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A Resolution Setting the Halloween Trick or Treat Hours from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2026
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Introduction
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This resolution sets trick-or-treat hours in the Village of Oak Park, IL, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
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Recommended Action
Adopt the Resolution.
Prior Board Action
The Village Board annually establishes official trick-or-treating hours in the Village of Oak Park. The Board approved hours from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. from 2015 through 2018; 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in 2019; 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in 2020 and 2021; and 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. from 2022 through 2025.
Background
The Village Board annually establishes official trick-or-treating hours. From 2015 through 2018, the hours were generally 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
In 2019, the Board established hours from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Earlier daylight hours of 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. were approved in 2020 and 2021 in consideration of weekend scheduling, public-health conditions and the visibility of household participation signs.
Since 2022, the Board has annually approved hours from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Consistent with prior Village practice, households may choose whether to participate. “Trick-or-Treaters Welcome” and “No Trick-or-Treating” signs will be available electronically and in print at Village Hall for community members who do not have access to a printer.
Timing Considerations
Because Halloween falls on a Saturday, the Village may experience increased participation, pedestrian activity, vehicle traffic and gatherings extending beyond traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating. In Oak Park, sunset on October 31, 2026, is expected at approximately 5:46 p.m., with civil twilight ending at approximately 6:15 p.m. The time options therefore provide different balances of daylight, twilight and evening participation for the Board's consideration.
The approved trick-or-treating hours will apply only on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The established end time does not constitute a curfew or prohibit individuals from lawfully remaining in public areas after the designated hours.
Financial Impact
There is no material fiscal impact associated with adopting the resolution. Nominal costs for printing “Trick-or-Treaters Welcome” and “No Trick-or-Treating” signs will be absorbed within existing departmental operating accounts, with sufficient unobligated funds available.
Any expenses associated with public-safety deployment, overtime, mutual aid, traffic control or other Halloween operations will be managed by the responsible departments through established operational planning and existing approved budgets.
Account GL String: 1001.41100.101.550601 (VCO - Printing)
Revenue Impact: None
Estimated Expenditure: Nominal printing costs and any operational expenses incurred within existing approved budgets
Unobligated Budget Available: Yes
Operations Impact
This item is part of the Village’s annual administrative and public-information functions.
DEI Impact
Trick-or-treating provides a generally low-cost opportunity for community participation; however, families may experience financial barriers related to costumes, transportation, treats, food-allergy alternatives, and reflective safety materials.
Participation is voluntary. Printed and electronic “Trick-or-Treaters Welcome” and “No Trick-or-Treating” signs will support households that choose to participate as well as those that do not.
Community Input
Following approval, the Village will communicate the official hours and make “Trick-or-Treaters Welcome” and “No Trick-or-Treating” signs available online and in print at Village Hall. Community feedback received through the Village’s regular communication channels may help inform planning for future years.
Staff Recommendation
The designated hours establish the period for trick-or-treating. They do not constitute a curfew or restrict the lawful use of public spaces after 8:00 p.m.
Advantages:
• Continues the schedule approved annually since 2022.
• Provides clear and consistent guidance for residents, visitors, participating households, and Village departments.
• Provides a defined period that includes daylight and evening participation, accommodating a range of ages, schedules, and accessibility needs.
• Supports inclusive participation while respecting households that choose not to participate.
• Allows sufficient time for coordinated communication, public-safety planning and seasonal operations.
Disadvantages:
• Saturday evening hours may generate greater pedestrian activity, vehicle traffic, parking demand, and neighborhood noise than a weekday Halloween.
• The proposed hours extend later than those approved for previous Saturday Halloweens.
• The established period may not accommodate every household’s schedule or preference.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
The Village Board may amend the proposed resolution to establish trick-or-treating hours from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2026. These are the same hours approved for the last non-pandemic Saturday Halloween in 2015.
Advantages:
• Follows the hours previously approved for a Saturday Halloween outside the COVID-19 public-health period.
Disadvantages:
• Departs from the 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. schedule approved annually since 2022 and could create confusion among residents and returning visitors.
• Would require clear and timely communication emphasizing the change from the Village’s recent schedule.
• An earlier end to designated trick-or-treating hours would not constitute a curfew or necessarily prevent later gatherings in public spaces
Anticipated Future Actions
No additional Village Board action is anticipated for the 2026 observance.
Consistent with established practice, staff anticipate returning to the Village Board in 2027 to establish the following year’s trick-or-treating hours
Prepared By: Christina M. Waters, Office of the Village Clerk, Village Clerk
Reviewed By: Jack Malec, Assistant to the Village Manager
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Resolution Trick or Treat Hours 2026 - 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.