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. And you can find more Halloween events for kids on our calendar.
Looking for more fun things to do with kids this fall? Check out our fall family guide!
City
Pier Pumpkin Lights at Navy Pier
Oct. 1-31, 2022
- Address: 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
From jack-o’-lantern towers to light displays, Chicago’s iconic lakefront destination will be decked out for fall. Explore a variety of pumpkin pop-up installations throughout the Pier. Pumpkins are best experienced after dusk.
Halloween at Museum of Illusions Chicago
Oct. 12-Nov. 1, 2022
- Address: 25 E. Washington St., Chicago
- Cost:Free w/museum admission, $23/ages 13-plus, $18/ages 5-12
Museum of Illusions Chicago has decked out the space with Halloween themed décor. See a Head on a Platter, Vortex Tunnel, Infinity and Anti-Gravity Room and more.
Pumpkin Party Presented by Jewel Osco at Gallagher Way
Oct. 22, 2022
- Address: 3635 N. Clark St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
At this 5th Annual Pumpkin Party, Old Town School of Folk Music will lead sing-a-longs and Halloween dances. The kiddos can create a paper ghost or their very own Halloween slime with Kid Create Studio, visit a range of candy stations, take-home junior pumpkins, balloon artists, a magician, a caricature artist, hay-stack bowling, stilt walkers and lawn games. Costumes are encouraged.
Spooktacular on Lincoln 2022
Oct. 22, 2022
- Address: Lincoln Avenue from Wrightwood to Webster, Chicago
- Cost: Free
Celebrate Halloween and collect delicious treats while exploring the neighborhood at Spooktacular on Lincoln. Lincoln Avenue businesses will embrace the spooky season and transform into trick-or-treat stops.
Spooky Zoo at Lincoln Park Zoo
Oct. 22, 2022
- Address: 2200 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Free admission
Spooky Zoo offers a free, safe alternative to trick-or-treating as well as a variety of family-friendly entertainment. Dress up in costume and come to the Lincoln Park Zoo ready for a day full of Halloween fun.
Upside Down Parade at Washington Park
Oct. 22, 2022
- Address: 5531 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Free
This event is a “reverse” parade that consists of musical groups, dance performances, circus acrobats, sports mascots and more. Makes sure to wear your costume and pick up your goody bag at the end.
Kids Halloween Party at Park and Field Restaurant
Oct. 23, 2022
- Address: 3509 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $10/ticket
Join Park and Field Restaurant for a kid’s Halloween party at Park and field. See a bubble show, roast s’mores, balloon artists, prizes and more.
Spooktacular on Clark 2022
Oct. 23, 2022
- Address: Clark Street from Diversey to Armitage, and Diversey, from Orchard to Lakeview, Chicago
- Cost: Free
Celebrate Halloween and collect delicious treats while exploring the neighborhood at Spooktacular on Clark. Clark Street businesses will embrace the spooky season and transform into trick-or-treat stops.
Haunted History Tours at Lincoln Park Zoo
Oct. 25-26, 2022
- Address: 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago
- Cost: $35
Join Adam Selzer, author, podcaster and host of Mysterious Chicago Tours to learn about the zoo’s cemetery roots. For ages 16-plus.
Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade
Oct. 29, 2022
- Address: State St. moving south from Lake to Van Buren, Chicago
- Cost: Free
This annual Halloween parade returns to State St. for its 8th year. See unique floats and creative performances along the way.
Blue Man Group’s Halloween Show at Briar Street Theatre
Oct. 29, 2022
- Address: 3133 N. Halsted St., Chicago
- Cost: $49-plus
See the Blue Man Group for two special Halloween-themed performances at the Briar Street Theatre. There will be pre-show face painting, Halloween-inspired surprises during the show and goodie bags for all in costume. After the performance, audience members will be invited to the theater lobby for photo opportunities with the Blue Men.
BOO-seum Bash at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Oct. 29, 2022
- Address: 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Free w/museum admission
Enjoy trick-or-treating, animal encounters, crafts and Halloween fun at this Halloween event. Costumes encouraged.
Halloween Party at Commercial Club Playground of Chicago
Oct. 29, 2022
- Address: 1845 W. Rice St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Stop by this Halloween party to enjoy arts and crafts, games and spooky stories. There will also be a trick or treat parade and other family-friendly fun. For ages 6 and up.
University Symphony Orchestra Halloween Concert: Enchantments & Spells at Mandel Hall
Oct. 29, 2022
- Address: 1131 E. 57th St., Chicago
- Cost: $5-$10/suggested donation
Enjoy this fun-filled, family-friendly performance, featuring costumes, storytelling and special effects. Audience costumes encouraged!
Baby Soul Jam at Plumbers Hall
Oct. 30, 2022
- Address: 1350 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago
- Cost: Tickets will be released soon; free/kids
There will be a costume contest, DJ, live entertainment and a crawling spot for babies at this event.
No Tricks, All Treats Halloween Pop-Up at Ainslie Arts Plaza
Oct. 30, 2022
- Address: 4836 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Enjoy family-friendly activities as well as seasonal goods and treats at the Ainslie Arts Plaza. Shop seasonal goods and treats and have fun with activities like Halloween-themed squeegee painting, face painting and henna. Costumes are encouraged.
North/Northwest Suburbs
Halloween Spooktacular at Park Center
Oct. 21, 2022
- Address: 2400 Chestnut Ave., Glenview
- Cost: $15/ages 3-10, free/ages 2 and under and adults
Join in on some Halloween fun at the Park Center. There will be games, crafts, hayrides and more. No advanced registration; Must purchase tickets at the door.
Brick-or-Treat Monster Party at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago
Sept. 23-Oct. 31, 2022
- Address: 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg
- Cost: $24.99-plus
Join the Monsters as they take over LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Chicago to celebrate the release of their brand-new Halloween 4D Movie, ‘The Great Monster Chase.
The Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest & Skeleton Invasion
Oct. 7-9, 2022
- 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 annual.
Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns at Chicago Botanic Garden
Oct. 12-23, 2022 (Wednesdays-Sundays)
- Address: 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
- Cost: $18-$22/adults, $13-$17/kids
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.
Halloween Spooktacular at Park Center
Oct. 21, 2022
- Address: 2400 Chestnut Ave., Glenview
- Cost: $15/ages 3-10, free/ages 2 and under and adults
There will be games, crafts, hayrides and more at this Halloween event. No advanced registration. Must purchase tickets at the door.
Spooky Science at Discovery Center Museum
Oct. 28, 2022
- Address: 711 N. Main St., Rockford
- Cost:$11/public, $3/members, free/ages 1 and under
Explore the museum and follow the map to find goodies galore from one exhibit to the next! Create themed make-and-take projects, slime and engage in science activities that look like mystifying magic.
South Suburbs
Trunk or Treat at Heritage Park
Oct. 22, 2022
- Address: 14110 W. 151st St., Homer Glen
- Cost: Free
Children can wear their costumes and browse through the decorated vehicles picking up candy along the way.
Western Suburbs
Boo! at the Zoo at Brookfield Zoo
Oct. 22-23, 2022
- Address: 8400 31st St., Brookfield
- Cost: Free with general admission
The not-so-scary and fun-filled event is something for the entire family to enjoy. Dress up in costume and go trick-or-treating throughout the zoo. Check online for more information closer to the event.
Haunted Forest – Sheer Terror at Diane Main Park
Oct. 22, 2022
- Address: 200 W. 59th St., Westmont
- Cost: $6
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 kind of scares await them. “Merry Monster Showing” is for the younger viewers.
BatFest
Oct. 29, 2022
- Address: Downtown Batavia
- Cost: Free
BatFest is Batavia’s annual Halloween-themed family features trick-or-treating, Mothers’ Club Parade, pumpkin bowl, contests, stories and games.
FREE Halloween Movie: Addams Family 2 at North Riverside Park Mall Classic Cinemas
Oct. 29, 2022
- Address: 7501 W. Cermak Road, North Riverside
- Cost: Free
Come out to Classic Cinemas for a screening of the movie, The Addams Family 2. Pre-registration is required. Seating is limited and registration does not guarantee a seat unless tickets are picked up in advance.
Halloween Ghost Hunt at North Riverside Park Mall
Oct. 29, 2022
- Address: 7501 W. Cermak Road, North Riverside
- Cost: Free
Join North Riverside Park Mall for their second annual mall-wide Halloween Ghost Hunt event. Find 20 ghosts hidden throughout the mall. Turn in your completed clue sheet to the Customer Service Center and get a Halloween treat bag.
Special Spaces Trunk or Treat at Waubonsie Valley High School
Oct. 30, 2022
- Address: 2590 Ogden Ave., Aurora
- Cost: Free
Special Spaces is a non-profit organization that creates dream bedroom makeovers for children in cancer treatment. Come out to their first Annual Trunk or Treat and enjoy a music party, costume contest, jumpy houses and face painting. Costumes are encouraged.
Spooktacular Fun Night at Westmont Community Center
Oct. 31, 2022
- 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.
Trick-or-Treat at North Riverside Park Mall
Oct. 31, 2022
- Address: 7501 W. Cermak Road, North Riverside
- Cost: Free
Join North Riverside Park Mall for a mall-wide Trick or Treat event. Also, kid’s costume contest and costume parade.
This post is updated yearly.
