Compiled by Ashmar Mandou

Halloween Parade
The Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade, will be held in the heart of the Northalsted neighborhood on Halloween night. The wild procession kicks off on Halsted Street at Belmont Avenue with the Chicago Thriller flash mob, when a troupe of ghoulish zombies performs the famous dance routine. Join in the dancing or follow the parade route north, where a panel of drag queens will award prizes for the best costumes.

Ghost Tour
The Congress Plaza Hotel, Lincoln Park Zoo, the former site of H.H. Holmes’ Murder Castle — these are just a few of most haunted sites in Chicago. Decide for yourself on these haunted and ghost tours of the city.

• Haunted River Tours with Seadog Cruises

• Chicago Ghost Tours with Free Tours by Foot

• Chicago Ghost Tour Pub Crawl by Nightly Spirits

Spooky Stories
Chicago’s many stages host awe-inspiring theatrical productions all throughout the year, and Halloween time is no exception. Check out some of the spookiest shows you can catch in Chicago this October.

• The Addams Family by Beverly Theatre Guild (Oct. 25 – 27, 2024)

• Frankenstein at Studebaker Theater (Oct. 25 – 27, 2024)

• Misery at American Blues Theater (through Oct. 26)

• Becky Nurse of Salem (through Nov. 16)

Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns
This popular event lights up the night with hundreds of intricately hand-carved pumpkins each October. During Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns at the Chicago Botanic Garden, visitors can wander the gorgeous grounds at night and admire the impressive jack-o’-lanterns, each handcrafted for hours by expert artists.