Naper Settlement is trading its two-decade reputation for scares for something a lot gentler this weekend: a daytime, fright-free Halloween event built specifically for toddlers and elementary-age kids. The new Family Spooktacular runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, replacing the 21-year-old All Hallows Eve tradition that once leaned into haunted houses and horror-movie theatrics for older crowds.
The shift marks the end of an era for All Hallows Eve, which for two decades featured spooky attractions, according to the Chicago Tribune. Past iterations of the event included an 800-square-foot outdoor haunt called Screams from the Unknown, a zombie hotel funhouse and a simulated alien autopsy, according to Positively Naperville. Settlement spokesperson Denise Wilt told the Tribune the overhaul came directly from community feedback asking for something geared toward younger children.
What Families Will Find This Weekend
Family Spooktacular targets kids ages 3 to 12 and swaps jump-scares for trick-or-treating through the museum's historic buildings, an inflatable zone, a costume contest with prizes, painting, slime-making, bubbles, laser tag and photo opportunities, per the Tribune's reporting. The event also includes a fright-free haunted house built specifically for toddlers and young children, according to NCTV17. Food trucks will be on-site for families.
Wilt said she hopes Family Spooktacular becomes an annual fixture on the museum's calendar, the Tribune reported. Adult admission runs $15, children ages 4 to 12 are $10, and kids under 4 get in free.
Local Sculptures and a Disney Tribute Act Headline
Visitors will also spot giant werewolf and gargoyle sculptures created by Naperville artist Paul Kuhn, per NCTV17's coverage.
The featured entertainment both days comes from The Little Mermen & The Princess Pals, a Disney tribute act described as globally recognized by Disney and Broadway.com as the No. 1 act of its kind. The group's performances blend rock-band energy with musical-theater vocals in character costumes, per the Tribune.
Scares Move Next Door to an Adults-Only Bash
The scarier, boozier programming hasn't disappeared — it's just moved to its own event. Howlin' at the Moon, Naper Settlement's 21-and-over Halloween bash, runs 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday with a food truck graveyard, a booze bar, live music both nights, a costume contest, black light painting, fire dancers, a moonlight market and photo ops, according to the Tribune. Tickets cost $25 for the 21-and-over event.
That lineup includes regional acts Birkenrocks, Six Foot Blonde, Mr. Blotto and Neighbor performing special Halloween cover sets, according to Patch. At the 2025 All Hallows Eve, guests could wear costumes but not masks or weapons. Tips collected at beverage tents across the museum's Halloween events this year benefit regional nonprofits, including the Exchange Club of Will-DuPage Counties and Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley, according to Positively Naperville's event guide.
A Rare Accredited Venue Balancing Two Audiences
The split between a daytime kids' event and an evening adults' festival reflects how Naper Settlement, a 13-acre outdoor living history museum, manages its dual role as both a historic preservation site and a major seasonal draw. Naper Settlement is a nationally accredited museum.
The new Halloween lineup lands amid a busy fall calendar across Naperville, with Pumpkin Palooza at the DuPage Children's Museum and the free Halloween Happening at the Naperville Riverwalk also drawing families this season, according to Naperville.com.
