The countdown to Halloween begins. In the meantime, check out our monthly list of the top festivals, concerts, and events this upcoming October.

NILES WEST

10/2: Late Start, 9:40 AM

10/2-10/6: Homecoming Spirit Week & Ticket Sales

10/3: Powder Puff Football Game, 3:45 PM

10/5: Homecoming Float Building

10/5: Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, 5 PM

10/6: Homecoming Football Game v Evanston, Home, 7 PM

10/6: Homecoming Assembly, 12 PM

10/6: Homecoming Parade, 1:20 PM

10/7: Homecoming Dance, 7 PM

10/9: No School, Indigenous Peoples’ Day

10/11: PSAT/NMSQT Testing (Sophomore/Juniors Only)

10/12-14: The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee, Niles West Theatre Performance, 10 AM/4 PM, 7:30 PM/7:30 PM

10/14: West Gives Back

10/18: You Make A Difference Breakfast, 7:30 AM

10/19: Fall Orchestra Concert, 6:30 PM

10/20: Football v Maine South, Home, 7 PM

10/23-27: Red Ribbon Week

10/26- NWPAC/NNPAC “Teenage Brain/Life Skills” Presentation, 6:30 PM

10/30: Junior Kick Off to College, Niles North, 6:30-8:30 PM

DOWNTOWN CHICAGO

10/1: Aids Run & Walk

10/1: Chicago Book Expo

10/5: So You Think You Can Dance, Chicago Theatre

10/8: Bank of America Chicago Marathon

10/9: Indigenous People Day Parade

10/12: Chicago International Film Festival

10/14-15: Open House Chicago

10/15: Misterwives, Concert, Riviera Theatre

10/16: CAMP, Comedy Show,

10/18: Imagine Dragons, United Center

10/18: Kesha, Aragon Ballroom

10/22: Gavin DeGraw, Vic Theatre

10/22: Six Stories Up in Haunted Chicago

TOP HAUNTED HOUSES

Basement of the Dead & Shattered 3D Nightmare in Aurora, IL

Statesville Haunted Prison & City of the Dead in Crest Hill, IL

Evil Intentions in Elgin, IL

Realm of Terror Horror Experience in Round Lake Beach, IL

HellsGate Haunted House in Lockport, IL

Massacre Haunted House in Montgomery, IL

13^th Floor Chicago in Melrose Park, IL

Midnight Terror in Oak Lawn, IL

House of Torment Chicago in Morton Grove, IL