“Spooktacular Halloween Events for Kids in Chicagoland: A Guide to Family-Friendly Fun”

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 offer a variety of kid-friendly events featuring costume parades, hands-on activities, trick-or-treating, and so much more. Here are some spooktacular picks you don’t want to miss.

Halloween events near me in Chicago

1. Upside Down Halloween Parade

• Date: Oct. 19, 2024
• Location: Washington Park
• Details: 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!

2. Cider with the Sanderson Sisters at Normandy Park

• Date: Oct. 12, 2024
• Location: Normandy Park
• Details: Join the Sanderson sisters from “Hocus Pocus” and enjoy music, crafts, face painting, cotton candy, popcorn, and more.

3. Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade

• Date: Oct. 19, 2024
• Location: State Street moving south from Lake to Van Buren, Chicago
• Details: This annual Halloween parade returns to State St. for its 9th year. See unique floats and creative performances along the way.

4. Halloween Candy Dash (Fun Run) at Senka Park

• Date: Oct. 25, 2024
• Location: Senka Park
• Details: Ages 3-13 can take part in a Halloween-themed fun run, which will be held outside. Music, face painting, and cotton candy will also be available. Halloween costumes are encouraged.

5. BOO-seum Bash at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

• Date: Oct. 26, 2024
• Location: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
• Details: Enjoy trick-or-treating, animal encounters, crafts, and Halloween fun at this Nature Museum event. Costumes are encouraged. Registration is required.

6. Blue Man Group’s Halloween Show at Briar Street Theatre

• Date: Oct. 27, 2024
• Location: Briar Street Theatre
• Details: 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

1. The Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest

• Date: Oct. 4-6, 2024
• Location: Downtown Highwood
• Details: Carnival rides, pumpkin carving stations, live music, vendors, hay rides, pumpkin walls, contests, and more at this fest.

2. Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns at Chicago Botanic Garden

• Date: Oct. 16-20, 23-27, 2024
• Location: 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
• Details: 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.

3. Trick or Treat Trail at the Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center

• Date: Oct. 18, 2024
• Location: Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center
• Details: Ages 12 and under can enjoy this trick-or-treat trail with friendly characters passing out candy, games, prizes, entertainment, and more. The first 200 kids will receive a goodie bag.

4. Tricks & Treats In The Valley at Heritage Farm at Spring Valley

• Date: Oct. 26, 2024
• Location: Heritage Farm at Spring Valley
• Details: Trick-or-treaters will wear a costume and begin at Heritage Farm, setting out on a trail that takes them past many historic buildings, then venture out into the woods and fields.

5. Moonlight Masquerade Walk at The Grove

• Date: Oct. 23, 2024
• Location: The Grove
• Details: 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

1. Lemonster Days

• Date: Sept. 21-Oct. 31, 2024
• Location: Various locations in Lemont
• Details: Check out fun events happening this fall in Lemont, including a Scarecrow Trail, Harvest Fest, Monster and Me Mile Run, Lemonster Trick-or-Treating, and more.

2. Downtown Tinley Park Boo Bash

• Date: Oct. 27, 2024
• Location: Downtown Tinley Park
• Details: Trick-or-treating through business booths, DJ entertainment, and more. Food and beverages will be available to purchase.

3. Hocus Pocus at Rialto Square Theatre

• Date: Oct. 27, 2024
• Location: Rialto Square Theatre
• Details: Enjoy a screening of "Hocus Pocus" at the Rialto Square Theatre.

Halloween events near me in the Western Suburbs

1. Boo at the Zoo at Brookfield Zoo

• Date: Oct 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 2024
• Location: Brookfield Zoo
• Details: The not-so-scary and fun-filled event at Brookfield Zoo includes giant inflatables, sweet treat stations throughout the zoo, photo frames, and more. Come dressed in costume.

2. Haunted Forest – Little Monsters at Diane Main Park

• Date: Oct. 19, 2024
• Location: Diane Main Park
• Details: Participants will experience a wagon ride through terrifying woods path scenes, followed by a walk through the wicked woods with scares for ages 9 and under.

3. Haunted Forest – Sheer Terror at Diane Main Park

• Date: Oct. 19, 2024
• Location: Diane Main Park
• Details: Participants will experience a wagon ride through terrifying woods path scenes, followed by a walk through the wicked woods with scares for ages 10 and up.

4. BatFest

• Date: Oct. 26, 2024
• Location: Downtown Batavia
• Details: The annual Halloween-themed family event features trick-or-treating, a Mothers’ Club Parade, costume contests, games, stories, BatArt, and more.

5. Spooktacular Fun Night at Westmont Community Center

• Date: Oct. 30, 2024
• Location: Westmont Community Center
• Details: Ages 2-10 and their families can enjoy a safe Halloween night with trick-or-treating, crafts, games, photos, and silly fun and games from Wacky Drac.

With so many Halloween events happening in and around Chicagoland, there’s no shortage of spooky fun for kids and families to enjoy throughout the month of October. Make sure to mark your calendars and get ready for a frightfully good time!