Unique & Unusual Halloween Events Near Uptown 2026

18 unique & unusual Halloween events near Uptown.

Uptown and surrounding towns present a variety of Halloween events this year. From the city's popular ghost tours to family-friendly parades in nearby suburbs like Northbrook, there are many ways to celebrate.

Consider ticketed happenings like the Haunted Halloween Half Marathon in Chicago, or check out free neighborhood events.

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Illustration of costumed clay children and a witch playing among pumpkins, hay bales and tents on an autumn lawn

Family-Friendly Fall Activities

1 of 44 Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade Chicago

Chicago's Halloween night parade featuring a costume contest with cash prizes.

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 Illustration of clay figures in costumes and a floating ghost at a Halloween party with a punch bowl and glowing pumpkins

Food, Drink, and Parties

1 of 38 Haunted Halloween Ball 2026 Chicago

Chicago's longest-running Halloween costume party in a historic haunted hotel.

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 Illustration of a small cottage with glowing windows, ghosts, jack o'lanterns and a black cat among bare trees at twilight

Haunted Experiences

1 of 7 Evanston Zombie Scramble Evanston

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

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 Illustration of a small character with arms raised on a stage with red curtains, glowing lanterns and a pumpkin audience

Movies, Theater, and Entertainment

1 of 8 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

Can kids come on ghost tours in Uptown?

Family-friendly early tours, usually the 7 pm slot, keep stories spooky but not graphic and welcome ages 8-plus; late-night tours lean into murder and macabre detail and often set 13+ or 18+ minimums. Check the tour's stated age guidance and pick the early slot for first-timers. Ninety minutes of night walking is the real limit for younger kids, so check the route length.

How should we dress for October outdoor events in Uptown?

October is the swing month: afternoon events can be warm while anything after sunset drops fast, so the answer is always layers, base, zip layer, packable shell, plus closed shoes for grass and gravel venues. Toss gloves and a beanie in the bag after mid-October for night tours and outdoor screenings. Check the hourly forecast at event time, not the daily high.

How do we plan around lantern parades and night processions in Uptown?

Stake out the route, not the staging area: arrive 30-45 minutes early at a mid-route spot with a wall or storefront at your back for kids' sightlines. Bring your own lantern or glow items only if the event invites it. Transit beats driving, since road closures wrap the route, and know the dispersal point so your group reunites after the crowd releases.

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