Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and the North Side Chicago Halloween events are spread across two weekends. I put together a short list, checked against the organizers' own pages: the Haunted Halsted fest and parade in Lakeview, the Lincoln Scared Ravenswoooood trick-or-treat in Lincoln Square and Ravenswood, and a few easy fall walks around Buena Park, Chicago. Here's what's happening, when, and how to get there.
Quick Calendar: North Side Chicago Halloween Events for 2026
| Date | Event | Where | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Oct 25, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Lincoln Scared Ravenswoooood trick-or-treat | Participating businesses in Lincoln Square and Ravenswood | Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce |
| Sat, Oct 31, starting at 11 a.m. | Haunted Halsted Halloween Fest | N Halsted St in Northalsted (Lakeview) | Northalsted Business Alliance |
| Sat, Oct 31, 7 p.m. | Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade | Halsted and Belmont north to Halsted and Brompton | Northalsted Business Alliance |
Times and details can change, so check the organizer pages linked below before you head out.
Haunted Halsted Halloween Fest and Parade (Sat, Oct 31)
This is the big one. The Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade marks its 30th year in 2026, and because Halloween lands on a Saturday, the Northalsted Business Alliance is turning it into an all-day event.
The daytime fest. Starting at 11 a.m., a stretch of N Halsted St in Northalsted turns into a pedestrian-only Halloween block party. The organizer lists a kids zone with games and crafts, daytime trick-or-treating at participating Halsted Street businesses, local vendors, live music and street performers.
The parade. At 6 p.m., Halsted is cleared to get ready for the parade, and the crowd moves to the sidewalks behind the barricades. The parade steps off at 7 p.m. from Halsted and Belmont and heads north to Halsted and Brompton. Expect costumed marchers, decorated Jeeps, a marching band and a fire performance to close it out.
After the parade. The costume contest and post-parade party start at 8 p.m. in the parking lot at 3514 N Halsted. Watching is free. If you want to march in costume, sign up on the organizer's page ahead of time.
A few planning notes:
- Take the 'L'. The organizer lists Halsted from Belmont to Addison, plus parts of nearby side streets, as affected by the event, so plan to leave the car at home. The Belmont station at 945 W Belmont Ave (Red, Brown and Purple lines) is a short walk west of the parade start.
- Dress for the weather. The organizer says the parade goes on, rain or snow.
- Check the details. The full schedule, street closures and contest sign-up are on the Haunted Halsted page at northalsted.com.
Making a night of it? My guide to living in Lakeview East covers the neighborhood, and my list of the top 10 restaurants in East Lakeview has spots for dinner before the parade.
Lincoln Scared Ravenswoooood Trick-or-Treat (Sun, Oct 25)
One week earlier, on the Sunday before Halloween, the Lincoln Square and Ravenswood business districts become "Lincoln Scared" and "Ravenswoooood." Kids in costume trick-or-treat at participating businesses from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Here's what the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce has posted:
- Free, with treats while supplies last. Participating businesses can change.
- Rain or shine.
- Route maps: The chamber posts 2026 trick-or-treat maps for Lincoln Square, Ravenswood and Rockwell.
- Pumpkin decorating: Concordia Place will be out in front of The Perfect Cup, 4700 N Damen Ave, with pumpkins and decorating supplies from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pumpkins are limited, so earlier is better.
The Damen Brown Line station is at 4645 N Damen Ave, just south of the pumpkin table. Get the route maps and the latest updates on the chamber's Lincoln Scared page.
Apple Fest wrapped up on Lincoln Avenue earlier this month. If you missed it, Lincoln Scared is another good reason to spend a Sunday morning on these streets.
Out walking the North Side this fall and curious about a building you passed? Call or text me at 312-219-5921. I'm always happy to talk about North Side buildings and blocks.
Fall Walks in Chicago's Buena Park
Not every fall weekend needs a crowd. Buena Park, Chicago, is a compact neighborhood between Irving Park Road and Montrose Avenue, with Graceland Cemetery on its west side and the lakefront on its east side. Here are three walks I like this time of year.
The Lakefront Trail
From Buena Park, Chicago, you can reach the Lakefront Trail at Irving Park Road, Buena Avenue and Montrose Avenue. Head north toward Montrose Harbor for wide-open lake views and the skyline to the south. Cooler days and fewer summer crowds make fall a nice time for this walk.
Hutchinson Street
Hutchinson Street is a Chicago Landmark district. The city's marker says the district holds a number of houses designed by architect George W. Maher, whose work was influenced by the Prairie School. Walk it slowly and look at the rooflines, entries and brickwork. Enjoy the houses from the sidewalk, since these are private homes.
Graceland Cemetery and Arboretum
Graceland Cemetery, at Clark Street and Irving Park Road (4001 N Clark St), has been here since 1860. It's both an active cemetery and an arboretum, and its winding paths and old trees are at their best in fall. Many well-known Chicago architects are buried here. Because it's an active cemetery, keep your visit respectful and check the visitor hours on Graceland's website before you go.
For more on the neighborhood, see my guide to Buena Park, Chicago, plus my area pages for Buena Park, Chicago and Uptown, Chicago. If your walk takes you down Irving Park Road, my spotlight on The Pattington tells the story of the courtyard building at 660 W Irving Park Rd.
FAQ
When is the Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade in 2026?
The Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade is on Saturday, Oct 31, 2026, and starts at 7 p.m., according to the Northalsted Business Alliance. A daytime Halloween fest on N Halsted St starts at 11 a.m. that day, and the costume contest and post-parade party begin at 8 p.m. Check northalsted.com before you go, since details can change.
Where does the Haunted Halsted parade start and end?
The parade starts at Halsted Street and Belmont Avenue and heads north to Halsted Street and Brompton Avenue in Lakeview's Northalsted area. Halsted and nearby side streets are affected by the event, so the CTA is the easiest way to get there. The Belmont station on the Red, Brown and Purple lines is a short walk west of the start.
When is Lincoln Square trick-or-treating in 2026?
Lincoln Scared Ravenswoooood is on Sunday, Oct 25, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kids trick-or-treat at participating businesses in Lincoln Square and Ravenswood. It's free and happens rain or shine, with treats while supplies last. Pumpkin decorating with Concordia Place runs at the same time outside The Perfect Cup, 4700 N Damen Ave.
Where can I take a fall walk near Buena Park, Chicago?
Three easy options: the Lakefront Trail, which you can reach at Irving Park Road, Buena Avenue and Montrose Avenue; Hutchinson Street, a Chicago Landmark district with houses by architect George W. Maher; and Graceland Cemetery and Arboretum at 4001 N Clark St. Graceland is an active cemetery, so check its posted visitor hours before you go.
Thinking about buying or selling on Chicago's North Side, from Lakeview and Lincoln Square to Buena Park, Chicago? Call or text Daniel at 312-219-5921 or book a consult.
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About Daniel Ledo: Daniel Ledo is a Chicago real estate agent with Ledo Real Estate and RE/MAX Premier. He helps buyers and sellers across Chicago's North Side, including Buena Park, Uptown, Edgewater, Andersonville, Lakeview and Lincoln Square. He works with homes from $500K to $3M, from vintage condos and lakefront high-rises to 2-flats and multi-unit buildings, plus select commercial properties. Call or text 312-219-5921, visit ledorealestate.com, or stop by 1207 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60610.
Equal Housing Opportunity. Brokerage: RE/MAX Premier.
Daniel Ledo Real Estate | RE/MAX Premier · 1207 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60610 · (312) 219-5921