Halloween lands on a Saturday this year, Naperville rings in the night with a carillon concert, and Día de los Muertos fills Pilsen, Navy Pier, and the Naperville Riverwalk on Sunday. Here are 12 things to do in and around Chicagoland this weekend, city and suburbs, with prices where the organizers publish them.
Ongoing this weekend
Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo (Lincoln Park) + Add to calendar
The zoo's fall festival wraps up Sunday: autumn gardens, live pumpkin carving, animal enrichment, and plenty of photo spots. Good for strollers and grandparents alike.
Through Sunday, November 1. Admission to the zoo and the festival is free; some activities inside charge. Event details
Pilsen Día de los Muertos Window Walk (Pilsen) + Add to calendar
Shops and restaurants along 18th Street dress their windows with ofrendas and art for the holiday. Walk it in the late afternoon, then stay for dinner; this is one of the best food streets in the city.
Friday through Sunday, 18th Street between Damen and Halsted. Free to walk. Event details
Friday, October 30
Trick-or-Treat at Wilder Park (Aurora) + Add to calendar
Aurora gives families a head start on Halloween with an afternoon of trick-or-treating in the park, a day before the neighborhood rounds.
Friday, 3:00 to 5:00 PM. Check the City of Aurora page for cost and parking. Listing
Saturday, October 31
Howl-o-Ween at The Morton Arboretum (Lisle) + Add to calendar
A dog costume parade through fall color, with a costume contest, trick-or-treating, pup cups, and pet vendors. Bring the whole family and stay for the trails afterward; dogs are welcome until sunset.
Saturday, 9:00 AM to noon. Included with general admission or membership, plus a dog ticket for each dog. Event details
Farmers Market Halloween Costume Parade (Naperville) + Add to calendar
The 5th Avenue market's last outdoor Saturday of the year ends with a costume parade, trick-or-treating with the vendors, and a best costume contest. Arrive early for the produce.
Saturday, market 7:00 AM to noon, parade at 10:00 AM, 5th Avenue Station, 200 E. 5th Ave. Free. Event details
Slightly Spooky Saturday at Navy Pier (Streeterville) + Add to calendar
Free indoor trick-or-treating, mask making, a dance workshop, and a costume contest, with a screening of Ghostbusters at 5:30 PM. A weatherproof option for younger kids.
Saturday, daytime into the evening; Crystal Gardens and throughout the Pier. Free. Event details
Upside Down Halloween Parade (Washington Park) + Add to calendar
Families in costume walk the route while musicians, dancers, acrobats, and mascots perform along it and hand out candy. One of the city's most joyful Halloween traditions on the South Side.
Saturday, noon to 2:00 PM, Washington Park. Free. Event details
Haunted Halsted Halloween Fest and Parade (Northalsted) + Add to calendar
The 30th edition of Chicago's biggest Halloween parade. A daytime block party for all ages, then the parade down Halsted at 7:00 PM, then the costume contest. The costumes are serious; bring a camera.
Saturday, block party from late morning to 6:00 PM, parade 7:00 to 8:00 PM, costume contest and post-parade party 8:00 to 10:00 PM. Free. Event details
SCARE-illon at the Millennium Carillon (Naperville) + Add to calendar
Classic Halloween tunes played on the bells of the 160 foot carillon on Rotary Hill, along the Riverwalk. Bring a blanket and go after the kids finish trick-or-treating.
Saturday, 7:00 PM, Rotary Hill, Naperville Riverwalk. Free. Event details
The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Spooktacular Tour (The Loop) + Add to calendar
The cult classic in a new 4K restoration on Halloween night at the Chicago Theatre, with a live shadow cast. Adults, and anyone who knows the callbacks.
Saturday, 7:30 PM, 175 N. State St. Ticketed; price varies by seat. Event details
Sunday, November 1
Día de Muertos at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion (Naperville) + Add to calendar
ALMAS hosts the community celebration: ofrendas, storytelling, live music, and art along the Riverwalk. Family friendly and a lovely way to close the weekend.
Sunday, 1:00 to 6:00 PM, 912 Honorary Sindt Memorial Ct. Free. Event details
Día de los Muertos at Navy Pier (Streeterville) + Add to calendar
Navy Pier's own celebration of the holiday, with ofrendas and performances inside the Pier. Pair it with the Pilsen window walk for a full day.
Sunday; check the Pier's page for hours. Free to enter the Pier. Event details
Free this weekend
Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo, the Pilsen window walk, the Naperville farmers market parade, Slightly Spooky Saturday at Navy Pier, the Upside Down Parade, Haunted Halsted, SCARE-illon, and both Día de los Muertos celebrations.
Trick-or-treat hours, if you are new here
Most suburbs set hours for Saturday afternoon and evening; Arlington Heights, for example, recommends 3:00 to 7:00 PM with downtown businesses handing out candy from 3:00 to 6:00 PM, per the Village of Arlington Heights. Naperville sets no official hours. Check your own village's website before you head out, and if you are still deciding which village that should be, start with my neighborhood and suburb guides.
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Details were checked against the organizers' pages on October 28, 2026. Events change; confirm times before you go.
Keep exploring Chicagoland
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