THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Previews of Our Coming Attraction!

This weekend in Chicago we will be kicking off our Holiday Season as various city neighborhoods will be hosting previews of our coming attraction – Halloween on Thursday, October 31st!
Serving as the Grand Finale of Chicago Halloweek 2024, the arts organization LUMA8 is hosting its 5th annual Arts in the Dark Upside Down Parade this Saturday (12 p.m.-2 p.m.) at Washington Park (5531 S. Martin Luther King Dr.) in the Woodlawn neighborhood. This “reverse” parade has the children and their families become the parade when they don their best Halloween costumes and join the procession down the tree-lined Russell Drive in Washington Park. As they make their way down the path, they will be dazzled by dance teams, musicians, acrobats, sports mascots, and other spectacles. In addition, a complimentary candy bag and other goodies will be given out at the closing arches! For those who don’t have a costume, 2,000 costumes will be given away at the opening gates so you can participate as well!!
For those who have the furry, four-legged children, Time Out Market Chicago (916 W. Fulton Market) in the West Loop will be hosting Howl-O-Ween this Saturday (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) so your pooch can join in on celebrating Halloween too. Don’t miss the chance to win pawsome prizes in the pet costume contest, take a memorable photo at the photobooth, and shop for goods from local pet vendors. A howling good time will be had by all!
Adults Only will have their chance to preview Halloween at one of these events:
The I/O Godfrey Hotel (127 W. Huron St.) in the River North neighborhood is transforming their rooftop into a haunted theater this Saturday (8 p.m.-2:30 a.m.) as they host Silver Scream where horror films come to life. After checking in at the spooky ticket window, guests will pass through an eerie concession stand then wander through a maze-like theater decorated with spine-chilling tributes to classic horror movies. A special full food menu is available until 11 p.m. and complemented by cocktails like the Midnight Freeze and Sangre Sangria. Beware the horrors lurking in the shadows!
Experience a night of thrills at Chicago’s biggest Halloween costume party, Haunted Halloween Ball this Saturday (9 p.m.-2:30 a.m.) at the Congress Plaza Hotel (520 S. Michigan Ave.) in the South Loop. Upon arrival, you’ll be directed to the massive 20,000 square foot ballrooms of this 122-year-old hotel sporting spooky decorations, zombie cocktail servers, go-go dancers, and vampire bellman. Guests can mingle with spirits or the not-yet deceased while having access to multiple cash bars, great views of the city’s skyline, and a chance to enter the costume contest and compete for $2,000 in cash and prizes. Oh, did I mention that this hotel is classified as one of the most haunted hotels in the world by USA Today? Beware of things that go bump in the night!
Come celebrate Halloween night with us at the 27th annual Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade this coming Thursday (October 31st). The raucous procession kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on Halsted Street and Belmont Avenue and heads north ending at Cornelia Avenue. Afterwards, stick around for the awards presentation at Halsted and Brompton (8:30 p.m.) for the winners of the spectacular Costume Contest featuring $4,000 in cash prizes covering 5 categories: character, creative, scary, youth (under 13), and group. This parade is ranked one of the 10 Best Halloween Celebrations in the U.S. by Fodor’s Travel and should not be missed!
Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago