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Trunk-or-Treats in Chicago for Halloween 2023

Trunk-or-Treat in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Winnetka Park District
Trunk-or-Treat in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Winnetka Park District
9/22/23 - By Maureen Wilkey

Trunk-or-treat events in Chicago mean that it's never too cold, too hot, or too far to walk on Halloween. Trunk-or-treats are perfect for the littlest ghosts and goblins because they take less time and are often during daylight hours. Trunk-or-treat in Chicago involves local families, businesses, or organizations decorating their cars and lining them up in a parking lot so kids can go from trunk to trunk gathering sweets, just like trick-or-treating. And many neighborhoods and suburbs have them, sponsored by their park district, local church, school, or toy store. Trunk-or-treating also offers kids an extra opportunity to grab some candy before Halloween, while supporting local businesses and non-profits.

Trunk-or-treat events make up just some of our free halloween events, while there's plenty of top halloween events you can pay for as well. And for traditionalists, we have a list of the Best Trick-or-Treat Neighborhoods in Chicago, too. Just don't spend your whole night in one of our favorite pumpkin patches waiting for the Great Pumpkin!

Here's some of our favorite places to trunk-or-treat in Chicago and the suburbs.

Try trunk-or-treat events in Chicago this Halloween. Photo courtesy of Bigstock.
Try trunk-or-treat events in Chicago this Halloween. Photo courtesy of Bigstock.

Trunk-or-Treat in Chicago Through October 15

Park District of Highland Park Truck or Treat

Saturday, October 7, 2023—Highland Park
This event combines touch-a-truck and trunk-or-treating in Sunset Woods Park. Wear your costume to visit a variety of big shiny trucks, and pick up some treats along the way. READ MORE

Midlothian Park District Fall Fest and Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 7, 2023—Midlothian
Trick-or-Treat from decorated car trunks, play games, go on a hay ride, and pet animals at a petting zoo at this annual event. Kids can also participate in duck races and pick and paint a pumpkin for an additional fee. READ MORE

Park District of LaGrange Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 14, 2023—LaGrange
Have a spooktacular good time at Sedgwick Park by trick-or-treating from the trunks of decorated cars. Halloween games and prizes will complete the fun. READ MORE
Niles Park District Trunk-or-Treat. Photo courtesy of nilesparks.org
Niles Park District Trunk-or-Treat. Photo courtesy of nilesparks.org

Chicago Area Trunk-or-Treat Events on October 16-26

Grace UMC Trunk or Treat

Wednesday, October 18, 2023—Naperville
Put on your non-violent costume and enjoy trunk-or-treating, s'mores, and more at Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville. Trunk-or-treating is open to kids ages 1-12, but all are welcome to join the fun. READ MORE

The Learning Experience Trick or Treat

Friday, October 20, 2023—Addison
Wear your costume and bring your treat bag to The Learning Experience to trick or treat with Bubbles the Elephant. The event will also include a magician's table, pumpkin painting, contests, and more. READ MORE

Justice Park District Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 21, 2023—Justice
Trick or treat at decorated cars in the field of Commissioners Park. Each decorated car has the chance to win a prize for the best decorations. READ MORE

BOOmingdale Halloween Party

Saturday, October 21,2023—Bloomingdale
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.   READ MORE

Niles Park District Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 21, 2023—Niles
Niles Park District and Village vehicles, as well as cars sponsored by local businesses, will line up in the parking lot of the Oasis Fun Center for trunk-or-treating. The event will be moved indoors in case of inclement weather. READ MORE

Trunk-n-Treat at McFetridge Sports Center

Saturday, October 22—North Center
Kids can dress in their Halloween costumes to trick or treat from cars decorated for Halloween. Other fun Halloween activities will be available for after kids fill their trick-or-treat bags. READ MORE

Trunk or Treat at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Connections

Sunday, October 22—Oak Forest
Creatively decorated trunks, candy, a raffle, prizes, and a balloon artist are the highlights of this south suburban trunk or treat. RSVP in advance for this afternoon of fun. READ MORE

North Suburban YMCA Fall Fest and Trunk or Treat

Sunday, October 22—Northbrook
North Suburban YMCA and Bach 2 Rock present a trunk or treat, costume contest, face painting, bounce houses, and live music for families. Treats and beverages will be available for purchase. READ MORE
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Trunk-or-Treat in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the event
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Trunk-or-Treat in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the event

Trunk-or-Treats In Chicago October 24-31

Trunk or Treat at Ridgeland Common

Friday, October 27, 2023—Oak Park
Oak Parkers can visit Ridgeland Common to trick or treat out of the trunks of decorated cars at this annual event. Cars must register for a spot and provide their own candy. READ MORE

Evanston Trunk or Treat

Friday, October 27, 2023—Evanston
See firetrucks, police cars, construction vehicles, and more at the Robert Crown Center. Kids can wear their costumes and see how the vehicles dress up for Halloween as they trick-or-treat. Please register in advance. READ MORE

Hobson Road Community Church Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 28, 2023—Downers Grove
Families can enjoy outdoor carnival games, face painting, and sweet treats at this Downers Grove trunk or treat. Dress up in your costume and see cars dressed up as well! READ MORE

Dia de Los Muertos Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 28, 2023—Archer Heights
Join the Southwest Collective for a trunk or treat at United Credit Union. More details to come. READ MORE

Roselle American Legion Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 28, 2023—Roselle
The Roselle American Legion and Rotary Club host their annual Trunk or Treat event. The party includes candy, music, games, and more. READ MORE

Halloweekend-Fall Fest & Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 28. 2023—Berwyn
Celebrate Halloween with the North Berwyn Park District. The event includes a trunk-or-treat, candy, pumpkins, crafts, treats, and fall photo stations. Costume contest judging begins at 1 p.m. READ MORE

Special Spaces Illinois Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 28, 2023—Naperville
Local businesses, including Cadillac of Naperville, team up to raise money for Special Spaces Illinois, a non-profit that creates dream bedroom makeovers for kids with cancer, at this trunk-or-treat event. The first 500 registered kids will receive a free bag for candy. The event also includes music, a costume contest, bouncy houses, and face painting. READ MORE

Northlake Public Library Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 28, 2023—Northlake
Kids can visit the Northlake Public Library to trick-or-treat from trunks in the parking lot. Families can also register their car to decorate for a chance to win a $50 gift card! READ MORE

Be the Treat! Of Trunk or Treat!

Saturday, October 28, 2023—Glen Ellyn
In addition to trunk-or-treating from local businesses, organizations and families, kids can enjoy Halloween music, a bounce house and pumpkins for sale at this Butterfield Park District event. Each child is asked to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Haunts Against Hunger Food Drive. Adults can donate to the Vitalant Blood Drive at this event. READ MORE

Des Plaines Park District Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 28, 2023—Des Plaines
The Des Plaines Park District and many community organizations and businesses are opening their trunks for local families to trick-or-treat! Kids must register for a one-hour time slot. READ MORE

Gary United Methodist Church Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 28, 2023—Wheaton
Enjoy the hospitality and community at Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton at this annual trunk-or-treat event. Wear your own costume for the fun and festive morning. READ MORE

Park District of Forest Park Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 28, 2023—Forest Park
Kids can trick-or-treat in a safe environment from the trunks of decorated cars at the Park District of Forest Park's Trunk or Treat event. Car owners will come dressed up and pass out candy from their vehicles. READ MORE

Franklin Park Trunk or Treat

Sunday, October 29, 2023—Franklin Park
ATA Taekwondo and Wade's Best Kids Summer Camp and After School will be host their annual trunk of treat at the Franklin Park American Legion. The event will include decorated cars, candy, games and prizes. READ MORE

Proesel Park Trunk-or-Treat

Sunday, October 29, 2023—Lincolnwood
Treats, games and spooky fun are on hand at Lincolnwood's Proesel Park this Halloween. All children must be accompanied by an adult. READ MORE

Wood Dale Trunk or Treat

Sunday, October 29, 2023—Wood Dale
Families, businesses and organizations will decorate their cars for a trunk-or-treat in Wood Dale's Community Square. Contests will be held for the best decorated car and the best costume, and families can enjoy a balloon artist and treats for purchase. READ MORE

Halloween Extravaganza featuring Trunk or Treat

Sunday, October 29, 2023—Oak Park
Family fun for all is happening at Unity Church in Oak Park on Halloween. Kids can enjoy a trunk-or-treat in the parking lot, along with face painting, music, spooky videos, crafts, and fall-themed refreshments. READ MORE

Eggers Grove Trunk or Treat

Sunday, October 29, 2023—East Side
This family-friendly forest preserve event includes plenty of candy and costumes. East Side Chamber of Commerce also sponsors the trunk-or-treat in Eggers Grove. READ MORE

Trunk or Treat at Austin Town Hall

Tuesday, October 31, 2023—Dunning
Kids can dress in their Halloween costumes to trick or treat from cars decorated for Halloween. Arts and crafts and and fun and games are also included. READ MORE

Trunk or Treat at New Hope Bible Church

Tuesday, October 31, 2023—Hermosa
Visit New Hope Bible Church to trick-or-treat from car trunks on Halloween. The event provides a safe alternative to traditional trick-or-treating. READ MORE

Bensenville Trunk or Treat

Tuesday, October 31, 2023—Bensonville
Bensenville businesses and organizations will decorate their trunks for kids to trick-or-treat from in downtown Bensenville. Kids can enjoy this event as an alternative to or in addition to traditional trick-or-treating. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Grace United Methodist Church
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex
Robert Crown Community Center and Library
Roselle American Legion 1084
Joseph C. Vallez Activity Center
Prairie Lakes Community Center
Gary United Methodist Church