2021 Halloween trick-or-treating hours set for 1 to 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 12, 2021 – With COVID-19 still present in the community as Halloween approaches, official trick-or-treating hours will be earlier this year and public health officials are offering guidelines and recommendations on how to safely celebrate the holiday this year.

Official trick-or-treating hours will be 1 to 5:30 p.m. on Sun., Oct. 31. The earlier hours are intended to make it easier for trick-or-treaters to see signs homeowners may post to make clear which homes are offering candy and which ones have opted out this year.

Residents are encouraged to celebrate with lower-risk activities, such as pumpkin carving with members of their own household or outdoors at a safe distance with friends. 

To help families celebrate safely, the Oak Park Health Department is reminding families of the importance of continuing to follow public health guidelines to protect their health and the health of others.

Health officials recommend the following guidelines for trick-or-treaters:

• Wear a cloth mask that covers your nose and mouth – a costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth face covering
• Maintain at least a six-foot distance from trick-or-treaters outside of your household
• Wash your hands before and after trick-or-treating
• Bring hand sanitizer to use before, during and after trick or treating
• Limit the number of houses you visit
• Trick or treat only during permitted hours
• Don’t knock on doors with signs indicating a home is not participating this year
• Stay home if you're sick or if you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19

Households offering treats are urged to adhere to certain guidelines as well to keep themselves and others safe, including the following:

• Place individual goodie bags in a designated location, such as on a porch, front yard or stoop for trick-or-treaters to pick up and go while continuing to social distance
• Do not to place candy in communal bowls, which could encourage congregating and contact with others
• Those preparing goodie bags should wash their hands before and after preparing bags

Opting out

Households not participating in trick-or-treating are encouraged to post a sign on their door to discourage unwanted visits. Click here to download a printable sign…

Public health officials are asking trick-or-treaters to respect that not everyone is comfortable participating in Halloween festivities, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Costumes

Costumes that allow cloth face coverings and hand hygiene to be performed regularly are recommended. A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth face covering, and should not be worn over a face covering. A Halloween-themed cloth face covering rather than a costume mask is a good choice, officials say.

Residents are also advised to avoid masks and costumes that limit or obstruct visibility. While official trick-or-treating hours are set to end before dark, those out after sundown should fasten costumes with reflective tape and consider carrying a glow stick.

Gatherings

Those with underlying health conditions are encouraged to stay home during Halloween festivities and gatherings. In addition, residents are encouraged to…

• Consider hosting gatherings outdoors
• Avoid indoor parties
• Require guests to wear a face covering that covers their nose and mouth when at least a six-foot distance from others cannot be maintained
• Tell guests to stay home if they are sick

For more information about Halloween in Oak Park, visit www.oak-park.us/halloween. 

For the latest information on COVID-19 in Oak Park, visit www.oak-park.us/covid19.