When spooky season arrives in Chicagoland, local businesses and attractions go all out to offer plenty of Halloween fun for kids. The best part is that you can celebrate Halloween during the whole month of October!
Chicago and the suburbs offers a variety of kid-friendly events featuring costume parades, hands-on activities, trick-or-treating and so much more. Here are some of our spooktacular picks you don’t want to miss.
Looking for more fun things to do with kids this fall? Check out our fall family guide!
This article was recently updated on Aug. 14, 2024, by Chicago Parent’s Audience Development Coordinator Kari Zaffarano. The update included her adding kid-friendly Halloween events in Chicagoland to the ChicagoParent.com‘s calendar and featuring the best Halloween events to check out this fall. Questions? Please reach out to kari@chicagooparent.com.
Halloween events near me in Chicago
Families will love to dress up for the Upside Down Halloween Parade at Washington Park. Also, be sure to register ahead of time for the Halloween events happening at the Chicago Park Districts! Find even more Halloween events in Chicago on our calendar.
Cider with the Sanderson Sisters at Normandy Park
Oct. 12, 2024
- Address: 6660 W. 52nd St., Chicago
- Cost: $7
Join the Sanderson sisters from “Hocus Pocus” and enjoy music, crafts, face painting, cotton candy, popcorn and more.
Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade
Oct. 19, 2024
- Address: State Street moving south from Lake to Van Buren, Chicago
- Cost: Free
This annual Halloween parade returns to State St. for its 9th year. See unique floats and creative performances along the way.
Halloween Candy Dash (Fun Run) at Senka Park
Oct. 25, 2024
- Address: 5400 S. St. Louis Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $5
Ages 3-13 can take part in a Halloween-themed fun run, which will be held outside. Also, music, face painting and cotton candy. Halloween costumes are encouraged. Registration required.
BOO-seum Bash at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Oct. 26, 2024
- Address: 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago
- Cost: $20-$30
Enjoy trick-or-treating, animal encounters, crafts and Halloween fun at this Nature Museum event. Costumes encouraged. Registration required.
Upside Down Halloween Parade at Washington Park
Oct. 26, 2024
- Address: 5531 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Free
This “reverse” parade consists of musical groups, dance performances, circus acrobats, sports mascots and more. The parade will take place on Russell Drive. Make sure to wear your costume and pick up your goody bag at the end. They will be giving away 2,000 costumes at opening gates for those who need one.
Blue Man Group’s Halloween Show at Briar Street Theatre
Oct. 27, 2024
- Address: 3133 N. Halsted St., Chicago
- Cost: $49-plus
There will be pre-show face painting, Halloween-inspired surprises during the show and goodie bags for all in costume up to age 17. After the performance, audience members will be invited to the theater lobby for photo opportunities with the Blue Men.
Halloween events near me in the North/Northwest Suburbs
Check out the annual Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest. One of our favorite events is Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns at the Chicago Botanic Garden — make sure to buy tickets in advance! Find more Halloween events in the North/Northwest Suburbs on our calendar.
The Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest
Oct. 4-6, 2024
- Address: Downtown Highwood
- Cost: Free admission; fees for rides
You can expect carnival rides, pumpkin carving stations, live music, vendors, hay rides, pumpkin walls, contests and more at this fest.
Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns at Chicago Botanic Garden
Oct. 16-20, 23-27, 2024
- Address: 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
- Cost: Adult: $21/member advanced ticket, $23/non-member advanced ticket, $22.50/member day of ticket, $24.50/non-member day of ticket; Child (ages 3-12): $14/member advanced ticket, $16/non-member advanced ticket, $15.50/member day of ticket, $17.50/non-member day of ticket, free/ages 2 and under
More than 1,000 artist-carved, real pumpkins lit with LED lights will light up the night and line the family-friendly outdoor path in a beautiful fall setting.
Trick or Treat Trail at the Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center
Oct. 18, 2024
- Address: 225 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove
- Cost: Free
Ages 12 and under can enjoy this trick-or-treat trail where friendly characters will be passing out candy. Also, games, prizes, entertainment and more family fun. The first 200 kids will receive a goodie bag.
Tricks & Treats In The Valley at Heritage Farm at Spring Valley
Oct. 26, 2024
- Address: 201 S. Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg
- Cost: $5-$7/participants, free/adults
Trick-or-treaters will wear a costume and begin at Heritage Farm, setting out on a trail that takes you past many of our historic buildings, then venture out into the woods and fields.
Moonlight Masquerade Walk at The Grove
Oct. 23, 2024
- Address: 1421 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview
- Cost: Free
Kids can wear their costumes and take part in a hike. Before the hike begins, they’ll be able to personalize their own flashlight. Bring your own flashlight.
Halloween events near me in the South Suburbs
Lemont offers so many great family-friendly activities during the month of October. If you’re looking for a fun, sensory-friendly event, head to downtown Tinley Park for their Boo Bash. The event will open with a sensory-friendly time with reduced noise levels and a quiet zone. Find more Halloween events in the South Suburbs on our calendar.
Lemonster Days
Sept. 21-Oct. 31, 2024
- Address: Various locations in Lemont
- Cost: Fees vary by event
Check out fun events happening this fall in Lemont. There will be a Scarecrow Trail, Harvest Fest, Monster and Me Mile Run, Lemonster Trick-or Treating and more.
Downtown Tinley Park Boo Bash
Oct. 27, 2024
- Address: Zabrocki Plaza – North OPA Metra Lot, 17375 Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park
- Cost: Free
This annual event will have trick-or-treating through business booths, DJ entertainment, and much more! Food and beverages will be available to purchase.
Hocus Pocus at Rialto Square Theatre
Oct. 27, 2024
- Address: 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet
- Cost: $5/general admission
This annual event will have trick-or-treating through business booths, DJ entertainment, and much more! Food and beverages will be available to purchase.
Halloween events near me in the Western Suburbs
If you’re looking for a safe, trick-or-treating event, head to events in Batavia and Westmont. Also, get tickets to Boo at the Zoo for some not-so-scary fun you’re your kids. Find more Halloween events in the Western Suburbs on our calendar.
Boo at the Zoo at Brookfield Zoo
Oct 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 2024
- Address: 8400 31st St., Brookfield
- Cost: Free w/zoo admission: $29.95/ages 12-64, $24.95/ages 65-plus, $20.95/ages 3-11, free/ages 2 and under
The not-so-scary and fun-filled event is something for the entire family to enjoy. There will be giant inflatables, sweet treat stations throughout the zoo, photo frames and more. Come dressed in costume.
Haunted Forest – Little Monsters at Diane Main Park
Oct. 19, 2024
- Address: 200 W. 59th St., Westmont
- Cost: $8/person
Participants will hop on a wagon ride that takes them from Diane Main Park through the terrifying woods path scenes. After that, participants will get off the wagons and walk through the wicked woods where all kinds of scares await them. Recommended for ages 9 and under.
Haunted Forest – Sheer Terror at Diane Main Park
Oct. 19, 2024
- Address: 200 W. 59th St., Westmont
- Cost: $8/person
Participants will hop on a wagon ride that takes them from Diane Main Park through the terrifying woods path scenes. After that, participants will get off the wagons and walk through the wicked woods where all kinds of scares await them. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
BatFest
Oct. 26, 2024
- Address: Downtown Batavia
- Cost: Free
The annual Halloween-themed family features trick-or-treating, Mothers’ Club Parade, costume contests, games, stories, BatArt and more.
Spooktacular Fun Night at Westmont Community Center
Oct. 30, 2024
- Address: 75 E. Richmond St., Westmont
- Cost: Free
Ages 2-10 and their families can enjoy a safe, Halloween night trick or treating through the Community Center. There will be crafts, games, photos and silly fun and games from Wacky Drac.
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