# Pumpkins race down Rotary Hill, Naper Settlement does Halloween twice, and Scream with David Arquette Naperthrill, Friday, October 23, 2026 > A lantern-lit hike at St. James Farm, a Witches' Tea in Downers Grove, a date for Cantina Taco Grill, and 70s all weekend. Source: https://www.naperthrill.co/p/23-pumpkins-race-down-rotary-hill-naper-settlement-does-hallowe --- This Weekend Dry all weekend. Friday through Sunday are sunny with highs in the low 70s, and nights drop to the upper 40s, so the costumes work in daylight but bring a layer for the after-dark stuff: the lantern hikes, the haunted forest, and Howlin' at the Moon. ### HEADS UP (Image: Lantern-lit Halloween hikes at St. James Farm run October 23 to 24) #### [Lantern-lit Halloween hikes at St. James Farm run October 23 to 24](https://www.dupageforest.org/things-to-do/calendar-of-events?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D206876037) The Lantern-Lit Halloween Hike at St. James Farm runs 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24, with hikes leaving every 15 minutes and the last group at 7:30 p.m. Registration is on ActiveNet or at 630-933-7248, it's $10 per person, and anyone under 18 needs an adult. #### [Rotary coat drive for homeless veterans closes Wednesday, October 28](https://www.nctv17.org/nctv17-news-update/solar-panels-at-ipsd-204-schools-warmer-winter-predicted-rotary-club-coat-drive/) The Rotary Club of Naperville is collecting new or good-condition men's coats in sizes large to XXXL for homeless veterans through Wednesday, October 28. Drop-off boxes are at Casey's Foods, District 203 administration offices, Naper Settlement, and the Naperville Public Libraries, with the full list on the club's Facebook page. #### [Pumpkin Patch Pool Party is Saturday, October 24, tickets required](https://www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/event/pumpkin-patch-pool-party-4/) The Pumpkin Patch Pool Party is Saturday, October 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Vaughan Athletic Center, 2121 W. Indian Trail, Aurora, and everyone age 2 and older needs a ticket, adults included. Register online (early bird is $13 resident or $15 nonresident, day-of is $15 and $17), know that all sales are final, and plan on a companion age 16 or older for every child under 12. (Image: Bolingbrook has a free map of its best Halloween houses) #### [Bolingbrook has a free map of its best Halloween houses](https://www.facebook.com/groups/104287120162473/permalink/2015214812403018/) Bolingbrook has a free interactive map of Halloween-decorated houses at bit.ly/view2026map, so you can plan a drive-by route before Halloween. Residents submit the houses, the map updates every few days, and you can nominate yours or a neighbor's at bit.ly/2026halloweenhouses, where the Village's Special Events Commission is also running a decorating award. ### THE READ (Image: Naper Settlement does Halloween twice: a 21+ night and a new one for kids) #### [Naper Settlement does Halloween twice: a 21+ night and a new one for kids](https://www.positivelynaperville.com/2026/10/21/naper-settlement-halloween-weekend-howlin-at-the-moon-21-and-new-family-spooktacular-oct-23-25/161809) Naper Settlement has two Halloween events this year. Howlin' at the Moon is the 21-plus night, Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24, with The Birkenrocks and Six Foot Blonde on Friday and Mr. Blotto and Neighbor on Saturday, music running to 10 p.m., plus a costume contest, a Moonlight Market, and art displays. Tickets are $25 and IDs are checked at the gate. For the kids, the new Family Spooktacular runs October 24 and 25 for ages 3 to 12, with trick-or-treating, themed inflatables, spooky science, and a Disney tribute set from The Little Mermen & The Princess Pals ($15 adults, $10 ages 4 to 12, under 4 free). Tickets for both are at napersettlement.org. ### NEW THIS WEEK (Image: Cantina Taco Grill opens October 29 in former Front Street Cantina space) #### [Cantina Taco Grill opens October 29 in former Front Street Cantina space](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dewk3hKmwRl/) Bone marrow tacos, picanha, and tuna ceviche are on the menu at Cantina Taco Grill, which opens Thursday, October 29 at 15 W. Jefferson Ave., the downtown Naperville space Front Street Cantina held for 30 years. Owner Jose Oliver has wanted this address for 15 years. Hours and prices aren't out yet. #### [FiLLi Cafe opens on Route 59 with zafran chai](https://www.instagram.com/p/DenWIC7DXbP/) The chai list at FiLLi Cafe runs three ways: saffron-infused zafran chai, karak, and masala. The food side has bun kabab burgers and samosa chaat, plus sandwiches and sweet treats. It's at 1316 N. Route 59, Suite 108, and it's the cafe's second Chicago-area location. (Image: Vasco's Peri Peri opens softly on South Route 59) #### [Vasco's Peri Peri opens softly on South Route 59](https://www.nctv17.org/news/new-businesses-coming-to-all-corners-of-naperville/) Vasco's Peri Peri, an Indian-Portuguese restaurant, is in soft opening at 3124 S. Route 59, Suite 146. Soft openings can mean short hours or a short menu, so check before you go. (Image: Rail & Rye opens in Westmont with bourbon-and-rye drinks) #### [Rail & Rye opens in Westmont with bourbon-and-rye drinks](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dek3fCNNJGX/) Rail & Rye builds its whole drink list around bourbon and rye, and the kitchen cooks with butter, avocado oil, and beef tallow instead of seed oils. Most of the menu is made from scratch and runs to cheese curds, bourbon glazed meatballs, half pound burgers, pulled pork, and fish and chips. It's at 7 W. Quincy St. in downtown Westmont, steps from the Westmont Metra station on the BNSF line, so a drink before the train home is an easy add. ### THE ROUNDUP #### [Actors play Downers Grove's founders at Main Street Cemetery October 24](https://www.downtowndg.org/event/downers-grove-historical-society-living-cemetery/) The founders of Downers Grove reappear for one day a year, and this year it's Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to noon at Main Street Cemetery, 5158 Main Street. Adult and young-adult actors portray the settlers buried there and tell their stories, so you walk the grounds and hear history from the people in it. It's free, open to all ages, and needs no registration. #### [Witches Walk fills Fox Valley Mall with brooms and tarot Sunday, October 25](https://www.facebook.com/groups/637909001385915/permalink/1716561650187306/) Broom-making workshops and tarot readings share one free afternoon at Fox Valley Mall on Sunday, October 25, from 2 to 6 p.m. at The SĀF House, 195 Fox Valley Ctr in Aurora. Costumes pay off here: the first 44 dressed-up guests get a gift bag, and neighboring shops are handing out treats. Face painting, henna art, kids' crafts, and mini-portraits round out the schedule, so it works for families and for adults who just want the readings. (Image: Scream screening with David Arquette Q&A is Saturday, October 24) #### [Scream screening with David Arquette Q&A is Saturday, October 24](https://www.facebook.com/reel/1115325591479277/) A 30th anniversary screening of Scream on the big screen comes with a live conversation with David Arquette afterward. It's Saturday, October 24, at the Paramount in Aurora, and it fits horror fans who want the movie and the stories in one night. Tickets are at ParamountAurora.com. (Image: Downtown Aurora trick-or-treat ends with a drone show October 24) #### [Downtown Aurora trick-or-treat ends with a drone show October 24](https://auroradowntown.org/event/halloween-dia-de-los-muertos-celebration/) A 12-minute drone show with Halloween and Día de los Muertos imagery closes out the celebration in downtown Aurora on Saturday, October 24. Before it, the afternoon has trick-or-treating at participating businesses (treats while supplies last), a community altar, face painting, crafts, and a Day of the Dead bread and hot chocolate station. It's a costume-friendly plan for families, and the schedule doesn't list start times or the drone show time yet. #### [Battle of the Bowls cook-off is Thursday, October 29 at McDowell Point](https://www.facebook.com/reel/4584622975147762/) Battle of the Bowls is a cook-off with one rule: whatever you bring has to be served in a bowl. The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce's young professionals group runs it Thursday, October 29 from 4 to 6 p.m. at McDowell Point, 1420 West Diehl Road, and it's free and open to the community. Prizes go to the top 2 in both Judge's Pick and Crowd Favorite. ### THE EAT (Image: Bang Bang Bingo is free Friday, October 23 at Still Life Taproom) #### [Bang Bang Bingo is free Friday, October 23 at Still Life Taproom](https://www.instagram.com/p/DeuUp6vkQY7/) Free bingo, mummy dogs, and apple cider donut pie share a table at Solemn Oath's Still Life Taproom on Friday, October 23. Bang Bang Bingo starts at 5 p.m., with food from Bang Bang Pie and beer on tap. Costumes are encouraged but not required. ### THE WEEKEND (Image: Naperville Pumpkin Race returns October 24 for its 10th year) #### [Naperville Pumpkin Race returns October 24 for its 10th year](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd86ac4sCi-/) The Naperville Pumpkin Race runs Saturday, October 24 from noon to 3 p.m. at Rotary Hill. Each $25 kit includes everything needed to build a racer, and the afternoon also has a costume contest, a pumpkin decorating contest, and food trucks. The event benefits the Turning Pointe Autism Foundation. (Image: Sunday is downtown Naperville's Halloween day, from trick-or-treating to a Riverwalk party) #### [Sunday is downtown Naperville's Halloween day, from trick-or-treating to a Riverwalk party](https://www.instagram.com/p/Deoz2XgCb2B/) Downtown Naperville's trick-or-treating runs 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, October 25, with participating stops listed at downtownnaperville.com/events. Then the park district's Halloween Happening picks up from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion. Costumes are the point, and the park district posted costume guidelines at napervilleparks.org/halloweenhappening, so read them before you pick the outfit. (Image: Cantigny Family Night Trick-or-Treating runs Friday, October 23) #### [Cantigny Family Night Trick-or-Treating runs Friday, October 23](https://www.facebook.com/cantignypark/posts/pfbid02GF2Xn5qmtt5hQVMTYyjYK7ZGWfrYFXCSeC53hrBtv3DWsZrRRS1JdnDFanVdCbxRl) The walking route at Cantigny's Family Night Trick-or-Treating has candy stations (including teal pumpkins), entertainment, and attractions along the path. It runs Friday, October 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., starting at the Visitors Center or Tank Park, and costumes are welcome. The Beer Garden is open for hot dogs, bratwurst, burgers, and drinks, and parking is bought online through Cantigny's link at 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. #### [Woodridge haunted forest runs October 23 to 24 for $10](https://www.facebook.com/groups/637909001385915/permalink/1716568686853269/) A hayride into Hawthorne Hill Woods in Woodridge passes 7 creepy scenes, and the haunted forest runs two nights, Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Admission is $10. A less-scary afternoon walk on Saturday, October 24 costs $5, which gives the easily spooked a way in. (Image: The Promenade in Bolingbrook throws a free Halloween festival Saturday) #### [The Promenade in Bolingbrook throws a free Halloween festival Saturday](https://www.shoppingpromenade.com/event/spooktacular-halloween-festival/) The Promenade in Bolingbrook turns into a free Halloween block party Saturday, October 24, from 4 to 7 p.m. The costume parade lines up at the roundabout on Sandburg Way at 5, store-to-store trick-or-treating runs 5:30 to 7 while candy lasts, and the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus (plus Jack, Sally, and Ursula) are posing for photos all evening. There's also a trackless train, an obstacle course, a giant slide near Macy's, and story time inside Barnes & Noble on the hour. #### [Pumpkin Palooza runs Saturday, October 24 at DuPage Children's Museum](https://www.facebook.com/DCMFanPage/posts/pfbid0piUEt6wGDy7Yt4kFKEDULRaygoXegzf6REiVz2QPUdYFoVEXujB18GeC8jRKVVPNl) A Halloween morning with no scares and no candy: Pumpkin Palooza at DuPage Children's Museum runs Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Costumes are encouraged, and the program is built around STEAM activities, making, music, and science. It's aimed at curious kids and their grown-ups, so it fits families who want the holiday without the sugar or the spooky stuff. ### YOUR TURN Running an event, or know something happening around town? The best stuff out here spreads by word of mouth. Be the word, we read every submission. [Suggest an event or idea](https://www.naperthrill.co/submit) Thanks! Thanks for reading. Found something worth showing up to? 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