By Alexis Berry and Caroline Nihill By Alexis Berry and Caroline Nihill | September 27, 2023 | Lifestyle Guides
Spooky season is upon us, and the Windy City offers ample opportunities to get in the spirit. From family friendly trick-or-treating to gory good times, here are 16 ways to celebrate Halloween in Chicago.
Movie Night at Rooftop Cinema Club
Rooftop Cinema Club in Fulton Market is extending its programming through the fall with seasonal flicks like Hocus Pocus, Scream and more. Grab a blanket, and head to the Emily Hotel's fifth floor to experience this open-air cinema. Various dates, 311 N. Morgan St.
The Séance Experience is coming to Chicago at the Congress Plaza Hotel and will be hosting its popular live recreations of authentic Victorian Era dark séances. The experiences will be hosted by a séance master who has conducted hundreds of séances throughout the country. Every Sat. from Sept. 3 - Oct. 28, 3 - 9 p.m., 520 S. Michigan Ave.
Experience 60 minutes of terror at the Dungeon of Doom Haunted House, filled with amped-up technology, theatrics and special effects. The newest attractions is Dead Clown Alley and The Sanctuary. Sept. 29 - Dec. 16, 600 29th St., Zion
Illumination 2023: Underwater!
Participate in Illumination’s 7th annual fully immersive event and light art display. Immerse yourself in an otherworldly playground and participate in fiery parades while also supporting RCVL research. Oct. 28, 9 p.m. - 2 a.m., 1339 S. Wood St.
Indulge in an afternoon filled with delicious spooky tea and treats at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago on select weekends. Sink your teeth in the 400-Year-Old Ghost sandwich with prosciutto de parma, cornichons, grain mustard cream cheese, and a brioche pullman or the Madeleine Mummy with lemon cake and blood orange Jam. Sat. and Sun. from Oct. 14 - 29, 2 p.m., 160 E. Pearson St., 12th floor
House of The Exquisite Corpse III
Join the annual seasonal haunt of this immersive puppet haunted house at the Chopin Theatre. With six new puppet peep shows created by Chicago artists, it’s guaranteed to astonish and horrify. Every Thurs., Fri., and Sat. from Oct. 5 - 31, 7 p.m., 1543 W. Division St.
This family-friendly parade is filled with unique floats, creative performances and astonishing puppets that the whole family will enjoy. Join the crowd of 50,000 along State Street, from Lake to Van Buren Streets. Oct. 21, 6-8 p.m.
The Old Haunted Joilet Prison and Thirteenth Floor
The only haunted house in Chicago located inside of the abandoned Joilet prison, is presented by Halloween-themed entertainment company Thirteenth Floor. Visit this year’s newest attractions, Cell Block 13 and Slaughterhouse Rot Shop for a horrific scare. Sept. 23 - Nov. 4, 7 p.m., 401 Woodruff Rd.
Show off your costumes and collect candy from 25 booths at Wicker Park's Trick-or-Treat. Be sure to grab your tickets online—one ticket covers up to five family members and a 15-minute time slot to ensure that families have the time and space to trick-or-treat safely. Oct. 29, 1 to 4 p.m., The Bucktown Green, 1714 N. Hoyne Ave.
Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up features larger-than-life installations the whole family will love. Along with axe throwing, a corn maze and pumpkin picking are three full bars where guests can indulge in seasonal drinks and bites. Sept. 21 - Nov. 5, 1265 W. Le Moyne St.
Haunted Shipwreck at Offshore Rooftop
Offshore, one of the largest rooftop bars in the world, is hosting a Halloween bash dubbed Haunted Shipwreck. Dress up and join the festive evening of dancing, music, giveaways and a costume contest. Oct. 28, 8 - 12 a.m., 1000 E. Grand Ave.
Nightmare on Wacker Drive 23 at LondonHouse
This haunted carnival-themed party will take place in the LH on 21 Lounge, Etoile Ballroom and on the LH Rooftop, with live DJs, a costume contest and more. Oct. 28, 8 p.m. - 12 a.m., 85 E. Wacker Drive
Halloween Takeover at I|O Godfrey
I|O Godfrey will transform its rooftop into a grand manor layered with dark secrets, eerie encounters and the mystique of the past. Discover the gothic ambiance and navigate through the night, where haunted igloos and enigmatic performers hint at eerie secrets and a ghostly past.
Blue Man Group Halloween Special
Blue Man Group Chicago is celebrating spookyt season with two Halloween-themed performances at the Briar Street Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. 3133 N. Halsted St.
Spooky Behind-the-Scenes Ghost Tours of the Auditorium Theatre
During October and November, Chicagoans can participate in a Halloween edition of the Auditorium Theatre’s National Landmark Backstage Tours. In addition to learning about the unique architecture and history of this storied Chicago building, tours will also discover the haunted, goosebump-inducing past. Oct. 2-Nov. 22, 50 E. Ida B Wells Drive
Explores the city's spooky past while cruising through Chicago's world-class architecture. Guests will hear about mysterious supernatural occurrences and infamous figures during this spooky experience. Friday-Sunday during October, Navy Pier
Photography by: Photo by Kenny Eliason/Unsplash
