If you’ve lived in Chicago long enough you know there’s one spooky lore behind some of our historic places and spaces. Now add to that all that’s taking place IRL in the city lately you may have your fill of the ghoulish and freaky but if you’re in the mood for revelry or some Halloween fin in the city, here’s a curated selection of some spook-tower events taking place around Halloween in Chicago this year.
ADULTS NIGHT OUT: HOWL-O-WEEN PRESENTED BY GREY GOOSE (21+)
October 24 | 6:30PM–10PM
Lincoln Park Zoo | 2001 N. Clark Street
Calling all ghouls and goblins: Adults Night Out: Howl-o-ween Presented by Grey Goose Vodka and Patrón Tequila is back! This 21+ Halloween party at the zoo includes a haunted trail, Halloween-themed animal chats, free face-painting, a live DJ, and seasonal pop-up bars and concessions. Costumes are encouraged!
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
ROSEHILL CEMETERY ‘CRYPT’ 5K RUN/WALK
October 18 | 7PM
5800 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago
Monuments! Mausoleums! Scenic paths! And then there’s the eternal spirits who reside in Rosehill. More than 10 Chicago mayors, Oscar Mayer, John G. Shedd, Cubs’ announcer Jack Brickhouse, legendary adman Leo Burnett, Sears founder Julius Rosenwald and scores of Civil War vets are just a few of the souls who call Rosehill home. Check out fall’s most ‘spirited’ event, the 12th annual 5K on the grounds of the north side’s historic Rosehill Cemetery. Run or walk on the sprawling 350-acre Victorian-era cemetery that opened in 1864. It’s by far the largest cemetery in the City of Chicago. You will run through the cemetery at night, via a candlelit course.
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ROSCOE VILLAGE HALLOWEEN BLOCK PARTY
October 19 | 12-6PM
Roscoe Street between Damen and Hoyne
Celebrate the spooky season Roscoe Village style with your neighbors, local schools and businesses, featuring live music, a drink tent, photo ops and of course lots of candy! This is a FREE event thanks to our amazing sponsors and your support of Retro on Roscoe. Join us for an afternoon filled with live music, fun activities, and Halloween spirit!
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HAUNTED HALSTED HALLOWEEN PARADE
October 31 | 7:30PM
The 28th annual Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade in Chicago’s landmark LGBTQ Northalsted neighborhood. The free-to-watch parade, has a spectacular Costume Contest with hundreds of entrants featuring $4,000 in cash prizes and concludes with an awards presentation. Emmy- winning makeup artist and drag superstar RAVEN, celebrated from RuPaul’s Drag Race and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, will serve as Grand Marshal and Costume Contest Host for the 2025 Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade & Costume Contest Festival.
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CAMP TAO 2025
October 30-November 1
TAO Chicago | 632 North Dearborn Street
Camp Tao takes place over multiple nights with a twisted summer camp horror theme. The events feature DJ headliners like DJ Pauly D and Dillon Francis, highlighted by specific parties like “Sapphic Slasher” on October 31.
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NORTHHALSTED HALLOWEEN PUP CRAWL
October 18 | 10AM-2PM
North Halsted Street (Aldine to Cornelia)
Join us for our 11th Annual Northalsted Halloween Pup Crawl! Trick-or-Treat for Dogs & Their People! You and your 4-legged friends can peruse the sidewalks and meet a variety of Northalsted Business and pet centric vendors. Join us at 2pm on the Lark Patio where Miss Foozie will be hosting the official after-party brunch! Costumes Encouraged!
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
ARTS IN THE DARK HALLOWEEN PARADE
October 18 | 6-8PM
Randolph & State Street
Arts in the Dark is a FREE magical evening parade that delights the audience with unique floats, spectacle puppets, and creative performance. Don’t miss your chance to see the artists and cultural organizations that make Chicago the incredible city that it is. Over 90 cultural organizations, guilds, and artists’ collectives will proceed on State Street, bringing delight to an audience that may exceed 100,000.
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW 50th ANNIVERSARY SPECTACULAR TOUR
October 19 | 7:30PM
The Chicago Theatre | 175 N. State Street
The Rocky Horror Picture Show brings their 50th Anniversary Spectacular to Chicago. Join the original ‘Brad Majors’ – BARRY BOSTWICK, the original ‘Columbia’ – NELL CAMPBELL and the original ‘Magenta’ – PATRICIA QUINN – for a screening of the original unedited movie like you’ve never seen it before! Plus, a live shadow cast and audience participation, a memorabilia display with artifacts and an actual costume from the movie, a costume contest and more!
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
SLIGHTLY SPOOKY SATURDAY
October 25 | 12-6PM
Navy Pier | 600 E. Grand Avenue
Celebrate the spooky season with trick-or-treating throughout the Pier while wearing your favorite costumes. Enjoy sweet treats, free workshops, live performances, and more!
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
NIGHT OF 1,000 JACK-O-LANTERNS
October 8-12, 15-19, 22-26 |
Chicago Botanic Garden |
Dare to walk an eerily enchanting path, aglow with artist-carved pumpkins for Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns—featuring glowing tributes to Chicago sports teams, plant monsters, famous vampires, pets in Halloween costumes, and fan favorites from ten seasons of ghostly gourds. Among them, 75 giants tip the scales at 150 pounds each. Watch live carving in action, meet costumed characters, and enjoy playful frights around every corner. With five extra nights to explore and light bites available for purchase, it’s a spirited evening of family-friendly fun—just creepy enough to keep you on your toes.
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
THE PLAYERS BALL
November 01 | 9PM-2AM
The Sinclair | 17 N. Wabash Chicago
A costume party for the pimps and players featuring Player Hater of the Year Award.
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LURKING IN THE LOOP HALLOWEEN BAR CRAWL
October 25 | 8PM-Midnight
Revel in the fantasy of Halloween with an adults-only Loop bar crawl. This one-of-a-kind event is free and open to the public If you’re ready to sip, stroll, discover special drink and food deals, and spook your way through the city, be sure to RSVP.
OLD JOLIET HAUNTED PRISON
Through November 9 |
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
ZOO AFTER DARK: BOOs & BREWS
October 25 | 6-9:30PM
Brookfield Zoo | 400 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513
An unforgettable evening of thrills, chills and specialty drinks awaits for guests ages 21+ at Zoo After Dark: BOOs & Brews. This adults-only evening features seasonal brews and cocktails, a costume contest with coveted prizes, music by DJ Nurotic, up-close encounters with Animal Ambassadors and more.
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
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