Fall is here, and Halloween is just around the corner! Whether you like scary movies and hunting for ghosts, or prefer cozy crafts and tasty treats, APL has something for you. Check out our recommendations for what to watch, read, and do during spooky season this year!
Library Programs and Crafts
Join local ghost hunter Tony Szabelski at Ghosts of Addison: Voices from the Past for a screening of his visit to St. Paul Cemetery and his ghost hunting session at Century House in Addison! Learn about local lore and the ghost hunting trade.
Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 7:00 PM in Village Hall. Register
Get ready for magic and witchcraft with Beyond the Screen: A “Wicked” Conversation with Marissa Bode! This online program from Illinois Libraries Presents features actress Marissa Bode, who plays Nessarose in Wicked and Wicked: For Good.
Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM on Zoom. Register
Bring some fall cheer into your home with a Grab-and-Go Kit: Pumpkin Lantern! Kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis starting Friday, October 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM at the Adult Services desk.
Host a Halloween Party or Scary Movie Night
APL has everything you need for a fall get-together!
- Pick a movie off our list of classic horror films, and create a menu of on-theme dishes from the Horror Movie Night Cookbook, or the ebook version of the Death for Dinner Cookbook.
- Have a fall-themed baking or craft night with a tutorial from our craft and maker resources. Log in for free with your library card to Craft & Hobby or CreativeBug to find Halloween recipes, holiday decorations, costume-making tutorials, and more!
- Host a murder mystery night with a murder mystery kit from our Library of Things! Get into character for a night at a 1960s casino, a 1930s train journey, or a gloomy lighthouse in the 1800s. Each kit contains everything you need for your guests to have a blast figuring out a “whodunnit” murder mystery!
Family-Friendly Fun
Going to a pumpkin patch, watching scary movies, and trick-or-treating aren’t the only ways to have fun this Halloween season! Get inspired with these Halloween crafts, recipes, and games that the whole family can enjoy.
Set the mood with a flashlight or lantern and take turns reading ghost stories! Check out the options from our scary stories for kids list, or pick title from this list of gothic tales for teens.
Seasonal Reading Recommendations
Fall is the perfect season to curl up with a good book! Find a new favorite by exploring the lists below.
- Historias de terror – A variety of horror stories in Spanish, featuring iconic authors from the genre.
- Fall Romance – Love is in the air in these autumnal romance novels!
- Indigenous Horror – Novels and short story collections by indigenous authors, exploring themes of colonization, violence, and intergenerational trauma and resilience.
- Appalachian Speculation – Get lost in the woods with these fiction books set in Appalachia, including sci-fi, fantasy, and horror.
If you need help accessing any of our services, call us or visit one of our service desks, and we’ll be happy to help! You also can schedule a 1-on-1 appointment with one of our staff members: addisonlibrary.org/appointments.