Enjoy the season in & around Lake Geneva, with Poe, a haunted house tour, live comedy, Elkhorn’s Oktoberfest & much more this weekend
Look Ahead is the weekly event listing of The Resorter. Below are Lake Geneva area happenings we suggest checking out. Note: Information is subject to change. Email Special Section Coordinator Steve Targo to have an event appear in a future Look Ahead.
Wednesday, Oct. 14
Film screening & discussion of “No Country for Mothers” — 6-8 p.m., First Congregational United Church of Christ, 715 Wisconsin St., Lake Geneva, mobilize.us/momsfirst/event/1035921. Common Ground Lake Geneva’s screening of a Moms First documentary is free to attend for those who reserve a spot at the provided link. Free childcare and light refreshments, too. Call or text Common Ground Lake Geneva at 815-861-4930 for more details.
Ron Rindo: In Conversation with Maggie Ginsberg — 6:30 p.m., Lake Geneva Public Library, 918 W. Main St., Lake Geneva. Meet the author, whose new book “Life, & Death, & Giants” will be available. Copies are also available at event co-sponsor Lakeside Books. Free to attend. RSVP at lakesidebookslg.com.
Thursday, Oct. 15
Poe at the Point — 5:30-8:30 p.m., Riviera Dock, 812 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva, calendar.wisconsinhistory.org/event/poe-at-the-point-10152026-1730. A sunset cruise from the dock to Black Point Estate & Gardens, town of Linn, where Joshua Dubbert presents three dramatic readings of works by Edgar Allen Poe. Dubbert is a Poe historian. For those who can’t make it, there are Poe at the Point events Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16 and 17, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets $85 ages 18-64; $83 ages 65 and older; and $49 ages 13-17. See link for more.
Racine Zoo’s Jack-O’-Lantern Nights is in full swing all month, with dates Thursdays through Sundays.
Jack-O’-Lantern Nights — 6-10 p.m., Racine Zoo, 2131 N. Main St., Racine, racinezoo.org/jack-o-lantern-nights. Think you have seen all the Halloween related fun there is in Southeastern Wisconsin? Racine Zoo has a lighted pathway immersed in “dazzling lights and charming decorations,” according to a recent zoo press release. Event is Thursdays-Sundays through October. Admission at the door only, $10 per person, free for ages 2 and younger.
Spark Gala 2026 — 6:30 p.m., Conference Point Center, 300 Conference Point Road, Williams Bay, 262-245-5155, lgyc.org/spark-gala. A cocktail-attire celebration with hors d’oeuvres, desserts, raffles, mystery boxes, a live music performance and more. Stars Go Dim is this year’s featured artist, according to the link, where one can find the link for tickets, which start at $100. Another Spark Gala is set Oct. 16 in Elmhurst, Illinois. More at the link.
The Baker House Haunted House Tour — 7-8:15 p.m., Baker House, 327 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva, bakerhouse1885.com/event-calendar. Is truth scarier than fiction? When it comes to the real-life history behind the Baker House, perhaps. As guests explore the halls and staircases of the mansion, they will hear about the Lady in White and other stories of strange encounters. Tours are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays up to Oct. 31. Cost $20 per person.
Friday, Oct. 16
Comedy Night with the Boomer Broads — Doors 6 p.m., starts 7 p.m., Geneva Stage, 244 Broad St., Lake Geneva, genevastage.com. Jan Slavin, Staci Lynn Fletcher and Michelle Krajecki perform standup comedy from unique perspectives. Fletcher has appeared in television shows “The Pitt” and “Abbott Elementary.” Slavin has performed at the Laugh Factory. Krajecki was in a special on Open Bar Comedy. Tickets $28 plus fees.
Elkhorn’s Oktoberfest includes live music, a 5K run/walk and car show and more.
Saturday, Oct. 17
21st Elkhorn Oktoberfest — All day, downtown Elkhorn, elkhornchamber.com/oktoberfest. A day of “bands, brats and golden beers,” states the link. Car show parking is at 8 a.m. for the Annual Classic Car Show. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. for the Oktoberfest 3.1 Mile Fun Run & Walk: Race With a Purpose. The race itself starts at 9:30 a.m. The All Around Town Beer/Wine Tasting, music by the D’Lite Duo and the Zweifel Brothers and more are also planned. This is a rain-or-shine event. More at the link.
SMILES Fall Festival — 9 a.m.-1 p.m., N2666 County Road K, Darien, visitsmiles.org/special-event/smiles-fall-festival. Pancakes, ponies, a costume contest, hayride, games, raffles and more. Pricing varies depending on the activity. More at the link.
Sordid and Scandalous: A Walking Tour of Lake Geneva — 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Riviera, Lake Geneva, blackpointestate.wisconsinhistory.org/upcoming-events. The weird, wicked and wonderful side of history springs to life during this tour of locations in various legends and lore of Lake Geneva, including tales of riots, flying saucers, an alleged Sea Serpent and more. Cost $25 per person. Tour covers 1.5 miles, lasting around 90 minutes. More at the link.
Boo in the Bay: Fall Festival — Noon-2 p.m., Williams Bay High School, 250 Theatre Road, Williams Bay, williamsbayrecreation.checkfront.com/reserve. Pumpkin decorating, hayrides, games, food, music. Trunk-Or-Treat is in the elementary school parking lot. Free community event.
Paul McCartney/Wings Tribute with Band on the Run — Doors 6 p.m., show 7 p.m., Geneva Stage. Tickets $45-50.
Sunday, Oct. 18
Iconic Entrepreneur Program Series: Andy Hacker and Josh Brever, of Mike’s Auto Repair of Lake Geneva — 1-2:30 p.m., Smith Meeting Room, Lake Geneva Public Library, lglibrary.org. The Friends of the Lake Geneva Public Library host a fourth season of the series, in which local business people talk shop. Registration requested. Guests should access the side door off Wrigley Drive.
Taste of Broad Street — 2-5 p.m., Geneva Tap House, 252 Broad St., Lake Geneva, www.eventbrite.com/e/taste-of-broad-street-tickets-1996916182056?aff=oddtdtcreator. Third annual Side By Side fundraiser where guests can sample food and beverages from businesses along Broad Street in Lake Geneva. Participating businesses include Tuscan Tavern & Grill, Topsy Turvy Brewery and Simple. Tickets $54.13.
