Eerie Autumn Lights FAQs

FAQs

Family Night. Date Night. Group Outings.

Klehm is the place to be this October!

Q: What is Eerie Autumn Lights?

A: Eerie Autumn Lights is a nighttime event that transforms Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden into an enchantingly immersive Halloween experience!

Journey through a ½ mile walking experience of themed Halloween lighting and decorations!

View Rockford’s BIGGEST pumpkin!

Children can “get lost” to experience the wonder of the 100-foot long Spooky Straw Bale maze!

View Haunted Hay Bales and other special themed Halloween decorations on site!

Guests will make memories by taking photos at special photo op stations throughout the event!

Shop for themed Halloween merchandise and enjoy food and drink by Vintage Goose Café!

Q: Where is the event located?

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden

2715 S. Main St.

Rockford, IL 61102

Q: What dates does the event take place?

October 3rd through 31st, Wednesdays through Sundays. After October 27th, the event will run every evening through October 31^st.

Q: What time does the event take place?

Eerie Autumn Lights will open at 5PM and will close at 9PM each Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, with the last ticketed entry at 8PM. The event will close at 10PM each Friday and Saturday with the last ticketed entry at 9PM on these days.

Our ticket sales platform shows available dates and times – get your tickets here today!

Q: Where do I park?

Klehm has over 200 parking spaces available, including handicap marked spaces. Upon entry, drive up and to the right to enter one of our parking lots. Once parked, head  to the end of the parking lot on foot where the experience begins in our Ghostly Market (our large, tented Garden Pavilion).

Q: Can I buy my tickets at the gate?

No, Eerie Autumn Lights tickets must be purchased online in advance. Buy tickets here.

Again, you must purchase tickets online in advance without exception. Guests arriving without tickets will not be permitted to enter.

Q: Does the Museums For All program work with Eerie Autumn Lights?

No, the Museums For All program does not apply to Eerie Autumn Lights as it is a special event. Tickets must be purchased online in advance. Buy tickets here.

Q: I bought my tickets online – when do I show up?

This event is timed entry, so you must arrive during the entry window you selected and as shown on your tickets.

Q: Can I take a ride-share (Uber, Lyft) to the event?

Yes. A drop-off and pick up area for ride-share services will be clearly marked onsite.

Q: Is Eerie Autumn Lights a scary event?

No, Eerie Autumn Lights is not a haunted-house or a shock-and scare-style event (no fake blood, chainsaw sounds, or jump-and-scare performers). This event is appropriate for all ages and there are enjoyable Halloween-themed elements for children, adults and seniors alike!

Q: Will there be food and drink?

Yes! Rockford’s own Vintage Goose Café will be onsite in the Ghostly Market to offer special themed beverages (non-alcoholic) and food items. Limited seating will also be available.

Q: Will there be other cool stuff to purchase?

Yes! The Ghostly Market will feature fun, one-of-a-kind Halloween-themed items for sale.

Q: Should I bring cash with me?

There is no need to bring cash, as onsite vendors will be processing cashless transactions only. 

Q: Can I take a stroller or stroller-wagon through the event?

Yes! Eerie Autumn Lights is designed for guests of all ages. Stroller parking will be available for the Children’s Spooky Straw Bale maze, along with nearby picnic table seating for this feature.

Q: Are there restrooms?

Temporary portable restrooms will be available to event guests and will be located adjacent to the parking lot area. Restrooms at the Clarcor Pavilion and Visitors Center will not be available for use during the event.

Q: Can we explore all areas of the arboretum during Eerie Autumn Lights?

No, Eerie Autumn Lights takes place along a curated ½ mile walking route through select areas of the arboretum only. Event guests should not travel beyond any areas marked with “No Entry”, “Do Not Enter”, or other similar language restricting entry to areas of the facility beyond the Eerie Autumn Lights experience. Disregard for these rules will result in guest removal from the event.

Q: Are there any extra or educational programs occurring with Eerie Autumn Lights?

Yes! Please click here to view related programs being offered on several Wednesday evenings at 5PM. These events are included and optional to attend with ticketed admission to Eerie Autumn Lights during this time slot.

Q: What if it rains? What if it’s cold? What if it snows?

Eerie Autumn Lights is a rain or shine event that will take place each scheduled night. The event will only be canceled in the event of severe weather if necessary, and this will be communicated to ticketholders via mass email. Alternate dates will be provided to ticketholders in this rare instance.

The Ghostly Market (tented garden pavilion) will be heated during the event to enhance guest comfort.

Q: I caught a cold (or can’t come for some other health reason). Can I get a refund?

No refunds are available for Eerie Autumn Lights. This includes unused tickets due to COVID-19 and other illnesses. At their own discretion, guests are allowed to sell or gift their tickets to friends, family or acquaintances if they find they cannot attend their scheduled night. If you do not show up, you will not receive a refund and will not be able to reschedule your experience.

Again – if you are unable to attend the event for any reason, you will not be able to obtain a refund.

Q: What if I can’t find the email that I received my tickets in?

You should arrive right at your scheduled entry time and our staff will look up your information and check you in on site using the name of the ticket purchaser.

Q: Is this event accessible? Can the event be attended with a walker or wheelchair?

A: Eerie Autumn Lights is a dimly lighted nighttime walking experience on paved surfaces, with the Children’s Spooky Straw Bale Maze located on grass and the Spooky Trail being unpaved and approximately 250’ in length. This Spooky Trail travels at a gradual uphill grade, and will be dimly lit. This Spooky Trail leads to the portion of the experience in the Nancy Olson Children’s Garden. Guests may use flashlights (e.g., mobile phone flashlights or handheld flashlights) during Eerie Autumn Lights for wayfinding purposes.

Attendees are urged to wear proper footwear and to always remain attentive to the ground conditions and their surroundings as they enjoy their journey through Eerie Autumn Lights.

Guests needing to utilize mobility devices (walkers, wheelchairs, or electric mobility scooters) should plan to bring their own devices for their own personal use. Other devices will not be provided for use during the event.

Q: Will there be strobe lights?

No, there will not be strobe lights. Several of the LED floodlights used for uplighting trees and landscape features may be programmed to gradually fade or transition between different colorways.

Q: What should I wear? Can I wear a costume?
Please dress appropriately and according to the weather. The event takes place at an outdoor arboretum and botanic garden. We strongly recommend you are outfitted for light outdoor activity. We recommend comfortable walking shoes. Please dress appropriately and according to the weather (wind, rain or snow), including cold temperatures.

You may wear a costume, and due to the all-ages nature of the event, no scary, gruesome, or inappropriate costumes (as determined by event staff) will be alloed. In addition, no full-face masks are allowed. Any guests arriving in such attire may be required to exit the event or asked to change clothing if considered inappropriate to the event.

Q: Can I take photos or video?
Yes, you are welcome to capture photos and videos during your visit. However, flash photography of any kind is prohibited. There are several photo opportunities located throughout the event.

Q: Are pets allowed?
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed at Eerie Autumn Lights. Designated service animals are allowed. Service animal means an animal that is trained to do work or perform tasks for, and to assist, an individual with a disability. All other animals, including emotional support, comfort or companion animals, are not considered service animals. Service animals should remain on a leash or in a harness and under the control of the owner at all times.

Q: Can I bring my own food or beverages?
Guests may not bring outside food and beverage to Eerie Autumn Lights. Themed food and drink will be available for purchase from Vintage Goose Café in the Ghostly Market.

Q: Can I bring alcohol to the event? Can I smoke at the event?
Guests may not bring alcoholic beverages and may not consume them at the event. Guests may not smoke at Eerie Autumn Lights as it is a smoke-free event.

Tickets

Available Now // Timed Entry // Online Only!

$12 Adults / $6 Children (Under 12)

See Rockford’s BIGGEST Pumpkin!

Get lost in the massive Children’s Spooky Straw Bale Maze!

Shop our Ghostly Market and enjoy food and drink offered by The Vintage Goose!

View Haunted Balloon Creations by Ms. Twisty Pants on Wednesdays!