Say boo! The ultimate guide to Chicago’s Halloween scene & celebrating spooky season

Chicago’s 2026 Halloween calendar will offer options for families, adults, animal lovers and theatergoers. The lineup includes Chicago Halloween events at two zoos, neighborhood celebrations, a rooftop costume party, a themed brunch and a limited run of a shadow-puppet production of “Frankenstein.”

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Family Halloween events across Chicago

Wicker Park’s BooPalooza and BarkPalooza

On Thursday, Oct. 15, Wicker Park will host BooPalooza and BarkPalooza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1425 N. Damen Ave. The celebration will include a costume parade, contest, live music, pumpkin decorating, a maze, and a bounce house, with activities for dogs and their owners.

Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Halloween activities 

Lincoln Park Zoo’s free Spooky Zoo, presented by Peoples Gas, is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17. The event will include animal talks, learning activities, trick-or-treating with sustainably sourced candy, children’s entertainment and free carousel rides.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago will host Boo Brunch on Saturday, Oct. 24, at The Pavilions. Guests can choose a 10 a.m. or noon seating and receive a Halloween-themed buffet, live interactive DJ, photo opportunities, children’s face painting, and zoo admission. Tickets cost $50 for adults and $40 for children.

The zoo will also host Boo! at the Zoo with Dinos now through Sunday, Oct. 25. The family-friendly event will feature trick-or-treating, Halloween treats, photo opportunities, character appearances and weekend activities, including a costume parade and a dinosaur show. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Admission is free for zoo members and included with regular zoo admission.

Pumpkin Party at Gallagher Way in Wrigleyville

Gallagher Way’s Pumpkin Party, set for Saturday, Oct. 24 from 1 to 5 p.m., will feature live music, a magician, face painters, balloon artists, stilt walkers, children’s activities, photo opportunities and a pumpkin giveaway.

Trick-or-Treat at 900 North Michigan Shops

On Saturday, Oct. 25, 900 North Michigan Shops will hold Trick-or-Treat at 900 from noon to 3 p.m. Children can collect treats across seven levels, join a costume parade, and take part in music, cookie decorating, and sensory activities. Tickets cost $5 for ages 4 and older, while children 3 and younger are free. Proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish Illinois.

Read more on Chicago Star

• Skulls, spices, and spirits: Celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Chicago-style

• Hello, autumn! The ultimate guide to fall festivals, pumpkin patches & corn mazes in Chicago

• Chicago’s State Street comes alive this weekend with the free Loop Arts Fest

• Chicago’s dining scene adds Osteria Gilberto, retro Tini Bar and SuSu’s weekend bakery

• Lyric Opera makes history with live sign language translation for Mozart’s “Don Giovanni”

• Brookfield Zoo Chicago and its penguins to shine in movie premiere of “Christmas at the Zoo”

Adult Parties, Haunted Tours and Theater

Lincoln Park Zoo’s adult fun for spooky season

Lincoln Park Zoo will host Zoo Brews: Howls and Growls on Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. The 21-and-older event includes craft beer and cider samples, a souvenir cup, amusement rides, roaming entertainers, pumpkin carving, a DJ, and a costume contest. Tickets start at $44 for members and $55 for nonmembers, with later price increases.

Haunted History Tours will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday nights in October. Led by Adam Selzer, the 75-minute tours will explore Lincoln Park Zoo’s cemetery roots and reported haunted history. The tours are for guests 16 and older, with tickets priced at $28 for members and $35 for nonmembers.

Nightmare on Wacker Drive at LondonHouse Chicago

LondonHouse Chicago will present Nightmare on Wacker Drive: Día de los Muertos on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The event will span LH Rooftop and LH on 21, with DJs, a hosted premium bar, and a midnight costume contest.

Frankenstein at Studebaker Theater

Manual Cinema’s “Frankenstein” will run at the Studebaker Theater from Wednesday, Oct. 28, through Sunday, Nov. 1. The production combines shadow puppetry, cinematic techniques, live sound effects, and music. Two additional performances were added for Oct. 28 and Oct. 31.