LINCOLN PARK — Halloween runs roughshod over this weekend's activities — no doubt with a Jack-o-Lantern held in the rider's arms.
But first there's the kickoff of the 33rd annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival with a screening of the new Hollywood feature "Trolls" at 7 p.m. Friday at the ArcLight Cinemas, 1500 N. Clybourn Ave.
The screening is sold out, but the fest kicks into high and festive Halloween gear Saturday with a triple feature at Facets, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave. A new French version of "Beauty and the Beast" runs at 5 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by "Phantom Boy," a whimsical New York City tale about a boy who hovers over Manhattan as a phantom, and then a program of "Edgy Animation" shorts at 9. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for children (through 18) and $5 for Facets members, with a $45 family pass available to get four people into anything the fest shows over its 10-day run.
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St., holds a Spooky Zoo Spectacular Saturday. Things get started at 10 a.m. with family entertainment in the Main Hall, and with rides and other attractions from the zoo's ongoing Fall Fest. From 11 a.m.-1 p.m. there'll be trick-or-treating throughout the zoo, as well as a haunted house at the Kovler Seal Pool. Speaking of "Trolls," on Sunday Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Snacks will be giving away movie tickets as part of its promotion featuring "Trolls" characters on Garden Veggie Straws. It will have a snack station outside the Park Place Cafe at the zoo, with a green-screen photo booth for families to take festive pictures.
The Bauler Playlot, freshly renovated at 501 W. Wisconsin St., holds a formal ribbon-cutting event for its reopening at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Ald. Michele Smith (43rd) plays host along with the Chicago Park District, Lincoln Central Association and Bauler Park Advisory Council. Although the park formally reopened a couple of weeks ago, Saturday's ribbon-cutting will lead right into the ninth annual Howler at the Bauler, from 3-5 p.m., with face painting, balloon art, raffles, a fire truck and family magician Danny Orleans.
For those looking to get a jump-start on trick-or-treating away from the old home block, Tricks and Treats on Armitage Avenue runs from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, with the Bridgeview Bank parking lot at Armitage and Halsted Street the focal point.
Spooktacular runs from 1-4 p.m. Sunday on Clark Street from Armitage to Diversey Avenue. Magicians, jugglers and "scary stilt walkers" will be on hand. A costume contest takes place from 2-4 p.m. at 2558 N. Clark St.
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