While trick-or-treating is reserved for the kids that doesn't mean the adults can't have a little fun. Here are the spooktacular events happening in Chicago to do with your whole family!
Tori Levy - Staff Writer•
Whether you’re a fan of it or not, Halloween is pervading through the city, from haunted houses to pumpkin light shows. If you’re looking for something to do with your kids, boozy Halloween parties probably aren’t high on your list. Luckily, there are a ton of Halloween events for kids in Chicago that you can do as a family leading up to the official day of trick-or-treating. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite kid-friendly Halloween events in Chicago!
Halloween Extravaganza at Sheridan
Another Chicago Park District event, join them for their annual Halloween Extravaganza in the Park! One of the essential Halloween events for kids in Chicago, for $2, your kids will be able to dress in their funniest, scariest, craziest, or more viral costume this year!
🗓️ When: Friday, October 25, 4:00 – 6:00 PM
📍Address: 910 S. Aberdeen St., Chicago, IL 60607
Brunch with Dracula and the rest of the Hotel Transylvania gang
Wonderverse Chicago, the incredibly fun 45,000-square-foot entertainment by Sony Pictures, has cooked up a not-so-spooky brunch this weekend. On October 26th and 27th, don’t miss the spooktacular Hotel Transylvania Character Brunch. Indulge in a fabulous brunch, and then keep the kids entertained because they’ll get a $20 gift card to use in the arcade. There’s also a fun Jumanji experience and Uncharted Escape rooms the entire family will love!
Location: The Restaurant at Wonderverse,Oak Brook Center,2310 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL 60523
💵 Cost: $35 a person | Kids under 2 eat for free!
Halloween Party at Camulet
Join the Chicago Park District with a night of tricks or treats at their Halloween party! Camulet Park will host a free night with games, a costume contest, and arts & crafts. This is one of the perfect Halloween activities for kids if you’re looking for something fun on a Friday night.
🗓️ When: Friday, October 25, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍Address: Calumet Park 9801 S. Avenue G Chicago, IL 60617
Spooktacular on Clark 2024
Spooktacular returns for a full weekend of tricks and treats in Lincoln Park! Lincoln Avenue and Clark Street businesses will embrace the spooky season and transform into trick-or-treat stops. Join the haunted fun on Lincoln Avenue (Saturday, October 26) and Clark Street (Sunday, October 27) from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. each day to celebrate Halloween and collect delicious treats while exploring the neighborhood.
Lincoln Avenue Spooktacular
🗓️ When: Saturday, October 26, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍Address: Lincoln Avenue from Wrightwood to Webster
Clark Street Spooktacular
🗓️ When: Sunday, October 27, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
📍Address: Clark Street from Diversey to Armitage
Gangnam Market Kids Halloween Parade
Gangnam Market invites kids to grab their costumes and join the fun for a costumed Kids Halloween Parade on Saturday, October 26. The parade will begin at 11 AM outside the back driveway entrance to Gangnam Market. A kid-sized Chinese dragon will lead the parade around the block and into the front entrance for indoor trick-or-treating.
Children can enjoy candy, snacks, and treats as they travel up and down the aisles. The first 100 kids will receive free mini pumpkins. The parade will conclude in Gangnam’s Food Hall, where food and drinks will be available for purchase at six Asian-themed food stalls. Free indoor parking with purchase is located on the 2nd floor; enter at Morgan and Huron.
🗓️ When: Saturday, October 26, 11 AM
📍Address: 1001 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago
Fright Affair: Trick or Treat at 900
It’s fright night at 900 North Michigan at 900! The mall invites you and your family to celebrate Halloween in a festive atmosphere where a Halloween-themed concert and costume parade will kick off this kid Halloween event in Chicago. Following the kickoff, there will be trick-or-treating through the seven levels of retailers to explore a slew of spooky activities!
🗓️ When: Sunday, Oct 26, at 12:00 PM
📍Address: 900 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
📲Website: Reserve a spot at Fright Affair here.
Trick-or-Treat Bonanza at Navy Pier
Prepare to be spooked and amazed as Navy Pier brings back Slightly Spooky Saturday! Come dressed in enchanting costumes and embark on a Trick-or-Treat adventure with over 70 candy stations dotted around Navy Pier. Dive headfirst into a cauldron of Halloween fun with various thrilling activities for families to enjoy—it’s one of the best Halloween events for kids in Chicago this year.
🗓️ When: Saturday, October 26, from 12 PM—8 PM
📍Address: 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Kid’s Halloween Cookie Decorating Event
Looking for a creative Halloween event for kids in Chicago? We have the perfect activity. Head Beatrix Streeterville for a fun-filled evening at the Kid’s Halloween Cookie Decorating Event!Bring the whole family to decorate Halloween-themed cookies using creepy frosting and spooky sprinkles while learning pro tips from Chef Partner Yasmin Gutierrez. Mini-monsters can also enjoy apple cider and receive a‘Trick or Treat’ bag filled with goodies.
📍Location: Beatrix
🗓️Dates:October 27, 2024
Hear Ghost Stories on a Speedboat
One of our favorite Halloween events for kids in Chicago doesn’t even take place on land. Just because it’s getting chilly doesn’t mean you can’t embark on a Chicago ghost cruise. Take your kids on the Chicago Seadog for one of our favorite Halloween events for kids in Chicago. It’s the perfect time for a 75-minute boat tour that highlights the city’s gorgeous architecture while exploring Chicago’s spooky past.
Konow’s Corn Maze
Offering two corn mazes, one for those who take it seriously and another for those who enjoy a leisurely walk through tall stalks of corn. The former is 3.4 miles wide of twists and turns (we hope you leave a chunk of time off your calendar because it will take some time.), while the ladder is .4 miles for those who like a short-distance maze. This is the perfect way if you’re looking for a kid-friendly adventure that will take up the day!
📍Location: 16849 S. Cedar Road, Homer Glen
💵 Cost: $15-$18/person, free/ages 2 and under
Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch
First on our list goes all out for a day of family fun from the city. And before your kid dismisses you, you should know about a Pumpkin-Eating Dinosaur they’ll come across at Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch. With all the Chicago pumpkin patches, this one will truly excite your kids.
📍Location: 42W813 Reinking Rd, Pingree Grove, IL 60140
Pick Out a costume at a Halloween Store
With so many Halloween events for kids in Chicago this year, you must pick out a costume they’ll wear with pride and love! We’ve rounded up our favorite Halloween storesto take your kid, whether they want to be Taylor Swift, a Disney hero, or their favorite cartoon character!
12. Summer House Pumpkin Cookies
Until Thursday, October 31, enjoy spooktacular cookie specials for the holiday. Stop by The Cookie Bar at the front of the restaurant for Pumpkin-shaped Sugar Cookies, Count Chocula crispy treats, festive sprinkle cookies, and candy corn! It’s one of the perfect Halloween events for kids in Chicago that they’ll love.
When: Thursday, October 17 – Thursday, October 31: hours vary
Past Halloween events for kids
Spooky Zoo at Lincoln Park Zoo
This year’s event will offer trick-or-treating on zoo grounds starting at 10 a.m. and continuing while supplies last, with family-friendly entertainment on the main stage, sponsored by Physicians Immediate Care, and with family-friendly entertainment and Craft Zone Sponsored by Comer Children’s Hospital.
🗓️ When: Saturday, October 19, 10 AM – 1 PM
📍Address: 2400 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614
See Also: A Guide To The Best Halloween Events In Chicago in 2024
