Are you tired as a witch’s broom when it comes to the usual pumpkin patches and haunted houses?
Witch-themed women’s nights out, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” with a live cast and a play about Halloween lore are among the other options to celebrate All Hallow’s Eve.
Witches Night Out in Joliet
Head to a historic locale and join more than 1,000 women in costume at Witches Night Out from 4 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Jacob Henry Mansion Estate, 20 S. Eastern Ave. in Joliet.
Witches Night Out is the sixth annual fundraiser for Will County United Way with tarot card readings, craft vendors, a costume contest and raffles.
The mansion is a National Historic Landmark dating to 1873. The grounds include the Victorian Ballroom, Old Central Church, the Gathering Room, gardens and a pergola at Richards Street and First Avenue.
“We dress up the entire estate with spell-binding décor,” said Kathleen Mihelich, who created the event, which outgrew the Joliet Renaissance Center and Joliet Historical Museum, and serves as co-chair. “The mansion is a showstopper itself with 14 fireplace mantels adorned with chilling curios. Women come just for the chance to see such a majestic structure.”
Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door, with $5 valet parking available.
For details, call 815-416-8794 or visit witchesnightout.com.
Witchy Girls Night Out in Frankfort
Witch costumes also are part of the fun at Witchy Girls Night Out from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, in downtown Frankfort.
Sponsored by the Frankfort Historic Business Association, the third annual event will have activities at participating merchants, with a list available at the Trolley Barn, 11 S. White St.
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The event will end with a bonfire, witch hat contest and ghost stories on Breidert Green.
A Halloween-themed vintage bike will be raffled to benefit the Cancer Support Center.
Attendance is free.
For more details, go to shophistoricfrankfort.com.
Halloween Dance Party in Munster, Ind.
A Halloween dance party and costume contest will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 31 at Theatre at the Center, located at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster, Ind.
The Neverly Brothers will perform music of the ’50s and ’60s.
Tickets are $25 or $45 with dinner. A cash bar will be available.
For more details, call (219) 836-3255 or go to theatreatthecenter.com
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Get In Get Art Get Spooky” in Chicago
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” will be screened with a live shadow cast at 8 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St. in Chicago.
Attendees are encouraged to bring props and wear costumes.
Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. A cash bar will be available.
The venue also will host the kids’ free art event “Get In Get Art Get Spooky” with crafts, games and a haunted theater from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 25.
For more details, call (773) 445-3838 or go to beverlyartcenter.org
“The Spirit of All Hallow’s Eve” in Joliet
Bards’ Guild Theatre Group will present “The Spirit of All Hallow’s Eve,” an original family production about Halloween lore, at 1 and 4 p.m. Oct. 17 and 18 at Bicentennial Park & Theatre, 201 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet.
Tickets are $5.
For more details, call 815-724-3761 or go to spiritofallhallows.com.
“Spooky Sprint” in Palos Heights
If you’d like to burn some calories in advance of the Halloween candy binge, join the “Spooky Sprint,” a 1.5-mile obstacle course around Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens, 7402 W. Lake Katherine Drive in Palos Heights, at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 24.
Proceeds benefit the 85-acre nonprofit park and Palos Heights Police Department FOP Lodge No. 154.
For more details, call 708-361-1873 or go to lakekatherine.org.
Haunts Against Hunger in Worth
Wear a costume and bring a flashlight and non-perishable foods to the sixth annual Haunts Against Hunger from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 25 at Worth Village Hall, 7112 W. 111th St.
For more details, call 708-448-1181 or go to villageofworth.com.
Halloween Fest in New Lenox
Costume and coloring contests, pumpkin painting, music and more will be offered at the New Lenox Chamber of Commerce’s 48th annual Halloween Fest from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at Village Commons, 1 Veterans Parkway.
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Admission is free. Non-perishable food items are requested.
For more details, call 815-485-4241 or go to newlenoxchamber.com.
Haunted Museum in Joliet
Haunted Museum, a free event from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Joliet Area Historical Museum, 204 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet, will feature a costume contest, pumpkin decorating, haunted trails, storytelling, treats, crafts, activities and the movie, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”
For more details, call 815-723-5201 or go to jolietmuseum.org.
Vickie Jurkowski is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.