Explore your own neighborhood or seek out an unfamiliar destination, keep your camera handy, and enjoy the journey
Decorating for fall is a fundamentally optimistic act. Whether you are celebrating a bountiful harvest, anticipating spooky Halloween hijinks, or simply defying the disappearing daylight, we can put aside our differences and unite behind the fantasy that winter will never actually arrive.
Or we can pretend that skeletons are smiling because they are happy to see us. (Right?)
Combine our friends’ and neighbors’ creativity with Central Illinois’s fickle autumn sunshine — or changeable clouds — and you just may find yourself driving around aimlessly and stopping to take pictures long after you were supposed to be home.
If aimless isn’t your style, we’ve included a map (at the end of this article) with the houses marked.
We have a variety of articles highlighting more conventionally photogenic aspects of our area:
- 10+ Places to See Fall Colors in Champaign-Urbana
- Where to Take Fall Family Photos in Champaign-Urbana
- Where to Instagram in Champaign-Urbana
This post? Honestly, it’s mostly about skeletons doing skeleton things.
When a business sets up a Halloween tableau, it raises questions. Is the skeleton waving or asking for a high five? Did it take that cape from a vampire? Will I be late for my dentist appointment if I stop to take a selfie?
Honestly, we couldn’t help but notice that the skeletons are living (?) their best lives out in our yards this fall.
Did someone say tall? Tall is definitely popular again this year.
Tall has also found its way to Savoy’s Lake Falls neighborhood, which seems to have a particularly symmetric decorating aesthetic all its own.
Tall or short or in between, there’s nothing like a good Halloween inflatable to dress up the neighborhood.
Halloween decor does seem peculiarly suited to our older neighborhoods, maybe thanks to the larger trees and greater resulting atmosphere of decay.
The annual display on Champaign’s South New Street (between Hessel and Haines) in Champaign has leveled up with a sign, its own social media and the opportunity for public walk-throughs. It has little to no gore, lots of lights, and a growing number of props built by the owners. Check its Facebook page for walk-through times, which will start the week of Oct. 21.
And a few more of our favorite spooktacular houses follow. We suggest visiting at least twice: once during daylight hours to appreciate all the detail, and once at night if spooky vibes are more your thing.
In the mood for spooky AND synchronized? A few brave souls are experimenting with lights synchronized to Halloween music.
Lights on Prairieview in Tuscola is a recent favorite addition to the Christmas lights community. This year it has unveiled synchronized lights to four Halloween-themed songs.
We leave you with this skeleton, wisely shading its entire skull from the late afternoon fall sun while making a hasty escape on a dragon. As one does.
We hope these photos have given you the itch to Go Out and Look at Things, whether during the day or after dark.
Because winter is coming.
One Map to Hold Them All
Know a Champaign-Urbana area house we should add to this post? Let us know about it here or email info/pics to social@chambanamoms.com
More information on Halloween in Champaign-Urbana
Halloween Events and Activities | Haunted Houses and Where to Get Scared | Where to Trunk or Treat | Champaign-Urbana Area Trick-or-Treat Hours | Halloween at Zoos near Champaign-Urbana