Monthly Events and Activities for Kids and Families:
Atlanta Boston Chicago Houston Los Angeles
New York City Philadelphia San Francisco Washington D.C.
RECIPES DIY PARENTING KIDS CRAFTS MAKE MONEY
AT HOME
There are countless Halloween events and activities for families around Chicago. Celebrating Halloween is a great way to spend time together as a family, and we’ve rounded up some of the best events and activities to check out this spooky season!
Halloween Events in and near Chicago
Halloween Movies in Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park - FREE
Fridays, October 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2024
Spooky movies will play at Lincoln Park to celebrate Halloween. The event is outside, so dress warmly! Also note that not all movies are intended for young children. Visit the website here.
Boo at the Zoo
Brookfield
Saturdays and Sundays, October 5-October 20, 2024
Kids can trick or treat with the animals at Brookfield Zoo at this not-so-scary event during the three weekends leading up to Halloween. Other activities include giant pumpkin carving, a Halloween craft, cupcake and cookie decorating, a haunted hayride, a creepy cowboy carousel, a corn maze, a pumpkin smasher, a costume parade, and a costume contest. Visit the website here.
Lemontster Days Drive-In Movies
Lemont
Friday, October 11, 2024
The Lemont Park District presents the Disney film Casper to celebrate Halloween and the Day of the Dead. Visit the website here.
Zombie Candy Hunt
LaGrange Park
Friday, October 11, 2024
Zombies have hidden candy in Sedgwick Park and kids must dress up in costumes to come find it! Bring your own flashlight and bag or bucket to fill with goodies. Visit the website here.
Halloween Happening
Wheaton
Friday, October 11, 2024
At Wheaton's annual Halloween party, kids and their grown-ups enjoy crafts, games, and more. A Touch-A-Truck event, trick or treat trail, bounce house, concession stand, and airbrush tattoos add to the fun for a small fee. Visit the website here.
St. Charles Scarecrow Weekend
St. Charles - FREE
Friday, October 11-Sunday, October 13, 2024
St. Charles' fall scarecrow tradition continues with the Scarecrow Stroll, as part of its Scarecrow Festival. Scarecrows are placed throughout the downtown area for families to find. There will be a Family Zone with live entertainment and family fun, an Activity Zone with festive photo ops, Scarecrow-to-Go, and family activities. Visit the website here.
Hinsdale Fall Family Fest
Hinsdale - FREE
Saturday, October 12, 2024
West suburban families can visit Katherine Legge Park to paint pumpkins, enjoy giveaways from local businesses, visit food trucks, and trick-or-treat at downtown businesses. Inflatables and roaming entertainment will also be on hand. Visit the website here.
DIY Scarecrow Day
Long Grove
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Families can bring old clothes to stuff with straw to historic downtown Long Grove to make their own scarecrow. Scarecrows will be displayed throughout the downtown area through October 25, when families can pick up their scarecrows or donate the leftover clothes to charity. Visit the website here.
Night of 1,000 Jack-o'- Lanterns
Glencoe
Wednesdays through Sundays, October 16, 2024-October 27, 2024
Don't be a scaredy cat, these hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns are a real treat. Explore the Chicago Botanical Gardens for a spook-tacular adventure with more than 1,000 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns to light the way. This event tends to sell out. Visit the website here.
Buffalo Grove Trick or Treat Trail
Buffalo Grove
Friday, October 18, 2024
Trick-or-treat from costumed characters along an inside trail at the Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center. The event is a no-scare zone and includes games and entertainment. Kids will receive a bag full of treats and trinkets and must be accompanied by an unpaid adult. Visit the website here.
Night at the Museum Halloween Party
Wheaton
Friday, October 18, 2024
Kids can enjoy after-hours fun at the DuPage County Historical Museum. Activities include a three-story flashlight scavenger hunt, crafts, and a live train demonstration. All kids must be accompanied by a paid adult. Visit the website here.
Spooky Zoo
Lincoln Park
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Kids can trick-or-treat at Lincoln Park Zoo from 10am until the candy runs out. Family-friendly entertainment will keep the party going. Visit the website here.
Monster Madness
Lisle
Saturday, October 19, 2024
The Lisle Park District brings a bit of country fun to the suburbs with this special fall festival. Families can play games, enjoy an inflatable haunted house, visit a petting zoo, get a pumpkin from a pumpkin patch, and enjoy fall-themed treats. Visit the website here.
Wicker Park Boo-palooza
Wicker Park
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Families can help raise money for the Wicker Park "Gardens We Design" at this family-friendly Halloween event featuring kids' musicians, a costume parade, and a pumpkin patch and decorating area. Play games including pin-the-tail on various popular cartoons, find the "needle" in the haystack, or work your way through a straw maze. Visit the website here.
York Center Park District Happenin' Halloween
Lombard - FREE
Saturday, October 19, 2024
The York Center Park District opens its gym to families to enjoy carnival games, hayrides, concessions and more. The theme of this year's party is Spooky Candyland! Visit the website here.
BOOmingdale Halloween Party
Bloomingdale - FREE
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Fall festivities abound at this event sponsored by the Bloomingdale Park District, Village of Bloomingdale, Bloomingdale Public Library, and Friends of the Bloomingdale Public Library. The Police and Fire Department will offer Halloween-themed building tours and trunk or treat while the library will host a hay maze, moon jump, balloon artist, face painter, and refreshments. Visit the website here.
Haunted Forest Westmont
Westmont
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Kids can start at Diane Main Park and be driven on a haunted hayride to Sandra Smith Woods. Then, get off the wagon to walk through the spooky woods. Little kids can have fun at the the earlier session, while teens and tweens can fear characters, ghouls, and goblins that jump out at them after dark at the 7 p.m. edition. Visit the website here.
Arts in the Dark
Downtown - FREE
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Arts in the Dark is an evening parade that celebrates Halloween as the "artist's holiday," bringing together Chicago institutions and organizations dedicated to art and education. Audience members will be delighted by unique floats, spectacle puppets, and creative performances set against the backdrop of Chicago’s majestic skyline. Visit the website here.
Halloween Parade at Edgebrook Library
Edgebrook - FREE
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Edgebrook Library's Halloween parade is back! Kids can come dressed in their costumes to dance to Halloween music, hear a Halloween story, and parade around the library and parking lot. Trick-or-treating stations and Halloween inflatables will be in the parking lot for kids to enjoy. Visit the website here.
Kids Halloween Party at Park & Field
Logan Square
Sunday, October 20, 2024
Come in costume to enjoy live entertainment, a balloon artist, and s'more roasting at Park & Field in Logan Square. Visit the website here.
Halloween Spooktacular at Avondale Park
Avondale
Monday, October 21, 2024
Have a spook-tacular time making crafts to get you into the Halloween spirit. The crafts will be easy enough for small children to enjoy. Visit the website here.
Lombard Monster Bash
Lombard
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Little kids can get ready for Halloween with spooky games and ghoulish treats at this Lombard event. Be sure to wear a costume. Visit the website here.
Ackerman Spook Trail
Glen Ellyn
Thursday & Friday, October 24-October 25, 2024
Take a walk along the spook trail to enjoy Halloween-themed games. Refreshments will be available from local vendors. From 4-6pm., the trail will be non-scary and geared toward younger children. From 6-8pm, it will be spookier for kids 11 and up. Visit the website here.
Pumpkins in the Woods
Winnetka
Friday, October 25, 2024
Hubbard Woods is transformed into a magical pumpkin patch where kids can decorate pumpkins, play carnival games, bounce through inflatables, listen to music from a DJ, and participate in a costume contest. The whole family can enjoy this Halloween event. Visit the website here.
South Chicago Heights Kids Halloween Party
Chicago Heights
Friday, October 25, 2024
Kids can come to the South Chicago Heights Senior Center for ghoulish games, puppets, and spooky fun. Enjoy some frighteningly good food with family and friends. Visit the website here.
Oak Brook Pumpkin Swim
Oak Brook
Friday, October 25, 2024
Kids can dive for eggs that contain candy and a chance to win a full-sized pumpkin at Oak Brook Aquatic Center. Kids will be divided by age group into different pools at different times. Fee is for children only; adults are free. Visit the website here.
Addison Park District Candy Carnival
Addison
Friday, October 25, 2024
Kids can play games to win candy at this annual event. Kids receive an extra treat for coming in costume. Inflatables, crafts, and games round out the fun. Parents must accompany their children at this event. Visit the website here.
Lemonster Days Trick-or-Treating Downtown Lemont
Lemont - FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
The Village of Lemont hosts its annual Halloween costume contest, parade and downtown trick-or-treating. Visit the website here.
Downtown Wheaton Trick or Treating
Wheaton - FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Wear your Halloween costume and visit downtown Wheaton businesses to trick-or-treat a few days early. Kids can also look for spooky signs throughout the downtown as part of the I Spy scavenger hunt. Visit the website here.
Pumpkin Patch at Sheridan Park
Near West - FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Sheridan Park hosts a pumpkin patch for the whole family, featuring a petting zoo, arts and crafts, and face painting. Visit the website here.
Pumpkin Palooza
Naperville
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Kids can celebrate the season by coming in costume to the DuPage Children's Museum for STEAM-themed, non-scary activities. Build your own Franken buddy from recycled toys, create wearable art, brew your own slime, and mix and mash pumpkin guts! Visit the website here.
Glen Ellyn Halloween Spooktacular Festival and Parade
Glen Ellyn - FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Join in the parade in downtown Glen Ellyn before trick-or-treating at local businesses. Kids can also play games and make crafts in the downtown area. Visit the website here.
Halloween Party at the Commercial Club
West Town- FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
This free Halloween party includes treats and fun for all, sponsored by the Park Advisory Council. Kids costumes are welcome. Events will take place inside and outside of the Fieldhouse. Visit the website here.
Slightly Spooky Saturdays: Family Halloween
Downtown - FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Halloween takes over Navy Pier! Families can enjoy circus acts, mad scientist demos, axe throwing, a costume contest, face-painting demos, and more at shops and restaurants around the Pier. Visit the website here.
Boo Bash Trick or Treat Trail
Glen Ellyn
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Families can trick-or-treat with their favorite characters along a trail in Maryknoll Park for an early Halloween treat. At the end of the trail, each child can pick a pumpkin from a pumpkin patch. Visit the website here.
The Great Sand Ridge (Tiny) Pumpkin Hunt
South Holland - FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Discover all of the tiny pumpkins in Sand Ridge Nature Center in a scavenger hunt. Participants who find all the pumpkins can take home a pumpkin as a prize. Visit the website here.
Halloween Hustle
Palatine
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Grab your friends and family for a spooktacular 5K and kids dash in Palatine. Kids dash participants receive a race shirt, medal, pumpkin, and free drink and half sandwich at Tap House Grill. Visit the website here.
Lincoln Park Spooktacular 2024
Lincoln Park - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, October 26-October 27, 2024
Trick-or-treat at select businesses along Lincoln Avenue between Wrightwood and Webster on Saturday or Clark Street on Sunday for the week before Halloween. Magicians, stilt walkers, and jugglers will meet and greet trick or treaters along the way. Visit the website here.
American Girl Trick-or-Treat
Magnificent Mile - FREE
Saturday, & Sunday, October 26-October 27, and Thursday, October 31, 2024
American Girl hosts a FREE trick-or-treat where kids who visit the store in costume will receive a sweet treat (while supplies last). Visit the website here.
Trick or Treating at Naper Settlement
Naperville
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Trick or treat at Naper Settlement's historic houses, stroll down pumpkin lane, and watch a blacksmith in action at this Halloween event at Naper Settlement. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Visit the website here.
Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest
Lincoln Park
September 27-October 27, 2024
Families can enjoy a walk through the pumpkin patch, a pumpkin-carving demonstration, and pumpkin-themed treats like a caramel apple station and a s'more station at Lincoln Park Zoo throughout October. Visit the website here.
Logan Square Halloween Parade
Logan Square - FREE
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Time 5:00 pm
Location:
Logan Square -
Illinois Centennial Monument,
2600 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
March around Logan Square in your Halloween costume! The community event is attended by hundreds each year, marching from the Illinois Centennial Memorial south on Kedzie to Fullerton, then turning around to end at Cafe Lula with free cider and cookies for kids. Mucca Pazza will once again lead the event!
Lincoln Scared and Ravenswoooooood
Lincoln Square and Ravenswood - FREE
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Lincoln Square and Ravenswood transform into Lincoln Scared and Ravenswooooooood for early trick-or-treating. Businesses hand out candy and other treats, and a pumpkin decorating station sets up on Damen Avenue. Visit the website here.
Naperville Halloween Happening
Naperville - FREE
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Visit the Naperville Riverwalk's Grand Pavilion for Halloween games, activities and treats. This free event is intended for kids 10 and under. Visit the website here.
Halloween Crafts at Eugene Field Park
Albany Park
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Get crafty with some Halloween projects with your child at Eugene Field Park. Three sessions are offered at 10 am, 11:30am, and 3:15 pm. Visit the website here.
Haunted Movie Night at Scottsdale Park
Scottsdale - FREE
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Teens and tweens can enjoy a haunted movie in the park, complete with free pizza and snacks. Registration is required. Visit the website here.
Family Halloween Celebration at Woodson Library
Washington Heights - FREE
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Join the staff at Woodson Regional Library for stories, games, crafts and treats to celebrate Halloween. Costumes are encouraged! Visit the website here.
Blodgett House Boo Fest
Downers Grove - FREE
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Families can avoid the rain (or snow) by trick-or-treating indoors at the Downers Grove Museum. The Victorian themed Blodgett House will be decorated for the occasion and will host a scavenger hunt. Visit the website here.
Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade
Lakeview - FREE
Thursday, October 31, 2024
North Halsted Street in Boystown celebrates Halloween unlike any other neighborhood in Chicago. Parade entries may include LED robots, the Lakeside Marching Band, and Chicago Full Moon Jam fire performers. A costume contest awards cash prizes to contestants in seven different categories, including a category for youth. Visit the website here
Cosley Zoo Pumpkin Fest
Wheaton
Thru Oct 31
Kids can enjoy fall fun while visiting the animals at Cosley Zoo. Pumpkins, gourds, apples, cider, corn stalks, and hay bales are available for purchase. Children's rides are also available if weather permits. Visit the website here.
Señorita Mariposa Story Walk
Lisle
Thru October 31
Señorita Mariposa is a Spanish-English bilingual book by author, musician, and early childhood educator MISTER G. The story, told in playful rhyme and brought to life by illustrator Marcos Almada Rivero, follows the extraordinary migration of a monarch butterfly from Canada to Mexico. From September 15 through the end of October, each gorgeously illustrated page of Señorita Mariposa will be displayed on large-scale panels along the Arboretum’s Meadow Lake Trail. Visit the website here
Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up
Goose Island
Through November 3
Jack's is one of Chicago's largest fall themed festivals. With 10,000 pumpkins, fortune tellers, a corn maze with a secret bar, gem mining, photo opportunities, carnival games, and food trucks, Jack's provides to unique experience for each guest that comes through the doors. It is also kid friendly! Visit the website here.
Skeletober
LaGrange - FREE
Through October
Downtown LaGrange celebrates Skeletober, a display of unique life-size decorated skeletons on the sidewalks of local businesses. Families can take pictures with the skeletons and participate in a skeleton scavenger hunt. Visit the website here.
Your second block of text...