Explore Rockford’s Dark Side: Haunted Events You Can’t Miss in October

Looking to get your spooky fix this fall? Wait until you see all the creepy things Haunted Rockford has planned for this October!

Haunted Happenings in Rockford

I've lived in the Rockford area my entire life, but there are still many things I've never experienced here. Primarily, I’ve never ventured deep into the dark and paranormal side of this city.

I may find reading true crime stories and eerie happenings at some of Rockford's most famous places incredibly fascinating, but am I brave enough to go and experience them first hand? I sure would like to muster up the courage and check out one (or all) of the cool events Haunted Rockford hosts each October:

Now that you know when and where spooky things will be happening in Rockford this October, let's get to what each event offers.

Ghastly Crimes & Ghostly Encounters - Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at the Boone County Historical Museum in Belvidere. Author and local historian Kathi Kresol will be sharing weird crimes, hauntings, and local legends from the Boone County and Rockford area.

True Tales of Things That Go Bump in the Night  - Friday, October 17 at 7:00 p.m. at Tinker Swiss Cottage. Authors Terri Reid and Kathi will share paranormal stories about and inside one of Rockford's most haunted places.

Haunted Rockford’s Pub Bus Tour - Saturday, October 18 at 7:00 p.m. This bus tour starts at Veterans Memorial Hall and stops at scenes of ghastly crimes and paranormal experiences in Rockford, plus a few local bars too. (Must be 21 and over)

Spooky Stories with Kathi Kresol - Thursday, October 23 from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at Montague Branch Library on S Winnebago Street in Rockford. Hear strange tales, weird crimes, and hidden haunted history of Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin.

Rockford’s Most Haunted - Saturday, October 25 from  6:00–11:00 p.m. Visit three of Rockford's most haunted locations: Veterans Memorial Hall, Tinker Swiss Cottage, and the Graham-Ginestra House and enjoy presentations, ghost stories, and even paranormal investigative gear demonstrations at each one.

Rockton Township Cemetery Tour - Sunday, October 26 from 4:00–6:00 p.m.
This is a walking tour of the historic Rockton cemetery, led by Kathi Kresol, Samantha Hochmann, and Sara Bowker. Hear about who’s buried there and what lingering spirits have been reported.

Haunted Rockford’s Bus Tour - Saturday, November 1 at 7 p.m. Hop aboard a luxury bus departing from Veterans Memorial Hall in Rockford to tour some of Rockford’s darker areas, while hearing infamous ghost and true crime stories.

If any of those events sound interesting to you, I must warn you now that most of them fill up quickly and require purchasing tickets in advance, so jump on making reservations now...or you'll be sorry.