On Halloween night, there’s a major parade and party in Northalsted; but first, take a cruise down the Chicago River and listen to ghost stories, or head over to the MCA for a pet-friendly party.
Here are some fun events for Halloween weekend.
1. Halloween Parade at Haunted Halsted 🎃
Enjoy the Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade, costume contest, and after-party when you spend Halloween night in Northalsted.
Why it matters: You might get paid to dress up as a really amazing costumer.
First, second, and third place winners in categories such Character, Creative, Scary, Youth, and Group will get awards totaling $500. It costs nothing to enter the contest.
When: Tuesday, October 31, 6:30–10 p.m. See the schedule of events.
Location: The parade concludes at Brompton Avenue after beginning at Belmont Avenue. The address of the afterparty is 3514 N. Halsted St.
Price: None
👻 2. Ghost Cruise Chicago
Discover the paranormal occurrences surrounding the sunken Christmas Tree Ship, the Eastland Disaster, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and the Fort Dearborn Massacre of 1812 while taking a two-hour cycle boat excursion (a boat with bike pedals).
When: 1-3 p.m. and 8:30–9:30 p.m. 8:30–10:30 p.m. on Friday Sat., 1-3 p.m. Sunday.
Cost: $55. Tickets.
Address: 300 N. La Salle Drive
3. Streeterville Doggy & Kitty Halloween Party
On Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m., dress up your four-legged companion and visit the MCA. At 9:30 am, there will be a dog parade, in which each participant will get a gift. No cost.
4. The batfest
See a parade, trick-or-treating, farmers market, games, costume contests, performances, and a meet-and-greet with live bats at Wilson Street Mercantile this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Batavia. No cost.
5. Ravenswood + Scared of Lincoln
Take the youngsters trick-or-treating on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at participating businesses on Rockwell Street, in Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, and Ravenswood. No cost.
6. Romeo + Juliet Halloween Ball
Celebrate with a wild Halloween party with a 90s theme, modelled by Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet.” DJ sets, a burlesque show, and vendors such as Botanical Lilith, Soulpaz, and Minty will all be present. On Sunday, the event runs from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Cost: $15 single, $25 couple.
Address: 12 S. Michigan Ave.
7. Man Group Blue Man
Halloween-themed concerts by Blue Man Group Chicago will take place at the Briar Street Theatre on Saturday at 2 p.m. and on Sunday at 1 p.m. Face painting prior to the event, gift bags, surprises during the performance, and a meet-and-greet with the Blue Men are all planned.