FEATURED EVENTS

Put on your funniest, scariest, most creative Halloween costumes and join us for a morning of Trick-or-Treating and holiday fun in the Northcenter neighborhood!

Listen to thrilling horror tales around the bonfire with La Grange Park Library and Gail’s soothing sound therapy. Ages 13 & up. Registration required.

Experience Homer’s Odyssey
read aloud in community, and
across languages. Join us as we once again partner with UIC Chicago’s Department of Classic and Mediterranean Studies to bring Homer’s timeless tale to life, read aloud, from beginning to end. Together, we celebrate the Odyssey’s
enduring voice across cultures.

Tales of strange sounds, unexplained sightings, and untimely endings await as you explore Prairie Avenue after dark! During this 60 minute walking tour through the Prairie Avenue Historic District, learn about the mystery surrounding the death of Marshall Field Jr., the tragic events that plagued the Philander Hanford house, the lingering ghost of Edson Keith, and more - if you dare! Advance ticket required.

Chicago children and their families will BECOME the parade when they don their costumes and join the procession down tree-lined Russell Drive. Dance teams, musicians, acrobats, sports mascots and other spectacles will dazzle them as they make their way down the route – and the first 5,000 kids will receive a complimentary candy bag and other goodies at the closing arches! Don’t miss your chance to join the fun!

Get ready for a spooktacular time at our Monster Bash! Kids will enjoy an evening filled with music, games, crafts, a live reptile show starting at 6:30 PM, and candy galore. Come dressed in your favorite costume and be prepared to dance, laugh, and make spooky memories with family and friends. This family-friendly event is sure to be a frightfully fun night for all ages! Pre-registration is required. Fee is per person. Space is limited-don't miss out on the fun!

Celebrate Halloween with an afternoon of playful fall fun at Pumpkin Party at Gallagher Way on Saturday, October 24! From 1–5 p.m., families can enjoy a strolling magician, face painters, balloon artists, stilt walkers, crafts with KidCreate Studio, cute photo ops, and pumpkin giveaways from Nichols Farm. The Dreamtree Shakers from the Old Town School of Folk Music will provide live music, adding a lively soundtrack to this annual celebration packed with entertainment for all ages.

The Auditorium and Chicago Philharmonic present Edward Scissorhands in Concert, featuring GRAMMY®‑winning composer Danny Elfman’s acclaimed score performed live to picture. Since its release in 1990, Edward Scissorhands has become one of the most celebrated collaborations between Elfman and director Tim Burton, with critics frequently citing the score as a defining element of the film’s emotional world. The score’s distinctive blend of choir, orchestra, and storybook textures has been widely praised for shaping the film’s dreamlike atmosphere. Experience the film’s iconic imagery and Elfman’s unforgettable music brought to life by the Chicago Philharmonic in one immersive evening at The Auditorium.

Experience the ultimate family Halloween celebration at the NEW Family Spooktacular! Grab your candy buckets and prepare for a magical trick-or-treat journey across our 13-acre campus with candy stops at our historic homes. After, rock out with The Little Mermen & Princess Pals —the #1 Disney tribute band performing 100 years of Disney hits (see performance schedule). From classics like Mary Poppins and The Lion King to modern hits like Frozen and Moana, the whole family will enjoy a nostalgic journey through the magical world of Disney, infused with rock and pop influences. Steps from the stage, little ones can bounce to the beat in themed inflatables including a fright-free Haunted House adorned with friendly ghouls, grinning ghosts, and playfully spooky décor. Plus, don't miss our interactive Ghoul School, where your little witches and warlocks can craft custom slime. All activities and performances are included in admission!

Join the Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club for their annual Trunk or Treat at Revere Park! This is a free event where everyone can dress up in their costumes. There will be candy, games, and concessions! Want to participate by decorating a trunk? A limited number of vehicles will be accepted. To register a decorated car, contact Jeff Sadowski: jsadowski@nbgc.org Come dressed in your favorite costume and enjoy a sale, festive night of Halloween fun!

Trick-or-Treat with your kids this year in Lincoln Square Ravenswood! On the Sunday before Halloween the business district transforms into LINCOLN SCARED and RAVENSWoooooD, as children trick-or-treat between participating businesses. And if you're interested in a fun activity, stop by The Perfect Cup (4700 N Damen) with your costumed cuties. Concordia Place will be right out front with pumpkins and a variety of decorating supplies.

Get ready for a Halloween celebration that's more fun than frightening at the Not So Scary Halloween Party at Bronzeville Children's Museum in Chicago! On Saturday, October 31, from 1–3 p.m., families can enjoy a festive afternoon filled with creative Halloween arts and crafts, a costume parade, a Halloween film, spooky storytelling, and more. It's a fun opportunity for little ghosts and goblins to show off their costumes, get crafty, and celebrate Halloween without too many scares! Admission is $10 per person.

The crown jewel of cello repertoire, Dvořák’s heroic and soulful Cello Concerto marks the return of Jian Wang, a soloist with a lustrous sound and compelling interpretive ideas. Selections from Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty transport you to the Golden Age of ballet, painted in a thousand wondrous sounds. Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider opens the program with music from his native Denmark, in Nielsen’s quicksilver Maskarade Overture.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a vibrant and deeply meaningful Mexican holiday. Ofrenda is a Spanish word that means "offering" in English. The altar that is created as part of Día de los Muertos honors loved ones who have passed away, inviting their spirits back for a joyous reunion with the living. These colorful displays are a celebration of their life, providing remembrance of the departed. They are also a space to share about their everlasting presence in our lives. Pets are also cherished family members and Brookfield Zoo Chicago wants to provide a meaningful way to celebrate their lives. During the weekend of Día de los Muertos, we hope that you will visit our Beloved Pets Ofrenda and share stories of your pets with members of our Education & Community Engagement team.

Enjoy refreshments while exploring the museum’s exhibits after hours, including the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, and meet some special guest birds of prey and some of our resident live animals up close! Sip a special Nature Museum-themed brew: Golden Chin Pale Ale made by Pig Minds Brewing while you explore your creative side at Nature Night Out! Whether you come with friends or make new ones, it’s a fun way to unwind and tap into your creativity. Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab will bring along some special guest birds of prey for guests to see and learn more about. Guests who come in costume will be entered into a raffle for a nature museum gift basket! Guests in nature themed costumes get TWO entries! As a special bonus, the first 50 guests will receive a branded Nature Night Out pint glass. We hope you'll join us for an engaging evening of nature, creativity, and community.

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.

The Haunted Fieldhouse at Seward Park is a community event that gives kids free Halloween costumes, candy bags and a fun day filled with games, face painting, popcorn and other activities. Halloween in the Park is presented by Mars.

Trick-or-treat yourself to a night at the Field Museum! This after hours Halloween party will be a scream for all ages. Whether you're a ghost, ghoul, or guest, you'll have the opportunity to trick or treat with SUE and our team of scientists, getting up close and personal with spooky specimens from the museum's collections along the way! Then, enter the realm of nocturnal creatures and take on our special walkthrough attraction, Dioramas in the Dark. Your senses will be put to the test in a series of challenges and obstacles as the lights go out and the “Dead Zoo” comes to life! Costumes encouraged!

Kids in grades K – 4 will participate in nature play and fun learning activities involving plants, art, and science. These camps will be held outside; please dress for the weather. Theme: Thankful for Nature.

Celebrate the spooky season with trick-or-treating throughout the Pier while wearing your favorite costumes. Enjoy sweet treats, free workshops, live performances, festive frights and family-friendly fun on the most spirited night of the season.

There will be all treats and no tricks in this family-fun, Trick-or-Treat event in Mann Park's Haunted Hall. Halloween in the Park is presented by Mars.

Get ready for a spooktacular time at the park! Kids are invited to enjoy Halloween-themed games, tasty treats, fun crafts, and more. Don’t forget to wear your best costume for a chance to show off your spooky style! This family-friendly event is perfect for a safe and festive fall celebration. Halloween in the Parks is Presented by Mars

Join us for the Pumpkin Train on 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 24th, and 25th. Enjoy a ride to our pumpkin patch aboard Halloween-themed electric interurban trains. While at the patch, ask our farm hands to help you find the perfect pumpkin, and pose for pictures in our various colorful, life size cutouts, as well as an antique farm tractor and hay wagon. Catch the next pumpkin train back to East Union, and consider riding any of the other trains operating that day. Don’t forget to visit our Schroeder Store and take time to visit the rest of the campus. There’s a lot to see! Plan your visit here.

Join us for a fun-filled brunch in the Pavilions! Enjoy a live Interactive DJ spinning spooky tunes, capture memories at our spine-tingling photo ops, and enjoy spooky face painting for all kids – included! Every child also receives a free pumpkin to decorate at our festive Pumpkin Painting Station. Indulge in our Halloween-Themed Buffet, featuring classic brunch favorites with a hauntingly good twist. Sip on our signature Witches' Brew Lemonade, with optional adult potions (beverages available for purchase)!

Join us on Friday, Sept. 25, from 10 am - 5 pm to explore the museum, our new exhibit, and programming in the Art Studio, Tinkering Lab and Pritzker Playspace. On Kids Free Days, all kids (17 years or younger) receive FREE admission! Children must be accompanied by an adult (18+) for museum entry. Advance tickets or reservations are not necessary for Kids Free Day. Final admissions are allowed no later than 60 minutes before the museum closes.

oin us for a Diwali celebration with Ms. Ajanta and the Bubbles Academy Team with dances, storytime, art, and snacks! Award-winning children’s author Ajanta Chakraborty, owner of Bollywood & Culture Groove, will lead an incredibly fun Dances & Stories session featuring the bestselling Diwali books of Maya & Neel's India Adventure series. Following the interactive storytime and open play, join the Bubbles Academy team for a Diwali-themed art project. Advance registration required. Up to 2 adults may accompany each registered child.