×
Get 5% off in-app
400k+ download
Open app

9 Halloween Events in Chicago to Take Your Friends To

  • Event Parking
  • Silas Smith
  • 7 minutes

Share

Get your adrenaline rush at some of the best Halloween events in Chicago. There are family-friendly events, those only for adults, costume parties, contests, parades, and more. 

In this Chicago Halloween event guide, we have created a list of some of the city’s most unique and fun events. Make sure you have a plan for parking in Chicago before driving to these locations. 

Save on Halloween event parking with Way.com

Best Halloween Events in Chicago 

Jack’s Pumpkin Patch Pop-up 

September 21- November 5 

Are you a fan of amazing illuminated pumpkin installations and jack-o’lanterns? Then, Jack’s Pumpkin Patch Pop-up is a great Halloween event that you shouldn’t miss. It is open to all age groups, making it one of the best family-friendly events this spooky season in Chicago. 

Over 10,000 pumpkins will be on show across a massive area. In addition, other activities include axe throwing and corn maze. Other highlights at this Halloween pumpkin patch are gem mining booth and fortune tellers.  

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Choose Chicago (@choosechicago)

You can also find a variety of bites at the food trucks, and alcohol is also available. But to consume alcohol, you have to be over 21 years old. Similarly, you must be over 18 to participate in the axe throwing. 

Working hours of the pumpkin patch will be from 4 to 10 p.m. on Mondays. On Fridays, it will be from 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. On Saturdays, however, it will open early at 11 a.m. and will run until 11 p.m. The opening time for Sundays is the same as Saturdays but will close an hour early at 10 p.m. For more information, see the official website.

Seadog Haunted River Tours 

Chicago has many haunted river tours, and the Seadog tour is one of the best among those. During the 75-minute boat ride, you will embark on a journey filled with stories about Chicago’s scary past. Your tour guide will be in a Halloween costume, and they will tell stories about Chicago’s secrets and haunted stories. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Choose Chicago (@choosechicago)

During the ride, you will get a speed boat experience for a short period as you experience Chicago’s architecture and iconic buildings. You can bring your drinks to the boat. It will take place on Fridays and weekends. But on Tuesday, October 31, there will be a special cruise. To learn more about the boat ride and charges, see here.

Boo! at the Zoo 

October 7- October 22 

Like in many other popular cities, one of the major Halloween events in Chicago occurs in the zoo. On Saturdays and Sundays during the spooky season, you can take the whole family to the zoo for a fun-filled Halloween. 

The activities will take place throughout the Brookfield Zoo, including pumpkin decorating, treat stations for the kids, photo ops, and live entertainment, including a VR 4D theater. In addition, select zoo animals will be fed pumpkins on certain dates. Read more about the attractions here.

Nightmare on Clark Street 

September 21- October 31 

This is it if you are looking for a great haunted house experience in Chicago during Halloween. Nightmare on Clark Street will run from late September to October 31. 

Apart from the hauntings and scares, enjoy a variety of Halloween-themed drinks at this event. It is at Bamboo Club at 3505 North Clark Street. Since there is no onsite parking, make sure you find alternative facilities near this location. 

Since the experience can be too much for kids, visitors aged 15 and under are prohibited. Besides, all visitors under 18 years old need to have an adult accompanying them. Get your tickets here

Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade 

October 31 

Halsted hosts one of the best Halloween parades in Chicago. The costume parade will begin at Halsted & Belmont, and the finishing point is at Halsted & Brompton. Participation and spectating is free for all ages. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Northalsted (@northalsted)

A costume contest will follow the parade and the after-parties, live performances, and more contests. The costume contests have prizes of up to $4,000 in cash. So what are you waiting for? Get your costumes and get to Halsted on October 31. Read more here.

Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns 

October 11 – 15 & 18 – 22  

If you are on the lookout for Halloween events in the Chicago suburbs, drive to the Chicago Botanic Garden. You can experience, as the name suggests, over 1,000 illuminated jack-o’lanterns. 

The event will run from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. You can find unique pumpkins carved by some of the best artisans throughout the garden. In addition, during your walk through the venue, there will be live pumpkin carvings.

Ticket charges are different for children and adults. In addition, you can get a discount if you purchase passes in advance. You can get more information here

Music Box of Horrors 

If you want to watch some absolute gems of horror movies, head to the Music Box of Horrors. This Halloween, they have a collection of unique horror flicks to make you experience real fear. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Music Box Theatre (@musicboxchicago)

Music Box of Horrors will feature some surprise guests and hosts. Meanwhile, on the big screen, you can see some rare prints, including 35mm of horror movies from around the world. You can find out more about what’s playing and the schedule here.

Unique Chicago Halloween Events

Medieval Torture Museum 

If you are hunting for Halloween events in Chicago for adults, what better place than the Medieval Torture Museum? It is a permanent event like the river tours, but the place gets busy during Halloween. The running hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Mondays through Thursdays and up to 9 p.m. on other days.

The tickets charges are close to $40, but for a limited time, you can get them for $29.99. Besides, this Halloween event in Chicago is not recommended for people aged 18 or below. Learn more about it here

Forest Park Casket Races 

October 21 

The Casket Race at Forest Park, Chicago, is undoubtedly one of the most unique Halloween events there is. Also, unlike many others, it is a daytime event, and there is very little to get scared of. It will take place at Beloit Avenue between Madison & Adams in Forest Park between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. 

If you want to participate, each team has to pay $35 to get into the race. But it is free if you are just there to see the Halloween-themed caskets race each other. Other highlights are costume contests for kids and pets between the races. After all that is done, you can join Trick-or-Treat on Madison Street up until 2:30 p.m. More about the casket race here.


Gift your new car the great parking and auto refinance deals! Download Way, the auto super app, to find the best EV charging near you, car wash, and auto insurance. You can also get gas discounts on your next road trip. 


 

Related Posts

wave

Press ESC to close