Chicagoween
By Rachelle Bowden in News on Oct 22, 2004 2:32PM
Wow. Chicago really loves Halloween.. really, really loves Halloween. We started looking into city-sponsored events that are happening to celebrate our 3rd favorite holiday (Christmas 1st, Thanksgiving 2nd) and were overwhelmed by the options. There's a crapload of events going on. We'll try to summarize them here, but if you want a complete list of happenings, download this PDF of a brochure put out by the Mayor's Office of Special Events. Best of all, most events are FREE!
State Street Halloween Happening Parade It can't be as racy as the West Village Halloween parade we went to the past 2 years, but it seems like a good time. The parade begins tomorrow at noon at the corner of State and Randolph streets and ends at Daley Plaza, which is transformed into Pumpkin Plaza, where there will be performances by Midnight Circus, a costume contest, hayrides, and treats. Yay treats! Saturday, October 23: Free.
Haunted 'L' Rides Quest Theater Ensemble's pirate puppets tell ghost stories during a 25-minute Loop L ride. October 22 - 30, click for times. It's free but first come, first serve, and limited to 4 tickets per person.
The Haunted Ship of Navy Pier The famous HMS Bounty ship docks at Navy Pier for a haunted adventure. There will also be trick-or-treating, a costume procession, and a kid's craft corner. Click for days/hours, $8 tickets available at participating CVS stores.
Haunted Village at Pumpkin Plaza Daley Plaza becomes Pumpkin Plaza and hosts the haunted village, performances by the Midnight Circus, pumpkin decorating, magicians, jugglers, and story tellers. All events here are free, but days/times vary
Chicago Park District Events Check out this diverse selection - everything from pumpkin patches to haunted trails to haunted houses. Dates vary, most are free or cheap!
Museum Events
Collections ALIVE! Myths and Misconceptions about Halloween Creatures at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. October 21-24 & 28-31, 11am - 3pm. Free with museum admission.
Spooky Seas at the Shedd A-scare-ium. Spooky sea stories and slimy creatures. Daytime activities free with aquarium admission, October 29th family overnighter call 312.939.2438.
Boo-Fest! at the Museum of Science & Industry Tour the haunted halls, trick or treat, costume contest, Kiddy Ghost Town & Haunted Coal Mine. October 29-30, 6pm - 11pm. Click for prices.
The Curse of the Pharoah at the Adler Planetarium.
Play Senet, the ancient Egyptian board game, write your name in hieroglyphics, hear spooky Egyptian ghost stories, watch out for the mummies! October 30, 11am - 3pm. Free with building admission. Children dress up to receive half price admission with full-price adult admission.