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 in fact be just 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 2026 and will be adding to this list regularly.
Chambanamoms thanks CU Dentists, Ltd. for presenting this guide
Trick or Treat! CU Dentists is proud to partner with Chambanamoms in celebration of this spooktacular time of year. CU Dentists is a General Dentistry practice that believes in providing quality care while maintaining a cheerful-friendly environment. They serve patients of all ages and take pride in going the extra mile to make sure their patients are comfortable and satisfied with treatment. Dr. Scott, Dr. Schorsch, and their entire dental team love the fun and joy that fall brings to kids and families alike. Best wishes for a safe and Happy Halloween!
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Some of these events you can attend on the fly, but a few 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.
More information on Halloween in Champaign-Urbana
Haunted Houses and Where to Get Scared | Where to Trunk or Treat in Champaign-Urbana | Champaign-Urbana Trick-or-Treat Hours | Halloween at Zoos near Champaign-Urbana | Spooky and Fun Halloween Yard Decor
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!
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Bump in the Night
Time – 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm – Champaign Public Library
Enjoy an afternoon of storytelling hosted by Theatre and Music Society. Free to attend, stories will become increasingly spooky as the event progresses. Enter if you dare!
Necrosis Haunted House Opening Night
Time – 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm – Necrosis Haunted House
Necrosis was named a Top Ten Haunted House (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) by HauntedIllinois.com. They enter their eighth season of fear in 2026 and invite you to experience the best show yet. Necrosis utilizes timed ticketing to reduce wait times and improve the customer experience. Tickets are time and…
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Candyland Family Adventure
Time – 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm – Douglass Community Center
Step into Candyland at Champaign Park District's sweet Halloween carnival! Play candy-themed games, make candy-themed crafts, and have candy-themed fun with the whole family! Free, no registration required.
Friday, October 9, 2026
Fall Carnival | Savoy Recreation Center | Registration Deadline 10/3
Time – 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm – Savoy Recreation Center
Come out before Halloween and give your costume a trial run. Children will enjoy music, carnival games, and more! Local businesses will be on hand decorating their own booths and providing goodies for the trick-or-treaters. Free Event! (registration required, deadline is Oct. 3rd) Event Date: October 9 Time: 5:00-7:00pm …
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Farmer City Haunted Forest | Sensory Friendly Day
Time – 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm – Salt Creek Area Camping at South Park in Farmer City, IL
A low‑stimulus event featuring a quiet barrel train ride, a bouncy house with reduced noise, and a variety of sensory‑friendly stations created to support children and adults who prefer a softer Halloween experience.
Scary Storytime in the Forest
Time – 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm – Salt Creek Area Camping at South Park in Farmer City, IL
Join this group in the Forest for a fun evening of roasting marshmallows and enjoying an interactive, kid-friendly Halloween story! The group will gather at the campground to read a few interactive tales and make s'mores. All supplies are provided. Attendance is free, but donations are welcome and encouraged. All…
Friday, October 16, 2026
Farmer City Haunted Forest Hayrack Ride | Opening Night
Time – 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm – Salt Creek Area Camping at South Park in Farmer City, IL
The Farmer City Haunted Forest is the area’s only outdoor haunted house, winding through the Salt Creek Campsites in South Park. With all-new decorations and eerie surprises, this seasonal scare-fest promises a chilling walk you won’t forget.
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Fall Family Festival at the Stephens Family YMCA
Time – 11:00 am - 1:00 pm – Stephens Family YMCA
Join the Stephens Family YMCA for a day filled with fun family activities! Lots of family-friendly activities! Lunch will be available for the first 1,000 people!
Farmer City Haunted Forest | Children's Matinee
Time – 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm – Salt Creek Area Camping at South Park in Farmer City, IL
Saturday afternoon Children's Matinee which offers a barrel train ride, costume contest, children's games, face painting, temporary tattoos, and lots more.
Hayrack Ride through the Farmer City Haunted Forest
Time – 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm – Salt Creek Area Camping at South Park in Farmer City, IL
The Farmer City Haunted Forest is the area’s only outdoor haunted house, winding through the Salt Creek Campsites in South Park. With all-new decorations and eerie surprises, this seasonal scare-fest promises a chilling walk you won’t forget.
Friday, October 23, 2026
Trunk or Treat at Brookdale
Time – 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm – Brookdale Senior Living
Brookdale's annual trunk or treat is an event you don't want to miss! It is FREE and open to ALL! The event will include trunk or treating, face painting, hot dogs, and games.
Hayrack Ride through the Farmer City Haunted Forest
Time – 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm – Salt Creek Area Camping at South Park in Farmer City, IL
The Farmer City Haunted Forest is the area’s only outdoor haunted house, winding through the Salt Creek Campsites in South Park. With all-new decorations and eerie surprises, this seasonal scare-fest promises a chilling walk you won’t forget.
Saturday, October 24, 2026
SENSORY-FRIENDLY Spooky Space
Time – 11:30 am - 12:30 pm – William M. Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College
Would you like to meet the stars of Halloween? And their terrible counterparts in space? Here is a fulldome show for the Halloween season. Produced by the Milwaukee Public Museum. Public Show Admission Adults: $8 Children (12 and under), seniors (65 and over), and Parkland students and staff: $7 Tickets…
Farmer City Haunted Forest | Children's Matinee
Time – 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm – Salt Creek Area Camping at South Park in Farmer City, IL
Saturday afternoon Children's Matinee which offers a barrel train ride, costume contest, children's games, face painting, temporary tattoos, and lots more.
Hayrack Ride through the Farmer City Haunted Forest
Time – 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm – Salt Creek Area Camping at South Park in Farmer City, IL
The Farmer City Haunted Forest is the area’s only outdoor haunted house, winding through the Salt Creek Campsites in South Park. With all-new decorations and eerie surprises, this seasonal scare-fest promises a chilling walk you won’t forget.
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Trunk-or-Treat at First United Methodist Church
Time – 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm – First United Methodist Church
Get in costume and come for trunk-or-treating and hot dogs in the parking lot of First United Methodist Church in downtown Champaign! Trunk-or-Treating will take place from 5:00 pm- 6:00 pm on Sunday, October 25. This event is free and open to the general public.
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Night of the Living Dead (1968) Film Screening & Book Event
Time – 7:00 pm – Virginia Theatre
TUE, OCT 27, 2026 Join in for a special film screening and book event sponsored by Illinois Public Media, the University of Illinois Alumni Association, and Champaign Park District. Featuring: Daniel Kraus, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and author of Partially Devoured: How Night of the Living Dead Saved My Life and Changed the World Not Rated 96 Min…
Thursday, October 29, 2026
Glow in the Park | 16+
Time – 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm – Meadowbrook Park
Glow in the Park Rock Hunt Ages 16+ Price: $3 ($6 at the door if tickets are available) When the sun goes down, the hunt begins! Use a blacklight flashlight and join us for a Halloween rock hunt in teh park. Search the shadows for glowing treasures hidden throughout the…
Friday, October 30, 2026
Illini Women's Soccer vs. Minnesota | Halloween Match
Time – 6:00 pm – Demirjian Park
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Soccer team as they take on Minnesota on Friday, October 30 at 6pm. Halloween Match - Wear your best costume to Demirjian Park as Illinois Soccer celebrates Halloween! Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Farmer City Haunted Forest Walk-Through
Time – 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm – Salt Creek Area Camping at South Park in Farmer City, IL
The Farmer City Haunted Forest is the area’s only outdoor haunted house, winding through the Salt Creek Campsites in South Park. With all-new decorations and eerie surprises, this seasonal scare-fest promises a chilling walk you won’t forget.
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Mystical Bees- Halloween at The Hive, A Walk Through Experience | Tickets Required
Time – 11:00 am - 2:00 pm – The Hive Honey Beetique
Part of the Bee-Witched Workshop Series at The Hive Workshop Note: This is a free experience, tickets are required due to limited space. On Halloween, The Hive Workshop becomes a place of wonder as guests are invited to explore the mysterious and magical world of bees! This free walk-through experience…
Howl-o-ween at Champaign Public Library
Time – 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm – Champaign Public Library
Come out for an afternoon of Halloween fun with crafts, games, and activities! Plus take home a free book as a special treat! Costumes and kids of all ages are welcome. For more information: Champaign Public Library 200 W Green Street, Champaign 217-403-2000 For all events at the library: champaign.org/events
Trick or Treat Walk in the Forest
Time – 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm – Salt Creek Area Camping at South Park in Farmer City, IL
HELP! We were preparing for trick-or-treating when the monsters stole all the candy! They hid it in the forest at 10 separate campsites, can you help us find it? Come to the forest for a treasure map, but hurry before the monsters come back!
Farmer City Haunted Forest Walkthrough
Time – 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm – Salt Creek Area Camping at South Park in Farmer City, IL
The Farmer City Haunted Forest is the area’s only outdoor haunted house, winding through the Salt Creek Campsites in South Park. With all-new decorations and eerie surprises, this seasonal scare-fest promises a chilling walk you won’t forget.
Looking for more information on fall fun with your family?
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