We’ve reached the final, flickering weeks of spooky season—a blissful pocket of time before plastic skeletons are replaced by inflatable reindeer and pumpkin spice makes way for all things eggnog (vile) and peppermint (barely acceptable). So, before the city slips into a sleigh bell jingling tizzy, squeeze in a few more scares, boo-zy cocktails (see what I did there?) and chaotic costume decisions. From haunted pop-ups to family-friendly parades, here’s where you can find a little seasonal mischief around the city.
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The best Halloween events, pop-up bars and parties in Chicago
Streeterville Doggy & Kitty Halloween Party
Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E Chicago Ave
Oct 25 at 9am
Chicago’s most adorable Halloween party happens every year at the MCA Sculpture Garden, where local dog and cat owners parade their costumed pets around the grounds. The best-dressed furry friend—chosen by Alderman Brian Hopkins and Streeterville resident Maureen Schulman—will receive some special prizes. A $10 suggest donation supports the the dogs, cats, kittens and puppies residing at PAWS Chicago.
Hallo-Queen!
Metro & Smartbar, 3730 N Clark St
Oct 26 at 9pm
Queen!, Smartbar’s weekly LGBTQ+ underground house and disco party, takes over the entire 3730 building in celebration of Halloween. House heavyweights including Derrick Carter and Ralphi Rosario have the tunes covered, while local drag queens (Lucy Stoole, Nico and more) play host. Both Metro and Smartbar will be decked out to match the party's spooky theme, and costumes are encouraged.
Haunted House Party at the Shedd
Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S Lake Shore Dr
Oct 31 at 6pm
The first-ever Haunted House Party at Shedd Aquarium brings together house music and Halloween for a night to remember. Despite the event’s name, there will be no scares here—the event’s vibe is decidedly more “house party” than “haunted.” Guests are invited to come dressed in their finest costumes and dance the night away to sets by Chicago’s own Dee Jay Alicia and DJ Loria Branch.
Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up
1265 W Le Moyne St
Open until Nov 2
Residing on a two-acre plot of land just west of Goose Island, Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up saves you a trip to the suburbs by bringing a massive corn maze, more than 10,000 pumpkins, axe throwing, carnival games, food trucks, twinkling orange light displays and more fall fun to the city. A general admission ticket nets you access to the pop-up, but you can also opt for add-ons that let you take home a pumpkin, grab a drink at one of bars or go axe throwing.
Paranormal Activity
Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, 800 E Grand Ave
Running until Nov 1
A terrifying story set within the world of the Paranormal Activity film franchise, Felix Barrett (Sleep No More) and Chicago playwright Levi Holloway’s latest endeavor promises chills and thrills. Here’s what you need to know: James and Lou flee from Chicago to London in hopes of escaping the past, but they soon discover that it’s not the city that was haunted—it’s them. Expect a healthy helping of jump scares, a dash of gore and practical effects that will make your blood run cold.
Halloween Emo Costume Party
Central Park Bar, 2924 N Central Park Ave
Oct 30 at 8pm
Avondale mainstay Central Park Bar marks its fourth anniversary with a night of spooky nostalgia and the early aughts’ finest tuneage. On Halloween eve, the bar will transform its patio into the ultimate emo costume party. Guests can belt out their favorite emo throwback hits while sipping on hauntingly delicious drink specials. At 10pm the spotlight shifts to a costume contest, with prizes awarded for the best Halloween looks.
Singles-Only Halloween Party
Hoste, 1857 W 16th St
Oct 30 at 6:30pm
In a world where swiping for your next date has become commonplace, what’s more terrifying than mixing and mingling with real, live people? Pilsen cocktail bar Hoste is teaming up with singles event series Meet IRL for a party that’s equally spooky and social. In addition to the fright of flirting with a stranger, attendees can enjoy tunes from DJ Cymba, food from Chubby’s Tacos, Halloween-themed cocktails, tarot card readings, a $1,000 costume contest and more.
Haunted Halsted Halloween Night Parade
Belmont Ave and Halsted St
Oct 31 at 6:30pm
Wanna see some of the best Halloween costumes in the city? Head to Northalsted, where a group of dedicated cosplayers flaunt their creations at this annual procession. You’ll find drag queens, kids, parents and pets marching at this can’t-miss event, which typically features impressive group costumes and dancers performing all the moves to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” The parade steps off at Halsted Street and Belmont Avenue at 7:30pm and heads due north; stick around afterwards—the awards show commences at Halsted Street and Brompton Avenue at 8:30pm.
Death by Disco: A Halloween Pop-Up
Time Out Market, 916 W Fulton Market
Oct 31 and Nov 1 at 8pm
Arguably Chicago’s biggest Halloween party, Death by Disco spans two days and three venues: Time Out Market, Tabu and Morgan MFG. With a “six-figure budget,” over 50 DJs and six stages, Death by Disco promises to be a spectacle of ghoulish grandeur. Along with top-notch tunes, expect tattoo stations, fortune tellers, stilt walkers, go-go dancers, a gaggle of Halloween character performers and many more surprises.
Weegee’s Twin Peaks Halloween Pop-Up
Weegee’s Lounge, 3659 W Armitage Ave
Oct 31 at 4pm; Nov 1 at 11:30am
The ownership of Weegee’s Lounge may have changed, but the bar’s annual Twin Peaks Halloween pop-up remains—thankfully—unchanged. For two nights, the Logan Square cocktail bar’s cozy digs transform into vignettes from the beloved surrealist drama. Most of the bar will be decorated to resemble the iconic Red Room, but fear not, Peaks purists: Expect a miniature Double R Diner, nods to One Eyed Jacks, an on-theme cocktail menu and much more. Roll up on Halloween proper in your costumed finery for the Twin Peaks Costume Contest.
Nightmare on Clark Street
Stolen Saddle, 3505 N Clark St
Open until Nov 2
Hosted at Stolen Saddle—the largest country bar in Chicago—this annual Halloween-themed extravaganza features photo ops galore as well an upstairs bar serving spooky cocktails like Freddy’s Tequila and Monster Mash. With the Cubs clinching—and later squandering—a playoff spot this year, there’s no haunted house this go-around, but that doesn't mean Nightmare on Clark Street won't be serving up plenty of scares this Halloween season.