CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) – It's the weekend before Halloween in Chicago and there are plenty of festivities to keep you busy, from parades and parties, to trick or treating and bar crawls, plus so much more.
And if Halloween is not your thing, there are plenty of other happenings this weekend in and around the city. It is also a busy weekend for Chicago sports with the Chicago Bears,Chicago Blackhawks, and Chicago Bulls playing at home this weekend.
Spend a haunted evening in the Civic Opera House at the Lyric Halloween Masquerade, which raises money to support emerging operatic talent. Attendees are encouraged to arrive dressed in a mask and formal attire for a party that includes cocktails, bites from local restaurants, and a live DJ.
Where: Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr.
When: Saturday, 8 p.m.-midnight
Logan Square's annual Halloween procession brings out costumed kids (and adults) from all around the neighborhood for a festive celebration. The parade begins at the Illinois Centennial Monument and marches south on Kedzie Boulevard to Fullerton Avenue before looping back to Lula Cafe for hot cider and cookies. As usual, punk rock marching band Mucca Pazza will be leading the festivities and providing the spooky soundtrack.
Where: Illinois Centennial Monument, 3200 W. Logan Blvd.
When: Sunday, 5-7 p.m.
Dive into the wonderful world of autumn, from picking the perfect pumpkin to clambering up a hay mountain, with Lincoln Park Zoo's fifth annual Fall Fest. This free, family-friendly celebration injects the heart of Chicago with a little harvest fun each year from September–October. This year's festival features ticketed attractions throughout the zoo, including a Ferris wheel, corn maze, corn pool, fun slide, inflatable obstacle course, and more. Guests can also enjoy animal chats, musical entertainment, a pumpkin patch, professional pumpkin carvers, and fall-themed enrichment for the animals!
Where: Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St.
When: Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Hosted annually by Lincoln Park Zoo's Auxiliary Board, Spooky Zoo offers a free and safe alternative to trick-or-treating in Chicago. This event attracts more than 25,000 children and families to the zoo each year—the majority of whom are from underserved communities—making it one of Chicago's largest public-service initiatives. Spooky Zoo will be held in conjunction with the zoo's five-weekend Fall Fest celebration. Fall Fest features Ferris wheel rides, animal enrichment activities, a corn maze, a pumpkin carver, and many more fun and engaging activities for children and families.
Where: Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St.
When: Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Looking for a scary good time within the confines of Chicago? Navigate through the haunted twists and turns of the Funhouse Maze on Navy Pier as you encounter some of Chicago's most notorious ghosts. Travel through notable centuries of Chicago history-such as the Union Stockyards, Columbian Exposition, and Capone era as you seek refuge from these famous haunts.
Where: Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.
When: October 25, 26, 27 and 31
More than 150 films from around the world feature World, North American and U.S. premiere screenings. This festival includes special celebrity appearances, post-screening panel discussions and in-person tributes to legendary filmmakers.
Where: AMC River East 21, 322 E. Illinois St.
When: Multiple dates, check schedule
Returning to a two-acre plot of land just west of Goose Island, Jack's Pumpkin Pop-up saves you a trip to the suburbs by bringing a corn maze, thousands of pumpkins and an array of carnival games to the city. This year's edition of the outdoor event features a larger corn maze that contains a hidden bar, a "gypsy caravan," axe-throwing and plenty of photo backdrops and props (think tractors, trucks and piles of pumpkins) for you to take advantage of. Plus, the pop-up will also host events throughout its four-week run, including a pumpkin walk, a beer and cider festival and a sweet corn festival.
Where: Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up, 1265 W. Le Moyne St., Goose Island
When: Now-Nov. 3, times vary
You'll find nearly 1,000 glowing pumpkins spread across Navy Pier at the attraction's month-long Pier Pumpkin Lights event. Stop by Polk Bros Park to visit the Juggernaut of Jack-O-Lanterns installation then head to the pier to take in five more pop-up experiences, all of which will be illuminated after dusk each evening. Navy Pier restaurants such as Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, Tiny Tavern and Snow Dragon Shavery will be offering food and drink specials throughout the month of October, and Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze will transform into a haunted maze on select weekends. Plus, you can bring the kids to trick-or-treat at Navy Pier on October 26, 27 and 31.
Where: Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.
When: Now-Nov. 2
Brookfield Zoo's annual Halloween celebration provides a haunting good time for the entire family. The fun-filled event, presented by Ferrara Candy Company, features a corn maze, giant pumpkin carving demonstrations, and Halloween-themed crafts and activities each weekend. In addition, there will be special animal Zoo Chats about some of the zoo's creepy critters.
Where: Brookfield Zoo, 8400 W. 31st St., Brookfield
When: Recurring weekly on Saturdays and Sundays, now-Oct. 31
Come out this weekend and pick your favorite pumpkin! The annual all-age family 2019 Pumpkin Patch Festival is coming to SeatGeek Stadium. The event features a number of big attractions such as a pumpkin patch, hay maze, kids' haunted house, pumpkin jumpers, face painting, pumpkin painting and a petting zoo!
Where: SeatGeek Stadium, 7000 S. Harlem Ave., Bridgeview
When: Friday, 4-9 p.m.; Saturday, noon-9 p.m.; Sunday, noon-8 p.m.
Cheer on the Chicago Bulls this weekend when they hit the court to play the Toronto Raptors at the United Center on Saturday!
Where: United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Fall is in full swing, and so is the Chicago Bears' season! The Chicago Bears host the Los Angeles Chargers for Game 8 of the season.
Where: Soldier Field, 1410 Museum Campus Dr.
When: Sunday, noon
It's a sports-filled weekend, with Chicago taking on LA. Watch the Chicago Blackhawks hit the ice to play the Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 27 at the United Center!
Where: United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.
When: Sunday, 6 p.m.
Cost: Varies
