Things To Do This Weekend October 9-11, 2026

By: Sam Ornig 10/08/2026

Embrace autumn and celebrate Halloween all month long in Lake County. From now through October 31, the land of lakes is hosting a variety of festive activities and and family-friendly events. Raise a glass to the Lake County Libation Trail's Spooks & Spirits Check-in Challenge, where participants can explore local breweries, wineries and distilleries offering handcrafted flavors. Check in at five or more locations before October 31 to enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a bus tour for 10 people with 95 WIIL ROCK. Learn more about the Spooks & Spirits Check-in Challenge.

Here are the top things to do this weekend October 9-11, 2026, in Lake County. Find more ways to celebrate the season with Lake County. 

1.  Stews and Brews in Highland Park

One of the coziest events of the season is back for its fifth year! Stews and Brews returns to Highland Park serving favorite cold-weather dishes alongside festive beverages and a night of live music. Warm up with hearty foods like beef stroganoff, chili, chicken pot pie, goulash and so many soups, paired perfectly with spiced wines, hot toddies, craft beers and mulled ciders. Savor the delicious autumn flavors while watching musical performances by DJ Madrid, 88 Keys Dueling Pianos and Libido Funk Circus. Kids can enjoy free face painting, airbrush tattoos, meet-and-greets with favorite characters and music by Mary Macaroni and tunes from K-Pop Demon Hunters. Vote for the best stew and brew of the night — winners will be announced at 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit EnjoyHighlandPark.com/stews-brews.

Saturday, October 10; 4-9 p.m. Free admission. Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave., Highland Park.

2. Winthrop Harbor's Fall Fest and Trunk or Treat

Take the family out for an evening of autumn festivities at Winthrop Harbor’s Fall Fest and Trunk or Treat. With an array of activities, like hayrides, games, face painting, live music and a petting zoo, this event promises fun for all ages. Fill your pillowcase and Halloween buckets with sweets from the Trunk or Treat, where community members, businesses and organizations decorate their trunks with imaginative designs and shell out the treats. Past themes have included Barbie World, Mario Kart and Alice in Wonderland. Dress up in your Halloween costume and celebrate the season with Winthrop Harbor. Visit EventsWH.com for more details.

Saturday, October 10; Trunk or Treat: 4-6 p.m., Fall Fest: 4-9 p.m. Free admission. Wristbands for activities cost $7 per child and are free for adults. Winthrop Harbor Parks and Recreation, 2700 9th St., Winthrop Harbor. 

3. Witches Night Out at Hawthorn

Put on your witchiest wardrobe and fly over to Hawthorn for Witches Night Out on Saturday. Spend the afternoon exploring local vendors, enjoying live entertainment, creating festive crafts and discovering seasonal shopping and dining. Families can also stop by the Hawthorn Lounge for a Halloween movie, face painting, crafts and witch-hat making, while supplies last. For even more creative fun, Painted Penguin will offer 10% off select Halloween painting projects. Head to VisitHawthorn.com for more information.

Saturday, October 10; 3-7 p.m. Free admission. Hawthorn, 122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills. 

4. Fall Fest at Brothers’ Field And DIY Scarecrow Day in Long Grove

Get ready for a weekend of festive fun in Long Grove, starting with DIY Scarecrow Day at noon, followed by Fall Fest at Brothers’ Field at 1 p.m. Design a scarecrow with friends or family to display in Historic Downtown Long Grove. Bring clothing and accessories to create an original piece. Past scarecrow builders have made superheroes, cartoon characters, monsters and more. Afterward, head over to Fall Fest at Brothers’ Field for an afternoon of pumpkin painting, live music and family-friendly games. Visit BrothersFieldLongGrove.com for more Fall Fest information and LongGrove.org/October-Days for details on the DIY Scarecrow Day.

Saturday, October 10; DIY Scarecrow Day: noon-4 p.m., Fall Fest at Brothers’ Field starts at 1 p.m. $10 per DIY scarecrow. Free entry to Brothers’ Field’s Fall Fest. DIY Scarecrow Day is held at the field behind Fred Astaire Dance Studio, 342 Historical Lane. Brothers' Field, 344 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove. 

Learn more about Fall Fest at Brothers' Field>>

Learn more about DIY Scarecrow Day in Long Grove >>

5. Kids Boo Fest at Six Flags Great America

Six Flags Great America is celebrating spooky season with guests of all ages at the family-friendly Kids Boo Fest. Experience spooktacular entertainment, exciting rides, delicious treats and more before the sun sets and the scares take over the park. Head to Pumpkin Hollow for a (skele)ton of kid-friendly Halloween activities! Kids can put on their favorite Halloween costume to compete in the Costume Contest and collect sweets along the Trick-or-Treat Trail. Hop on the Boo Line Express, where two friendly ghosts share stories of Pumpkin Hollow along the way, and hear other enchanting tales during Halloween Storytime. With a corn maze, the Tricks and Treats Parade and Dance Party, Halloween-themed shows and live performances, there’s no shortage of opportunities for a wonderful weekend at Six Flags Great America. Kids Boo Fest runs on select days through Nov. 1. Get tickets at SixFlags.com/GreatAmerica.

Saturday-Sunday, October 10-11; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets starting at $39. Six Flags Great America, 542 N. Route 21, Gurnee. 

Find more things to do this weekend October 9-11, 2026, in Lake County. For more Halloween and autumnal activities, visit the Lake County Spooks and Spirits Autumn Celebration webpage.