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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
Wednesday, October 8 • 6:30-9 p.m. • Hanover Park
Three 17th-century witches, hanged for their murderous crimes, are resurrected on Halloween in modern-day Salem by an unsuspecting boy, who must now figure out how to get them back in the ground.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.