Night of 1000 Jack-o-Lanterns
This Halloween tradition is quite the spectacle. Over 1000 hand-carved Jack-o’-lanterns light up the night at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Located on Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, open October 20-24 this year, Night of 1000 Jack-o’-Lanterns is a must see this Halloween. Many of the pumpkins are professionally carved, some of the pumpkins being as large as 150 pounds. Along the festive path are costumed entertainers and live carving demonstrations. Be sure to buy your tickets(be aware of the 20 dollar parking fee for non garden members), so you can get into the Halloween spirit and enjoy a perfect fall night with some drinks and an awesome show.
To learn more about Night of 1000 Jack-o’-Lanterns click here
Northalsted Halloween Parade
Free to participate in or watch, the 24th annual Northalsted Halloween parade is guaranteed to be a good time. This year’s Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade offers $6000 in prizes for the costume contest competitors, so register now or upon arriving. The parade, costume contest and after party take place Sunday October, 31st—Halloween day! The parade begins at Halsted and Aldine and ends at Halsted and Waveland. The after party begins directly following the parade, kicking off with the costume contest and followed by a live performance by CATFIGHT. CATFIGHT is guaranteed to rock, the “darlings” of the Chicago cover band scene, this all girl band covers today’s most popular hits and some of the best throwback music, so there’s something for everyone on Halloween night. The Haunted Halsted Halloween celebration is a must-see tradition!
For more information on the Northalsted Halloween Parade click here
Halloween Ghost Tour of Chicago
Chicago’s history is not without some spooky ghost stories. A multitude of tours in Chicago offer unique ways to explore these supernatural sights and true crime scenes. A few of the tours include the Haunted History Tours by Lincoln Park Zoo, Ghosts and Gangsters Kayak tour, and Chicago Haunted Tours with Absolutely Segway Chicago. Did you know that Lincoln Park Zoo was built on a cemetery? The Haunted History tour of the zoo will take you through many alleged hauntings that have occurred on the premises. The Ghosts and Gangsters Kayak tour will take you through the Chicago River at Night while you learn about Chicago’s early “Wild West” where mobs ran most of the city. You will also paddle past some of Chicago’s most haunted areas. If kayaking isn’t for you, there’s always the segway tour that takes you around to some of Chicago’s spookiest ghost stories. If you’re interested in doing a ghost tour, there’s a tour for you this Halloween!
Arts in the Dark Parade
This October 30th, the Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade will return as the finale for the city’s “Halloweek” Program! From 6-8pm, this arts parade will light up historic State Street, wowing all in attendance. For 7 years, this event has brought together more than 100,000 people to see art from world-renowned institutions, up and coming artists, and art from important programs like After School Matters. This event promises to awe audiences again this year, the perfect finale for this year’s Halloween festivities.
For more info on the Arts in the Dark parade visit their website here
Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up
I get really excited thinking about Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up. This event has it all, the largest corn maze in Chicago, axe throwing, carnival games, pumpkin patch, and multiple full bars. As you can see, there are tons of reasons Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up is the perfect place to get into the Halloween spirit.
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Rocky Horror at Music Box
Rocky Horror Picture Show is a notorious horror parody that has gained a cult following since the year it premiered. The Chicago Box Theatre is the proud home of Rocky Horror Picture Show. Before the start, be sure to buy your “prop bag” that you will be prompted to use throughout the movie. A really cool part of these showings at Music Box is that every show will have a shadow cast(actors acting live in front of the screen during the film). All the money from the 3 dollar prop bags go directly to the cast’s costume, props, and promotion costs. Rocky Horror at Music Box is a fun Halloween tradition you and your friends can start this year!
For more information on Rocky Horror at Music Box click here
Forest Park Casket Races
This Saturday, October 23rd, the 9th annual Forest Park Casket races take place on Beloit Avenue between Madison and Adams Street. This quirky Halloween tradition is guaranteed to be a blast for all. With a $30 entry fee, you get front row seats to the caskets and coordinated costumes zooming down Beloit Ave in a hilarious scene and perfect start to a great Saturday and Halloween season. There are prizes for best decorations, winning the race and there’s one for the event’s “dead last” finisher.
For more about the Forest Park Casket Races click here!
13th Floor Haunted House
USA Today says the 13th Floor Haunted House a “Top five most terrifying haunted house in the U.S.” Many buildings in Chicago skip the 13th floor, the elevator simply goes 12 to 14. The number 13 is considered unlucky, so it makes sense why it would be omitted from buildings, but some believe there is a more sinister reason for this gap in floors. Some believe there is a 13th floor in some of these buildings, they’re just not accessible by elevator and hidden for good reason. But, because having a 13th floor between the 12th and 14th floor would be noticed by elevator passengers(due to the longer time in-between floors) and by anyone who noticed the extra row of windows from outside the building, some believe the 13th floor is hidden beneath buildings. Many such hidden basement, 13th floors exist in Chicago. This Haunted House explores these basement 13th floors and brings you into the sinister world of the unlucky 13. If you seek a terrifying experience before Halloween, the Haunted House is open everyday until Halloween and some days in November.
For more on 13th Floor Haunted House click here
Celebrate Spooky Season at Navy Pier
All day Saturday October 23rd and 30th, Navy Pier will be having Halloween pop-up events. The pier will be crawling with slightly spooky strolling actors, circus acts, a costume contest, and Halloween themed food and drink. On Halloween Eve, there will be a screening of Hocus Pocus starting at 11am, professional photos, mad scientist demos, dog costume contest, face painting, Disney trivia, and Seadog haunted tours. Join Navy Pier this Saturday and Halloween Eve Saturday for a family friendly Halloween celebration.
For more information on Navy Pier’s Halloween plans click here