Halloween Happenings at the Library

Get ready for a spooky good time at the Library this Halloween! We’ve got ghoulishly great programs for all ages—from not-so-scary story times for little pumpkins to creepy crafts, and frightfully fun events for teens and adults. Don’t forget to check out our curated spooky booklists, packed with chills, thrills, and haunted tales perfect for every brave (or not-so-brave) reader.

Related Programs

All Ages

Evening Movie: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice

Wednesday, October 8 • 6:30-9 p.m. • Hanover Park

Beetlejuice is back and it's only a matter of time until someone says his name three times!

Pop Up Program: Two Sentence Spooky Scary Stories

Sunday, October 19 • All Library locations

Drop by any library location to write a two-sentence scary story. This drop-in event is available from September 29 through October 19.

Youth

Frankentoys

Thursday, October 2 • 4-5 p.m. • 9-12 years

Drop in and join us in assembling strange new toys. We'll mix and match toy parts and learn about the weird science behind silicone rubber.

Crafternoon: Halloween Wreath

Wednesday, October 8 • 3:30-4:15 p.m. • Hanover Park and Hoffman Estates • 5-12 years

Drop in and create a Halloween wreath; while supplies last.

Art Studio: Tim Burton-Inspired Creations

Sunday, October 19 • 2-3 p.m. • 6-9 years

Step into the wonderfully weird world of Tim Burton to create your own design using drawing, collage, and mixed media techniques.

The Write Stuff: How to Sneak a Monster Into School

Wednesday, Oct. 22 • 2-3 p.m. • 6-8 years

Get creative by developing a plan to sneak a monster into school with you.

Advanced Video Editing: Spooky Video Effects

Thursday, October 23 • 4-5:30 p.m. • 9-14 years

Learn how to make spooky video effects and edits in Capcut.

Art Adventures: Silly Monster Puppet

Thursday, October 23 • 1-1:45 p.m. • 2-5 years

Create a silly monster puppet; while supplies last.

Spooky Puzzle Stations

Monday, Oct. 27 • 1-1:45 p.m. • 3-5 years

Join us for our spooky puzzle stations which will include a ghost scavenger hunt, a monster craft activity, and tangrams.

Crafted Creations: Glow-in-the-Dark Ghosts in a Jar

Wednesday, October 29 • 4-5 p.m. • Hoffman Estates Branch • 9-12 years

Get into the Halloween spirit with a spooky-fun craft! Create a glow-in-the-dark ghost jar.

Tween Coding: Spooky Ghost Chase Game
Thursday, Oct. 30 • 4-5:30 p.m. • 9-12 years

Learn how to use code extensions and code your own spooky ghost chase game in Microsoft Makecode Arcade.

Halloween Hoopla
Friday, Oct. 31 • 10 a.m. - Noon • 0-5 years

Get dressed up in costume and join us for a celebration featuring games, crafts, stories, dancing and more spook-tacular fun!

Teen

Pick-Up Program: Halloween Craft

Wednesday, October 1 • 12-19 years

Make a fun Halloween craft to decorate your room. Supplies are provided in a Program Kit that you can pick up in Teen throughout the month of October.

Halloween Light Box

Monday, October 6 • 6-7 p.m. • 12-19 years

Choose a design for the laser-cut front of your Halloween-themed light box. Then, we'll assemble our boxes together.

Adult

Susan Maddox: Spooktacular Cuisine

Thursday, October 9 • 7-8 p.m.

Susan Maddox cooks up three scarily good treats just in time for Halloween.

Spooky Stories

Wednesday, October 15 • 6:30-8:30 p.m. • Spring Valley Nature Center

Why should children have all the story time fun? Gather around a bonfire at Spring Valley and join us for this adults-only spooky story night with storyteller Scott Whitehair. Light Autumn-themed refreshments round out this can't-miss event.

A Tale of Two Chicagos: White City and The Murder Castle of Englewood

Tuesday, Oct. 21 • 6:30-7:30 p.m. • Hanover Park Branch

Join historian Clarence Goodman for this fascinating presentation on Chicago’s first serial killer, H.H. Holmes

Roll For Reading
Wednesday, Oct. 22 • 5-6:30 p.m.

Celebrate Halloween with a Dungeons & Dragons-inspired twist at the Library. Roll a set of multi-sided dice to reveal fun surprises—including a library book, stickers, and more.

Dead Air: The Night Orson Welles Terrified America

Thursday, October 30 • 7-8 p.m. • Central Rasmussen Room OR Online

Based on his new book, Dead Air: The Night Orson Welles Terrified America, William Hazelgrove uses the actual broadcast and many media stories to detail the great Halloween hoax.

Book Lists

Books for Littles

Books for Kids

Books for Tweens

Books for Teens

Books for Adults

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