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Halloween Weekend 2025 in Chicago: Trick-or-Treat, Halloween Parades, and More Things To Do

It's a big Halloween weekend in Chicago! Photo courtesy of Chicago Park District.
It's a big Halloween weekend in Chicago! Photo courtesy of Chicago Park District.
10/29/25 - By Siobhan Adcock

Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this Halloween weekend 2025? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for Halloween weekend.

Get your costumes and candy bags ready! It's time for trick-or-treating! If you're looking for something to do before or after the big event, check out a cool Halloween event in your neighborhood or suburb, like Montrose Monster Mash in Ravenswood, Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade in Lakeview, or Blodgett House Boo Fest in Downers Grove. If you've had your fill of candy, try out some children's theater for a treat. Chicago Kids Company has Chicken Little opening this week, and BrightSide Theatre in Naperville is presenting SpongeBob: The Musical.

We're turning the calendar over to November on Saturday, so you might want to think about holiday events. Book one of our favorite events that usually sell out. Polar Express and other holiday trains are also some of the first to get snapped up, so book yours today if you haven't already!

 And want to keep the kids entertained without breaking the bank? Don’t forget to look for the deals link at the top of the calendar to filter for special offers and the free filter to see only free activities!

More Things To Do in Chicago This Week With Kids

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Halloween photo by Marco at Raison Descartier via Flickr 2.0
Halloween photo by Marco at Raison Descartier via Flickr 2.0

Things To Do Halloween Weekend in Chicago 2025

Blodgett House Boo Fest

Downers Grove - FREE
Friday, October 31
Families can avoid the rain (or snow) by trick-or-treating indoors at the Downers Grove Museum. The Victorian themed Blodgett House will be decorated for the occasion and will host a scavenger hunt. READ MORE

North Riverside Park Mall Trick or Treating

North Riverside - FREE
Friday, October 31
Calling all ghouls, goblins, superheroes, princesses, and more! Don't miss this mall-wide Trick-or-treat event. READ MORE

Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade

Lakeview - FREE
Friday, October 31
North Halsted Street in Boystown celebrates Halloween unlike any other neighborhood in Chicago. Parade entries may include LED robots, the Lakeside Marching Band, and Chicago Full Moon Jam fire performers. A costume contest awards cash prizes to contestants in seven different categories, including a category for youth. READ MORE

Chicken Little

Beverly
Opens Wednesday, October 29
The Sky is Falling!  The Sky is Falling!  Join Chicken Little and her friends --Ducky Lucky, Goosey Loosey, Turkey Lurkey and others-- as she journeys to tell The King the news!   READ MORE

Little Boo Bash at Edgebrook Library

Edgebrook - FREE
Friday, October 31
Edgebrook Library's Halloween parade is back! Kids can come dressed in their costumes to dance to enjoy a mini costume parade and photo spot, crawl-through box maze, toilet paper mummy races, build-a monster craft station, seasonal snacks and plenty of time to play, explore, and connect. READ MORE

Darien Lions Club Halloween Party

Darien- FREE
Friday, October 31
Woud-be trick-or-treaters can enjoy indoor fun including ice skating, a "graveyard," games and a musician. More than 1,300 kids attended last year to enjoy Halloween in a safe, warm environment. READ MORE

Montrose Monster Mash

Ravenswood - FREE
Friday, October 31
The Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to present the first annual Montrose Monster Mash, a brand-new, family-friendly Halloween celebration that’s bound to become a neighborhood favorite! Visit the neighborhood for a fang-tastic evening of costumes, candy, and community! As the sun sets and the street lights come on, families are invited to stroll down Montrose Avenue in costume and enjoy Halloween fun! Local shops and restaurants will be handing out candy, offering special treats, and getting into the spirit of the season. It’s a great way to discover neighborhood... READ MORE

Boo-tacular at Chuck E. Cheese

Various Chicagoland locations
Friday, October 31
Halloween Boo-Tacular is a monthlong, kid-friendly Halloween celebration at Chuck E. Cheese. Enjoy specialty Halloween menu items, dance at the daily Haunted House Party show, and take advantage of free game play and e-ticket offers. READ MORE

Dia de los Muertos Celebration at Wonder Works

Oak Park
Friday, October 31 - Sunday, November 2
Celebrate Dia de los Muertos at WonderWorks Children's Museum in Oak Park with -Storytime: Enjoy children’s books exploring the traditions and meaning of Día de los Muertos -Art Room: Color sugar skulls and create tissue paper marigolds to add to our community ofrenda or take home 0Sensory Zone: Explore sensory bins filled with orange and black paper flower petals READ MORE

Healthy Heroes Kids Fair

Warrenville - FREE
Saturday, November 1
Calling all young superheroes! Get ready to power up your minds and bodies at the Healthy Heroes Kids Fair – a fun-filled, interactive event where kids become champions of health and wellness. Children will go on a mission to complete a series of “hero training” stations designed to teach healthy habits in the most fun way possible. Families will embark on a mission together from taste-testing super snacks to battling invisible germs, every activity helps kids learn how to take care of their bodies and brains like true heroes. READ MORE

Dog Man-Mania at Bolingbrook Promenade

Bolingbrook - FREE
Saturday, November 1
Calling all Supa Buddies! November 1 is National Family Literacy Day. Bring your family along to celebrate this day with all things Dog Man and friends on the Bolingbrook Library Bookmobile. There will be crafts, games and lots of silly fun! Sign up for your chance to win a Dog Man prize package while there! READ MORE

Catapult a Pumpkin

Romeoville
Saturday, November 1
Bring your used pumpkin to Lewis University to see physics students catapult it into a field for composting! Please bring only unpainted pumpkins. Will County Forest Preserves and Lewis University students will make sure the pumpkins become part of a healthy soil in the coming year. A recycling event will be going on at the same time, so bring any old electronics or documents that require shredding. READ MORE

Dia de los Muertos Sensory- & Family-Friendly Concert

West Loop
Saturday, November 1
Join Merit’s Wind Symphony for a free concert celebrating a Latin American tradition originating in Mexico, featuring music from Disney's Coco. Audience members are invited to move, dance, make noise, or partake in any way which helps them to enjoy the music. Families and those with sensory processing sensitivities welcome. READ MORE

Keyana Loves Halloween: Saturday Storytime

Winnetka - FREE
Saturday, November 1
Visit The Book Stall for a spooktacular Saturday Storytime with Natasha Anastasia Tarpley featuring her new picture book, Keyana Loves Halloween! It’s time to trick-or-treat! Join Keyana and the people she loves as they work to make Halloween a day they'll never forget! Keyana Loves Halloween is the first holiday book in the series, and a great entry point for families who are new to the Keyana series. With its warm illustrations and a hint of spooky fun, it's the perfect seasonal pick, perfect for kids ages 4 to 8. READ MORE

BrightSide Theatre's The SpongeBob Musical Youth Edition

Naperville
Saturday, November 1
Plunge into this stunning all-singing, all-dancing, dynamic stage show! When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world! This deep-sea pearl of a show is set to make a splash with audiences young and old. READ MORE

Beetlemania! Nature's Jewels

Lincoln Park - FREE
Saturday, November 1
This event will explore the wonderful world of beetles. Girl Scouts will see them up close, learn about their homes and roles in ecosystems, and celebrate their beauty through a keepsake craft. By the end of the day, Girl Scouts will complete all five steps of the Bugs Badge through guided discovery, exploration, and creativity. READ MORE
Happy Holiday Railway. Photo courtesy of the Illinois Railway Museum.
Happy Holiday Railway. Photo courtesy of the Illinois Railway Museum.

Looking Forward to the Holiday Season in Chicago with Kids

The Best Christmas Towns in the Midwest

Shop, visit Santa, and get into the holiday spirit with a trip to one of these idyllic Christmas towns. READ MORE

Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near Chicago 2025

Where can you still get Polar Express tickets? Check here. READ MORE

Lego, Star Wars, and More Awesome 2025 Advent Calendars for Kids and Parents, Too!

Toys, wine, slime, and more fun ways to countdown to Christmas. READ MORE

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