Ten Reasons to Come to Our Halloween Bash in Gurnee

Some costumes deserve more than one night out. Some Sundays deserve a little more excitement. And sometimes, the best family plans involve a pumpkin, a bag of candy, and a little magic.

Join us at The Ten Hotel in Gurnee on Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 1 to 4 p.m. for our Halloween Bash. We’re bringing families from Gurnee and across Lake County together for an afternoon of costumes, creativity, entertainment, and Halloween fun.

Need a reason to join us? In true Ten fashion, we have ten. Get your Halloween Bash tickets here.

Halloween Bash 2026 at a Glance

Halloween Bash Schedule

Here is how the afternoon runs, plus a tip for each stop so your crew catches everything.

Ten Reasons to Come to Our Halloween Bash

1. The Whole Family Can Get Into the Halloween Spirit

Bring the kids, invite the grandparents, and make plans with your favorite people. Our Halloween Bash is designed for families, with activities that give everyone a reason to join the celebration.

Costumes are encouraged, but they aren’t required. Whether your family arrives as a perfectly coordinated cast of characters or everyone chooses their own adventure, you’ll fit right in.

2. Magic Mark Is Bringing the Wonder

There’s something wonderful about watching a child try to figure out how a magic trick just happened. Even better? Realizing you’re trying to figure it out, too.

Magic Mark takes the main stage at 2:30 p.m. for a performance filled with magic and laughs. Make time to gather around, enjoy the show, and let someone else do the impossible for a little while.

3. Your Little Artist Can Paint a Pumpkin

Scary faces. Silly smiles. A pumpkin that looks nothing like a pumpkin by the time it’s finished. That’s part of the fun.

Our pumpkin painting stations open at 1:30 p.m., giving younger guests a chance to create something of their own to take home. Supplies are provided while they last, so plan to visit the stations early if painting is high on your family’s list.

4. There’s a Bounce House. Enough Said.

Ask a kid what makes a party better, and a bounce house will probably enter the conversation.

Ours gives younger guests another way to enjoy the afternoon between painting, collecting treats, and watching the magic show. For kids who like their celebrations with a little extra movement, this one belongs on the must-do list.

5. Trunk or Treat Starts the Afternoon on a Sweet Note

Halloween wouldn’t feel quite complete without collecting a few treats.

Doors open and Trunk or Treat begins at 1 p.m. Bring your younger trick-or-treaters ready to explore, collect candy, and show off their costumes. It’s a chance to get into the Halloween spirit before the big night arrives, and one of the easiest Trunk or Treat plans in Gurnee this season.

6. You Can Check Out the Car Show, Too

The afternoon also includes a car show alongside the Trunk or Treat festivities.

Take a little time to look around as you make your way through the event. Whether cars are your thing or you simply enjoy having something different to explore, it adds another stop to your Halloween afternoon.

7. Adults Get to Dress Up and Compete, Too

Why should kids have all the costume fun?

Our costume contest includes both kids’ and adults’ categories, with judging beginning at 3:30 p.m. Pull out that costume you’ve been waiting to wear, commit to the character, and give it a moment in the spotlight.

Parents, this is your invitation to do more than hold the candy bag.

8. The Costume Prizes Give You Extra Motivation

A great costume already earns bragging rights. Ours could earn a prize, too.

Consider that a little encouragement to finally bring your costume idea to life.

9. It’s a Sunday Afternoon Plan Before Halloween

Our October 25 celebration gives you a chance to enjoy Halloween ahead of October 31.

With festivities running from 1 to 4 p.m., you can make an afternoon of it without planning a late night. Give the costumes an early outing, spend time together, and keep the Halloween excitement going a little longer.

10. One Ticket Covers the Activities

Admission is $10 per person, plus tax, and includes the magic show, bounce house, Trunk or Treat, pumpkin painting, and costume contest entry.

Concessions and snacks will be available to purchase separately. Pumpkin painting supplies are available while they last.

That means you can plan your visit knowing what admission covers and leave room for a snack along the way. Reserve your Halloween Bash tickets.

How to Plan Your Halloween Bash Visit

• Buy tickets online first: admission is priced per person, so count everyone in your group before you check out.
• Arrive close to 1 p.m.: Trunk or Treat starts when doors open, and pumpkin painting follows at 1:30 p.m. with supplies available while they last.
• Build around two anchors: Magic Mark at 2:30 p.m. and costume judging at 3:30 p.m. Everything else fits in between.
• Bring a treat bag and snack money: candy comes with Trunk or Treat. Concessions are sold separately.
• Dress the whole crew: adults have their own contest category, so the grown-ups can compete, too.
• Share the fun: tag @thetenhotelgurnee on Instagram so we can see the costumes.

Make It a Halloween Weekend in Gurnee

The Bash runs from 1 to 4 p.m., which leaves plenty of room to turn one afternoon into a full Gurnee outing.

Start With Sunday Brunch at Limoncello Cafe

Limoncello Cafe, inside The Ten Hotel, serves its Sunday Brunch Buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $19.95 per person. Book an 11 a.m. table, finish with time to spare, and walk straight into the Bash without moving the car. Groups of eight or more should reserve on OpenTable.

Stay the Night

Coming from Chicago, Kenosha, or elsewhere in Lake County? Our rooms and suites put you steps from the celebration, so the kids can trade costumes for pajamas without a drive home.

Explore What’s Nearby

The Ten sits on Grand Avenue, a short walk from Gurnee Mills and a few minutes’ drive from Six Flags Great America. If your family is weighing Halloween options, keep in mind that Six Flags lists Fright Fest as not recommended for children under 13 after 6 p.m. Our Bash is a daytime, family-first alternative built for younger trick-or-treaters.

Come Back for Beer, Brats & Bach

Grown-ups looking for an encore can return on Thursday, October 29, 2026, for Beer, Brats & Bach at The Ten. See all upcoming events at The Ten Hotel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Event details verified against the official Halloween Bash page on October 16, 2026. Schedule, activities and prizes are subject to change. Check the event page for the latest information.