Halloween comes at the end of October, but the spooky spirit kicks in way before that. Check out our complete list of Halloween-themed events and start planning your October!
All Hallows Eve: Village of Fear
Haunting creatures, eerie entertainment and must-see horrorsinvade the 12-acre grounds. New features include the MagicalStarlight Theatre’s hair-raising homage to Harry Potter in theChapel and Kidz Kabaret’s haunted schoolhouse, Too Cruel forSchool. Witness the Salem Witch Trials, meet the Addams family athome and enjoy both live and possibly dead entertainment on theSpooktacular Stage. Not recommended for young children under 8years old.
For 362 days each year, it’s Daley Plaza, but from Oct. 29-31, the corner of Washington and Clark Streets transforms into Franken Plaza, with special performances, a Monster Bash, prize giveaways, hayrides and trick-or-treating. The event of the season for city-dwellers (or suburbanites not easily spooked by a trip on the Metra with tots in tow!)
Watch Chicagos Midnight Circus and their feats of acrobatics and theatrics in Preston Bradley Hall on Thursday and Friday. Kids wont want to miss the annual Monster Bash on Saturday with trick-or-treating, a dance party and the Monster Bash Costume Contest.
Join a haunted walk through the halls of the Chicago Cultural Center and earn about a long gone librarian who cant let go, presences in G.A.R. Hall, furniture moving in a blink of the eye and other strange occurrences. Plus, showings of Gremlins and Frankenweenie. Food trucks will also be on site on the Washington side of the building for tasty treats.
Costumed guides lead scheduled groups along a trail of Halloween fun, adventure, and magic. Also includes refreshments, games, live owl display, and a bonfire.
North Central ‘O’ Gaugers Model Railroad Club will send model trains through Spookytown. Some visitors will even be able to “drive” a train and earn their “NCOG Honorary Jr. Operating Engineer” certificate.
Halloween is more than a day in Chicago; its an entire season. The Chicago Park District offers different pumpkin patches, haunted houses and scary theatre. Cultural institutions get into the fun and the city center, Daley Plaza, is transformed into Franken Plaza. See event listing for details and a complete schedule.
