Family events in Belvidere, IL

Hosted by the Norwood Park Chamber of Commerce, this family friendly Halloween celebration features trick or treating, pumpkin art activities, and a scavenger hunt. Costumes are encouraged. The annual neighborhood theater production returns with The Addams Family Vacation, a kid friendly show with tickets available.

Costumed dogs take the spotlight at a Halloween themed contest at Anderson Kia on Perryville. A photo booth will be available for snapshots, and participants can enter the Best Costume competition. The winner receives a year of BOMBoxes from @BarkonMulford, and four runners up will also receive BOMBoxes. Enjoy treats, photo opportunities, and prizes. Optional Kia test drives will be offered.

Settle in for story time. From May through October, the gathering takes place near the gazebo on the Historic Woodstock Square, moving under the tree inside the shop if the weather turns. From November through April, it happens under the tree in the shop.

Capture the season with quick fall mini sessions at Rock Cut State Park in the Pierce Lake area. Each appointment lasts 20 minutes. The cost is $75 and includes 15 to 20 edited images. Sessions are available on two dates, and booking is available.

Fargo Venue in DeKalb hosts a first annual talent showcase dedicated to epilepsy awareness. Attendees can enjoy a celebration of talent and community, with refreshments available. The stage is open to performers of all ages and abilities, including those living with epilepsy, supporters of loved ones, and anyone wishing to help raise awareness.

Kids Spot transforms into a festive Halloween playground with activities for kids and families. A child’s ticket includes open gym time for ages 0 to 17, face painting, a themed photo booth, a spooky scavenger hunt, a Halloween movie, and creative crafts. Costumes are encouraged, and there is also a free trunk or treat outside that does not require a ticket. Tickets are $17 per child when purchased in advance or $20 at the door. Families save 15 percent on each additional child from the same family, which comes to $14.45 in advance or $17.00 at the door. Children under 2 and parents receive free admission. Each purchased ticket also counts as one entry in a drawing for a $50 Kids Spot gift card.

This relaxed automotive gathering welcomes every make and model, as well as any type of vehicle. Attendance is free for both participants and spectators, and on-site registration is complimentary. To keep the event safe and enjoyable, attendees are asked to avoid burnouts and excessive revving and to leave the area clean. Vendors are not part of this event, and there is no registration fee. Additional details are to be determined.

Atwood staff present Halloween festivities that highlight nocturnal wildlife and how senses can adjust in the dark. Participants will stroll a lit path with a variety of stations offering educational and sensory activities, and there will be candy along the way, so bring a bag for treats and come in costume. Meet at the Atwood Center to begin. The fee is $5 per child for ages 18 and under, and ages 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Celebrate the unforgettable scores behind some of Hollywood’s favorite films. This program spotlights the music of John Williams, moving from pulse-quickening adventure and sweeping romance to scenes filled with awe and curiosity that have helped define the moviegoing experience for decades. Revisit the themes you know by heart in a family friendly evening that brings cinematic excitement to life.

The 48th Annual Sycamore Pumpkin 10K Road Race returns alongside Sycamore’s renowned Pumpkin Festival, a fixture in the Northern Illinois racing scene. This year also features the 3rd annual 1 Mile Fun Run, open to all ages. Registered Fun Run participants receive an exclusive shirt and bib. The Fun Run winds through Sycamore Park and finishes at the same line as the 10K. The 10K has been recognized as a Best of Chicagoland Race by the Chicago Area Runners Association. It is sanctioned by USA Track and Field, and the course holds USATF certification. Event proceeds help preserve the historic downtown, support small businesses, and strengthen area tourism through community events.

Spend a hands-on day of discovery at the Dane County Humane Society Equine Barn in Madison, WI. This all-ages program welcomes children and adults, and adult participants are encouraged to attend even without a child. Move at your own pace through a variety of experiences, including guest talks, bone study stations, microscope labs, and museum collections. A guided arts and crafts station invites you to make a resin cast of an animal track to take home. All stations are optional and available throughout the event, and planning for about two hours will let you see it all comfortably. Featured talks spotlight Wisconsin wildlife. Makeela Magomolla, a Wildlife Center volunteer and UW graduate student, shares insights on native bats. Master falconer and Wildlife Center volunteer Jack Pace introduces the world of falconry with help from his Red-tailed Hawk, Quill. DCHS Wildlife Educator and Rehabilitator Dave Mackler explores native herptiles, accompanied by Wildlife Education Ambassadors Bindi, a False Map Turtle, and Lorca, a three-legged Eastern Box Turtle, along with a feeding demonstration for Bindi. General admission is $15 per participant, and discounted rates are available for groups of five or more. Youth ages 16 to 17 may attend with or without an adult, while ages 4 to 15 must be accompanied by an adult participant at all times.

This weekly Pokémon League centers on Standard format play. Regular sessions have a $9 entry. On the last Sunday of each month, the League Challenge offers a more competitive experience, a $15 entry, and expanded prizing. Prize packs are given to all participants when available, and prizes include booster packs from the latest Standard set.

Newfoundland enthusiasts from the Midwest and beyond gather at Midway Village in Rockford for a dog-friendly day filled with activity. Highlights include playful canine games, a FastCAT fun run, a Fit Walk, friendly contests, and chances to win prizes. Browse vendor offerings and enjoy food while taking in informative sessions. All proceeds support Newfoundland rescue.

A community trunk or treat open to everyone. A simple way for the community to celebrate together.

Following the Lions Club Costume Contest, the fun continues across the street in the church parking lot with a Trunk or Treat offering plenty of candy and a few surprises. To reserve a spot for a trunk, contact Eric Mede or leave a message with the church at 815-522-3546.

Curious about the winged night workers that help keep mosquitoes in check? Bats spend the day roosting, then take to the sky at dusk to dine on insects. If one swoops past, it is not trying to frighten anyone, it is simply on the way to work. Certified Boone County Master Gardeners will provide information about bats and answer questions during an informational program at Ida Public Library in Belvidere, Illinois. This event is free. To register, call the library at 815-544-3838. For reasonable accommodation requests, contact Extension Program Coordinator Jan Saglier at 815-544-3710 or jsaglier@illinois.edu.

An energetic storytime featuring read-aloud tales, sing-along songs, and lively dancing that gets everyone moving.

Mix up a bubbling batch of spooky slime in a cauldron. Enjoy holiday treats as part of the fun.

Walter Graham Post 332 of the American Legion in Rockton presents a competitive puzzle race for teams of up to four people, open to ages 12 and older. The entry fee is $5 per person. The top three teams will receive larger prizes, and teams near the bottom will still take home a small prize. Participation is capped at 15 teams, and pre-registration is offered.

Babes and Books is a small-group storytime designed for infants and toddlers from birth to 24 months. The interactive format encourages early development through stories, songs, movement, and playful activities. Miss Erin leads the program, guiding little ones with music, reading, and gentle motion. Older preschoolers are welcome to participate as well.

A family-friendly evening of safe trick or treating unfolds in the heart of Downtown Belvidere. A community favorite, it has expanded over the years and attracts thousands of families to the area.

Settle beneath the shop’s tree at Read Between The Lynes for a cheerful story time featuring lively tales. Enjoy a warm, welcoming atmosphere in a cozy bookstore setting as stories take center stage.

In the Youth Services area at Rockford Public Library, families can craft their own spooky slime by blending an assortment of eerie ingredients for a personalized creation. Guests may come dressed as a favorite character or ghoul. Registration is required.

This free film series in the J. R. Sullivan Theater at the RPL Nordlof Center in Rockford marks 250 years of American independence. Screenings include complimentary popcorn and a lineup that ranges from family favorites to classics and contemporary hits. Titles on the schedule include The Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG), The Princess Bride (PG), 42 (PG-13), Superman (PG-13), Independence Day (PG-13), Fantastic Mr. Fox (PG), The Karate Kid (PG), Sinners (R), Frankenweenie (PG), Pride and Prejudice (PG), and Muppet Christmas Carol (G).

This teen craft session focuses on making Halloween plushies with no sewing required. Create a character that is spooky, silly, or adorably cute without using a needle or thread. All supplies are provided as long as materials are available. Open to students in grades 6 through 12.

An evening of live music, spooky-themed crafts, and a deeper look at local history unfolds at the KVHS Museum. Local paranormal researchers discuss their work and demonstrate the scientific instruments they use. Tim Logsdon of the Couch Coins and the Canyon Arrow Project performs on the museum campus. The event occurs rain or shine and features music, creative activities, and live demonstrations connected to paranormal research.

Open to all ages, this Gay-me game night at Woodstock Pride offers a relaxed setting to share and play favorite games with fellow attendees. Bring a game you love for casual fun and friendly competition.

Country, rock, and Americana return to Paterno's Pizza in Chicago with the second event in a three-show 2026 series. This earlier performance takes place in a family friendly bar and restaurant recognized for pizza and delicious food.