IceHogs, witches and more: 16 things to do Halloween weekend in Rockford

ROCKFORD — The Halloween weekend in October in the Rockford area promises to be downright frightening for adults and children alike.

There are horror movies, haunted tours, spooky science and more.

IceHogs

What: IceHogs play two games this weekend at the BMO Center.

When: 7 p.m. Friday versus Chicago Wolves, 7 p.m. Saturday versus Belleville Senators

Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford

For tickets and more: https://icehogs.com/

Evening of Illumination: The Darker Side of Victorian Life

What: Discover the mysteries of the lantern-lit village and meet some of the more macabre characters of the late 1800s.

When: 7 to 9 p.m. Friday

Where: Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford

Cost: $10 per person, $8 for museum members, $9 for seniors.

For more: https://www.midwayvillage.com/

Horror Movie Trivia & Paint

What: Paint spooky designs on pottery, answer trivia questions and watch scary movies.

When: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday

Where: The Pottery Lounge, 6059 E. State St., Rockford

Cost: $10 for entry, price of pottery varies.

For more: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/horror-movie-trivia-paint-night-rockford-il-tickets-428699841767

Spooky Science

What: Families are invited to dress in costumes and bring trick-or-treat bags for this not-too-frightening evening of fun.

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday

Where: Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford

Cost: $11 for general admission, $3 for members.

For more: http://www.discoverycentermuseum.org/all-events/event/3334-spooky-science

Witches Night Out

What: This adults-only event presented by Womanspace features ghoulish bites, magic witches' brew, and frighteningly delicious dessert. There will be raffle items, door prizes, and other fun spooky surprises. So, dust off your hats and brooms, throw on your best “witchy outfit,” grab a couple of your best witches, and join Womanspace for a spell.

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday

Where: Bennie’s Cleaners, 126 N. 1st St., Rockford

Cost: $50 per person.

For more: https://womanspace-rockford.org/Events

Halloween Party

What: Trick-or-treat for children. Rockford's master carver Lincoln Bias will be on hand for pumpkin sculpting, painting and other activities.

When: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday

Where: Inscape Collective, 201 7th St., Rockford

Cost: Free admission

For more: https://www.inscapecollective.org/

The Wind and the Breeze

What: The Wind and the Breeze explores the politics of place, the unspoken expectations of friendship and what happens when we choose to stand our ground on shifting sands. Written by Nathan Alan Davis and directed by Matthew Simpson.

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Sunday

Where: The West Side Show Room, 1414 N. Main St., Rockford

Cost: Free tickets (order online).

For more: https://wssr.org/wind

Spook-Tacular

What: Spook-Tacular is a fun, family-friendly Halloween event. Children are invited to come dressed in costume and explore the Garden in a fun and frightening way. The event will feature trick-or-treating, Halloween craft stations, a spooky graveyard and more.

When: 2 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford

Cost: Regular admission price for all non-members, free for all garden members.

For more: https://andersongardens.org/garden-events/spook-tacular-halloween/

Haunted Burpee

What: Enjoy learning about skulls, skins, bones, and even get a chance to dissect eyeballs and hearts. Tour the Barnes Mansion, where you can walk through this Victorian home with an amazing story and a ghostly guide who will open the doors to the past.

When: 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford

Cost: Free admission for museum members, $14 for non-members, $12 for children 4-12, free for children 3 and under.

For more: https://burpee.org/

Hoppy Halloween

What: An adults-only party featuring music, best costume contests, tableside games with prizes and much more.

When: 9 p.m. Saturday

Where: Prairie Street Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford

Cost: Free admission

For more: https://psbrewingco.com/event/hoppy-halloween/

Rockford’s 6th Annual Laugh-A-Thon

What: Rockford's 6th Annual Laugh-A-Thon features comedians including Earthquake, Donnell Rawlings, Jeremiah Williamson, Just Nesh, D-Rock, and many more.

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford

For tickets and more: https://coronadopac.org/events/rockfords-6th-annual-laugh-a-thon

Rockford’s Most Haunted Tour

What: The evening begins and ends at the Veterans Memorial Hall. Guests will be sorted into smaller groups and given directions for their tour. The guests will travel on their own to each location. The history of the houses and the ghostly encounters will be shared at each location. This event will include members of the Society for Anomalous Studies, Ghost Head Soup and the Midwest Ghost Investigators. The event is a fundraiser for the historical locations involved with the event.

When: 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday

Where: Veterans Memorial Hall and Museum, 211 N. Main St., Rockford

Cost: Tickets are $50 per person and must be purchased in advance.

For more: https://www.hauntedrockford.com/event/rockfords-most-haunted-tour/

Spook the Blocks

What: Join downtown businesses for an afternoon of trick-or-treating, Rockford Art Deli’s annual Free Print Day and fall fun for the whole family.

When: 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday

Where: Rockford Art Deli, 402 E. State St., Rockford

For more: https://rockfordartdeli.com/pages/rad-free-print-day

Scary Science Treats

What: A family friendly way to enjoy Halloween with science demonstrations and dissections.

When: 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday

Where: Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford

Cost: $12 for non-members, $10 for children 4-12, free admission for museum members and for children 3 and under.

For more: https://burpee.org/scary-science-treats

Halloween Block Party

What: Block party organized by Winnebago County Board Chairman Joe Chiarelli and District 12 county board member Jaime Salgado. Costumes are required. Music by Monark. The party will also feature food and prizes.

When: 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday

Where: El Barrio Community Center, 1516 Broadway, Rockford

Cost: Free admission

For more: https://www.inscapecollective.org/

Trick-or-treat in Midtown District

What: Children dressed in costumes are invited to trick-or-treat.

When: 5 to 7 p.m. Monday

Where: Patriot’s Gateway Community Center parking lot, 615 S. 5th St., Rockford

Cost: Free admission

For more: https://www.inscapecollective.org/

Ken DeCoster covers business news and features. Contact him at 815-987-1391, kdecoster@rrstar.com or @DeCosterKen. 

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Here's 16 things to do Halloween weekend in the Rockford area