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

Logan Square Halloween Parade. Photo by Kate Connealy
Logan Square Halloween Parade. Photo by Kate Connealy
9/20/24 - By Maureen Wilkey

Looking for the best Halloween events for Chicago kids? Read on for our top picks for the spooky season. 

Little ghouls and goblins can get their costumes ready early to enjoy lots of fun Halloween happenings leading up to the big day. Even if you choose not to go trick-or-treating, there are plenty of fun Halloween events for Chicago kids.

We've got you covered with more than 60 kids' Halloween events in Chicago that get you into the scary spirit. From neighborhood trick-or-treating to parties to parades to movies, there's something for everybody this Halloween. When you're done going apple picking and visiting the pumpkin patch,  you can find more must-do events in our Halloween Events and Activities Guide for Chicago Kids. 

Events are selling out fast this year, so check each event's website to see if pre-registration is required. Check out our Fall Fun Guide for Chicago Kids for more seasonal inspiration.

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Boo at the Zoo is one of our favorite Halloween events in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Brookfield Zoo
Boo at the Zoo is one of our favorite Halloween events in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Brookfield Zoo

Halloween Trick-or-Treating in Chicago for Kids

Trick or Treat Climb

Hoffman Estates
Saturday, October 2, 2024
Pick up treats as you ascend up the climbing wall at The Club in Hoffman Estates. Halloween games and activities will occupy kids as they wait for their turn to climb the wall. Climbing-friendly costumes are encouraged. READ MORE

Boo at the Zoo

Brookfield
Saturdays and Sundays, October 5-October 20, 2024
Kids can trick or treat with the animals at Brookfield Zoo at this not-so-scary event during the three weekends leading up to Halloween. Other activities include giant pumpkin carving, a Halloween craft, cupcake and cookie decorating, a haunted hayride, a creepy cowboy carousel, a corn maze, a pumpkin smasher, a costume parade, and a costume contest. READ MORE

Zombie Candy Hunt

LaGrange Park
Friday, October 11, 2024
Zombies have hidden candy in Sedgwick Park and kids must dress up in costumes to come find it! Bring your own flashlight and bag or bucket to fill with goodies. READ MORE

Buffalo Grove Trick or Treat Trail

Buffalo Grove
Friday, October 18, 2024
Trick-or-treat from costumed characters along an inside trail at the Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center. The event is a no-scare zone and includes games and entertainment. Kids will receive a bag full of treats and trinkets and must be accompanied by an unpaid adult. READ MORE

Spooky Zoo

Lincoln Park
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Kids can trick-or-treat at Lincoln Park Zoo from 10am until the candy runs out. Family-friendly entertainment will keep the party going. READ MORE

Oak Brook Pumpkin Swim

Oak Brook
Friday, October 25, 2024
Kids can dive for eggs that contain candy and a chance to win a full-sized pumpkin at Oak Brook Aquatic Center. Kids will be divided by age group into different pools at different times. Fee is for children only; adults are free. READ MORE

Lemonster Days Trick-or-Treating Downtown Lemont

Lemont - FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
The Village of Lemont hosts its annual Halloween costume contest, parade and downtown trick-or-treating. READ MORE

Downtown Wheaton Trick or Treating

Wheaton - FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Wear your Halloween costume and visit downtown Wheaton businesses to trick-or-treat a few days early. Kids can also look for spooky signs throughout the downtown as part of the I Spy scavenger hunt. READ MORE

Lincoln Park Spooktacular 2024

Lincoln Park - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, October 26-October 27, 2024
Trick-or-treat at select businesses along Lincoln Avenue between Wrightwood and Webster on Saturday or Clark Street on Sunday for the week before Halloween. Magicians, stilt walkers, and jugglers will meet and greet trick or treaters along the way. READ MORE

American Girl Trick-or-Treat

Magnificent Mile - FREE
Saturday, & Sunday, October 26-October 27, and Thursday, October 31, 2024
American Girl hosts a FREE trick-or-treat where kids who visit the store in costume will receive a sweet treat (while supplies last). READ MORE

Trick or Treating at Naper Settlement

Naperville
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Trick or treat at Naper Settlement's historic houses, stroll down pumpkin lane, and watch a blacksmith in action at this Halloween event at Naper Settlement. Children must be accompanied by an adult. READ MORE

Lincoln Scared and Ravenswoooooood

Lincoln Square and Ravenswood - FREE
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Lincoln Square and Ravenswood transform into Lincoln Scared and Ravenswooooooood for early trick-or-treating. Businesses hand out candy and other treats, and a pumpkin decorating station sets up on Damen Avenue. READ MORE
Night at the Museum Halloween Party. Photo courtesy of DuPage County Museum
Night at the Museum Halloween Party. Photo courtesy of DuPage County Museum

Fall Fests and Halloween Parties in Chicago for Kids

Ghost Stories in the Park... In the Dark

Naperville
Friday, October 4-Sunday, October 6, 2024
Hear thrilling and chilling stories outdoors along the Naperville Riverwalk. Summer Place Theater puts on the show at the Riverwalk Amphitheater. This event is recommended for kids ages 5 and up, with an 8pm session on Saturday night for kids 12 and up. READ MORE

Halloween Hoot 'n Howl

River Forest - FREE
Friday, October 4, 2024
Spooky animals take center stage at this event sponsored by the River Forest Park District, Trailside Museum, and River Forest Public Library. Kids 10 and under, accompanied by a parent, can see live native animals, listen to live music and spooky stories, make s'mores and hot chocolate around a bonfire, and paint pumpkins. READ MORE

Midlothian Park District Fall Fest and Trunk or Treat

Midlothian
Saturday, October 5, 2024
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

Lombard Fall Fest

Lombard - FREE
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Kids can kick off the Halloween season at Lombard's annual fall event. Kids can enjoy games, dancing, face painting, and a candy hunt. The Lombard Community Building will host Boo Bingo from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. READ MORE

Halloween Happening

Wheaton
Friday, October 11, 2024
At Wheaton's annual Halloween party, kids and their grown-ups enjoy crafts, games, and more. A Touch-A-Truck event, trick or treat trail, bounce house, concession stand, and airbrush tattoos add to the fun for a small fee. READ MORE

Hinsdale Fall Family Fest

Hinsdale - FREE
Saturday, October 12, 2024
West suburban families can visit Katherine Legge Park to paint pumpkins, enjoy giveaways from local businesses, visit food trucks, and trick-or-treat at downtown businesses. Inflatables and roaming entertainment will also be on hand. READ MORE

Night at the Museum Halloween Party

Wheaton
Friday, October 18, 2024
Kids can enjoy after-hours fun at the DuPage County Historical Museum. Activities include a three-story flashlight scavenger hunt, crafts, and a live train demonstration. All kids must be accompanied by a paid adult.  READ MORE

Monster Madness

Lisle
Saturday, October 19, 2024
The Lisle Park District brings a bit of country fun to the suburbs with this special fall festival. Families can play games, enjoy an inflatable haunted house, visit a petting zoo, get a pumpkin from a pumpkin patch, and enjoy fall-themed treats. READ MORE

Wicker Park Boo-palooza

Wicker Park
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Families can help raise money for the Wicker Park "Gardens We Design" at this family-friendly Halloween event featuring kids' musicians, a costume parade, and a pumpkin patch and decorating area. Play games including pin-the-tail on various popular cartoons, find the "needle" in the haystack, or work your way through a straw maze. READ MORE

York Center Park District Happenin' Halloween

Lombard - FREE
Saturday, October 19, 2024
The York Center Park District opens its gym to families to enjoy carnival games, hayrides, concessions and more. The theme of this year's party is Spooky Candyland! READ MORE

BOOmingdale Halloween Party

Bloomingdale - FREE
Saturday, October 19, 2024
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

Kids Halloween Party at Park & Field

Logan Square
Sunday, October 20, 2024
Come in costume to enjoy live entertainment, a balloon artist, and s'more roasting at Park & Field in Logan Square. A kids buffet is available for an additional $12. READ MORE

Lombard Monster Bash

Lombard
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Little kids can get ready for Halloween with spooky games and ghoulish treats at this Lombard event. Be sure to wear a costume. READ MORE

Pumpkins in the Woods

Winnetka
Friday, October 25, 2024
Hubbard Woods is transformed into a magical pumpkin patch where kids can decorate pumpkins, play carnival games, bounce through inflatables, listen to music from a DJ, and participate in a costume contest. The whole family can enjoy this Halloween event. READ MORE

South Chicago Heights Kids Halloween Party

Chicago Heights
Friday, October 25, 2024
Kids can come to the South Chicago Heights Senior Center for ghoulish games, puppets, and spooky fun. Enjoy some frighteningly good food with family and friends. READ MORE

Addison Park District Candy Carnival

Addison
Friday, October 25, 2024
Kids can play games to win candy at this annual event. Kids receive an extra treat for coming in costume. Inflatables, crafts, and games round out the fun. Parents must accompany their children at this event. READ MORE

Pumpkin Patch at Sheridan Park

Near West - FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Sheridan Park hosts a pumpkin patch for the whole family, featuring a petting zoo, arts and crafts, and face painting. READ MORE

Pumpkin Palooza

Naperville
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Kids can celebrate the season by coming in costume to the DuPage Children's Museum for STEAM-themed, non-scary activities. Build your own Franken buddy from recycled toys, create wearable art, brew your own slime, and mix and mash pumpkin guts! READ MORE

Halloween Party at the Commercial Club

West Town - FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
This free Halloween party includes treats and fun for all, sponsored by the Park Advisory Council. Kids costumes are welcome. Events will take place inside and outside of the Fieldhouse. READ MORE

Slightly Spooky Saturdays: Family Halloween

Downtown - FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Halloween takes over Navy Pier! Families can enjoy circus acts, mad scientist demos, axe throwing, a costume contest, face-painting demos, and more at shops and restaurants around the Pier. READ MORE

Stars, Stories & S'mores

River Forest - FREE
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Enjoy a cozy fire, s'mores, a spooky story trail, and pumpkin painting in Thatcher Woods. Kids can also stargaze in their Halloween costumes at this Forest Preserve District event. READ MORE

Naperville Halloween Happening

Naperville - FREE
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Visit the Naperville Riverwalk's Grand Pavilion for Halloween games, activities and treats. This free event is intended for kids 10 and under. READ MORE

Family Halloween Celebration at Woodson Library

Washington Heights - FREE
Thursday, October 31, 2024
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, 2024
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
Nightmare Before Christmas photo courtesy of Touchstone Pictures and Disney. All rights reserved.
Nightmare Before Christmas photo courtesy of Touchstone Pictures and Disney. All rights reserved.

Kid-Friendly Outdoor Halloween Movies in Chicago

Halloween Movies in Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park - FREE
Fridays, October 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2024
Spooky movies will play at Lincoln Park to celebrate Halloween. The event is outside, so dress warmly! Also note that not all movies are intended for young children. READ MORE

Lemontster Days Drive-In Movies

Lemont
Friday, October 11, 2024
The Lemont Park District presents the Disney film Casper to celebrate Halloween and the Day of the Dead. READ MORE

Haunted Movie Night at Scottsdale Park

Scottsdale - FREE
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Teens and tweens can enjoy a haunted movie in the park, complete with free pizza and snacks. Registration is required. READ MORE
Painting pumpkins. Photo courtesy of Charles Parker, Pexels.
Painting pumpkins. Photo courtesy of Charles Parker, Pexels.

Halloween Crafting for Kids in Chicago

DIY Scarecrow Day

Long Grove
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Families can bring old clothes to stuff with straw to historic downtown Long Grove to make their own scarecrow. Scarecrows will be displayed throughout the downtown area through October 25, when families can pick up their scarecrows or donate the leftover clothes to charity. READ MORE

Halloween Spooktacular at Avondale Park

Avondale
Monday, October 21, 2024
Have a spook-tacular time making crafts to get you into the Halloween spirit. The crafts will be easy enough for small children to enjoy. READ MORE

Halloween Crafts at Eugene Field Park

Albany Park
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Get crafty with some Halloween projects with your child at Eugene Field Park. Three sessions are offered at 10 am, 11:30am, and 3:15 pm. READ MORE
"Night of 1,000 Jack-o'- Lanterns. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden

Family-Friendly Halloween Hikes, Walks, and Runs Around Chicago

Halloween Trick or Treat Trail

Oak Brook
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Trick-or-treaters can walk a half-mile loop in the woods to receive treats from a variety of characters. Afterward, they can board a wagon to take them to the pumpkin patch to select their very own pumpkin (pumpkins reserved for children). This event tends to sell out; call in advance.  READ MORE

Scarecrow Scramble

Lisle
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Run in the dark at this evening race in Lisle Community Park. Kids ages 5 and older can participate in a half-mile race while adults take part in the 5K. Kids under 5 can do the 50 meter Monster Dash, READ MORE

St. Charles Scarecrow Weekend

St. Charles - FREE
Friday, October 11-Sunday, October 13, 2024
St. Charles' fall scarecrow tradition continues with the Scarecrow Stroll, as part of its Scarecrow Festival. Scarecrows are placed throughout the downtown area for families to find. There will be a Family Zone with live entertainment and family fun, an Activity Zone with festive photo ops, Scarecrow-to-Go, and family activities.  READ MORE

Night of 1,000 Jack-o'- Lanterns

Glencoe
Wednesdays through Sundays, October 16, 2024-October 27, 2024
Don't be a scaredy cat, these hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns are a real treat. Explore the Chicago Botanical Gardens for a spook-tacular adventure with more than 1,000 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns to light the way. This event tends to sell out.  READ MORE

Haunted Forest Westmont

Westmont
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Kids can start at Diane Main Park and be driven on a haunted hayride to Sandra Smith Woods. Then, get off the wagon to walk through the spooky woods. Little kids can have fun at the the earlier session, while teens and tweens can fear characters, ghouls, and goblins that jump out at them after dark at the 7 p.m. edition. READ MORE

Boo Bash Trick or Treat Trail

Glen Ellyn
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Families can trick-or-treat with their favorite characters along a trail in Maryknoll Park for an early Halloween treat. At the end of the trail, each child can pick a pumpkin from a pumpkin patch. READ MORE

Ackerman Spook Trail

Glen Ellyn
Thursday & Friday, October 24-October 25, 2024
Take a walk along the spook trail to enjoy Halloween-themed games. Refreshments will be available from local vendors. From 4-6pm., the trail will be non-scary and geared toward younger children. From 6-8pm, it will be spookier for kids 11 and up. READ MORE

The Great Sand Ridge (Tiny) Pumpkin Hunt

South Holland - FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Discover all of the tiny pumpkins in Sand Ridge Nature Center in a scavenger hunt. Participants who find all the pumpkins can take home a pumpkin as a prize. READ MORE

Halloween Hustle

Palatine
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Grab your friends and family for a spooktacular 5K and kids dash in Palatine. Kids dash participants receive a race shirt, medal, pumpkin, and free drink and half sandwich at Tap House Grill. READ MORE
Onlookers enjoying the Arts in the Dark Parade. Photo courtesy of Natasha J Photography.
Onlookers enjoying the Arts in the Dark Parade. Photo courtesy of Natasha J Photography.

Halloween Parades in Chicago

Arts in the Dark

Downtown - FREE
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Arts in the Dark is an evening parade that celebrates Halloween as the "artist's holiday," bringing together Chicago institutions and organizations dedicated to art and education. Audience members will be delighted by unique floats, spectacle puppets, and creative performances set against the backdrop of Chicago’s majestic skyline. READ MORE

Halloween Parade at Edgebrook Library

Edgebrook - FREE
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Edgebrook Library's Halloween parade is back! Kids can come dressed in their costumes to dance to Halloween music, hear a Halloween story, and parade around the library and parking lot. Trick-or-treating stations and Halloween inflatables will be in the parking lot for kids to enjoy. READ MORE

Glen Ellyn Halloween Spooktacular Festival and Parade

Glen Ellyn - FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Join in the parade in downtown Glen Ellyn before trick-or-treating at local businesses. Kids can also play games and make crafts in the downtown area. READ MORE

Logan Square Halloween Parade

Logan Square - FREE
Sunday, October 27, 2024
This community event is attended by hundreds each year, marching from the Illinois Centennial Memorial south on Kedzie to Fullerton, then turning around to end at Cafe Lula with free cider and cookies for kids. Mucca Pazza will once again lead the event! READ MORE

Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade

Lakeview - FREE
Thursday, October 31, 2024
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
Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up is a popular Halloween event in Chicago for all ages. Photo courtesy of Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up.
Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up is a popular Halloween event in Chicago for all ages. Photo courtesy of Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up.

Monthlong Fall Fests for Halloween Fun in Chicago

Cosley Zoo Pumpkin Fest

Wheaton
Kids can enjoy fall fun while visiting the animals at Cosley Zoo. Pumpkins, gourds, apples, cider, corn stalks, and hay bales are available for purchase. Children's rides are also available if weather permits. READ MORE

Señorita Mariposa Story Walk

Lisle
Señorita Mariposa is a Spanish-English bilingual book by author, musician, and early childhood educator MISTER G. The story, told in playful rhyme and brought to life by illustrator Marcos Almada Rivero, follows the extraordinary migration of a monarch butterfly from Canada to Mexico. From September 15 through the end of October, each gorgeously illustrated page of Señorita Mariposa will be displayed on large-scale panels along the Arboretum’s Meadow Lake Trail. READ MORE

Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up

Goose Island
Jack's is one of Chicago's largest fall themed festivals. With 10,000 pumpkins, fortune tellers, a corn maze with a secret bar, gem mining, photo opportunities, carnival games, and food trucks, Jack's provides to unique experience for each guest that comes through the doors. It is also kid friendly! READ MORE

Skeletober

LaGrange - FREE
Downtown LaGrange celebrates Skeletober, a display of unique life-size decorated skeletons on the sidewalks of local businesses. Families can take pictures with the skeletons and participate in a skeleton scavenger hunt. READ MORE

Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest

Lincoln Park
September 27-October 27, 2024
Families can enjoy a walk through the pumpkin patch, a pumpkin-carving demonstration, and pumpkin-themed treats like a caramel apple station and a s'more station at Lincoln Park Zoo throughout October. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center
Lincoln Avenue between Wrightwood and Webster
Trailside Museum of Natural History
DuPage County Historical Museum
Lisle Recreation Center
Sunset Knoll Recreation Center
Centennial Recreational Center
Commercial Club Playground of Chicago Park
Adrenaline Special Events