Chicago goes all out for spooky season and this year is no exception. Maybe Chicago has so many things because it’s still really nice out? Patios, rooftops and parades happen all month, so take advantage before it gets too cold 🙂

From pumpkin lit gardens and kid-friendly parades to haunted tours and late night costume parties, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re planning a family day out or a grown-ups only night of thrills, here’s your ultimate guide to Halloween events happening across the city and suburbs.

Family Friendly Halloween Festivities in Chicago

🎃 Chicago Park District Halloween Events

🎃 Haunted Hues at Color Factory (through Nov 3)

🎃 Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up (through Nov 2)

🎃 Campfire Horrors at Northerly Island (Oct 3) – Outdoor screening of Hocus Pocus (PG)

🎃 Pumpkin Lights & Playful Frights at wndr museum (Oct 4 – Nov 2)

🎃 Boo at the Zoo at Brookfield (Oct 4 – 31)

🎃 Woodland Creatures’ Halloween by Cornservatory (Oct 4 – 26)

🎃 Never Trust The Living patio at Dandy Crown (through Nov 2) – a Halloween patio decorated really cute for all ages! Last year, they had a kids Halloween party too!

🎃 Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns at Chicago Botanic Garden (Oct 8 – 26)

🎃 Voodoo Lounge at Ina Mae Tavern (opens Oct 3) – they decorate the whole restaurant and have lots of deals throughout the month. I don’t think it’s that scary, but you can always check their IG to see before you go!

🎃 Glass Pumpkin Patch at Morton Arb (Oct 10 – 12)

🎃 The Brewed Halloween Block Party (Oct 12)

🎃 Field Family Nights: Boo with SUE (Oct 17) – this has always been on our bucket list!

🎃 Boo-Palooza and Bark-Palooza in Wicker Park (Oct 18)

🎃 Booseum Bash at Peggy Notebaert (Oct 18)

🎃 Spooky Zoo at Lincoln Park Zoo (Oct 18)

🎃 Arts in the Dark Parade (Oct 18)

🎃 Fall Family Day at Facets Chicago (Oct 19)

🎃 Kids Halloween Party at Park & Field (Oct 19 + 26)

🎃 Arts in the Dark Upside Down Parade (Oct 25) – this is really cool, but might be a little scary for real little ones.

🎃 Aville-o-ween (Oct 25)

🎃 Spooktacular- Lincoln Ave (Oct 25)

🎃 Lakeview East Little Monsters Crawl (Oct 26)

🎃 Trick or Treat on Southport (Oct 27) – one of our favorites! Street shuts down and all the businesses offer treats and candy!

🎃 Haunted Halsted Halloween Night Parade (Oct 31)

Adults Only (21+) Halloween Events

🎃 Music Box of Horrors (through Oct 31)

🎃 Lincoln Park Hauntings Chicago Ghost Tour & Ghost Hunt

🎃 The Devil in the White City Bus Tour by American Ghost Walks

🎃 Chicago Ghosts and Pizza Tour 2025 | Haunted Halloween Nights in the Loop

🎃 Drunk Dracula (through Nov 2)

🎃 Seadog Haunted River Tour (Thurs–Sun, Oct 2 – 31) – I am getting tickets to this with friends, it’s BYO too!

🎃 Clued In: Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way at Second City (Oct 2 – 31)

🎃 Gaslight (Angel Street) by Oil Lamp Theater (Oct 3 – 26)

🎃 Mystery at the Museum Masquerade Heist at wndr museum (Oct 4 – Nov 1)

🎃 Haunted History Tours at Lincoln Park Zoo (Oct 7 – 29) – Manny and I have done this before, they are really cool!

🎃 Nightmare on Clark Street at Stolen Saddle (Oct 10 – Nov 3)

🎃 Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Chicago Theatre (Oct 19)

🎃 Adults Night Out: Howl-o-ween at LP Zoo (Oct 24)

🎃 Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Classical Compositions (Oct 24 – 25)

🎃 Zoo After Dark: Boos & Brews at Brookfield Zoo (Oct 25)

🎃 Nightmare on Wacker Drive at LH Rooftop (Oct 25)

🎃 Curse of the Nile at i/o Godfrey (Oct 25)

🎃 Haunted House Party at Shedd Aquarium (Oct 31)

🎃 Haunted Hotel Halloween Ball at Congress Hotel (Oct 31)

🎃 The Infinite Exorcism at The Neofuturist Theater (Oct 31 – Nov 2)

Chicago has no shortage of ways to celebrate Halloween—whether you’re carving pumpkins, parading down Halsted, or sipping cocktails on a haunted rooftop. Mark your calendars, gather your costumes, and get ready for a spine-tingling October!

For more fun things to do this fall in Chicago, check out these links!

• Game On! 20 Bars With the Best Bears Specials

• The CGL Guide to Pumpkin Patches and Apple Orchards

• Your A-Z Fall in Chicago Guide

Christine