Crypt Of The Flesh Dusk
Ashlyn Robello
Below you will find a roundup of yards submitted by readers. Patch will be updating the list regularly through the next month so be sure to check back. If you would like your yard included in our roundup, you can submit it here.
Also, check out these lists for more scary yards throughout the Chicago area: Chicago Haunt Builders, Haunted Illinois Directory, Illinois Haunted Houses and We Love Halloween. There's free fun to be had in the days leading up to Halloween, so set your GPS for these spooky standbys and nightmarish newbies.
This is a mostly static, yet gory, yard display. Walk along the sidewalk and take in the amazing detail of the numerous home-made props. There are also special effects like music, fog and fire during the weekends. You can come back on Halloween night when the Crypt Keeper awakens and searches for his next victim. More information is available here on the Entrails from the Crypt haunt. Pro tip: The Entrails From The Crypt creators suggested you stop out on Halloween night for the best experience. For the next best experience, come on Friday or Saturday nights.
The display is a full walk through with five scene boxes, a circus tent, cemetery, rotten pumpkin patch and an enclosed tunnel. More information is available on the Massacre on McKinley Facebook page.
The beach is decorated this this year for the river trick or treating and it's all glow-in-the dark and the house has an 8 foot skeleton with a large skeleton family, a graveyard, and other odds and ends. As for parking, there is an empty lot three doors away from the house and the homeowner does not mind if people want to pull into the driveway.
When: Yard haunt opens to the public on Oct. 6 and continues through Oct. 31. Open from dusk until 10 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and from dusk until 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Part of the Chicago Haunt Builders, Westbury Manor and Cemetery has been haunting Algonquin for seven years now. Westbury Manor and Cemetery quickly has become one of Algonquin's most popular haunts and has won Algonquin's spookiest house contest twice. Those who've visited in the past can expect to find their old favorites at this year's yard but there will also be the additions of new props. There is a creepy graveyard walk-through where zombies and skeletons will come back to life. There are also several pneumatic props, electric props and static props accompanied by scary sounds and eerie lighting. Those stopping out on Halloween can expect full-sized candy bars. While many people drive by, this is a walk-thru haunt so you are welcome to get out and enjoy the fun in-person. More information is available on the Westbury Manor and Cemetery Facebook page.
The display is a walk-through, with a cemetery- and carnival-theme. There are actors on the weekends as well as carnival games for kids to win prizes. There is also apple cider and treats as well as a haunted walk-thru tent. On Halloween, the homeowners will be handing out full-sized candy bars as well as other treats and will have options for children with allergies. The weekend is the best time to visit since "the most stuff is going on." Street parking only and those stopping out are encouraged to be respectful of the props, actors and neighbors. More information is available on the CarnEvil of Terror Cemetery Facebook page.
This very large colorful display has many animatronics and several themes that are interactive for people to activate. There are also many things children can play with. It has many skeletons, including many animals, a moving Jack in the Box and carnival fun and some unique characters. On Halloween, trick-or-treaters can expect large, medium and small candy bars and prizes.
Chainsaw Manor is a one-of-a-kind Halloween display that combines the thrill of a haunted yard display with a deep commitment to giving back to the community. New in 2023, the display has extended and now includes more jump scares, a 10-foot werewolf, clowns and more frights. The haunt will also be selling hot chocolate on certain nights. More information is available on the Chainsaw Manor Facebook page. The haunt has live "scare actors," and those stopping out are urged to park and walk the sidewalk of the entire display.
Matthew Gordon, a junior at Deerfield High School, is the master behind Monster Mayhem. Here is what Gordon has to say about his display: "When the COVID lockdown first started, I was bored at home, so I started creating Halloween decorations in all the free time I had for fun. At the time I was only 13, now at 16, I have expanded and made over 15 lifesize handmade DIY Halloween animatronics out of windshield wiper motors, pvc, foam, old Halloween costumes and pneumatic air cylinders, powered by compressed air. I've spent the whole year working on creating animatronics, as I find it so fun to do so. This year for the first time, in addition to my massive Halloween yard display, I will also be creating a family friendly interactive haunted house inside of my garage with optional donations for St. Judes. It will feature screens and projection effects, as well as many animatronics, with lifelike movement."
The family friendly haunt features projections, 12-foot skeletons, a portal to the great beyond and tombstones featuring some favorite movie characters. New animatronics were added this year. More information is available on Screaming Hills Cemetery Facebook page. Trick-or-treaters stopping out on Halloween can expect to get full-sized candy bars, chip bags. Those stopping out are encouraged not to block driveways.
Wright Manor is known around Island Lake as the "Halloween House." It is a large Halloween display with many handmade, one-of-a-kind characters and display items as well as some store bought fan favorites, static and moving characters. The display changes each year so no year is the same. Many new characters have been added this year and there will be many great photo opportunities.
The home adds "something new" every year and sometimes has actors as well. On Halloween, the homeowners hand out a lot of candy and chocolate. Those stopping out can park on one side of the street on East Manchester and "parking is usually not a problem."
Take a journey with Boo, the friendly ghost. Boo will be your guide through this magical Halloween adventure. As you drive through, you'll join him on his quest to find Halloween Town, meeting a host of whimsical characters and navigating through enchanting scenes along the way. The display includes larger-than-life decorations so prepare to be amazed.. From towering inflatables reaching up to 50 feet to intricate light shows that paint the night, every scene is a visual treasure. There are also interactive elements to the display. While the journey is car-based, expect interactive moments that will captivate and engage. Whether it's helping Boo make decisions or participating in fun challenges, there's something for everyone to enjoy. The entire journey is designed to be a leisurely experience, taking approximately 45 minutes. However, with so much to see and enjoy, feel free to set your own pace. While the event is designed to be family-friendly and not scary, it promises thrills and fun for attendees of all ages. From young kids to adults, everyone will find moments of wonder and joy. As you approach the end of your journey, prepare for a grand finale in Halloween Town, where Boo and all his friends come together for a heartwarming celebration. Tickets can be purchased here.
The yard haunt is kid friendly and has a lot of lights, animatronics, music and other spooky things to look at for kids of all ages. Since it is kid friendly there is "no gore and minimal blood,"according to the display's creators. You can learn more on the Fright on Fay Facebook page. Those stopping out on Halloween can expect to get full-sized candy bars and popcorn while trick-or-treating. As for parking, anyone can use the home's "driveway for parking or turning around when available," according to Fright on Fay homeowners.
Many animated and homemade props bring this Dead End Cemetery to life. There is a horse drawn carriage hearse, Angel of Death crypt, giant spider invasion and animated witches hut. More information is available on the Dead End Cemetery Facebook page.
Beware: Life-sized, flesh-eating skeletons haunt this graveyard. On Halloween, expect an extra dose of terror for those feeling brave enough to enter the yard and retrieve your treat from the coffin. There will also be hot cider available for those stopping out.
Remember your childhood game of ghosts in the graveyard? Well, imagine that all coming to life. The Ghosts In The Richmond Graveyard includes a fifteen foot "Phil the Phantom" and an illuminated spider-infested tree. Most of the display is handmade and those stopping out can feel free to take photos with the great backdrops. On Halloween, trick-or-treaters can expect to get Fun Dip and other candy. Parking is available across the street.
There are a lot of animatronics, clowns and spooks. On Halloween, trick-or-treaters can expect full-sized candy bars. Those stopping out should not enter the yard. You can drive by or walk up to it, though.
When: The display opens on Sept. 30 and is up and running from 5 to 9 p.m. every Friday through Sunday through Oct. 19. It is then open daily from 5 to 9 p.m. from Oct. 20 through Oct. 27 and from 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 28 through Oct. 31.
The Hauntings of Carol Stream has a unique combination of vintage and modern decorations that captivate all of your Halloween senses. Those stopping out should be respectful of neighbors and not park in front of or turn into driveways and watch for kids running across the street.
Every year is a different theme along with this year offering a search and find for kids and adults to do using their phones. Those stopping out should be sure to come after Oct. 27 as well when not only will the front yard be decorated, but the backyard will also be decked out with a haunted house.
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