Roscoe Village Halloween Parade
Note: These events have been canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19. Please check out our virtual events calendar for family fun things to do safely at home.
Besides Halloween events, haunted houses and trick-or-treat night, the best place to show off your costume is at a Halloween parade. Luckily, Chicago has no shortage of them. With parades happening all month long in the city and suburbs, you can don a different costume for every one! From the haunted parades, to the family-friendly options and even parades for your dogs, here’s a roundup of Chicago’s best Halloween parades.
Spooky Pooch Parade
When: Oct. 13, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
Cost: Viewing the dog parade is free. If you are bringing a dog, however, you must purchase paid registration for your dog ($22), whether or not you enter the parade and costume contest.
The Chicago Botanic Garden typically bars dogs from its grounds, but it makes an exception for its annual Spooky Pooch Parade, where four-legged friends can celebrate Halloween alongside — and maybe even coordinate costumes with — their owners.
Arts in the Dark
When: Oct. 19, 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: State Street, moving South from Lake Street to Van Buren Street., Chicago
Cost: Free
This one-of-a-kind parade showcases and celebrates the artistry of Halloween, bringing together world-renowned institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago and Lookingglass Theatre Company. The 4th annual parade will feature spectacle floats and creative performances.
Roscoe Village Halloween Parade
When: Oct. 20, Noon
Where: Roscoe & Hamilton Streets, Chicago
Cost: Free (there is a cost to participate in the Roscoe Village Fun Run, held prior to the event)
For nearly two decades, thousands of families have gathered in the streets of Roscoe Village for its popular Halloween Parade. The event is coupled with a spooky photo booth, arts & crafts, food trucks, special performances, and more.
Boo-Palooza
When: Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Wicker Park, 1495 N. Damen Ave, Chicago
Cost: Suggested donation of $10 per family
It wouldn’t be a costume parade without prizes: for adults, children, families and yes, even dogs! This fun event also includes a pumpkin patch with pumpkin decorating, ghost bingo, a maze, bobbing for apples, and more than 40 activity tables to keep the little ones busy and ready for a post event nap.
BatFest
When: Oct. 26, 11:50 a.m.
Where: Batavia Riverwalk, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia
Cost: Free
Attracting more than 2,500 ghouls each year, Batavia’s annual Halloween themed family event is one for the boo-ks! Beginning at 11:50 a.m., what seems like the whole town will line the streets near the Batavia Riverwalk for a parade, followed by games that include pumpkin carving battles, a marshmallow shooting range and dance performances of Thriller.
Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade
Halloween Hoedown
When: Oct. 26, 1-4 p.m.
Where: Legion Park, 111 Main St., Lemont
Cost: Free
The Village of Lemont takes Halloween very seriously. In fact, they’ve got month-long “Lemonster Days” celebrations leading up until Halloween (haunted bus tours, scarecrow fest, scary silent movie night). The Halloween Hoedown – the culmination of it all – won’t disappoint. The costume contest and parade kicks off a day full of trick-or-treating, hay wagon rides.
West Loop Families Halloween Parade
When: 3 to 5 p.m., Saturday, October 26
Where: Mary Bartelme Park, 115 S. Sangamon St., Chicago
Cost: Free
Now in its 10th year, the West Loop Families Halloween Parade is the largest and longest running family event at Mary Bartelme Park. The event kicks off with a seemingly endless parade of costume-clad children circling the park, followed by pumpkin decorating, games and trick-of-treating at neighborhood businesses.
Logan Square Halloween Parade
When: Oct. 27, 5-7 p.m.
Where: Illinois Centennial Memorial Column at Logan Square, 3200 W. Logan Blvd, Chicago
Cost: Free
The 16th annual Logan Square Halloween Parade is sure to be a ghostly good time. The parade begins at the Illinois Centennial Monument and marches south on Kedzie Boulevard to Fullerton Avenue before ending at Lula Café, where kids will be treated to warm apple cider and fresh cookies.
Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade
When: Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Halsted Street & Belmont Ave., Chicago
Cost: Free
Ranked one of the best Halloween celebrations in the U.S. by Fodor’s Travel Guide, this LGBT-friendly parade features outlandish costumes, creative programming and entertainment galore that goes into the wee hours of the night. While the event changes from year to year, the staples include fire twirlers, stilt walkers, marching bands, and Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz.”
Follow Chicago Parent on Instagram.
