Is it just me, or do you also enjoy Halloween now, as a parent, more than you ever did as a kid?
I can't get enough of the decor, the costumes, the spooky-themed food, and all the fun events. This year, I am especially happy to see that my teens aren't out-growing any of it anytime soon either. My seventeen year old lays out her outfits for the whole month of October, and they are all combinations of orange and black. Whenever I catch her with her ear pods in, she is listening to Halloween movie soundtracks. Her room is decorated in cobwebs, (beyond the ones that were already there), and pumpkin lighting. This is going to be another fun year!
The events we have always loved pre-pandemic are back, the innovative events created during the pandemic are returning, and even some new events are popping up. This may be the best year yet.
Stay tuned to Macaroni KID Chicago Northside, as we will keep you posted on all things sweet, and creepy, this season. Follow us on Facebook too, to ensure you don't miss a thing.
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THE SWEET
Andersonville
Aville-o-Ween
October 26 @ 12pm-3pm
Kids are welcomed to trick-or-treat at the businesses along Catalpa.There is also a pumpkin scavenger hunt all month long.
Cost: Free
Lakeview
Bloody WHIM for Kids
October 20 @ 1pm-4pm
For little ghouls and goblins, BLOODY WHIM for Kids takes place October 20 from 1-4 pm. With a Halloween walk-through that’s all fun and no fright, a kid-friendly drink called Zombie Blood, and crafty art project, this event is perfect for elementary-aged kids.
Blue Man Group Special Halloween Performance
October 27 @ 1pm
Celebrate the spookiest season of the year at Blue Man Group! This Sunday matinee will feature pre-show face painting, Halloween-inspired surprises, goodie bags for children in costume and a chance to meet a Blue Man in the lobby after the show. Halloween costumes are encouraged for all audience members! Recommended for children 3 years and up.
Friends of Jahn Pumpkin Patch
October 19 @ 10am-2pm
We are thrilled to be welcoming our community back to the Jahn Pumpkin Patch this year! Join us for fall crafts, music, balloon twisting, pumpkin sales, face painting, bounce house, games, and more.
Great Halloween Boo-tacular at the Center on Halsted
October 20 @ 2pm-5pm
Halloween games, arts & crafts, spooky drag story time, and more! Costumes encouraged but not required. Fall fun for LGBTQ+ families with children ages 0-11!
Hamilton Boo Bash
October 26 @ 2pm-5pm
Join us for a full day of fun activities, including a kid-friendly haunted house, a spooky haunted house created by our middle schoolers, a magic show, costume parade, carnival games, arts and crafts, spooky prizes, music, food for purchase, and so much more!
Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade
October 31 @ 6:30pm-10:00pm
Join us for the 27th annual Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade, October 31st, 2024. The free parade is a spectacle of sights, frights & spooky mayhem concluding with an Awards Show, live performance and dance party.
Lakeview YMCA Halloween Party
October 25 @ 5pm-7pm
Enjoy a scary kids movie, trick or treat, costume contest, and a frighteningly fun-filled time for the whole family. Open to the public.
Little Monsters Crawl
October 69 @ 12pm-3pm
Here’s the scoop: the little ghouls and goblins will embark on a thrilling trick or tread adventure, strolling through the neighbourhood in their finest costumes. Local businesses will set up stations with various treats for both kids and parents. We will also have 4 pop up tents across the neighbourhood where you’ll find your kids favourite cartoon costume characters and entertainers ready to spread Halloween joy! They’ll be on hand to greet the kids, hand out candy, and create magical moments that will make this Halloween unforgettable. So, mark your calendars for a day of family fun and fantastic costumes and make sure to stop into local businesses, fill your candy bag, and enjoy a safe and tasty trick-or-treating adventure! Don’t miss out on this fang-tastic neighborhood treat!
Roscoe Village Halloween Block Party
October 20 12pm-6pm
Save the date for the Roscoe Village Halloween Block Party! Celebrate the season in a safe, outdoor, family-oriented environment on Roscoe. Wear your costume and join for Halloween themed activities, a live DJ, and more! The Roscoe Village Streetery will be open for your food and beverage needs.
Trick-or-Treat Southport
October 28 @ 4pm-7pm
Trick or Treat on Southport is a free annual community event featuring family-friendly activities, a pumpkin patch, pet parade and trick or treating at local businesses.
Tubman Elementary Fall Fest
October 19 @ 10am-12pm
Games & Prizes. Costume Parade. Trunk or Treat. Pumpkin Decorating. Dance Party. Costume Swap.
Lincoln Park
Monster Mash Bash at Wrightwood
October 31 @ 10am-11am
Join us for a boo-ti-ful time! Come dressed in your Halloween costume and enjoy a fun night of dancing.
Spooktacular 2024
October 26 and 27 @ 1pm-4pm
Cost: Free
Spooky Zoo
October 19 @ 10am-1pm (or while supplies last)
This year’s event will offer trick-or-treating on zoo grounds and family-friendly entertainment.
Lincoln Square Ravenswood
Hands-On Family Night: Haunted House Party at The Chopping Block
October 30 @ 6pm-8:30pm
Bring the whole gang (costumes encouraged) for a hands-on Halloween family class! Have fun working together to prepare a spooooooky assortment of ghoulish bites everyone can sink their teeth into. This hands-on class is designed for children ages 6 and older to cook with their parents, families or guardians.
Lincoln Scared Ravenswoooood
October 27 @ 11am-1pm
Trick-or-Treat with your kids this year in Lincoln Square Ravenswood! On the Sunday of Halloween the business district transforms into LINCOLN SCARED and RAVENSWoooooD, as children trick-or-treat between participating businesses.
Rogers Park Montessori School Fall Fest
October 20 @ 10am-2pm
Fall festivities will include crafts, games, prizes, food trucks, a pumpkin patch, photo booth, costume parade, and more! Open to the public.
Trick or Treat Fest at Chase Park
October 19 @ 3pm-6:30pm
TREAT STATIONS, BOUNCE HOUSE, GHOULISH GAMES & CREEPY ARTS & CRAFTS : 3pm-6pm
'NO SCARE' HAUNTED HOUSE : 3pm-6pm
PROFESSIONAL GHOST STORIES : 4pm
HALLOWEEN DANCE PERFORMANCE BY DARVIN DANCE : 4:30pm
SPOOKY CIRCUS SHOW : 6pm
The Loop
Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade
October 19 @ 6:00PM-8:00PM
This is not to be missed! Personally, my favorite parade of all time. The Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade will return to State Street as the finale of the city’s “Halloweek” program! Now in its 10th year, this event has drawn together close to 100,000 guests and participants for a magical evening parade that celebrates Halloween as the “artist’s holiday.” Past participants include world-renowned institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago, celebrated Chicago organizations like Lookingglass Theatre Company, important programs like After School Matters and aspiring artists in every field. It is a dazzling event that delights the audience with unique floats, spectacle puppets and creative performances – all set against the backdrop of historic State Street.
Boo with Sue at the Field Museum
October 18 @ 5:30pm-9:30pm
Trick-or-treat yourself to a night at the Field Museum! This not-so-scary after hours event will spark curiosity for the entire family. Families with kids ages 2 to 12 will get up close and personal with creepy crawlers, conduct their own owl pellet dissection, explore fascinating exhibits, and learn about specimens in our collection from our team of scientists.
Costumes encouraged!
North Center
North Center Trick-or-Treat
October 26 @ 10am-1pm
Put on your funniest, spookiest, most creative Halloween costumes and join for a morning of Trick-or-Treating and holiday fun! Stop at Northcenter Town Square, 4100 N Damen Ave, pick up a treat bag and a map before visiting local businesses along Lincoln/Irving/Damen and in Northcenter Town Square, that will be handing out candy and other fun prizes.
River North
Slightly Spooky Saturday
October 26 @ 12pm-6pm
Celebrate the spooky season with trick-or-treating throughout the Pier while wearing your favorite costumes. Enjoy free workshops, axe throwing, live performances, and more!
Family Full Moon Halloween Fest on Jarvis Square
October 19 @ 5pm-8pm
Go out to Jarvis Square for free Halloween-themed activities including free s’mores, candy, and even stilt walking. Costumes are encouraged to help get into the Halloween spirit!
Upside Down Halloween Parade
October 26 @ 12pm-2pm
Chicago children and their families will BECOME the parade when they don their costumes and join the procession down tree-lined Russell Drive. Dance teams, musicians, acrobats, sports mascots and other spectacles will dazzle them as they make their way down the route – and kids will receive a complimentary candy bag and other goodies at the closing arches. And for those who don’t have a costume, we also will be giving away 2,000 costumes at the opening gates.
Suburbs
Boo at the Zoo
October 5,6,12,13,19 and 20 @ 10am-5pm
Gather your ghoulfriends, little ghosts, and goblins for this fun-filled family event. Check out the creatures, creepy crawlers, and more in your costumes at the Halloween-themed event that's perfect for family photo ops. All ages are in for a fang-tastic time, and the kids will leave with a sweet treat.
The Forge Monster Mash Carnival
October 11-13
This family-friendly event is packed with exciting Halloween-themed activities, carnival rides, live music and plenty of fall food and beverage options (caramel apples, anyone?). Whether you're trick-or-treating at one of our adventure activities or taking a hayride through the beautiful Heritage Quarries Recreation Area, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Halloween Experience Trolley Tours at Volo Museum
Now through November 3
Hop aboard, if you dare, for a spine-chilling journey filled with frights and delights! Choose between the full Halloween Experience or the Halloween Experience Express.
Highwood Pumpkin Fest Carnival
October 4-6
HIGHWOOD'S ANNUAL PUMPKIN FEST features 
Carnival Rides, Games, 
Food, 
Live Music and plenty of 
Pumpkins!
Lincolnwood Trunk-Or-Treat
October 27 @ 3pm-5pm
Wear your Halloween costume and join us for this FREE, family-friendly event of treats and spooky fun! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Pumpkin Train
October 19, 20, 26, and 27 @ 10am-6pm (last admission at 4pm)
Enjoy a ride to the pumpkin patch aboard Halloween-themed electric interurban trains. While at the patch, ask the farm hands to help you find the perfect pumpkin, and pose for pictures in the various colorful, life size cutouts, as well as an antique farm tractor and hay wagon.
Six Flags Great America Boo Fest
Now through November 3
Explore all your family-favorite coasters and attractions together during Kids Boo Fest! Kids areas are available from 11:00am-5:00pm. Enjoy the family-friendly classic adventure of trick-or-treat in the park! Little goblins can trick-or-treat on Candy Corn Lane from 1:00-3:00pm. From pumpkins to hay bales to scarecrows, enjoy all this season has to offer — with a few special thrills and twists of our own. Camp Boo! activities are available from 11:00am-5:00pm.
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THE CREEPY
Lakeview
Nightmare on Clark Street
Now through November 3
Get ready to embrace the eerie enchantment of Spooky Season at Nightmare on Clark Street at Bamboo Club! Our patio is transformed into a spine-tingling spectacle, with a hauntingly decorated heated tent that will send shivers down your spine. Children permitted before 6pm only.
Nightmare on Clark Street Haunted House Experience
Now through November 3
Purchase your tickets now and creep it real at the much-loved, immersive and over-the-top haunted house experience at Bamboo Club! Haunted house tickets are for GA entry to the Haunted House Experience ONLY. Purchase your tickets online in advance as tickets at the door may increase in price. All ticket prices are subject to change. Anyone under 18 years of age needs to be accompanied by a paid adult. Children 15 years of age and under will NOT be admitted onto the property for this terrifying adult experience.
The Park After Dark at Chase Park
TBD
The Park After Dark is a charity event to raise money for the Chase Park after school teen program. Every year, we transform the old theater into a brand-new haunted house, never repeating the same theme twice creating a truly unique experience. This year we a pleased to present: Outbreak, a zombie survival adventure.
Dead on Damen
October 31
Dead On Damen is excited to invite you to our 5th annual FREE Halloween Party. We will have hot cider, hot dogs, chili, chips, juice drinks and, of course, CANDY! Donations will be accepted For The ALS Foundation and Jordan Community School.
Suburbs
The 13th Floor Chicago
Now through November 9
Get ready for the most fun you've ever had getting scared at the world-famous 13th Floor Haunted House in Chicago!
In most buildings, the 13th floor doesn't exist--but here, in the heart of Chicago, it's terrifyingly real. The legendary 13th Floor has been praised by and featured on America Haunts, Travel Channel, MTV, Haunt World Magazine, and USA Today calls it "One of the best haunted attractions in the US." Purchase tickets early as Chicago's most horrifying haunted house is expected to sell out!
Old Joliet Haunted Prison
Now through November 2
A haunted house inside a real, abandoned prison! Get ready for the most fun you've ever had getting scared at The Old Joliet Haunted Prison in Joliet, IL! The madness from within the prison has spilled out into the yard where the queen of the damned rules over the most infamous and violent prisoners. This doomsday squad have launched an all-out assault on the living at an attempt to escape their eternal captivity. Journey through the chaos as the path winds through open air smoldering ruins and inside the prison’s machine shop, laundry room and other various industrial spaces. Escape from purgatory might be futile but it won't stop the prisoner’s from having a bloody good time.
Scream Scene
Select dates through November 2
Scream Scene is a seasonal haunted house held every October in Skokie. Each haunting season features new characters, sets and scenes making each new year more frightening than the last. Skokie Water Playground, abandoned for the season, becomes host to the most frightening experience in Skokie. With it's chainsaw maniacs and insane clown maze, Scream Scene has been terrifying visitors since 1997. Parental discretion advised: Not recommended for children under 10 years old! (Though, there is a "lights" on version on October 26 from 3pm-5pm for only $3.)
Six Flags Great America Fright Fest
Now through November 3
We visit Great America every fall. It's the perfect time to go. The temperature is usually a little cooler, the lines are shorter, and the changing colors of all the leaves, really make it quite picturesque. Add to that all the fun Fall, Halloween decorations, and seasonal menu items, and it is an enjoyable day even for non-riders. At 5:45pm, The Uprising Parade: Nightly Call of the Dead begins. This is the cue for kids 13 and under to make their way to the park exit or dare to be scared.
Don't forget to check out our Fall Guide for more fun this season!
