Halloween Events and Activities for Kids in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond
Trick or Treat! All the Halloween fun for families in Champaign-Urbana
Halloween may be one day, but since Champaign-Urbana (ourselves included) is positively spellbound over this haunted holiday, we are ready to let the cackling, carving and candy craziness begin! We’ve got the lowdown on all the family-friendly Halloween events in the Champaign-Urbana area for 2021 and will be adding to this list regularly.
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Some of these events you can attend on the fly, but a few do require pre-registration, as noted below where applicable. Events are listed chronologically by start date. Some recurring events are shown multiple times on multiple days. We will keep adding events as they are announced, so check back often. Click on the links for more information on each event.
Have we missed any events? Let us know – submit your event HERE and check back often to see what we’ve added.
Happy Haunting from Chambanamoms!
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Artsy Smartsy Kids | Craft Activity Kit Pickup | Paper Bag Haunted House
Time – All Day – Champaign Public Library
Create a new craft at home! Pick up your activity kit at the Main Library Children’s Desk beginning at 9 am. Artsy Smartsy Kids activity kits are available the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month and are designed especially for school-age kids, 1st through 5th grade. Artsy Smartsy Kids…read more…
Friday, October 15, 2021
Boo at the Zoo
Time – 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm – Scovill Zoo
Come and enjoy this family tradition the last two weekends of October. You can support the Scovill Zoo while collecting treats, enjoying the decorations, spinning on the carousel, and howling during a spooky (non-extended) train ride. Admission fees apply.
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Halloween Hunt
Time – 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm – First Baptist Church at Savoy
Grab your family and your friends to stop by FBC to grab a map, clues and swag bag for this Halloween adventure! Hidden around town are friends who are waiting to play some games, hand out candy and help you enter to win a grand prize. Groups must find and…read more…
Boo at the Zoo
Time – 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm – Scovill Zoo
Come and enjoy this family tradition the last two weekends of October. You can support the Scovill Zoo while collecting treats, enjoying the decorations, spinning on the carousel, and howling during a spooky (non-extended) train ride. Admission fees apply.
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Boo at the Zoo
Time – 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm – Scovill Zoo
Come and enjoy this family tradition the last two weekends of October. You can support the Scovill Zoo while collecting treats, enjoying the decorations, spinning on the carousel, and howling during a spooky (non-extended) train ride. Admission fees apply.
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Deadline for Dropping Off Halloween Costumes for Drive and Giveaway
Time – All Day – Douglass Community Center
September 20 - October 20: You can drop off your used halloween costumes at any Champaign Park District facility. GIVEAWAY (Registration is required): Sat, October 23, 10a-Noon, Douglass Community Center Less than bewitched by last year’s Halloween outfits? Creating closet room for a new costume? Donate your old threads and…read more…
Thursday, October 21, 2021
Boo at the Zoo
Time – 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm – Scovill Zoo
Come and enjoy this family tradition the last two weekends of October. You can support the Scovill Zoo while collecting treats, enjoying the decorations, spinning on the carousel, and howling during a spooky (non-extended) train ride. Admission fees apply.
Friday, October 22, 2021
Spooky Outdoor Decor Contest - Deadline to Enter
Time – All Day –
Champaign Park District wants to see you get spectacularly spooky with your outdoor décor this year! Decorate your yard or patio and email a picture for a chance to win our décor contest. The criteria will be based on creative use of lights, yard decoration placement, storyline and/ or theme,…read more…
Halloween Fun in the Mabery Gelvin Garden (behind Museum of the Grand Prairie in Lake of the Woods)
Time – 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm – Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve3
Halloween is right around the corner! Put on your costume (or not!) and come to the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens right behind Museum of the Grand Prairie for Halloween fun! They will have a scavenger hunt around the garden to find Halloween decorations, Halloween crafts to complete, and sidewalk chalk…read more…
Boo at the Zoo
Time – 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm – Scovill Zoo
Come and enjoy this family tradition the last two weekends of October. You can support the Scovill Zoo while collecting treats, enjoying the decorations, spinning on the carousel, and howling during a spooky (non-extended) train ride. Admission fees apply.
Farmer City Haunted Forest
Time – 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm – Salt Creek Area Camping at South Park in Farmer City, IL
Bring your flashlights and come out for a hayrack ride in the Haunted Forest through the Salt Creek Area 21 Campsites in Farmer City, IL!
Saturday, October 23, 2021
Halloween Costume Drive and Giveaway (Registration Required)
Time – 10:00 am - 12:00 pm – Douglass Community Center
September 20 - October 20: You can drop off your used halloween costumes at any Champaign Park District facility. GIVEAWAY (Registration is required): Sat, October 23, 10a-Noon, Douglass Community Center Less than bewitched by last year’s Halloween outfits? Creating closet room for a new costume? Donate your old threads and…read more…
Boo at the Zoo
Time – 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm – Scovill Zoo
Come and enjoy this family tradition the last two weekends of October. You can support the Scovill Zoo while collecting treats, enjoying the decorations, spinning on the carousel, and howling during a spooky (non-extended) train ride. Admission fees apply.
Farmer City Haunted Forest: Family-Friendly Matinee Hours
Time – 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm – Salt Creek Area Camping at South Park in Farmer City, IL
Come out for a family-friendly hayrack ride in the Haunted Forest through the Salt Creek Area 21 Campsites in Farmer City, IL! This is the *matinee* version of the hayrack ride and involves a costume contest, too!
Farmer City Haunted Forest
Time – 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm – Salt Creek Area Camping at South Park in Farmer City, IL
Bring your flashlights and come out for a hayrack ride in the Haunted Forest through the Salt Creek Area 21 Campsites in Farmer City, IL!
Sunday, October 24, 2021
Candypalooza
Time – 10:45 am - 12:00 pm – First Baptist Church in Savoy
Join FBC for their Candypalooza weekend in FBC Rooted Kids! Come dressed in a fun costume and leave with candy. Don't miss this special service! This event is sponsored by First Baptist Church at Savoy. Visit the event on Facebook here.
Boo at the Zoo
Time – 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm – Scovill Zoo
Come and enjoy this family tradition the last two weekends of October. You can support the Scovill Zoo while collecting treats, enjoying the decorations, spinning on the carousel, and howling during a spooky (non-extended) train ride. Admission fees apply.
Monday, October 25, 2021
Halloween Booktacular Giveaway at Champaign Public Library
Time – All Day – Champaign Public Library
Celebrate Halloween and autumn with a book treat! Kids can choose one free book to take home and keep by visiting the Main Library's Children’s Desk or the Douglass Branch from Monday, October 25 – Sunday, October 31 during open hours. Halloween and autumn-themed books will be available. Main Library…read more…
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Halloween Masquerade Car Parade
Time – 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm – Marketplace Mall
Wednesday, October 27 (rain date Thursday, October 28) Market Place Mall Parade Start: 5:30p | Trunk or Treat: 6-8p A Partnership with Champaign Park District, Urbana Park District and Market Place Mall brings you the Halloween Masquerade Car Parade and Trunk or Treat! Register to costume your car for Halloween…read more…
Thursday, October 28, 2021
Artsy Smartsy Kids | Craft Activity Kit Pickup | Paper Pumpkin Lanterns
Time – All Day – Champaign Public Library
Create a new craft at home! Pick up your activity kit at the Main Library Children’s Desk beginning at 9 am. Artsy Smartsy Kids activity kits are available the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month and are designed especially for school-age kids, 1st through 5th grade. Artsy Smartsy Kids…read more…
Boo at the Zoo
Time – 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm – Scovill Zoo
Come and enjoy this family tradition the last two weekends of October. You can support the Scovill Zoo while collecting treats, enjoying the decorations, spinning on the carousel, and howling during a spooky (non-extended) train ride. Admission fees apply.
Friday, October 29, 2021
Boo at the Zoo
Time – 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm – Scovill Zoo
Come and enjoy this family tradition the last two weekends of October. You can support the Scovill Zoo while collecting treats, enjoying the decorations, spinning on the carousel, and howling during a spooky (non-extended) train ride. Admission fees apply.
Farmer City Haunted Forest
Time – 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm – Salt Creek Area Camping at South Park in Farmer City, IL
Bring your flashlights and come out for a hayrack ride in the Haunted Forest through the Salt Creek Area 21 Campsites in Farmer City, IL!
Saturday, October 30, 2021
Nightmare on Grove Street | Pre-registration Required
Time – 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm – Douglass Community Center
Come to Douglass Park for their annual Halloween party! Enjoy activities, free candy giveaway, and more! This is a free event for all ages.
Book or Treat
Time – 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm – Mahomet Public Library
OCTOBER 30, 2021, 1:00 PM TO 5:00 PM AGES: 0-12 Mahomet Public Library's annual Book or Treat event is back! Stop by the library in your Halloween costume and pick up a goodie bag from Maura. (Any guesses about her costume this year?) Participants at in-person library programs must follow the library’s COVID-19…read more…
Boo at the Zoo
Time – 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm – Scovill Zoo
Come and enjoy this family tradition the last two weekends of October. You can support the Scovill Zoo while collecting treats, enjoying the decorations, spinning on the carousel, and howling during a spooky (non-extended) train ride. Admission fees apply.
Farmer City Haunted Forest: Family-Friendly Matinee Hours
Time – 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm – Salt Creek Area Camping at South Park in Farmer City, IL
Come out for a family-friendly hayrack ride in the Haunted Forest through the Salt Creek Area 21 Campsites in Farmer City, IL! This is the *matinee* version of the hayrack ride and involves a costume contest, too!
Tolono Halloween Parade and Trunk or Treat
Time – 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm – West Side Park
Head out to Tolono for a Halloween Parade on October 30. Steps off at 3 pm with lineup at 2:45. Dress in costume! After the parade trunk-or-treating will happen again at West Side Park. For more information follow the Tolono Fun Days page on Facebook.
Farmer City Haunted Forest
Time – 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm – Salt Creek Area Camping at South Park in Farmer City, IL
Bring your flashlights and come out for a hayrack ride in the Haunted Forest through the Salt Creek Area 21 Campsites in Farmer City, IL!
Sunday, October 31, 2021
Halloween Costume Contest - Virtual - Deadline to Enter
Time – All Day –
Show off your awesome costumes – VIRTUALLY! Get creative and submit your best DIY or store bought Halloween costumes. *Pictures may be featured on the Champaign Park District website or social media platforms. Eligibility & Rules: All Champaign County residents are eligible to enter the contest. Entries will be accepted…read more…
Boo at the Zoo
Time – 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm – Scovill Zoo
Come and enjoy this family tradition the last two weekends of October. You can support the Scovill Zoo while collecting treats, enjoying the decorations, spinning on the carousel, and howling during a spooky (non-extended) train ride. Admission fees apply.
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