Posted 8 months ago in Loop List, Arts and Culture, Trending
2 MIN READ – Rather than being upset that another Chicago summer is over, prepare your favorite costume for a month of spooktacular Halloween festivities in the Chicago Loop. See our top picks for events and more below.
attend the Arts in the Dark Parade
LUMA8 proudly celebrates the 10th Annual Arts in the Dark Halloween parade, a family-friendly event featuring unique floats, spectacle puppets and all forms of creative performance taking place Saturday, October 19, from 6-8 p.m. This magical evening procession will celebrate ten years of honoring Halloween as the “artists’ holiday” and parading as an art form largely lost in American culture. This parade draws together participants from major cultural organizations, inspiring youth programs, and aspiring artists in every field and from every ward of Chicago. This dazzling production annually delights an audience of 60,000+ gathered along historic State Street, from Lake to Van Buren Streets. Learn more about attending this free event here.
Get spooky at the American Writers Museum
At American Writers Museum, you'll definitely feel the Halloween spirit all month long. From now through November 4, dive into the work of Edgar Allan Poe and see how his legacy continues to impact the world today on the Nevermore: The Poe Tour. This tour is offered daily at 3 p.m. during the museums operating hours.
On October 17-21, join in on their Pumpkin Hunt to explore American Writers Museum in a whole new way. Search the museum to find the missing pumpkins hidden in their favorite works of American writing; find all of the pumpkins and win a special prize!
But that's not all! Enjoy free admission to American Writers Museum on Sunday, October 20, for their Halloween Free Museum Day, featuring special Halloween-themed activities and crafts that are fun for the whole family! Learn more about the spook-tacular festivities here.
Experience the thrill of the Medieval Torture Museum
The emotions inspired by the ''Medieval Torture Collection'' will transport you back in time hundreds of years to some of the most miserable moments in human history. Their exhibit is a unique presentation that combines academic research with the contradictive, emotionally repulsive draw of a time in history when torture and torment were commonplace. Based on historical documents and engravings, Medieval Torture Museum have amassed an unprecedented collection of cruelty, re-creating the atmosphere that prevailed throughout most of the Middle Ages. Spend an hour there and you will better know the nature of fear. Are you brave enough? Purchase tickets here.
Celebrate Day of the Dead
Immerse yourself in the magic of Día de los Muertos with Grammy-winning artist Lila Downs on October 27 at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Along with the lively folklórico dancers from The Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago and spectacular visual effects, Lila will enchant you with songs in Spanish, English, and indigenous languages from her native Oaxaca. Purchase tickets here.
Enter the Haunted Circus
Celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos with Teatro Zinzanni on October 31-November 3! Revel in the celebration and spectacle of the season in the heart of the Chicago Loop when their iconic space is transformed into a haunted circus.
Delight in creepy cocktails and a special spooky menu. Plus, arrive in your finest costume for a chance to win a special prize – chosen nightly by their cast. Don't miss one of the most ghostly celebrations in Chicago! Purchase your tickets here.
