Get in the Halloween spirit with these spooky, spectacular, and supernatural events. Greater Peoria is packed with haunted happenings every autumn, from frightening to family-friendly activities. Celebrate the spookiest time of year with haunted locations, cemetery tours, pumpkin picking, and beyond.
Here are a few of the best things to do for Halloween in Greater Peoria, excerpted from the September/October 2023 Calendar of Events.
EVENTS + ACTIVITIES
Haunted Houses, Trails + Manors {Greater Peoria} // Leaves changing colors and pumpkin spice mean the arrival of fall and Halloween and the opening of haunted attractions across Greater Peoria. Check out these 5 terrifying haunted attractions in the Greater Peoria Area.
U-Pick Farms + Orchards {Greater Peoria} // Whether you’re looking to pick sweet corn, pumpkins, gourds, apples, pears, vegetables, mums, or more, check out these amazing options to pick-your-own produce in the Peoria Area. For a list of farms and orchards, read Peoria Area U-Pick Farms + Orchards
Springdale Cemetery Tour with the Peoria Historical Society {Peoria} // September 28, 29, October 7 // Historic Springdale Cemetery has many fascinating stories. Explore the oldest chartered cemetery in the state of Illinois and enjoy the beautiful park-like setting as you hear stories of those who have their final resting place in Peoria during this guided history tour.
Create Your Own Glass Halloween House at Art at the Bodega {Washington} // October 1, 2023 // Lets get this Halloween season started now at Art at the Bodega with a fused glass lantern, invoking the spirit of spooky season.
Jekyll + Hyde performed by the Peoria Players Theatre {Peoria} // October 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15 // The epic struggle between good and evil comes to life on stage in the musical phenomenon, Jekyll & Hyde. Based on the classic story by Robert Louis Stevenson, this captivating story comes to life at Peoria Players under the direction of Alison Meuth.
Haunted Peoria Tour with the Peoria Historical Society {Peoria} // October 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28, 29 // Explore the darker side of Peoria! Discover the stories behind the ghostly appearances that have startled and puzzled Peorians through the years. Curses, graves, legends and spooky sightings abound in this guided history tour.
Howl-Zoo-Ween at the Peoria Zoo {Peoria} // October 12, 2022 // Calling all ghosts and ghouls! Join the Peoria Park District for their annual Howl-Zoo-Ween. Enjoy trick or treat trail, bounce houses, fall market, and so much more. Come out and enjoy this family friendly event from 5:30-7:30pm. Lines are scary, purchase your $8 tickets online or at the Safari Zoo gift shop.
Wildlife Scary Park at Wildlife Prairie Park {Hanna City} // October 13-15, 20-22, 27-29 // Trick-or-Treating, train rides, and spook-tacular fun! Dress up in costume and come enjoy the beauty of fall on the trails of Wildlife Prairie Park.
Moonlight Madness {Washington} // October 19, 2023 // Head to the historic Washington Square and stroll store to store trick or treating, enjoying unique workshops + entertainment, live music, and food trucks. Discover the magic of the season from 5-7pm.
Lakeview Park After Dark {Peoria} // October 19, 20, 21 // After Dark brings back the vintage, all hallows eve experience of ghosts, jack-o-lanterns, and witches, through this family-friendly adventure. The marked route will guide your car along the twists and turns through Lakeview Park with surprises of Halloween fun everywhere you look!
Halloween Horror and Paint Night at Art at the Bodega {Washington} // October 20, 2023 // Choose from a variety of DIY art projects while enjoying a favorite horror movie! From stacked skulls, mugs, pumpkins and witches and wood signs, these are sure to increase the spookiness of your space.
Wand Making and Wine at the Luthy Botanical Garden {Peoria} // October 20, 2023 // Wizards, witches, and muggles (21+) are welcomed to the world of wand-making and wand-lore. Dressing in wizard gear is encouraged, but not mandatory. We will explore wand-making, a few magical plants…but most importantly you will be paired with your very own wand!
Witches Walk at Fon du Lac Farm Park {East Peoria} // October 20, 21, 27, 28 // Get into the Halloween spirit while trick-or-treating through the illuminated, kid-friendly park. Enjoy movies, concessions, and Halloween fun!
PEORIA Sign + Fun Trick or Treat! at Keller Station {Peoria} // October 21, 2023 // Join Communication Junction for an afternoon of Halloween fun! Bring your little one(s) dressed in his/her Halloween costume and come sing, dance, read books and trick-or-treat in a fun, family friendly way.
HISRA Halloween Dance {Peoria} // October 27, 2023 // Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association (HISRA) is hosting a Halloween Dance that will be such a fright. Costumes are optional but highly encouraged. Music, dancing and snacks will go from 7-9pm. Ages 15-99 welcome!
Rocky Horror Picture Show performed by the Peoria Players Theatre {Peoria} // Midnight October 27 + 28, 7:30pm October 28, 2023 // A favorite Halloween tradition at Peoria Players Theater continues! The actors will perform onstage while the movie plays on the big screen. Doors open at 11:30pm each night and the show will begin at midnight. Join in the fun by dressing as your favorite character from Rocky Horror and bringing approved props!
2023 Halloween Extravaganza at the Villas of Holly Brook {Pekin} // October 28, 2023 // Bring lawn chairs or blankets for an outdoor showing of Casper the Friendly Ghost Friday at sundown! Saturday, join the fun for raffles, bounce houses, face painting, amazing food, local vendors, snow cones, music, bake sale and kids crafts!
Ghost Chase 5k Race at Three Sisters Park {Chillicothe} // October 28, 2023 // The Ghost Chase 5k is an event benefiting the Illinois Valley Central School district Band Programs and consists of a 5K run and 1 Mile fun walk.
Screaming Pumpkin through Springdale Cemetery {Peoria} // October 28, 2023 // Benefitting the Yellow Bear Foundation, the Screaming Pumpkin night race will wind through the Springdale Cemetery. Chills and thrills will keep you motivated as you run or walk through our 2-mile walk, 6.55-mile run, half marathon, full marathon, or full marathon relay! Run or walk if you dare. Once you start, there is no turning back.
