Unique & Unusual Halloween Events Near Evanston 2026

15 unique & unusual Halloween events near Evanston.

Evanston and its neighbors are hosting a spectrum of Halloween events. You'll find activities at theaters and breweries, alongside outdoor adventures like a cemetery 5K.

If you're seeking an energetic night out, consider events in downtown Chicago. For something closer to home, there are local crafting workshops.

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Illustration of small costumed children and a witch on a sunny autumn lawn with pumpkins, hay bales and orange trees

Family-Friendly Fall Activities

1 of 51 Downtown Evanston Trick or Treat Stroll Evanston

Free trick-or-treating at local businesses with a fall photo backdrop.

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 Illustration of a Halloween gathering at dusk with a smiling ghost, costumed figures, glowing jack-o'-lanterns and lights

Food, Drink, and Parties

1 of 33 Memento Mori Halloween Gala Chicago

Haunting Halloween fundraiser inside a historic medical museum mansion.

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 Illustration of a small cottage with glowing windows, ghosts, jack o'lanterns and black cats under a full moon at dusk

Haunted Experiences

1 of 9 Evanston Zombie Scramble Evanston

Navigate a two-mile haunted trail while zombies try to steal your flags.

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 Illustration of a pumpkin character and a ghost performing on a lit stage with red curtains before a crowd at night

Movies, Theater, and Entertainment

1 of 6 Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Classical Compositions Chicago

Live Halloween-themed music played by candlelight in a historic cemetery chapel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the etiquette for cemetery tours around Evanston?

You're a guest in an active memorial space: stay on paths, never touch or lean on monuments, keep voices low, and give any funeral or visiting family wide berth. Photography of headstones is usually fine on official tours, but follow the guide's guidance. Ghost-story framing doesn't suspend the respect rules, and daytime historical tours cover the same ground with better sightlines.

What do community Halloween events in Evanston usually offer for kids?

The standard kit: costume parades with all-winners ribbons, craft stations, cookie decorating, face painting with a line worth budgeting 20 minutes for, candy stops, and a not-scary story corner. They're compact, usually two to three hours, so arrive at the start when supplies are full, since craft tables and candy famously run out early. Free almost always, donations welcome.

Is calavera face paint appropriate for visitors at Día de los Muertos events in Evanston?

At most public community celebrations, respectful participation is welcomed, and many events offer face painting on site, which is the best signal that joining in is invited. Treat it as tribute rather than costume: skip zombie or horror mashups, keep the look traditional, and pair it with genuine participation. When events are hosted by cultural organizations, follow their posted guidance.

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