Fall is here, and Halloween is just around the corner. That means Chicagoland is bursting with spook-tacular family fun! Whether you're searching for the perfect family-friendly pumpkin patch, fall festival, or trunk or treat event, Macaroni KID has everything you need to plan your ultimate fall and Halloween in Chicagoland.
Halloween Events in Chicagoland
Please note:
- Many Chicagoland Halloween events are still being announced. We will add events as they come in, so please check back often for updates!
- Do you know of a 2024 Halloween event in Chicagoland that isn't listed here? Please submit your event here to let us know about it!
- We always recommend confirming details before heading out to an event.
From haunted houses to trick or treats, here are the events happening in Chicagoland this 2024 Halloween season:
Boo at the Zoo
October 5,6,12,13,19 and 20 @ 10am-5pm
Brookfield
Gather your ghoulfriends, little ghosts, and goblins for this fun-filled family event. Check out the creatures, creepy crawlers, and more in your costumes at the Halloween-themed event that's perfect for family photo ops. All ages are in for a fang-tastic time, and the kids will leave with a sweet treat.
Kooky Spooky Candy Trail
October 26 @ 3pm-5pm
Skokie
Journey along the kooky spooky candy trail to collect candy and prizes by visiting each interactive station along the trail.
The Forge Monster Mash Carnival
October 11-13
Lemont
This family-friendly event is packed with exciting Halloween-themed activities, carnival rides, live music and plenty of fall food and beverage options (caramel apples, anyone?). Whether you're trick-or-treating at one of our adventure activities or taking a hayride through the beautiful Heritage Quarries Recreation Area, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Halloween Kids Cooking Class
October 26 @ 9am-11am
Maggianos, Old Orchard
Inclusive of breakfast buffet, coffee, assorted juices, cooking, tax, and gratuity. During this hands-on cooking class, your kids will get a chance to unleash their culinary creativity under the guidance of our talented chefs.
Highwood Pumpkin Fest Carnival
October 4-6
Downtown Highwood
HIGHWOOD'S ANNUAL PUMPKIN FEST features 
Carnival Rides, Games, 
Food, 
Live Music and plenty of 
Pumpkins!
Lincolnwood Trunk-Or-Treat
October 27 @ 3pm-5pm
Wear your Halloween costume and join us for this FREE, family-friendly event of treats and spooky fun! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Murder & Mayhem in Skokie Walking Tour
October 31 @ 5:30pm-7:00pm
Skokie
Listen to spine-tingling and sometimes silly stories of murder and mayhem in Skokie. Explore downtown and learn about the ghosts of Skokie's past, including a serial arsonist, the attempted murder of Skokie's founding father, local ties to infamous gangsters, and some eccentric small-town emergencies. Ages 12 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Pumpkin Train
October 19, 20, 26, and 27 @ 10am-6pm (last admission at 4pm)
Union
Enjoy a ride to the pumpkin patch aboard Halloween-themed electric interurban trains. While at the patch, ask the farm hands to help you find the perfect pumpkin, and pose for pictures in the various colorful, life size cutouts, as well as an antique farm tractor and hay wagon.
If you plan to go into Chicago, don't forget these special events:
Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade
October 19 @ 6:00PM-8:00PM
This is not to be missed! Personally, my favorite parade of all time. The Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade will return to State Street as the finale of the city’s “Halloweek” program! Now in its 10th year, this event has drawn together close to 100,000 guests and participants for a magical evening parade that celebrates Halloween as the “artist’s holiday.” Past participants include world-renowned institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago, celebrated Chicago organizations like Lookingglass Theatre Company, important programs like After School Matters and aspiring artists in every field. It is a dazzling event that delights the audience with unique floats, spectacle puppets and creative performances – all set against the backdrop of historic State Street.
Blue Man Group Special Halloween Performance
October 27 @ 1pm
Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted
Celebrate the spookiest season of the year at Blue Man Group! This Sunday matinee will feature pre-show face painting, Halloween-inspired surprises, goodie bags for children in costume and a chance to meet a Blue Man in the lobby after the show.
Boo with Sue at the Field Museum
October 18 @ 5:30pm-9:30pm
Trick-or-treat yourself to a night at the Field Museum! This not-so-scary after hours event will spark curiosity for the entire family. Families with kids ages 2 to 12 will get up close and personal with creepy crawlers, conduct their own owl pellet dissection, explore fascinating exhibits, and learn about specimens in our collection from our team of scientists.
Costumes encouraged!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HALLOWEEN EVENTS IN CHICAGO
Chicagoland Halloween Attractions Open All Season Long
These attractions in Chicagoland are open multiple weeks during the season, offering the perfect amount of Halloween thrills:
The 13th Floor Chicago
Now through November 9
Schiller Park
Get ready for the most fun you've ever had getting scared at the world-famous 13th Floor Haunted House in Chicago!
In most buildings, the 13th floor doesn't exist--but here, in the heart of Chicago, it's terrifyingly real. The legendary 13th Floor has been praised by and featured on America Haunts, Travel Channel, MTV, Haunt World Magazine, and USA Today calls it "One of the best haunted attractions in the US." Purchase tickets early as Chicago's most horrifying haunted house is expected to sell out!
Halloween Experience Trolley Tours at Volo Museum
Now through November 3
Volo
Hop aboard, if you dare, for a spine-chilling journey filled with frights and delights! Choose between the full Halloween Experience or the Halloween Experience Express.
Old Joliet Haunted Prison
Now through November 2
Joliet
A haunted house inside a real, abandoned prison! Get ready for the most fun you've ever had getting scared at The Old Joliet Haunted Prison in Joliet, IL! The madness from within the prison has spilled out into the yard where the queen of the damned rules over the most infamous and violent prisoners. This doomsday squad have launched an all-out assault on the living at an attempt to escape their eternal captivity. Journey through the chaos as the path winds through open air smoldering ruins and inside the prison’s machine shop, laundry room and other various industrial spaces. Escape from purgatory might be futile but it won't stop the prisoner’s from having a bloody good time.
Scream Scene
Select dates through November 2
Skokie
Scream Scene is a seasonal haunted house held every October in Skokie. Each haunting season features new characters, sets and scenes making each new year more frightening than the last. Skokie Water Playground, abandoned for the season, becomes host to the most frightening experience in Skokie. With it's chainsaw maniacs and insane clown maze, Scream Scene has been terrifying visitors since 1997. Parental discretion advised: Not recommended for children under 10 years old! (Though, there is a "lights" on version on October 26 from 3pm-5pm for only $3.)
Six Flags Great America Boo Fest
Now through November 3
Gurnee
Explore all your family-favorite coasters and attractions together during Kids Boo Fest! Kids areas are available from 11:00am-5:00pm. Enjoy the family-friendly classic adventure of trick-or-treat in the park! Little goblins can trick-or-treat on Candy Corn Lane from 1:00-3:00pm. From pumpkins to hay bales to scarecrows, enjoy all this season has to offer — with a few special thrills and twists of our own. Camp Boo! activities are available from 11:00am-5:00pm.
Six Flags Great America Fright Fest
Now through November 3
Gurnee
We visit Great America every fall. It's the perfect time to go. The temperature is usually a little cooler, the lines are shorter, and the changing colors of all the leaves, really make it quite picturesque. Add to that all the fun Fall, Halloween decorations, and seasonal menu items, and it is an enjoyable day even for non-riders. At 5:45pm, The Uprising Parade: Nightly Call of the Dead begins. This is the cue for kids 13 and under to make their way to the park exit or dare to be scared.Want to Add More Fall Fun in Chicagoland?
While Halloween may be the main event, don't forget to enjoy some classic fall activities!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE IDEAS ON APPLE PICKING, LEAF PEEPING, AND LOCAL FALL FESTIVALS
Check back often, as we’re adding more Halloween events and spooky fun happening in Chicagoland all season long!
Know of a Halloween event that should be listed? Submit it here!
