Halloween alternative | Lansing

Trunk-N-Treat is from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at First Christian Church of Lansing, 2921 Ridge Road. This is a free, fun and safe Halloween alternative for the family. There will be food, drinks, candy and door prizes. Officer Aaron Barnes from the Lansing Police Department will also be part of the event.

FYI: Call (708) 474-5370.

Fun Fest | Chicago Heights

Families are invited to Halloween Family Fun Fest at Prairie State College. Children can dress as their favorite ghoul, princess or superhero and enjoy carnival games, hayrides, and treats.

The free event takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31 in the Prairie Center Gym on the PSC's main campus, 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights. This year's event will feature games, hayrides, treat bags, prizes, balloons, and popcorn. The family festival is for children through age 12. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Members of the local police and fire departments, including Chicago Heights, will also be on hand to educate children about personal and fire safety.

FYI: Call Prairie State College at (708) 709-3500.

Prepare food | Lansing

Thornton Fractional South High School's Thespian Troupe 18 has joined the Trick or Treat so Kids Can Eat program, a national community service program organized for thespian troupes from across the state. Theater students from TF South will be dressed in costumes to collect food donations during the local trick-or-treating activities in Lansing. The donations will benefit Lansing Food Pantry.

FYI: Call (708) 585-2195.

Halloween Happenings | Homewood

Participants of all ages are invited to attend the annual Halloween Happenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 31 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at James Hart Junior High School, 18211 Aberdeen Ave. Bring a carved pumpkin in from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for the chance to win a prize in the Jack-O-Lantern Contest: the scariest, the funniest and most unusual. Participants can color a Giant Halloween Mural, and at 7:30 p.m. join in a Halloween costume parade and contest. Admission is free.

FYI: Call (708) 957-0300 or visit www.hfparks.com.

Movie, candy swap | Lansing

Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., will celebrate Halloween with a themed movie and candy swap. The movie begins at 6 p.m. Oct. 31 with the candy swap from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The swap will be made between the children and library staff will not be checking the candy bags. The library is also hosting a guess-the-weight contest for a pumpkin, donated by Vandergriend's Farm Stand, through Oct. 31.

FYI: Call (708) 474-2447.

Trick-or-treat | Calumet City

Children in Halloween costumes can trick-or-treat Oct. 31 to receive a small treat at the Youth Services Desk at Calumet City Public Library, 660 Manistee Ave.

FYI: Call (708) 862-6220.

Hours | Calumet area

Trick-or-treat hours for Oct. 31

Beecher: 4 to 7 p.m.

Burnham: 3 to 6 p.m.

Calumet City: 3 to 6 p.m.

Chicago Heights: 3:30 to 7 p.m.

Crete: 3 to 6 p.m.; 6 to 7 p.m. with an adult

Dyer: 5 to 7 p.m.

East Chicago: 4 to 6 p.m.

Gary: 3 to 7 p.m.

Glenwood: 4 to 7 p.m.

Griffith: 5 to 7 p.m.

Hammond: 5 to 7 p.m.

Hebron 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Hegewisch: 4 to 7 p.m.

Highland: 5 to 7 p.m.

Lansing: 4 to 7 p.m.

Lynwood: 4 to 7 p.m.

Munster: 5 to 7 p.m.

Sauk Village: 3 to 7 p.m.

St. John: 5 to 7 p.m.

Schererville: 5 to 7 p.m.

South Holland: 4 to 7 p.m.

Whiting: 5 to 7 p.m.

TRUNK TREATS | Hammond

Trunk of Treats is set for 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at First United Methodist Church, 6635 Hohman Ave. Children can go from trunk to trunk of cars parked in the lot to receive treats. Afterward, marshmallows and other treats will be roasted over an open fire in the parking lot and "The Wonderful Wizard of Has," the story of a prodigal son, will be shown. Children are welcome.

FYI: Call (219) 932-5915.

BLESSING | Griffith

St. Mary Church holds its annual All-Hallows-Eve blessing of trick or treaters at 4 p.m. Oct. 31 in the church, 525 N. Broad St. Children in costume, accompanied by a parent, will receive a special blessing, a treat and a special reflective trick or treat bag.

FYI: Call (219) 922-2277.

KILLER DISPLAY | Dyer

Those who like to be scared can check out a Halloween display from 5 to 10 p.m. at 1401 Madison Ave. It's enjoyable for all ages. See Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, handmade giant spiders hanging on the house and roof, different animatronic monsters and the Jigsaw puppet (from "Saw") to name a few. There's also a surprise for trick-or-treaters. Walk up or just drive by.

HALLOWEEN NIGHT | Munster

Happy Halloween Night is set for 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at Faith Baptist Church's youth center, 8915 White Oak Ave. Games and treats will be featured. All are welcome.

FYI: Call (219) 688-9196.

HAUNTED PAVILION | Whiting

The Whiting FOP presents its Haunted Pavilion in the 10th annual Dark in the Park celebration today and Oct. 31. There will also be haunted hayrides through the park, too. The horrors begin at 6 p.m. Price is $5 per person. The Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce has details.

FYI: Call (219) 659-0292.

HALLELUJAH NIGHT | Hammond

Greater Works Ministry presents Hallelujah Night from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 in the church lot, 5125 Hohman Ave. Prizes, games, food, a concert and Christian rappers will be featured. Candy and hay rides will be available. Skits are titled "The Truth About Halloween" and "What the Devil Doesn't Want You to Know." Call for a ride for children.

FYI: Call (219) 852-0677.

PUMPKIN DISPLAY | Griffith

The Barenie family has put the final touches on the annual pumpkin display at their home on 917 E. Miller St. Lighting takes place at dusk. Three generations of the family join forces to create the display, which sports a new theme every year. It will stay set up through the weekend, weather permitting.

FYI: Call (219) 924-4907 or 616-6071.

JACK-O-LANTERN FEST | Highland

The Highland Kiwanis Club concludes its first Jack-O-Lantern Festival from 3:30 to 8 p.m. today at Main Square Gazebo, Ridge Road and Fifth Street. Families can bring a carved jack-o-lantern and enter the contest for a $2 fee. Pumpkins will be displayed at the gazebo. Participates can vote - 50 cents each - for their favorite and are invited to wear Halloween costumes. Refreshments will be available. All proceeds will go to the Kiwanis Club.

TRUNK OR TREAT | Munster

Munster Christian Reformed Church will host a trunk or treat with treats, games and food from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31 in the church lot, 214 Ridge Road. It's open to the public.

FYI: Call (219) 836-1400.