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Ghastly greetings from Count Gregula! Guess vhat? The beast time of year for fear is here once again! This scare season is lurking to be vast, vicked and vild for several established haunted happenings including some brand new ominous offerings scheduled to be open for boo business in 2023. A few fang-tastic fears and fall frights are already getting going this macabre month of September. Vonderful news for autumn aficionados!

Keep scrolling this putrid post to view my annual deadly directory of sinfully selected Chicagoland haunted happenings that offer some sinister scares, heinous horrors and terror treats. Be sure to check each individual site for exact times and dates of operation. I have each listing creepily categorized for your perusing pleasure. So, pick a place and have some fiendish fun getting frightened!

‡ HAUNTED ATTRACTIONS ‡

Terror Roulette

New for 2023! The Arboretum of South Barrington in partnership vith IWG Productions, a pioneer in immersive entertainment, is redefining the concept of horror vith the debut of Terror Roulette. The frightful and unpredictable experience shuffles up Illinois’s horror offerings beginning Sept. 29 for a limited time through Halloveen and tickets are on sale now. Going beyond traditional haunted houses, Terror Roulette is designed exclusively for horror genre fans, thrusting villing participants, vishing to test their luck, into an interactive horror story vhere they become the hunted. At the heart of this bone-chilling experience is the enigmatic villain known as “The Dealer” vho literally holds the cards to their fate. Each room is a tvisted roulette wheel spinning guests into different encounters, vhere every choice becomes a terrifying gamble. Other characters include a terrifying former circus clown, a young slayer vho can’t let go of new friends, and a butcher vho serves the freshest cuts possible.

Located inside The Arboretum of South Barrington at 100 W Higgins Road (building J-40, next to Wok n Fire) in South Barrington, Illinois. Terror Roulette vill be available for a limited time starting Sept. 29 – Oct. 31 running Thursdays through Sundays, extending through Halloveen. Due to the intense nature of the experience, participants must be 16 years old and up. For more info and to purchase tickets online, visit HERE.

Evil Intentions Haunted House

In Elgin’s industrial section stands the abandoned home of Elgin Casket Company. This once proud building has been vitness to murder, grisly discoveries, cult activities, and unexplained occurrences, and a dark legacy has emerged from its sordid history. Evil Intentions Haunted House now takes up residence at this completely unique location and nothing else is like it in the state of Illinois. Be truly terrorized at this multi-level 55,000 square foot paranormal hot spot. The horrific haunt offers a hex-perience you vill never forget and macabre memories that vill give you nightmares for years to come.

Located at 900 Grace Street in Elgin, Illinois. Parking is free in the adjacent lot across the street. Evil Intentions Haunted House opens to the public for shows beginning on September 29, 2023 and runs on select dates through October 31, 2023. General admission tickets are $35 per person. VIP tickets are also available for $50 per person. To purchase tickets in advance, go HERE.

Skokie Water Playground, abandoned for the season, becomes host to the scariest experience in Skokie. Vith chainsaw maniacs, dark passagevays and insane clown maze, Scream Scene has been terrifying visitors since 1997.

Parental discretion advised: Not recommended for children under 10 years old!

Located at the Abandoned Skokie Water Playground 4701 Oakton St. Skokie, Illinois. Parking is free. Scream Scene Haunted House opens on October 6, 2023 and runs on veekends through November 4, 2023. General admission tickets are $13 per person. Speed Pass tickets are $20 per person. To purchase tickets in advance, go HERE.

‡ LIVE EVENTS ‡

Count Gregula’s Museum of Moldy Movie Madness!

New for 2023! At Sideshow Gelato, I crawl from my CRYPT into the MUSEUM OF THE TRANSMUNDANE to be your cinematic docent of doom in COUNT GREGULA’S MUSEUM OF MOLDY MOVIE MADNESS! Join us for cinematic slime featuring vampire circuses, brain eating monsters, head hunting savages, giant rodents and more! Vin prizes as I probe your feeble mind for answers to my TERRIBLE TRIVIA! Began on August 24th vith VAMPIRE CIRCUS (1972).

Sideshow Gelato is located at 4819 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL. Thursday nights at 8:00PM. New movie selection each veek. Admission is FREE… xcept, perhaps YOUR SANITY! For more info, go HERE.

COSTUMEMANIA

Join Chicago Costume on Thursday, September 21st at their Montrose Location as they kick off the Halloween Season in style, presenting an unprecedented costumed event – COSTUMEMANIA!

The festivities begin with the electrifying Frankenfestival! Experience the thrill of live band performances, captivating product demonstrations, appearances from costumed charity organizations, and even some surprise appearances from well-known Chicago personalities. Indulge in delectable food and drink. For those who wish to truly embrace the spirit of the event, be sure to enter the Costume Contest and showcase your unique character.

There will be a Were-House Sale for your costume needs! Incredible discounts on a variety of items will be offered. From Chicago Costume Handmade Originals to select pieces from our Theatrical Wardrobe, and even cherished Halloween Classics, there’s something for everyone to bring a touch of magic home.

Last, but not least, you can get an exclusive peek into two extraordinary realms. Take a behind-the-scenes look at the expansive Broadway Costumes theatrical inventory and explore the newly renovated costume construction area at the Chicago Mascot Company, all through their captivating Trick-or-Tour Guided Tours.

Mark your calendars, for this will be a night of wonder and enchantment that you won’t want to let slip by.

Chicago Costume Company (Montrose store) is located at 4727 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL. RSVP HERE to attend. This incredible event is open to those aged 21 and above. IDs will be checked at the door, and each member of the party must register individually.

Wheaton Haunted Halloween Flea Market 

Count Gregula’s Crypt vill once again be special guests at the Wheaton Haunted Halloween Flea Market this October.

Located at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Rd, Wheaton, Illinois. Please use customer parking entrance at 421 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton, Illinois. Parking is free. The frightful flea market vill be taking place on Saturday October 28, 2023 from 3PM to Midnight. Admission is $10, children 12 and under are free. Go HERE for an updated list of guests and more information.

‡ PUMPKIN FARMS ‡

Bengtson’s Pumpkin Fest

Bengtson Farm is a family owned and operated Pumpkin Festival that has served the Homer Glen area since 1981. The pumpkin festival is located just 40 minutes outside of Chicago. Enjoy attractions like Tractor Town, Barnyard Dance Cow Coaster, Free Selfie Booth, Gemstone Mining Sluice, Pumpkin Chucker, Pig Races, Animals & Petting Zoo, Train Rides (2), a 90′ Mega Fun Slide, Frog Hopper, Pumpkins, Twirling Honey Pots, Happy Swing, Bengtsonville Kids Village, The Milking Cows, Jimmy Cracked Corn Box, Fun Barn, Haunted Barn and Pony Rides. Unlimited rides are included for all guests of the farm. Some rides have minimum height requirements. Vhen hungry be sure to visit their Eats and Treats that includes classic carnival food, a variety of food trucks and much more.

Located at 13341 W 151st St in Homer Glen, Illinois. Bengtson’s Pumpkin Fest is ADA-accessible, mostly outdoors and stroller friendly. Free parking in adjacent parking lot. Discounted veekday admission. Free to children 2 years and younger. The pumpkin farm opens to the public on September 15, 2023 and runs on select dates through October 31, 2023. Tickets starting at $19.99, depending upon date. For more info and to purchase tickets online, go HERE.

‡ POP-UPS ‡

Never Trust The Living Pop-Up

New for 2023! Never Trust The Living vill be the third highly decorated, cocktail-focused pop-up to take place at The Dandy Crown in the past year. Devilishly delicious cocktails from The Dandy Crown’s Beverage Director Sarah Syman vill be the focus at this ghoulish pop-up, along vith creepily colorful Halloveen décor throughout the interior and covering the outdoor patio throughout October.

Located at The Dandy Crown in River West at 694 North Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Never Trust The Living vill get everyone to summon the spirits vith cocktails, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, served in thematic glassvare vith ghastly hues and peculiar ingredients that evoke the magic of the spooky season. Just a few of the vitches’ brews include Syman’s take on both historical and craft cocktails such as Corpse Reviver No. 2, Blood & Sandworms, Jungle Bird, Widow’s Kiss, Strange & Unusual, The Ghost with the Most, and Say it Three Times vith many more, including two of The Dandy Crown’s infamous Hot Crockpot Cocktails. Never Trust The Living vill debut at The Dandy Crown on Monday, October 2 and run through Tuesday, October 31. For more information, go HERE.

_{*If you vould like your haunted happening (in or around the Chicago area ONLY) listed here just send us a press release by email to contact@count-gregula.com. Then ve can set up a date to come over for a review. Fangs! V^^^V}

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