Things to Do This Weekend October 16-18, 2026

By: Stephanie Wylie 10/15/2026

Dust off the broomsticks, warm up your monster mash moves and leave room for a few extra trick-or-treat spoils. This weekend, local communities are rolling out a packed lineup of autumn carnivals, costume contests and trackless train rides for revelers of all ages. Check out other fall events happening in Lake County and see the Lake County Trick or Treat hours.

Here are the top five things to do in Lake County this weekend, Oct. 16-18, 2026.

1. Halloween Hoopla in Deerfield

Deerfield’s monsters are getting their own dance floor this week. The annual Halloween Hoopla Family Fun Fest takes over Sachs Recreation Center on Friday, Oct. 16. A trick-or-treat trail packed with goodies winds through the building, with surprises around every corner. Between stops, families can head to the “Grave Rave,” where a DJ will spin ghoulish hits. Registration is available at DeerfieldParks.org.

Friday, Oct. 16; 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Registration is required for everyone younger than 18, and children ages three and younger are free of admission. The cost is $15 per person in advance and $20 per person the day of the event. Sachs Recreation Center, 455 Lake Cook Rd., Deerfield.

2. Pumpkin Jubilee at Lakefront Park in Fox Lake

All aboard for fall. Pumpkin Jubilee: Monster Mash Railroad pulls into Lakefront on Saturday, Oct. 17, with pumpkins, costumes and Halloween fun for all ages. The headline attraction is a ride on the trackless train, a kid favorite that circles the festival grounds. Families can carve a pumpkin for $4 each while supplies last, then browse food and craft vendors or stop by the face painters for a spooky makeover. Young visitors can show off their best looks in the kids’ costume contest, while an event DJ keeps the music and games going throughout the afternoon. For details, visit FoxLake.org.

Saturday, Oct. 17; noon to 3 p.m. Free admission. Lakefront Park, 10 Riverview Ave., Fox Lake.

3. Boo Bash in Mundelein

Mundelein families are invited to trade the usual neighborhood candy hunt for a communitywide stroll. The village’s Boo Bash Trunk or Treat welcomes costumed families to collect treats from local business tables and decorated trunks. Along the way, they can try a giant pumpkin bounce house, wander through a pumpkin patch and follow a storybook walk, among other fall activities. Registration is available at MundeleinParks.org.

Saturday, Oct. 17; 2 to 5 p.m. Free admission for residents; nonresidents are $5. Registration required. Barefoot Bay Parking Lot, 1461 N. Midlothian Rd., Mundelein.

4. Witches Day Out in Antioch

Witches and wizards, gather your coven. The Antioch Chamber of Commerce is turning downtown into an enchanted playground Saturday, Oct. 17, with Witches Day Out. The day begins at noon with a launch party at Rivalry Alehouse, where guests can enjoy small plates. A witch hat and costume contest will crown the day’s most enchanting sorceress, with prizes for the winners. The event moves into the streets with a townwide scavenger hunt. Participants will search for clues at local shops and can sign up for raffle entries for a chance to win prizes. More information is available at AntiochChamber.org.

Saturday, Oct. 17; noon to 4 p.m. Must be ages 21 or older. Admission is $22; registration required. Check in at Rivalry Alehouse at 11:45 a.m. Rivalry Alehouse, 945 Main St., Antioch.

5. ZombieWAUK in downtown Waukegan

Downtown Waukegan comes back from the dead Saturday, Oct. 17, when ArtWAUK, the city’s monthly celebration of art and culture, takes on a Halloween twist as ZombieWAUK. The Waukegan Arts Council and the City of Progress hosts ArtWauk on the third Saturday of every month, welcoming visitors to galleries, venues, restaurants, shops and taverns for classic and modern art. Live entertainment spreads over multiple stages. Dead Man’s Carnival opens the night with live music and circus acts on the stage at Clayton and County streets. Later, the band STIFF takes over the Beats & Bazaar stage at the same corner for the evening’s closing set. The night also features Chicago blues veterans Low-reen & the Maxwell St Market Blues Band, a free, family-friendly act. For show times and details, visit WaukeganIL.gov.

Saturday, Oct. 17; 5 to 10 p.m. Free admission. Various location in  Downtown Waukegan, Genesee, Clayton and County Streets.

See more things to do this weekend, Oct. 15-18, 2026.