Attractions

There is no shortage of ways to celebrate Halloween in Chicago. Whether you are looking for something family-friendly, something wild, something free, or something spooky, you’ll find it this month in the city. Here are some of the best ways to celebrate “Chicagoween” now through October 31st.

Franken Plaza
Daley Plaza becomes Franken Plaza from October 23 to 31st. Admission is free and events include circus shows, mask-making, arts and crafts, a farmers market, and other performances.

Franken Plaza's Orange Fountains

Pumpkin Patches and Pumpkin Picking
You don’t have to venture out of the city to get your hands on a great pumpkin to carve. Instead, just plan an outing to the Green City Market. The market remains in its outdoor location through October 31 before heading indoors for the season. For a true pumpkin patch experience in the city, complete with petty zoo, hay rides, cider and donuts, and pumpkin carvings, check out one of the many pumpkin patches located at parks around the city, such as Humbolt Park and Archer Park. Hours differ and admission ranges from $3-$5.

Haunted Attractions
For a those looking for some spookier attractions, Wicker Park is hosting a haunted drive-in movie theatre October 22-25, showing the Ghostbuster films and Creature from the Black Lagoon. The Nightmare at 63rd Street Beach House will also scare you silly with five nights of frights. The house is open October 23, 23, 24, 29 and 30 and admission is $7.

For the Little Ones
If you’ve got a little girl who loves her American Girl dolls, bring her to Molly’s Halloween Party at the American Girl Place store downtown. For $30, girls and their dolls can dress in costume and enjoy a dinner while making crafts like spooky spiders and dresses worn by the Molly character in the books.

On Halloween, adults around Chicago dress up in outrageous costumes and hit the streets or their favorite bar. Most clubs have special theme parties and it’s not unusual to bump into characters from the classic Dracula to pop-culture punchlines like this year’s favorite, Kate Gosselin. For fun with the kids, head to Franken (Daley) Plaza for the Halloween night bash there.

Photo credit: puroticorico via Flickr