 23

• Halloween Funfest at Market Place Mall
  • Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Location: Marketplace Mall
  • Trick-or-treating, games, activities, costume contest, all free.

October 24

• Mahomet Public Library: Teen After Hours Zombie Barbies
  • Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Spooky Barbie craft for grades 6–12.
• Laser Halloween Show
  • Time: Oct. 24, 25, 26; 6:30 PM – 7:10 PM
  • Location: Staerkel Planetarium, Parkland College
  • Holiday-themed laser shows. Tickets $12.

October 25

• Flannel Fest
  • Time: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Location: West Side Park, Champaign
  • Lumberjack shows, mustache contest, hot pepper challenge, live music, hayrack rides, inflatables, beer.
• CU Pride Fest
  • Celebrating LGBTQ+ and allies with parade, vendors, entertainment in Urbana.
• Hoot ‘N Howl: Middle Fork Halloween Fun
  • Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Location: Harry L. Swartz Campground, Middle Fork River Forest Preserve
  • Hayrack rides, costume contest with prizes, hands-on activities. FREE.
• Mahomet Public Library Book or Treat
  • Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Crafts, giveaways, costumes. Free book and goodie bag.
• Champaign Public Library Book Treat
  • Time: Oct. 25–31, during open hours
  • Kids pick out a free autumn/Halloween book at the Children’s Desk.

October 26

• Nightmare on Grove Street
  • Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Location: Douglass Community Center
  • Kids Halloween event with games and fun.

October 28

• Mahomet Public Library Adult Halloween Bingo
  • Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Bingo, prizes, costume contest for adults.

October 30

• Burgwald’s Trunk or Treat
  • Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Location: Downtown Mahomet, Main Street
  • Trick-or-treating from decorated car trunks hosted by area businesses.

October 31

• Village of Mahomet Trick or Treat
  • Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Rain or shine.
• St. Joseph Trick or Treat
  • Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Homer Community Library Trunk or Treat
  • Trick-or-treat fun for families.

---

November 1

• SPOOKY SPACE Planetarium Finale
  • Halloween-themed star show.

November 2

• Dia de los Muertos Celebration
  • Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Location: Martens Center, Champaign
  • Mexican cuisine, music, cultural activities, altars to honor loved ones.