Fall is in full swing… Temperatures have started to drop, leaves are falling, and it has started to get dark earlier in the evening. Halloween is right around the corner; fall events are popping up left and right and winter events are close behind. There is no shortage of fun things to do in Des Plaines, IL in Fall and Winter, many of them free! From early October with the infamous Des Plaines Fall Fest, to the Winter Wonderland in December, there are traditions to be made for all ages. Check out some of our favorite seasonal events in Des Plaines heading into this holiday season.
Haunted Hole-o-ween:
An annual event for several years has been the Des Plaines Haunted Hole-o-ween. It is perfect for families with kids of all ages. Haunted Hole-o-ween takes place during the last two weekends of October at Mountain View Mine, a popular mini golf course. The event invites children to wear their favorite Halloween costume and have a fun evening with their families at the golf course. Kids who come dressed in their costumes will receive a fun treat. There are opportunities to play during the day, or come in the evening for some spooky fun! Admission is $10 per person. Find out further information on their Facebook event page.
Halloween Hoopla
This annual Safe Saturday Trick-or-Treat event is a great alternative event for actual trick-or-treating on Halloween evening. Halloween Hoopla is happening on October 27th this year from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Metropolitan Square in Des Plaines. The event kicks off with a kids costume parade led by Kiwi the Clown around the square. All kids who dress up will also receive a special prize and families are invited to trick-or-treat at participating businesses throughout the Des Plaines area. Following the parade, the Des Plaines History Center will host a celebration for Dia de Los Muertos. Children can paint sugar skulls and there’s even a friendly competition for families. This portion of the event does require an admission cost. Alternatively, there are free crafts, a magic show, and spooky story telling for everyone to enjoy.
Winter Wonderland
As you start to think about things to do in Des Plaines, IL to enjoy the holiday season, check out Winter Wonderland. Winter Wonderland is a free two-day event and takes place on December 1st and 2nd of this year at the Prairie Lakes Community Center. This event is a great way for Des Plaines families to ring in the holiday season without having to travel all the way to downtown Chicago. The family festival runs both days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features free pictures with Santa, entertainment, kids crafts, face painting, holiday foods, and hot cocoa. Some of the past entertainers at Winter Wonderland have been jugglers, clowns, unicycle riders, live music, and dancers.
Photo by Tamara Kulikova under the Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
