Not-So-Spooky Thrills Around DeKalb County

If you’re looking for not-so-spooky thrills this October, DeKalb County has you covered! From the highly anticipated Pumpkin Fest to downtown trick-or-treating events and free PG movies, here’s your guide to all the family-friendly fall happenings around DeKalb County:

Trunk-or-Treats are happening all over! Cortland will host a free, family-friendly Trunk-or-Treat featuring crafts, music, and festive fun for all ages on Saturday, October 18, at Cortland Community Park. The event begins with a sensory-friendly session from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m., followed by general trick-or-treating from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. Come in costume and fill your buckets! DeKalb Sycamore Chevrolet GMC will also host a Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday, October 25, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Downtown Trick-or-Treating events include Sycamore’s on Thursday, October 23, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Sandwich’s Spooky Sandwitch Trick or Treat Tour on Saturday, October 25 from 12-2pm, and Spooktacular in Downtown DeKalb on Tuesday, October 28, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Celebrate Halloween by trick-or-treating at over 30 local businesses, and afterward, enjoy a free movie at the Egyptian Theatre: Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit!

Other trick-or-treating events include the DeKalb Public Library’s International Trick-or-Treat on Saturday, October 25. From 12:00 to 4:00 p.m., trick-or-treat your way around the world! Sweet tooths of all ages are invited on an international candy quest, sampling different confections at each library desk. The library will also host a Toddler Halloween Trick-or-Treat Parade on October 28 and 29. Come in costume and join the fun!

Not-so-spooky entertainment can be found at the DeKalb Public Library with a free showing of Monster House (2006, rated PG) on Saturday, October 18, at 2:00 p.m. KSO will host its annual Free Halloween Concert on Thursday, October 30. Join the KSO and guest conductor Kirk Lundbeck in Boo-tell Hall for a performance of Halloween favorites and enjoy seeing your favorite orchestra musicians in costume. For those in grades 3–8, share your talent for a chance to win a prize at the DeKalb Has Talent and Costume Contest on Friday, October 17, at the DeKalb Public Library.

Pumpkin Fest is back October 22–26 in Downtown Sycamore! It will feature a carnival, parade, craft shows, and more festivities. Don’t miss the over 1,000 entries in the Lions Club Decorated Pumpkin Display on the courthouse lawn at one of Chicago and Illinois’ Best Festivals and Fairs.

DeKalb Day of the Celebration returns on November 1! Take part in a Welcoming Procession honoring those who have passed, then enjoy crafts, activities, and performances throughout the library. Stay for an after-hours performance by the NIU Mariachi Band. Food trucks from Nina’s Tacos and Tako Sushi will be outside the library with food and drink available for purchase.

Check out our events calendar here for more throughout DeKalb County!