THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – More Spooks, Frights and Fun – If You Dare!
This weekend continues to bring us a variety of Halloween events, both fun and downright spooky and frightful, as we anxiously await the arrival of Halloween Day on Friday, October 31st!
Join in on the fun at Gallagher Way (3635 N. Clark St.) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood this Saturday (1 p.m.-5 p.m.) to celebrate their annual Pumpkin Party. This FREE event features many fun activities to enjoy such as trick-or-treating at a wide variety of candy stations throughout Gallagher Way; kids Halloween crafts with Kidcreate Studio; live music from the Old Town School of Folk Music including Halloween sing-alongs; plenty of mini pumpkins for kids to pick up at the pumpkin patch (while supplies last); exclusive offerings from Gallagher Way eateries; specialty beverages available for purchase; and much more. Don’t forget, costumes are encouraged!
Spooktacular 2025 returns for another full weekend of trick-or-treating in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Businesses along Lincoln Avenue (Saturday) and Clark Street (Sunday) will transform into trick-or-treat stops from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday’s trick-or-treating will take you down Lincoln Avenue from Diversey to Webster Avenues. There will also be a special Halloween celebration held at the Lincoln Common Plaza (2335 N. Lincoln Ave.) featuring a Pet Costume Contest, treats, a photo booth, face painting, caricatures, and more. Then head out again on Sunday for more trick-or-treating but this time down Clark Street from Armitage to Diversey Avenues and along Diversey Avenue from Lakeview Avenue to Orchard Street. And don’t forget to don your favorite costume and grab your candy buckets, since there’s no such thing as too much candy, for a spooktacular weekend!
Something strange is stirring beneath the Field Museum (1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.) in the South Loop this Saturday through Sunday, November 2nd. The Field is blending Halloween chills with scientific thrills for their Underground MISadventure. You will shrink into the shadows with your guide Svengoolie, Chicago’s legendary horror host, who will lead you into a strange and spooky underground world as you creep into the soil beneath you to meet the creatures of the dark. Come experience a unique Halloween at the Field Museum for a creepy, crawly, and downright spooky time!
The arts organization LUMA8 is hosting their Arts in the Dark Upside Down Parade this Saturday (12 p.m.-2 p.m.) at Washington Park (5531 S. Martin Luther King Dr.). This reverse parade has children and their families donned in their costumes become the parade as they pass through a stretch of costumed performance groups such as acrobats, dance teams, musicians, and more that are lining Russell Drive within the park. At the end of the route, participants will receive a complimentary candy bag, free candy provided by Mars and Ferrara, and other goodies!
Dress in a costume and come experience a frightfully fun family event at The Haunted Museum this Saturday (4 p.m.-7 p.m.) at the ISAC Museum (1155 E. 58th St.) in the Hyde Park neighborhood. The museum’s team of professional demon-hunters needs your help to round up all the loose demons throughout the galleries. In addition, you will be regaled with frightful tales of things that go bump in the night. Plus, your ticket includes a spooky gift bag and access to activities such as spooky storytelling, witches’ grotto, tarot fate-stitching, face painting, crafts, a mummification demonstration, candy, and more. Are you brave enough to enter the Haunted Museum this Halloween? If not, there’s always next year!
The grand finale takes place on Friday, October 31st, with the 28th annual Haunted Halsted Halloween Night Parade which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. from Halsted Street and Belmont Avenue in the Lakeview neighborhood continuing north before ending at Halsted Street and Cornelia Avenue at 8 p.m. Afterwards, stick around for the costume awards show at Halsted Street and Brompton Avenue at 8:30 p.m. where each of the five costume categories will award each winner $500 for 1st place, $200 for 2nd place, and $100 for 3rd place! Good Luck if you’re participating in the costume competition!!
BOO! Have a Spooky, Frightful & Fun Halloween!
Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago
