Our Guide to Halloween 2023 in Chicago

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Whether you’re a fan of tricks or treats, our selected events are for you! From spooky drinks to pet costume contests, Chicago is full of every Halloween party under the sun. This Halloween guide is sure to revamp your Halloween celebrations. Plus, our variety of events is perfect for you, no matter if you want a short event or want to party all night. If you see something that sparks your curiosity, head to the provided links for additional information and a weekend itinerary you can look forward to!

Halloween Party at the French Market

On Saturday October 28th, the French Market is hosting its annual Halloween event from 10 am until 1:30 pm. Activities include Vanille’s free cupcake decorating, crafts for kids and of course a market-wide trick-or-treat from 11 am to 1 pm. Don’t forget to visit the information booth at the Clinton Street entrance for a chance to win a $200 gift card!

Lakeview East Little Monsters Crawl

If you want to take your kids trick-or-treating while supporting local businesses, we have the event for you! Lakeview East and Wrigleyville are putting on their annual Little Monsters Crawl. This trick-or-treating event will occur on October 29th, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. You can rest assured that your kids will be trick-or-treating safely, and there may even be treats for adults along the way. Plus, supporting local businesses helps show appreciation for the diversity of our Chicago neighborhoods! Adults can taste ROCKS Lakeview’s Bourbon Cider slushy, while kiddos can pick up art supplies at Artful Framer Studios. There’s something for everyone! Head to Lakeview East’s Website to find out more. Be sure to check back regularly; new businesses are being added every day!

Lincoln Park Zoo’s Fall Fest

Dive into the wonderful world of autumn—from picking the perfect pumpkin to taking in the nostalgic scents of hot cider and toasted s’mores—with Lincoln Park Zoo’s ninth annual Fall Fest. This FREE, family-friendly celebration brings harvest-time fun to the heart of Chicago each year from September to October.

This year’s festival features ticketed attractions throughout the zoo, including a Fun Slide, a pumpkin filled Harvest Maze, inflatable attractions, and much more. Guests can enjoy free musical entertainment, story times, professional pumpkin carvers, a pumpkin patch, and fall-themed enrichment for the animals. Every weekend will offer something new!

Fall Fest is a FREE event at Lincoln Park Zoo and registration is not required.

Halloween at the American Writers Museum

From October 5th to November 6th, join the American Writers Museum (AWM) for Nevermore: The Poe Tour to explore the museum through the lens of Edgar Allan Poe. Creep into the work of the man behind talking ravens and thumping tell-tale hearts. The tour is complimentary with general admission and is offered daily at 3pm when the museum is open.

On October 10th, the museum will host its monthly Get Lit event with a special theme: Cinema of Screams! The night will include The Tequila Nightmare specialty cocktail, a costume contest, horror movie trivia, a scavenger hunt, books and memorabilia. The Horror & Sci-Fi Prop Preservation Association will exhibit some of horror’s most iconic items actually used in films, including Jason Voorhees’ machete, Freddy Krueger’s fedora, Michael Myers’ mask and more!

Then, from October 26th to 30th, the museum will have some special themed activities just for Halloweekend. With our Pumpkin Hunt, visitors can explore the American Writers Museum in a whole new way. Search the museum to find the missing pumpkins hidden in our favorite works of American writing. Find all of the pumpkins and win a special prize!

Additionally, on Sunday, October 29th, the museum will offer a Halloween Storytime in the Children’s gallery for all of our young readers. After the stories, families can enjoy some coloring pages and a bookmark craft together. 

River North Halloween Bar Crawl

If you’re over 21 and love Halloween, this next event is for you. The River North Halloween Bar Crawl will take place on Saturday October 29th, from 7:00 pm to 12:00 am. Lucky for you, River North is home to some of the best bars in Chicago, so there won’t be a shortage of places to go. Plus, these great bars are all within walking distance of one another. If this sounds exciting, grab your best costume and gang of spooky creatures, and head downtown for a night of fun! Your ticket includes lots of free goodies and all the dancing and partying you want. Head over to their website to purchase a ticket. You can even check out photos from previous years to get in the spirit! 

Aville-O-Ween in Andersonville

Looking for a laid-back Halloween with a variety of events? Halloween in Andersonville will give you all the fun you want! Experience pumpkin fun at the Gethsemane Pumpkin Patch, open daily until October 22, with face painting and more on Saturdays. For a hauntingly good time, embark on the Shadow Carriers: Andersonville Ghost Tour, starting on October 10, led by expert storytellers. Also, Bar Roma hosts a Halloween celebration with a costume contest on October 28, and you can enjoy happy hour specials and themed menu items. Don’t miss the Rosehill Cemetery Crypt 5K on October 21, a unique run or walk through the historic cemetery. Small Fish Radio Theatre’s Annual Horror Show at the Swedish American Museum on October 22 offers a night of chilling entertainment. On Halloween night, Inclusive Funeral Care presents “Halloween Night Magic” with a professional magician, Rebecca Spectre. Finally, catch Gus’s “Spooktacular Show!” at Helen C Peirce Field on October 28, a free event for all ages. Andersonville’s Aville-O-Ween’s website is your one-stop shop to find out more about all the events they offer for Halloween, so be sure to check it out!

Día De Los Muertos Halloween Party in Fulton Market

Get in the Spirit with Time Out Market and their Día de Los Muertos Halloween party! Whether you’re a fan of festive drink specials or spooky palm readings, this party can help you do it all. Also, be sure to wear your favorite costume for their costume contest, and make sure it’s a costume you can boogie in! This Día de Los Muertos party will run on October 28th, from 7:00 pm to 12:00 am, so there is time for everyone to get in the spirit. Complete with a slew of different events, you won’t want to miss out on this free event. Head to Time Out Market’s Events page to find out more!

Arts in the Dark

Arts in the Dark celebrates Halloween with a twist on October 21! Rather than celebrating Halloween for its horror and gore, Chicago’s infamous State Street celebrates Halloween as an artist’s holiday. This event draws together world-renowned institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago, the Lookingglass Theatre Company, After School Matters, and even a sneak peek at local aspiring artists. With hundreds of floats, puppets, and performances, this family-friendly parade is sure to be a great time!

Garden of Decay at Navy Pier

This Halloween, discover a brand-new immersive theater experience at Navy Pier exploring a once-famed genetic plant lab with a haunting twist at Garden of Decay. Follow the tale of a grieving botanist’s desperate quest for resurrection, guided through handcrafted art installations by audio narration.After your eerie adventure, step into the Garden of reCreation for interactive art, themed vendors, botanical cocktails, and late-night entertainment, making this Halloween at Navy Pier truly unique and unforgettable. Opening October 13.

Jack’s Pumpkin Patch Pop-Up

Pumpkin patches are the perfect way to get in the Halloween spirit. Jack’s Pumpkin Patch pop-up is the perfect place. There are 2 acres of pure fun! Carnival games, music, fortune telling, and more. There are even photo opportunities for your social media feeds. Open from September 21 – November 5, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the patch and grab some pumpkins for carving. Located in downtown Chicago, on Goose Island.

Halloween In the Parks

The Chicago Park Districts is hosting Halloween in the Parks. With various kid-friendly activities, this event is a perfect Halloween tradition.  Throughout the entire month of October, there will be pumpkin patches, Halloween parties, etc. For more information visit the Chicago Park District website now!

Horror Movies On A Rooftop

Are you a horror movie fan? If so, there is a perfect event for you! Rooftop Cinema Club is hosting a Halloween Movie Night throughout all of October. The Rooftop Cinema Club is an outdoor screening experience on the top of The Emily Hotel (311 N Morgan St) in Fulton Market. Drinks and snacks are provided. Prices vary, you can purchase the tickets here.

Updated October 3, 2023

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