Top Free Halloween Events In Chicago: Trick-or-Treating, Outdoor Movies, and More

Lincoln Park Spooktacular is one of the most popular free Halloween events in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the event
Lincoln Park Spooktacular is one of the most popular free Halloween events in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the event
10/1/23 - By Maureen Wilkey

Fun, FREE Halloween events in Chicago for kids help our wallets recover after all the money spent on costumes, candy, and decorations. We've put together a list of our favorite free Halloween events in Chicago, including trick-or-treating or trunk-or-treating from Lincoln Square to Lemont, parades downtown, in Lakeview, and in the suburbs, and outdoor movies in Chicago and suburban parks. Find all kinds of festivals around Chicago and its suburbs, too, like circus acts and mad scientist demos at Navy Pier, or a tiny pumpkin scavenger hunt in South Holland.

If you haven't picked your pumpkin yet, now is a great time to check out one of our favorite pumpkin patches. Or have some seasonal fun, with just enough thrill, by getting lost in a corn maze. And check out our Fall Activities Guide for even more things to do in Chicago.

Here are our favorite free Halloween activities in Chicago for kids!

Places featured in this article:


Ray Franzen Bird Sanctuary

Lincoln Avenue between Wrightwood and Webster

Trailside Museum of Natural History

Commercial Club Playground of Chicago Park