20+ Best Kids' Halloween Events in Chicago

Posted: October 10, 2024

Find the best Chicago Halloween events for kids in the ChicagoKids.com Halloween Zone. You'll find lots of Chicago area kids' events and activities, Chicago area Haunted Houses for kids, Pumpkin Patches and more.

Here, we've gathered up more than 20 of the Chicago area's best Halloween events and activities for kids and families. Don your costumes and go have some spooky fun!


Daily through October 31
Brick-or-Treat: Monster Party
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago, 601 N Martingale Road, Schaumburg
Get into the Halloween spirit as LEGO® Monsters take over LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago and throw a Monster Party you don't want to miss. Create potions of all sorts, enjoy monster-ific activities and an exclusive 4D Halloween movie The Great Monster Chase, brew up fun at the Potion Kitchen and more. Best for ages 3-10. During regular hours. See web site for pricing.
Learn more


Daily through October 31
Pumpkin Fest
Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton
Come see the animals and take in the thousands of pumpkins scattered on the zoo’s lawn. Children’s rides are also available for an additional fee. Apples, gourds, pumpkins, cider, cornstalks, and various sizes of straw bales are available to purchase. All ages. 9am - 5pm. Regular admission rates apply.
Learn more


October 5-6; 12-13; 19-20
Boo! at the Zoo
Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, 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. All ages. 10:30am - 4pm. Regular admission applies.
Learn more


October 12 - 31
Creepy Crawly Coal Mine
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry’s very first exhibit has some new creepy, crawly “miners.” From October 12 – 31, all tours through the coal mine will not only dig into the evolution of the mining industry, but also introduce some fun, faux spiders and the science behind how they survive in mines and caves. Ages 1 and up. Book tickets online, 9:30am - 4:00pm. $12 (adults), $9 (children), and $11/$8 (members).
Learn more


October 13
Pumpkin Painting Party!
Unicoi Art Studio, 2059 w Belmont Ave., Chicago
With paint, feathers, glitter, gems, sculpting materials and more, we have anything you could want to create the pumpkin of your Halloween nightmares! With several examples, you can learn how to make one of our designs or create your own. Register and drop-in anytime during the event to create your pumpkin. Pumpkins will be available for add on at registration or bring your own from the pumpkin patch. All ages. 1:00-3:00pm. $25 (does not include pumpkin)
Learn more


October 13
Fall Fest at Jefferson Park
Jefferson Park, 4822 N. Long Ave., Chicago
This family-friendly event will feature arts & crafts for the kiddos, Halloween costume swap and of course PUMPKINS. Plus, tons of fun in the park. All ages. 12pm - 2pm. FREE.
Learn more


October 16
Dia de los Muertos Workshop
The Paintbrush, 2446 N. Clark, Chicago
We’re getting ready for your Dia De Los Muertos celebration by creating our own matchbox shrines and sugar skulls! Register online, space is limited. Ages 5-10. 5:30pm - 7:00pm. $45.
Learn more


October 18
Night at the Museum: Halloween Party
DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley Street, Wheaton
Join us for Night at the Museum, a family-friendly Halloween celebration hosted by the DuPage County Historical Museum Foundation. Come dressed in your Halloween costume and watch "Night at the Museum" in the auditorium, enjoy a flashlight scavenger hunt and crafts! The DuPage Society of Model Engineers will be doing a train demonstration in the basement as well. All ages. 6-8:30pm. $18/person, discounted rate for Explorers Club members.
Learn more


October 19
Spooky Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon Dr., Chicago
Spooky Zoo offers trick-or-treating at Chicago’s zoo starting at 10 a.m. and continuing while supplies last. Family-friendly entertainment will include interactive storytelling and music at the stage on Main Mall, a craft zone, and free carousel rides from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. All ages. FREE. 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Learn more


October 19
Boo-Palooza and Bark-Palooza
Wicker Park, 1425 N. Damen Ave., Chicago
Boo-Palooza is a family-friendly event featuring live music, an all-ages costume parade and contest, games, activities, pumpkin decorating, face painting, and more. Bark-Palooza is a dog-friendly event that coincides with Boo-Palooza and includes a dog costume parade. All ages. 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. $10.
Learn more


October 19
Arts in the Dark Parade
State Street moving south from Lake Street to Van Buren, Chicago
Chicago’s creative community will out in force at the 10th Annual Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade! Don’t miss your chance to be dazzled by this one of a kind spectacle parade. The parade takes place in the heart of the Chicago Loop on State Street moving south from Lake Street to Van Buren. Arts in the Dark is a family-friendly event that is free an open to the public. All ages. 6pm - 8pm.
Learn more


October 19
Spooky Science Halloween Party
Brain Builders Academy, 225 S Sangamon, Chicago
Step into the lab of a mad scientist at Brain Builders Academy’s Spooktacular Sensory Science Halloween Party! This family-friendly event is packed with spooky science experiments, glowing potions, and eerie hands-on activities, all designed for kids ages 3-9. Watch as our entire 5,000 sq. ft. space transforms into a haunted laboratory where little monsters can explore, create, and play. Ages 3-9 with parents. 4-7pm. $45 per person (adults require ticket)
Learn more


October 25
Monster Bash
Eugene Field Park, 5100 N. Ridgeway Ave., Chicago
Join us for a boo-ti-ful time! Come dressed in your Halloween costume and enjoy a fun night of dancing. All ages. 6-8pm. Pre-Registration is required. $2 per person.
Learn more


October 25
Halloween Extravaganza
Sheridan Park, 910 S. Aberdeen St., Chicago
Join us for our annual Halloween Extravaganza in the Park. Faimiles will enjoy dressing up in their funniest, scariest, craziest, and most original costume. All ages. 4-6pm. $2.
Learn more


October 26
Ghostly & Ghastly Tales Sketch Comedy Performance
Lincoln Park Cultural Center, 2045 N. Lincoln Park West, Chicago
Join PlayMakers Laboratory for a ghostly & ghastly performance where their professional ensemble will perform an original Halloween sketch comedy show adapted from the spooky (and hilarious) stories written by the the families at Lincoln Park Cultural Center. All ages. 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM. FREE.
Learn more


October 26
RiverLab: Spooky Critters Fest at River
River Park, 5100 N. Francisco, Chicago
Join us for crafts, games, and activities related to the spooky animals you can find in the Chicagoland area. Based at the River Park Boathouse, the Chicago Park District's River Lab program is a series of educational events and activities dedicated to reconnecting residents of Chicago with their River. All ages. 10am - 3pm. FREE.
Learn more


October 26
Creatures of the Night at Garfield Conservatory
Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 North Central Park Ave., Chicago
There will be live creatures in our tropical plant collection, where you can get up close and personal with the animals! Kids and families will learn about unique relationships between animals and plants as they collect sweet treats throughout our building. Activities include Creepy Crafts, learning about carnivorous plants. Tiny Tot Area with a sensory table and storytelling, and a monster Mash Costume Bash. Reserve your space. All ages. Parent attendance required. 11am-2pm. FREE.
Learn more


October 26
Bubbleween Bucktown!
Bubbles Academy Bucktown, 2184 N Elston Ave., Chicago
Join us for our annual spooktacular and cutest costume party! Trick or treat in our open play Meadow Room, paint mini-haunted houses, costume parade through our classrooms and pumpkin patch nature playground and join us for a monster mash dance party! Advance registration required. Up to 2 adults may accompany each registered child. 4-6pm. $30 per child.
Learn more


October 26
BOO-seum Bash
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago
Join us for an afternoon of animal encounters, crafts, and Halloween fun. Slither up with the museum's spectacular snakes, get curious with some creepy crawly bugs, and dig into the boneyard of the Nature Museum's collections! Costumes are encouraged. Event includes access to all museum exhibits. All ages welcome, best for ages 2-10. 1-4pm. $20 - $30.
Learn more


October 26
Gangnam Market Kids Halloween Parade
Gangnam Market, 1001 West Chicago Ave., Chicago
Gangnam Market invites kids to grab their costumes and join the fun, with a costumed Kids Halloween Parade, Saturday, Oct. 26. The parade steps off at 11am 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 up and down the aisles where candy, snacks and treats will be given away, plus free mini pumpkins for the first 100 kids. All ages. 11am. FREE.
Learn more


October 26-27
Lincoln Park And Clark Street Spooktacular
Saturday along Lincoln Ave; Sunday along Clark St
Spooktacular has expanded to 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. All ages. FREE.
Learn more


October 27
Logan Square Halloween Parade
Illinois Centennial Memorial, Kedzie/Milwaukee/Logan Boulevard, Chicago
The Logan Square Halloween Parade brings together all the ghouls and goblins of Logan Square and the surrounding neighborhood for a night of bewitching fun and celebration of community. The parade will proceed south along the west side of Kedzie Blvd to Fullerton then loop back to end at Lula Cafe, where kids will be treated to complimentary apple cider and delicious cookies. All ages. Gather at 5pm, parade at 5:30pm. FREE.
Learn more


October 27
Halloween Party at Welles
Welles Park, 2333 W. Sunnyside, Chicago
Bring the family out to Welles Park for this annual Community Halloween Party. Enjoy games, craft projects, treats and more. Guests are encouraged to wear their most creative and spookiest costumes. Ages 1-12. 12pm - 2pm. FREE.
Learn more