Halloween is chock-full of fun; with loads of free candy, colorful leaves, hayrides and fun costumes. Who doesn’t love it? But sometimes haunted houses and ghostly tales can frighten the younger children to the point of feeling left out of the fun. Fortunately, Chicago and its surrounding suburbs offers a variety of fun events for the entire family so everyone can have a blast without the nightmares. By planning a visit to one or all of these top-rated Chicago events the entire family is guaranteed to go home happy.
Chicagoween and Franken Plaza
From October 28th through the 30th, Daley Plaza will be transformed into Franken Plaza for three days of fun activities and exciting performances. Children and adults alike will enjoy performances by the Midnight Circus; a colorful group of eclectic entertainers who have been part of the city’s Halloween festivities for more than a decade. Midnight Circus performance times are as follows:
Friday, 11:30a.m.; 1:30p.m.; 3:30p.m.; 4:30p.m. and 7:30p.m.
Saturday, 11:30a.m.; 1:30p.m.; 3:30p.m.;and 7:30p.m.
Sunday, 11:30a.m.; 1:30p.m.; 3:30p.m. and 5:30p.m.
Highlights on Friday at Franken Plaza include a Harvest Market featuring fall produce from 7am to 3pm, followed by a pumpkin carving demonstration from Steve Dahlke at 2:30pm. Then that evening don’t miss the Halloween favorite “Beetlejuice” a film starring Michael Keaton that will be featured in the plaza beginning at 5:50pm.
Kids will love the Monster Bash scheduled for Saturday the 29th at Franken Plaza, which includes a costume contest, entertainment, and a Craft Market. The costume contest is open to children ages 12 and under. Contestants will line up starting at 11:30am to parade their costumes across the stage at 12:15pm. Other activities on Saturday include the Batbuck$ Game Show at 2:20pm and 6:30pm and of course plenty of Trick or Treating. Sunday's line-up features Dave Herzog’s Marionettes at 12:15om and Magic Matt's Spooky Fun Show at 2:15pm.
The event at Franken Plaza is part of Chicago’s city-wide celebration of Chicagoween. Hours for the plaza are 11am to 8pm on Friday and Saturday and 11am to 6pm on Sunday. Check Chicagoween website for complete schedules of performances and events
Boo at the Zoo at Brookfield Zoo
Located just on the outskirts of Chicago, the Brookfield Zoo will host two separate events for the Halloween season; Creatures of the Night and Boo at the Zoo. Creatures of the Night will be held Fridays through Sundays over three weekends in October; 14-16, 21-23 and 28-30, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. This fun filled event features a Haunted Tram ride and a Trail of Terror. Admission price is $12 for adults and $8 for children ages 3-11 and seniors 65 plus.
Boo at the Zoo will be held on Saturdays and Sundays over two weekends; October 22-23 and 29-30. This event features costume contests and pumpkin carving demonstrations. The zoo is a fun way to celebrate Halloween with the focus on costumes and candy rather than ghosts and hauntings. General Admission to the zoo is Adults: $13.50, seniors 65 and over: $9.50, and Children 3 to 11: $9.50. Hours are Monday through Friday 10:00am to 5:00pm and Saturday and Sunday 10:00am to 6:00 pm.
Spooky Zoo Spectacular at Lincoln Park Zoo
Celebrate Halloween at one of Chicago’s most iconic attractions the Lincoln Park Zoo, located in the heart of the city. The zoo will host its annual Spooky Zoo Spectacular on one day only October, 22nd. This free event starts at 11am with family entertainment on the main stage followed by arts and crafts, educational activities and trick or treating from 12-2pm. There will also be a haunted house geared towards younger children and many educational animal activities will be held throughout the zoo. Don’t leave without visiting the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo were children will see a variety of North American wildlife. Four large outdoor exhibits hold black bears, red wolves, beaver and river otters. Kids will have fun learning through touching, playing and interacting with the staff and animals.
Spooky Seas Family Overnight at the Shed Aquarium; Chicago
For one night only Friday October 28th Chicago’s Shed Aquarium offers a fun opportunity for a spooky sleepover in the aquarium. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes while spending the night in the dark undersea world of the Shed. Included in the evenings event is dinner, dancing to a live DJ, fun animal encounters and more. The option to visit just for the evening is available as well from 6:30 pm to 10:00pm. The sleepover event last until the following morning at 9:00am when breakfast is served.
The evening only event is from 6:30 to 10pm and the overnight portion is from 6:30pm to 9:00am. Ticket cost for the evening only event is $25 per person; $20 for Shedd members and the overnight event is $60 per person; $55 for Shedd members. Children must be at least 5 years of age to sleep over and must be accompanied by an adult.
Sonny Acres Pumpkin Farm
Don't forget the pumpkin! Sonny Acres Farm located in West Chicago, is an unforgettable Halloween attraction for the entire family. This large farm has a pumpkin patch, a haunted hayride, a carnival, a petting zoo and pony rides. The farm is a one-stop shop for Halloween treats and goodies. The Harvest Barn sells a delicious variety of apple butters, cider, and caramel apples, and other seasonal favorites. While the Novelty Loft and the Costume Shop sells an affordable selection of costumes, accessories, and seasonal decorations.
Younger children will love the wagon hayride through the woods available in the daytime. For a spookier experience visit in the evenings for the Sonny Acres Haunted Wagon Ride. This fun 20 minute ride takes brave passengers through the haunted trail in the woods on the farm’s property. It occurs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October. There are three options for more haunted fun at the farm. The Spook Shed is a completely automated haunted experience designed for younger children while the Haunted Barn offers a scarier house for children over 12. The Dizzy Zone is the alternate choice to both the haunted attractions; a spinning psychedelic tunnel of fun for those who can make it through. Admission to the farm is free but the rides and haunted attractions have a separate admission charge.
Chicago offers families a wide variety of haunted houses, pumpkin farms, and seasonal attractions to choose from. Whether it’s spending the night in a haunted aquarium or trick or treating with the animals at the zoo, a visit to one or all of these top five family events are guaranteed to get everyone in the Halloween spirit.
Christine Zenino - Christine Zenino is a travel writer and photographer specializing in urban destinations and adventure travel.
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