Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays, and this year, I’m leaning into all the spooky fun! My house is decorated with pumpkins and cute Halloween decor; my costume has been planned for months in advance (I’m going to be the Big Bad Werewolf); and I have a bucket list of fall activities, from visiting Jack-O’-Lantern World to drinking apple cider at a one of the best pumpkin patches in Chicagoland.
All this Halloween fun can add up fast — costumes aren’t cheap, admission prices to fall attractions continue to rise, and if you’re anything like me, picking up a few small things to decorate the house somehow ends up with me leaving the store loaded with seasonal decor.
Get into the spooky spirit without giving your wallet a fright with these free and low-budget ideas and Halloween activities in Chicago. Happy Halloween!
Tour neighborhood Halloween displays
Get into the spooky spirit by touring local Halloween displays. Our map of some of the best DIY haunts in Chicagoland is an awesome resource for finding free, kid-friendly Halloween displays near you. Dress up in a costume or Halloween attire, load the kids in the car, and pick a few spots to visit for spooks, surprises and more Halloween fun.
Some homes are collecting donations for local nonprofit organizations, but otherwise, these attractions are totally free. Grab a to-go hot chocolate or apple cider to sweeten the experience!
Spend the afternoon at October Cafe
- Address: 6046 N. Avondale Ave., Chicago
Speaking of sweet fall treats, I love visiting October Cafe for a hit of autumn vibes all year round. If you have a small budget for an afternoon of family fun, this cafe is a great spot to enjoy fall flavors and colors.
The year-round, fall-themed coffee shop is decked out in adorable pumpkin decor. You’ll find pumpkin-flavored everything on the menu, as well as cozy hot chocolates, fall-inspired coffees and scrumptious snacks. I recommend having a treat at the cafe and enjoying the autumnal ambiance, then grabbing a warm to-go beverage and heading to one of the many small parks in the area to take in the changing leaves and crisp October air.
Attend the Free Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo
- Lincoln Park Zoo, 2400 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago
On Fridays-Sundays through Oct. 27, 2024, families can don their Halloween costumes and head to the Lincoln Park Zoo for free Halloween fun. The zoo’s annual fall festival has some great seasonal activities for families, including live pumpkin carving, s’mores roasting, inflatables, pumpkin patch photo stations and more. Fall Fest will also be in full swing on Monday, Oct. 14, if you’re looking to keep the kids busy while they’re out of school.
Celebrate Halloween at Lemont’s LeMonster Days
- Locations throughout Lemont
Lemont is hosting free and budget-friendly Halloween celebrations all month long! The town’s LeMonster Days festivities are fun for all ages. Watch a spooky movie at a drive-in showing of Casper (Friday, Oct. 11), or watch Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2 at the Old Stone Church (Friday, Oct. 18 and Friday, Oct. 25). Be sure to wear your dancing shoes (and a costume!) to the Monster Mash carnival (Friday, Oct. 11-Sunday, Oct. 13). LeMonster Days concludes with two trick-or-treating events towards the end of the month.
Spot Scarecrows in St. Charles
- Downtown St. Charles, at Route 64 and Fox River
Embark on a free scarecrow scavenger hunt at the St. Charles Scarecrow Festival, happening Friday, Oct. 11-Sunday, Oct. 13. The event features more than 110 handmade scarecrows, scarecrow crafts, kids’ activities and fall photo ops.
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