15 Special Halloween Events in Chicago and the Suburbs
Halloween season is a popular, fan-favorite amongst us Chicagoans— and for good reason: we’ve got some of the most festive and exciting events all over the area!
No matter if you’re in the city or suburbs, you can’t miss these amazing family-friendly special events, parades, fall festivals and jack-o-lantern displays.
Photo via facebook.com
Oct 26, 2024, 12-6p
FREE Admission
Dress up your kids in costumes and bring them over to Navy Pier for FREE trick-or-treating. Other activities includes axe throwing, live performances, Halloween themed inflatables, costume contest, slime stations, face painting and hands on science experiments.
BOO-seum Bash at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 N Cannon Dr
Chicago IL 60614
Photo via facebook.com
Oct 26, 2024, 1-4p
$20-$30 Admission
Costumes are encouraged at this family-friendly Halloween event at the Nature Museum. Spend the afternoon with animal encounters, crafts, trick-or-treating and other Halloween fun. All museum exhibits included in your visit.
Photo via artsinthedark.com
Oct 19, 2024, 6-8p
FREE Event
This family-friendly parade celebrates Halloween as the “artist’s holiday”, with unique floats, spectacle puppets and creative performances. It draws together cultural organizations and artists, and provides a platform for Chicago’s creative youth to explore a path in the arts.
Washington Park on Russell Dr
Photo via artsinthedark.com
Oct 26, 2024, 12-2p
FREE Event
BECOME the parade by dressing up in your costumes and joining the procession in Washington Park! There will be dance teams, acrobats, sports mascots and other spectacles. Be one of the first 5,000 kids and receive a candy bag and other goodies.
Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade
On Halsted St, starting on Belmont Ave moving North to Brompton Ave
Photo via northalsted.com
Oct 31, 2024, 630-10p [parade starts at 730p]
FREE Event
Ranked as one of the top Halloween parades in the US by Fodor’s Travel, this parade features participants such as the Chicago Full Moon Jam performers, Windy City Jeep Club, Lakeside Pride Marching Band and Chicago Spirit Brigade Pep Squad. Before the parade, enter yourself in the spectacular costume contest [for FREE!], that features $4,000 in cash prizes and end the parade with an awards presentation.
Photo of via facebook.com
Sept 27 - Oct 27, 2024
$14.99-$24.99 Admission
Walk-thru thousands of hand-carved jack o-lanterns, including 1k lb pumpkins! Also includes a fun zone with giant inflatables and glowing miniature golf, a pirate ship light show and the world’s largest and friendliest ghost.
Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns
Chicago Botanic Gardens
1000 Lake Cook Rd
Glencoe IL 60022
Photo via facebook.com
Oct 16–20 & Oct 23–27, 2024, 630-1030p
$13 for ages ages 3-12 / $23 for ages 13+
After hours event, featuring professionally carved pumpkins. Costumed entertainers and live pumpkin-carving demonstrations will be present along the paved outdoor path, as well as light food and drinks for purchase. Glow-in-the-dark temporary tattoos available for kids and a festive photo op selfie station.
Jack-O'-Lantern Nights at Racine Zoo
Racine Zoo
2131 N Main St
Racine WI 53402
Photo via Kristel at On the Go with 4 Kids in Tow
Sept 26 - Nov 3, 2024, 6-10p
$10 for ages 3+
Intricately designed jack-o’-lanterns, along with dazzling lights and charming decorations will pave the pathway through the zoo. Businesses and organizations can also participate in a decorating contest, which also be displayed throughout the zoo. Seasonal food and beverages available for purchase on site.
Photo via visitlakecounty.org
Sept 14 - Nov 3, 2024, 11a-5p
Admission starts at $39
On Saturdays and Sundays, kids can take a ride on their favorite coasters, grab some goodies in the trick-or-treat trail, or enjoy a daytime performance show. This event also includes the BOO-Yeah! Parade and a Not-So-Scary Storytime. Kids Boo Fest is geared towards the younger crowd [under 13yo] and their families, before the park turns spooky for the older crowd after 6p.
Goose Island
1265 W Le Moyne St
Chicago IL 60642
Photo via jackspumpkinpopup.com
Sept 19 - Nov 3, 2024
Admission starts at $20
Chicago’s largest fall festival with Chicago’s largest corn maze. All ages welcome to enjoy carnival games, pumpkin match, corn maze, gem mining and food trucks. Axe throwing for 18+ and 3 full service bars for 21+.
2400 N Cannon Dr
Chicago IL 60614
Photo via lpzoo.org
Sept 27 - Oct 27, 10a-5p
FREE admission
Enjoy FREE admission into the zoo with fall activities such as a pumpkin patch, live pumpkin carving, musical entertainment and fall-themed popups. Ticketed attractions include a fun slide, ferris wheel and inflatable activities.
The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival
Downtown Highwood
Photo via facebook.com
Oct 4-6, 2024
FREE Admission, with ticketed carnival rides
Enjoy all-you-can carve pumpkin stations, three days of live music, children’s & pet costume contests, pumpkin pie eating contests, food vendors, a carnival, hayrides and more! Skeleton decoration displays throughout downtown will be up the weekend of 9/28.
Brookfield Zoo: Boo! at the Zoo
8400 31st St
Brookfield IL 60513
Photo via facebook.com
Oct 5-20, 2024, 10a-5p
$20.95-$29.95 Admission
This popular fun-filled family event has photo ops, pumpkin decorating, a children’s costume parade and contest, Halloween-themed entertainment, magic shows and an inflatable zone.
Santa’s Village Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival
601 Dundee Ave
East Dundee IL 60118
Photo via facebook.com
Weekends in October
$28.99-$54.99 Admission; admission included for season pass holders
Check out this family-friendly amusement park and petting zoo, as it has a complete fall makeover with pumpkin “patches”, spooky houses, a corn play box and a harvest-themed menu. Be sure to visit the final weekend of this fall fest, when there’s trick-or-treating throughout the park.
Racine Zoo
2131 N Main St
Racine WI 53402
Photo via facebook.com
Sept 26 - Nov 3, 2024
Included with regular zoo admision: $11 for ages 16+ / $10 for ages 15 and younger / $10 for seniors 62+ / $5 for Military with ID
Enjoy this fun-filled event at the zoo with trick-or-treating, spooky cookie decorating, halloween crafts, pumpkin decorating, bounce houses and more! Food and drinks will also be available for purchase.
Where are your favorite Halloween and fall events? Let me know in the comments!
Halloween season is a popular, fan-favorite amongst us Chicagoans— and for good reason: we’ve got some of the most festive and exciting events all over the area! Don't miss these amazing family-friendly special events, parades, fall festivals and jack-o-lantern displays.