Halloween 2022 Celebrations In Chicago
Every October, the windy city of Chicago comes alive with terrifying and family-friendly haunted events. From concerts, bar crawls, masquerades to haunted houses, spectacular parades, pumpkin picking, ghost tours, and more. We hope that this list of Spooky, Spectacular and Supernatural events will help you have a fantastic Halloween.
Things To Do For Halloween 2022 In Chicago
If you're dying to get out and about on All Hallow's Eve itself, there's something for everyone In Chicago. Check out the best of Halloween activities and things to do for #Halloween2022 in Chicago.
Arts in the Dark - Annual Parade Chicago
Arts in the Dark is a family-friendly annual parade held to commemorate the cultural communities of Chicago. World-Renowned institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago and Lookingglass Theatre Company came together to make this Spectacular Event happen. Its focus lies in highlighting the creativity and traditions of the people. This parade, featuring huge puppets, skulls, mummies, costumed performers, elaborate floats, and luminous lanterns, has been dubbed the “artist’s holiday” and gathers over 100,000 people each year.
Northalsted Halloween Parade
The Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade has been hosted in Chicago for over 20 years. This raucous procession consists of dedicated cosplayers, drag queens, kids, parents, and pets all marching together. Held in Northalsted (previously known as Boystown), a troupe of ghoulish zombies performs the iconic dance routine to Michael Jackson's "Thriller” as part of the Chicago Thriller flash mob. Participate in the dance or go north along the parade route, where a panel of drag queens will present cash prizes for the best costumes. Those who are interested shall look online for details regarding this year's parade route and registration.
Night of the 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns at Chicago Botanical Gardens
This beautiful event is perfect for a tranquil night out. The grounds are lit with thousands of intricately hand-carved pumpkins. Crafted by professional artists for hours, these include designs of superheroes, celebrities, and Halloween themes. The visitors can roam around the botanical garden to admire the impressive jack-o’-lanterns, see live carving demonstrations & there will also be plenty of snack bars selling tasty fall bites, spiked cider, and seasonal beer. And if you happen to get cold, you can visit the local public library or The National Museum of Mexican Art to see their indoor exhibitions.
Music Box of Horrors is a 24-hour long movie marathon event held at the Grand Music Box Theatre in Chicago. Here you can watch horror classics, cult favorites, and so-bad-it’s-good flicks. Held annually at the Grand Music Box Theatre which was built back in 1929. It can fit up to 700 people and employs custom sound systems with 3D displays, spooky enough to make your blood curdle with fear. Popularly screened movies include Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, The Exorcist, and Final Destination, alongside other world-famous art films. One ticket will allow you to move around for the duration of the fest.
There are plenty of Haunted places for a bone-chilling night in Chicago.
Lincoln Park, Glessner House, Haunted Bachelor’s Grove, and Chicago
Congress Plaza Hotel are just some of the most haunted ones. Others include Resurrection Cemetery, Iroquois Theatre, Basement of the Dead, The notorious serial killer H.H. Holmes’ murder castle, etc.
Haunted Dining in the Dark
This Halloween-themed haunted dining experience in Chicago serves up dinner with a side of frights, a new concept dining-in-the-dark called the 'Pitch Black'. Many psychologists have been encouraging the idea of dining in the dark for years now. Masq at the Hubbard Inn offers a 90-minute three-course meal with wine pairings, available in meat, fish, and vegan options, in a pitch-black room designed to heighten the senses while eating. Customers must be the age of 21 or older and expected to come dressed in cocktail attire. Far from anything you have ever encountered with the mystery and the food tantalizing in equal measure, you are in for a strange yet unique culinary experience.
The pier has several spooktacular activities planned this Halloween. Starting with a string of music performances that celebrates local artists and musicians. Grab your goodie bag and go trick-or-treating. There will be free candy stations set up along the pier along with local vendors. The famed Centennial Wheel will be a stunning sight with orange-and-black colors and lights on the night of Halloween. Family-friendly events like Haunted mazes, Tinkering Lab Costume shop or treats at Brown Sugar Bakery, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., and McDonald’s for the kids. And the infamous Masquerade Ball at Congress Plaza Hotel held at the timeless Aon Grand Ballroom, under the 80-foot-tall domed ceiling. Complete with top DJs, vampire bellmen, and zombie cocktail servers, dance the night away & win some cash prizes at this luxurious ball. Over 1,400 people attend donning extravagant costumes and bold makeup so, remember to dress your worst!
Terror in the Timbers is a drive-thru horror show at Camp Big Timber in Elgin, Illinois. Bound to be your scariest drive featuring mesmerizing landscapes of dense oak and timber trees. This haunted road drive takes you on a late-night journey to sit back and let the Terror begin. Get your costumes ready and arrive at the campsite by 6 pm. A ticket allows one vehicle with up to 4 passengers to enter, visitors can also opt to stay the night at luxury tents after your trip.
Halloween is incomplete without a Pumpkin Patch. With Halloween quickly approaching, spend one of these chilly nights picking pumpkins at the largest cornfield in downtown Chicago. Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up brings you thousands of pumpkins, ax throwing, carnival games, food trucks, twinkling orange light displays, and more fall fun. So, get tickets online and maybe an Instagram-worthy picture just west of Goose Island.
Halloween in Chicago is sure to be a delightful festival that offers something unforgettable for everyone. So, pack and bag and book your tickets. Be sure to check out the safety guidelines provided by the state. Stay spooky friends!
