A candlelit scavenger hunt, a half marathon through downtown and the final weekend of the Taste of Naperville all land between Friday, Oct. 16, and Sunday, Oct. 18.

Friday, Oct. 16

Boos and Clues Halloween Scavenger Hunt (18+): The Naperville Woman's Club opens its historic clubhouse at 14 S. Washington St. as home base for a downtown scavenger hunt. Check in between 6 and 6:30 p.m. to pick up clues, then work through participating restaurants, shops and landmarks before returning for music, karaoke and prizes.

Tarot readings and a $20 "Boos Pull" (cash only) are available. Costumes encouraged. Tickets are $35, non-refundable and limited. Proceeds support NWC scholarships and local charities, including Hesed House, according to Positively Naperville.

Halloween Lights Trolley Tours begin: Naperville Trolley & Tours launches its nightly Halloween house tours, running through Oct. 31. Each ride lasts about an hour on an enclosed, heated trolley, mostly between 7 and 10 p.m.

Three routes depart from Freedom Brothers Pizzeria (east), Gemato's Wood Pit BBQ (north) and Naperville Crossings near Bar Louie (south). A 21-and-over route leaves Quigley's Irish Pub on Oct. 19 and Oct. 26.

Weekend tickets cost $34.50 per person; weeknight tickets are $28.75. Reservations are required and non-refundable.

LOTUS at Paddleboat Quarry: French artist Nicolas Paolozzi's six giant illuminated lotus sculptures float on the water at 441 Aurora Ave., free and open to the public from 4 to 10 p.m. daily through Oct. 24.

Each structure stands roughly 13 feet wide and 11 feet high. The installation is the U.S. debut of the piece, organized by ArtForum: The Naperville Partnership for Public Arts with support from a $65,000 city grant through the Special Events and Community Arts program, as NCTV17 reported in August.

"In Naperville, the lotus flowers will be arranged on water, which will act as a natural mirror and heighten the installation's visual impact," Paolozzi said in August, when the project was announced.

Saturday, Oct. 17

VFW Post 3873 Car Show: The third annual show runs noon to 3 p.m. at Judd Kendall Hall, 908 Jackson Ave. Admission is free. Antiques, hot rods, motorcycles and Jeeps line up for visitor voting, with trophies for the top 25 plus Best in Show and Commander's Choice. Dark Horse Catering serves food, OMT performs live, and a silent auction features an Irongate Car Cave Experience. OSOT-America will collect donations for care packages to service members. Public parking is at the Centennial Beach lot with a shuttle available, according to Positively Naperville.

Anderson's Bookshop welcomes Nara Smith: The culinary creator appears 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 123 W. Jefferson Ave. Check the bookshop's website for ticket requirements.

Fry Family YMCA Halloween: Free trick-or-treating, slime making, crafts and a photo booth from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 2120 95th St. Open to the whole community, members or not.

5th Avenue Farmer's Market: Open 7 a.m. to noon at 5th Avenue Train Station, 200 E. 5th Ave. Only three Saturdays remain in the 2026 season. The final market day, Oct. 31, features a Halloween parade.

Sunday, Oct. 18

Naperville Half Marathon, 10K and 5K: Runners take over downtown starting at 7 a.m. on Eagle Street between Jackson and Aurora avenues. Drivers should plan for street closures during race hours. Racers who want race-day packet pickup must register by 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17.

Harvest Soup & Chili Stroll: Taste your way through downtown restaurants serving signature soups, stews and chili from noon to 4 p.m. Check in at Tapville Social, 216 S. Washington St. Tickets are sold for staggered start times.

Halloween Horror & Hocus Pocus Trivia: Test your horror-movie knowledge 6 to 8 p.m. at Tapville Social. Costumes welcome.

Sunday is also the final day of the Taste of Naperville, the "indoor" festival at restaurants throughout town.

Looking ahead

The big Halloween weekend arrives Oct. 23–25 with Howlin' at the Moon (21+) at Naper Settlement, the new Family Spooktacular, the Naperville Pumpkin Race and Downtown Naperville Trick-or-Treat.