Spooky Season in Elmhurst: Cities’ October Events

Customers sit at the bartop at Pints watching a Halloween movie. // Photo by Grace Kelly

Spooky season is here, and the city of Elmhurst has been hosting events throughout October, through either the Elmhurst Park District (EPD), farmers markets, or local businesses celebrating Halloween.

The city’s beloved farmers market is an annual Elmhurst tradition spanning more than 25 years and runs on Wednesdays from June to October. The last day to attend this year is Oct. 28.

The market hosts 40 local vendors and sells produce, baked goods, cheeses, honey, flowers, and more. It’s located at 149 W. Brush Hill Road, in the parking lot of the Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church.

The weekly event consists of live music with available seating, farm fresh fruits and vegetables, BBQ, and many fall-themed snacks, such as apple cider donuts.

The EPD has been hosting other events this October as well, kicking off the beginning of the Fall season with “Family Fall Fest.” Taking place at The Depot at Wild Meadows Trace, this event featured Safety Town trick-or-treating, carnival games, balloon and airbrush tattoo artists, family photo opportunities, a corn maze, and food trucks, all provided by local Elmhurst businesses.

Jessica Marquez, division manager of recreation at the EPD, said the park district planned and hosted the events to bring the Elmhurst community together.

There were events dedicated towards children such as “Tricks for Treats,” which took place at the Elmhurst Gymnastics Center on Oct. 24 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Activities included age-appropriate Halloween-themed games and obstacle courses. Costumes were optional, as long as the child was able to safely move around on the gymnastics equipment.

Marquez said the programs are pretty popular.

“‘Pumpkins for Preschoolers’ we started, I think it was last year. We sold out, and had to add another session.” Marquez said. “Depending on how big of a program it is, I think we’re always looking for ways to bring something unique, like something that you wouldn’t necessarily do in your home because it makes a mess. I think too, trying to offer something for multiple ages.”

“It’s also nice, as a parent myself, to participate with my kids and get the parent experience side of it as well,” added Marquez.

EPD is closing out the Halloween season with the “Howl-A-Ween Dog Costume Contest” being hosted on Halloween morning from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Contestants dressing their dogs in creative, spooky, or adorable costumes is encouraged.

“We give you a number, we have a few judges and different judging criteria, and then we’ll have two prizes to hand out to winners. So, if they’re not a member they can kind of come check out the dog park,” said Marquez.

Pints Sports Bar has been hosting Halloween movie nights every Wednesday at 6 p.m., ranging from “Casper” to “Haunted Mansion.” Guests are welcome to grab a seat and enjoy their “Reverse Happy Hour” drink specials from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Elmhurst’s Brewpoint Coffee hosted “A Cozy October Night,” an event that happened on Oct. 22. Tickets were priced at $40 and were sold at Brewpoint Craft in Elmhurst. This event was in partnership with The Sister Project, a charitable organization with a coinciding lifestyle wellness podcast.

Francesco Bondi, Brewpoint Coffee’s marketing and consumer experience manager, said that this event was fun to plan. They held a second event, which was sold out. These two events consisted of fall aesthetics, Halloween nostalgia, rituals, good book promotions, and an in-person filming of a “Cozy Conversations with The Sister Project” podcast episode.

“We always love thoughtful partnerships,” said Bondi. “And with The Sister Project it’s been a super collaborative partnership, involving bouncing ideas back and forth, handling event setup, logistics, and pulling together all the stops to make the space feel like a cozy hangout, and Thursday’s event is going to do just that.”

Event planners said they aim to build community connection, provide safe and family-friendly recreation, and support local Elmhurst businesses.

“We’re trying to focus a lot on family programming that you could do with siblings or one on one with a parent or kind of whatever works for you and your family,” said Marquez.