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Halloween Weekend 2024 in Chicago: Trick-or-Treat and More Things To Do with Kids

Halloween Experience Express Trolley Tour through November 3. Photo courtesy of the Volo Museum
Halloween Experience Express Trolley Tour through November 3. Photo courtesy of the Volo Museum
10/29/24 - By Siobhan Adcock

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

Halloween weekend is finally here! Trick-or-treating falls on Thursday this year, so kids have plenty of opportunities to hit the neighborhood events and then spend the remainder of the weekend celebrating the Day of the Dead with Dia de Los Muertos events in Wrigleyville, Marquette Park, or Naperville.

Wondering where to go this year? Top picks for fun include events in Downers Grove, Lemont, Wicker Park, and Dunning. And don't forget about the Halloween parade along Halsted Street and the Boo-tacular at Chuck E. Cheese!  

Check out our lists of Free Halloween Events in Chicago or Top Halloween Events Near Chicago. Visit one of the Best Trick-or-Treat Neighborhoods in Chicago, or plan for November by perusing our list of best things to do next month.

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 2024

Boo-tacular at Chuck E. Cheese

Various Locations
Thursday, 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

Caldwell Woods Costume Parade

Edgebrook - FREE
Thursday, October 31
Visit Caldwell Woods to show off your costume and take a walk through the woods. READ MORE

WPB Trick-or-Treat

Wicker Park and Bucktown - FREE
Thursday, October 31
The chambers of commerce for West Town, Wicker Park, Bucktown, and Logan Square are teaming up for a trick-or-treating event on The Bucktown Green. Businesses may offer candy or store discounts. READ MORE

Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade

Lakeview - FREE
Thursday, 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

Family Halloween Celebration at Woodson Library

Washington Heights - FREE
Thursday, October 31
Join the staff at Woodson Regional Library for stories, games, crafts and treats to celebrate Halloween. Costumes are encouraged! READ MORE

Blodgett House Boo Fest

Downers Grove - FREE
Thursday, 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

Lemont Public Library Trick-or-Treating

Lemont - FREE
Thursday, October 31
Favorite storybook characters will hand out candy at the Lemont Public Library so that costumed kids can go trick-or-treating indoors. Kids can also enter a raffle for a prize basket donated by Friends of the Library. READ MORE

Trunk or Treat at Shabbona Park

Dunning - FREE
Thursday, October 31
Kids can dress in their Halloween costumes to trick or treat from cars decorated for Halloween. Activities include arts & crafts, games and more. READ MORE

Darien Lions Club Halloween Party

Darien - FREE
Thursday, 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

Community Halloween Party at Haas Park

Logan Sqaure - FREE
Thursday, October 31
Stop by Haas Park after school for activities that include a jar of candy guessing game, pumpkin bean bag toss, bobbing for apples, witchy ring toss, and more! There will be a costume contest and a special visit from JG Reptile, plus a photo booth to capture all the Halloween fun.   READ MORE

RiverLab: Boo! In a Canoe

Lincoln Square
Thursday, October 31
Dress up in your Halloween costume for a spooktacular ride on the Chicago River on Halloween. Wear headlamps as you explore the fall scenery of the river after dark. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. READ MORE

Haunted Library at Legler Regional Library

Garfield Park - FREE
Thursday, October 31
The Scary Squad has created a haunted library for kids ages 6-16 to enjoy at Legler Regional Library. Kids can also enjoy other fun and spooky activities like magic potion making, sugar skull decorating, and LEGO building. READ MORE

Dia de Los Muertos Celebration at Marquette Park

Marquette Park - FREE
Friday, November 1
Celebrate Day of the Dead at Marquette Park with performances, games, and the final day of the diversión exhibit, which features art from southwest side artists. READ MORE

Halloween Experience Trolley Tours at Volo Museum

Volo
Friday, November 1-Sunday, November 3
Hop aboard, if you dare, for a Halloween experience that’s sure to scare! Enjoy a spooky fun time filled with frights and delights. Embark on a spine-chilling adventure as you board one of  many unique tour vehicles. Live professional actors will be giving interactive tours. Traverse our sprawling 75-acre property, transformed into a realm of ghostly encounters and haunting thrills. READ MORE

Bubbles Academy Diwali Celebration

Bucktown
Saturday, November 2
Bubbles Academy teachers and guests celebrate Diwali with kids. Award-winning children’s author Ajanta Chakraborty, owner of Bollywood & Culture Groove will present dance and story sessions. Kids can also make crafts, eat snacks, and enjoy open play. READ MORE

Diwali Delights Family Dinner

Portage Park
Saturday, November 2
Celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali with an Indian cooking class for families. Break into groups to make Aloo Matar Tiki a crispy appetizer made with potatoes and peas; Vegetable Biryani, a famous rice dish made with lots of veggies, and Diwali Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing. Then come together to enjoy the feast. READ MORE

Día de los Muertos at Gallagher Way

Wrigleyville - FREE
Saturday, November 2
Celebrate the traditions of Dia de los Muertos at Gallagher Way with live music, face painting, sugar skull crafts, and more. Food and drinks will be available for purchase at Coco will play on the video board. READ MORE

The Music of the Rolling Stones for Kids

Pilsen
Sunday, November 3
The Rock and Roll Playhouse presents the music of the Rolling Stones at Thalia Hall READ MORE

Dia de los Muertos: Celebrating Community and Life

Naperville - FREE
Saturday, November 2
The Alliance of Latinos Motivating Action in the Suburbs brings the community the cultural experience of Day of the Dead at Naperville Riverwalk's Grand Pavilion. The event will commemorate loved ones who have passed and celebrate the life of the community. READ MORE

Sesame Street Live! Say Hello

Rosemont
Saturday & Sunday, November 1-November 2
Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and their friends from Sesame Street are coming to your neighborhood to say hello! At Sesame Street Live! Say Hello, sing, dance, and play alongside your favorite furry friends, all while you follow Elmo's puppy, Tango, in a fun game of hide & seek. So put on your dancing shoes and make your way to where the air is sweet for this all new celebration on Sesame Street! READ MORE
Time to trick-or-treat in Chicago. Photo by Joe Shlabotnik courtesy of Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Time to trick-or-treat in Chicago. Photo by Joe Shlabotnik courtesy of Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Other Halloween Activities In and Around Chicago

Best Places to Trick-or-Treat on Halloween in Chicago

We've got the scoop on the neighborhoods serving up the best Halloween candy and family fun in Chicago READ MORE

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

These free Halloween events for kids will give your wallet a break. READ MORE

Top Halloween Events in Chicago for Kids and Families: Pumpkins, Trick-or-Treat, Movies, and More

Your guide to the best Halloween events near Chicago for kids in 2024. 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

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