Lots Of Spooky Fun Friday At Palos Park's Halloween On The Village Green

PALOS PARK, IL—Visit colorful booths, grab some candy and hike down a spooky trail after dark at Palos Park’s Hallween celebration Friday, Oct. 23. The celebration runs from 4 to 7 p.m. on the Village Green behind the Palos Park Recreation Center at 8901 W. 123rd St. The event is free and friendly for all ages.

Trick-or-treating runs from 4 to 6 p.m., with more than a dozen local businesses and community groups handing out candy from decorated booths. At 5:45 p.m., the costume contest and the best decorated booth contest will be judged, with prizes awarded in both.

Families who stay until 7 p.m. can walk the village’s spooky trail after the sun goes down, when the decorations look their best. This year’s trail has grown to about a tenth of a mile, with larger decorations and more special effects along the way. The trail is decorated only, with no actors to jump out and scare you, so it is a good fit for younger children and families. Guests are asked not to touch the decor so everyone gets to enjoy it. Parents may want to chat with little ones ahead of time about how the special effects are made to look real. The trail is stroller friendly but runs over wood chips, so it is best enjoyed on foot.

Between laps around the green, kids can make a sticker craft and play Halloween-themed yard games.

Alo’s Taco Food Truck, Hello Boba, and B Sides Coffee will be selling food and warm drinks all evening.

Parking is available at the Palos Park Recreation Center, but the lot is expected to fill quickly. Guests are encouraged to park at Palos Community Church, right next to the Village Green.

"Halloween on the Green is my favorite event of the year. Palos Park is a unique village, and trick-or-treating on Halloween night isn’t always practical depending on where a family lives, so this gives everyone a fun, easy alternative close to home,” recreation supervisor Kimmy Youngman said. “It’s just as special for our neighbors, businesses, and organizations. Some of them put more time into their booth setup and decorations than they do into handing out candy.”