Is it just me, or do you also enjoy Halloween now, as a parent, more than you ever did as a kid?
I can't get enough of the decor, the costumes, the spooky-themed food, and all the fun events. This year, I am especially happy to see that my teens aren't out-growing any of it anytime soon either. My eighteen year old lays out her outfits for the whole month of October, and they are all combinations of orange and black. Whenever I catch her with her ear pods in, she is listening to Halloween movie soundtracks. Her room is decorated in cobwebs, (beyond the ones that were already there), and pumpkin lighting. This is going to be another fun year!
Stay tuned to Macaroni KID, as we will keep you posted on all things sweet, and creepy, this season. Follow us on Facebook too, to ensure you don't miss a thing.
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THE SWEET
Andersonville
Rogers Park Montessori Fall Fest
October 18 @ 10am-2pm
Fall festivities will include crafts, games, prizes, food trucks, a pumpkin patch, photo booth, costume parade, and more! This event is free and open to the public.
Fright on Farragut
October 31 @ 11am-4pm
On Saturday, October 31, Farragut transforms into the most haunted street in Andersonville! Join us from 11AM–4PM at Clark & Farragut to show off your costumes, play creepy games, snag some candy, and dance along with DJ Lexie!
Avondale
Fall Fest at Athletic Field Park
October 3 @ 10am-3pm
Come spend the day with us, full of family fun, great food, live music, and more!
Lakeview
Tubman Elementary Fall Fest
October 24 @ 10am-12pm
Games & Prizes. Costume Parade. Trunk or Treat. Pumpkin Decorating. Dance Party. Costume Swap.
Friends of Jahn Pumpkin Patch
October 17 @ 10am-2pm
We are thrilled to be welcoming our community back to the Jahn Pumpkin Patch this year! Join us for fall crafts, music, balloon twisting, pumpkin sales, face painting, bounce house, games, and more.
Roscoe Village Halloween Block Party
October 18 @ 12pm-5pm
Save the date for the Roscoe Village Halloween Block Party! Celebrate the season in a safe, outdoor, family-oriented environment on Roscoe. Wear your costume and join for Halloween themed activities, a live DJ, and more! The Roscoe Village Streetery will be open for your food and beverage needs.
Hamilton Boo Bash
October 24 @ 1pm-4pm
Join us for a full day of fun activities, including a kid-friendly haunted house, a spooky haunted house created by our middle schoolers, a magic show, costume parade, carnival games, arts and crafts, spooky prizes, music, food for purchase, and so much more!
Trick-or-Treat Southport
October 26 @ 4pm-7pm
Trick or Treat on Southport is a free annual community event featuring family-friendly activities, a pumpkin patch, pet parade and trick or treating at local businesses.
Haunted Halsted Fest & Halloween Parade
October 31 @ 11am-10pm
In its inaugural year, the Haunted Halsted Fest features food, drinks, live entertainment, street performers and dedicated areas/activities for kids and families throughout the day, leading right into the fantastic Halloween Parade. The free parade is a spectacle of sights, frights & spooky mayhem concluding with an Awards Show, live performance and dance party.
Little Monsters Crawl
October 31 @ 11am-2pm
Here’s the scoop: the little ghouls and goblins will embark on a thrilling trick or tread adventure, strolling through the neighbourhood in their finest costumes. Local businesses will set up stations with various treats for both kids and parents. We will also have 4 pop up tents across the neighbourhood where you’ll find your kids favourite cartoon costume characters and entertainers ready to spread Halloween joy! They’ll be on hand to greet the kids, hand out candy, and create magical moments that will make this Halloween unforgettable. So, mark your calendars for a day of family fun and fantastic costumes and make sure to stop into local businesses, fill your candy bag, and enjoy a safe and tasty trick-or-treating adventure! Don’t miss out on this fang-tastic neighborhood treat!
Lincoln Park
Spooky Zoo
October 17 @ 10am-1pm (or while supplies last)
This year’s event will offer trick-or-treating on zoo grounds and family-friendly entertainment. Free carousel rides.
Spooktacular 2026
October 24 and 25 @ 1pm-4pm
Spooktacular returns for a full weekend of tricks and treats in Lincoln Park! Lincoln Avenue and Clark Street businesses will embrace the spooky season and transform into trick-or-treat stops.
Cost: Free
Lincoln Square Ravenswood
Trick or Treat Fest at Chase Park
October 25 @ 2pm-6pm
TREAT STATIONS, BOUNCE HOUSE, GHOULISH GAMES & CREEPY ARTS & CRAFTS, 'NO SCARE' HAUNTED HOUSE, PROFESSIONAL GHOST STORIES, HALLOWEEN DANCE PERFORMANCE, SPOOKY CIRCUS SHOW
Lincoln Scared Ravenswoooood
October 25 @ 11am-1pm
Trick-or-Treat with your kids this year in Lincoln Square Ravenswood! On the Sunday of Halloween the business district transforms into LINCOLN SCARED and RAVENSWoooooD, as children trick-or-treat between participating businesses. And if you're interested in a fun activity, stop by The Perfect Cup (4700 N Damen) with your costumed cuties. Concordia Place will be right out front with pumpkins and a variety of decorating supplies. This free event is rain or shine!
Hands-On Family Spooky Snacks and Sweet Treats at The Chopping Block
October 31 @ 10:00am-12:30pm
Gather the family for a spooktacular hands-on cooking class filled with Halloween fun! Kids and adults will work together to create festive savory bites and sweet treats, perfect for fueling up before a night of trick-or-treating. This hands-on class is designed for children ages 6 and older to cook with their parents, families or guardians.
Menu:
- Meatballs with Puff Pastry “Bandages” and Marinara
- Twice Baked Potato Mummies
- Frankenstein Whoopie Pies
- Pumpkin-Chocolate Chip Cookies
The Loop
Boo with Sue at the Field Museum
October 30 @ 6pm-9pm
Trick-or-treat yourself to a night at the Field Museum! This not-so-scary after hours event will spark curiosity for the entire family. Families with kids ages 2 to 12 will get up close and personal with creepy crawlers, conduct their own owl pellet dissection, explore fascinating exhibits, and learn about specimens in our collection from our team of scientists.
Costumes encouraged!
Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade
October 24 @ 6:00PM-8:00PM
This is not to be missed! Personally, my favorite parade of all time. The Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade will return to Columbus Drive as the finale of the city’s “Halloweek” program! Now in its 12th year, this event has drawn together close to 100,000 guests and participants for a magical evening parade that celebrates Halloween as the “artist’s holiday.” Past participants include world-renowned institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago, celebrated Chicago organizations like Lookingglass Theatre Company, important programs like After School Matters and aspiring artists in every field. It is a dazzling event that delights the audience with unique floats, spectacle puppets and creative performances – all set against the backdrop of Chicago skyline.
Edward Scissorhands In Concert Live to Film
October 24 @ 7:30pm-10:30pm
Back by popular demand, see one of Tim Burton’s most celebrated films like never before! The full-feature film, Edward Scissorhands, will be projected on the big screen with live accompaniment by the Chicago Philharmonic. Families are welcome and costumes are encouraged.
North Center
North Center Trick-or-Treat
October 31 @ 10am-1pm
Put on your funniest, spookiest, most creative Halloween costumes and join for a morning of Trick-or-Treating and holiday fun! Stop at Northcenter Town Square, 4100 N Damen Ave, pick up a treat bag and a map before visiting local businesses along Lincoln/Irving/Damen and in Northcenter Town Square, that will be handing out candy and other fun prizes.
River North
Slightly Spooky Saturday
October 31 @ 12pm-6pm
Celebrate the spooky season with trick-or-treating throughout the Pier while wearing your favorite costumes. Enjoy free workshops, axe throwing, live performances, and more!
Family Fall Halloween Fest on Jarvis Square
October 24 @ 2pm-6pm
Bring your family and your costumes to the 3rd Annual Harvest Halloween Fest. Enjoy stilt walkers, jugglers, firepits and S'mores, face painting, Live interactive kids music, balloon artist, candy and more.
Cost: Free
Upside Down Halloween Parade
October 31 @ 12pm-2pm
Chicago children and their families will BECOME the parade when they don their costumes and join the procession down tree-lined Russell Drive. Dance teams, musicians, acrobats, sports mascots and other spectacles will dazzle them as they make their way down the route. Free candy.
Suburbs
Paranormal Walking Tours at Volo Museum
October 3-November 2 @ 12pm-5pm
This seasonal tour brings to life stories of paranormal encounters from Grams family members, employees, and even guests like you. More than just tales, you’ll see actual proof of the strange occurrences that have made this site legendary.
Six Flags Great America Boo Fest
Now through November 1
Explore all your family-favorite coasters and attractions together during Kids Boo Fest! Kids areas are available from 11:00am-5:00pm. Enjoy the family-friendly classic adventure of trick-or-treat in the park!
Enchanted Adventure at The Forge
Now-November 1
Three worlds. One glowing trail. Thousands of artisan designed pumpkins lighting up the quarry after dark.
Highwood Pumpkin Fest Carnival
October 2-4
HIGHWOOD'S ANNUAL PUMPKIN FEST features 
Carnival Rides, Games, 
Food, 
Live Music and plenty of 
Pumpkins!
Boo at the Zoo
October 3-25 @ 10am-5pm (weekdays) 10am-6pm (weekends)
Gather your ghoulfriends, little ghosts, and goblins for this fun-filled family event. Check out the creatures, creepy crawlers, and more in your costumes at the Halloween-themed event that's perfect for family photo ops. All ages are in for a fang-tastic time, and the kids will leave with a sweet treat.
Pumpkin Train
October 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, and 25 @ 10am-5pm (last admission at 3:30pm)
Enjoy a ride to the pumpkin patch aboard Halloween-themed electric interurban trains. While at the patch, ask the farm hands to help you find the perfect pumpkin, and pose for pictures in the various colorful, life size cutouts, as well as an antique farm tractor and hay wagon.
Lincolnwood Trunk-Or-Treat
October 25 @ 3pm-5pm
Wear your Halloween costume and join us for this FREE, family-friendly event of treats and spooky fun! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
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THE CREEPY
Lakeview
Nightmare on Clark Street
October 10 - November 1
Chicago’s favorite annual Halloween-themed extravaganza is back for the 2026 season starting October 10th! Step inside Nightmare on Clark Street, where spooky season takes over Stolen Saddle! Enjoy over-the-top haunted décor, creepy-themed cocktails, and Instagram-worthy photo ops designed to get you into the Halloween spirit! Happy haunting. NO KIDS ALLOWED THIS YEAR.
Graceland Ghosts & Secrets
Explore Graceland Cemetary. Meet its famous residents on a fun, interactive walking tour.
October 25 @ 12pm-4pm
The Park After Dark at Chase Park
October 16-November 1
The Park After Dark is a charity event to raise money for the Chase Park after school teen program. Every year, we transform the old theater into a brand-new haunted house, never repeating the same theme twice creating a truly unique experience. This year we are pleased to present Chuckles' Sweet Sixteen...A Party to Die For. The attraction is PG -13 and no children under the age of 13 will be permitted without parental advisory. We STRONGLY suggest no one under the age of 10.
You must purchase tickets in advance, there are no onsite ticket sales!
Portage Park
The Catacombs at St. Pascal
October 2-30
Started in 1979 as Saint Pascal’s Haunted House, The Catacombs has continued its impressive legacy for over 40 years. What was once just a building engineer and a small part of the school has evolved into a thriving haunted house that expands from the school to the depths of the church basement. Through various name changes (Ghostly Manor, Halls of Horrors, and The Underworld) the haunt has shown no signs of slowing down. We are currently the oldest haunt in the Chicago area. Our volunteers come from a broad range of backgrounds that allow us to put out the best product we can every weekend. Make no mistake, this is no run-of-the-mill charity haunt. The Catacombs will terrify, haunt, and frighten you to the core.
We do NOT recommend this attraction for children under the age of twelve (12), but as the parent and/or guardian, we leave that choice completely up to you. There is No-Scare version on October 10 @ 10am-2pm and a movie night on October 3. They are also selling a Duo Fright Experience with Scream Scene in Skokie.
Dead on Damen
TBA
Dead On Damen is excited to invite you to our 7th annual FREE Halloween Party. We will have hot cider, hot dogs, chili, chips, juice drinks and, of course, CANDY! Donations will be accepted For the ALS Foundation and Jordan Community School.
Suburbs
Blackberry Farm Haunted Train Ride
October 23 @ 6:30pm-8:00pm
Be aware of ghosts, witches, and goblins during the Haunted Train Ride. Grab your flashlights and board the haunted train, if you dare! Join us for a spooky craft. Enjoy the train, wagon, carousel, and bonfire with smores. Recommended for ages 4-10.
Six Flags Great America Fright Fest
Now through November 1
We visit Great America every fall. It's the perfect time to go. The temperature is usually a little cooler, the lines are shorter, and the changing colors of all the leaves, really make it quite picturesque. Add to that all the fun Fall, Halloween decorations, and seasonal menu items, and it is an enjoyable day even for non-riders. At 5:45pm, The Uprising Parade: Nightly Call of the Dead begins. This is the cue for kids 13 and under to make their way to the park exit or dare to be scared.
The 13th Floor Chicago
Now through November 8
Get ready for the most fun you've ever had getting scared at the world-famous 13th Floor Haunted House in Chicagoland!
In most buildings, the 13th floor doesn't exist--but here, in the heart of Chicagoland, it's terrifyingly real. The legendary 13th Floor has been praised by and featured on America Haunts, Travel Channel, MTV, Haunt World Magazine, and USA Today calls it "One of the best haunted attractions in the US." Purchase tickets early as Chicago's most horrifying haunted house is expected to sell out!
Scream Scene
October 9-November 7
Scream Scene is a seasonal haunted house held every October in Skokie. Each haunting season features new characters, sets and scenes making each new year more frightening than the last. Skokie Water Playground, abandoned for the season, becomes host to the most frightening experience in Skokie. With its chainsaw maniacs and insane clown maze, Scream Scene has been terrifying visitors since 1997. Parental discretion advised: Not recommended for children under 10 years old! (Though, there is a "lights" on version on October 24 from 3pm-5pm for only $3.) There is also a Glowstick Scream Scene on November 7 & 8.
Don't forget to check out our Fall Guide for more fun this season!
