Though the City of Chicago doesn’t have official trick-or-treat hours on Oct. 31, youngsters are usually out from about 4 to 7 p.m.
And leading up to All Hallow’s Eve, there’s no shortage of events for both kids and adults to get into the spooky spirit. Take your pick from nine Halloween events across Austin, Galewood and Lawndale.
Halloween Comedy Bash – 10/24, 7 to 11 p.m.
The weekend before Halloween, start celebrating the holiday with a comedy show at Penn Elementary School, 1616 S. Avers Ave. There will be live performances from Kenny Howell, Jay Deep, Sheree Luckett and Comedian Famo, plus a costume contest with a cash prize and a Halloween vendor market. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/halloween-comedy-bash-laugh-till-you-scream-tickets-1998816003473?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Haunted Hallway – 10/28, 4 to 5:30 p.m.
The Wednesday before Halloween, the Chicago Park District and Mars are giving out candy at a free haunted hallway experience at North Lawndale’s Franklin Park, 4230 W. 15th St., inside the fieldhouse. The event is for all ages, and costumes are welcome.
Trunk-or-Treat – 10/29, 4 to 8 p.m.
Boxing Out Negativity is hosting a free trick-or-treat event out of the trunks of decorated cars parked at 1908 S. Millard Ave. The boxing mentorship nonprofit encourages families to wear costumes and come to enjoy an evening of candy, games and music.
Boo-tiful Adventure – 10/30, 4 to 6 p.m.
The Chicago Park District and Mars will host a free Halloween event for children the Friday before the holiday at Galewood Park, 5729 W. Bloomingdale Ave. The event will include story time, Halloween-themed bingo and bowling, a pumpkin toss, photo booth and craft station. Costumes are encouraged!
Spooky Farm – 10/30, 3:30 to 10 p.m.
The Friday before Halloween, BUILD is hosting a free family event for all ages at 5100 W. Harrison St. from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. From 7:30 to 10 p.m., youth ages 13 through 18 are invited to continue on the haunted fun. There will be candy for those in costumes.
Campfire Horrors – 10/30, 7 to 8:40 p.m.
The night before Halloween, the Chicago Park District will put on a free showing of “Casper” at Douglass Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Drive. The PG-rated movie will begin at dusk and have closed captions.
Haunted House – 10/31, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
At Columbus Park, 500 S. Central Ave., the Chicago Park District and Mars are hosting a free haunted house for all ages. The event will include arts and crafts, face painting, video games, a pumpkin patch and lots of candy!
Family Fall Festival – 10/31, 3 to 7 p.m.
The afternoon of Halloween, there will be a free family event at Pop Courts at the corner of North Lockwood and West Chicago avenues. The event will include pumpkin painting, mummy wrapping races, pin the teeth on the vampire, a mask making station, s’mores and a youth costume showcase. A community and wellness resource fair will also be held that afternoon.
Fall Ball – 10/31, 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Spill The Beans will keep Halloween festivities rolling into the evening. The coffee shop is hosting the Midnight in the Enchanted Forest Fall Ball Halloween night at Spill The Beans, 5300 W. Chicago Ave. Tickets are $25, $40 with two drink tickets, or $50 for four drink tickets, which will also be available to purchase onsite. The 21+ event will include contests for pumpkin carvings, costumes and mummy wrapping. There will also be tarot readings, and the dress code is gothic enchantment and dark elegance.
Buy tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/midnight-in-the-enchanted-forest-fall-ball-tickets-2002893830363