Where to celebrate Halloween this weekend
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Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up. Photo: Moyo Adeolu/Axios
Halloween is next Friday, but some of the best bashes happen this weekend!
The vibe: Whether you love to dress up, watch scary movies or are looking for some family-friendly fare, this weekend offers plenty of ways to celebrate.
State of play: Don't worry, we've also got you covered for the actual holiday on Oct. 31, so you can plan ahead. After all, Halloween is more than just one day — it's like an entire season.
Music Box of Horrors: Dead and Loving It!: From bone-chilling to silly, the beloved theater's annual fest is a must-see for movie lovers.
- Screenings through Oct. 31 at the Music Box Theatre in Lakeview.
- Tickets start at $11.
Trick-or-Treat on the Mag Mile: A Halloween sing-along concert and costume parade kicks off a day of trick-or-treating, cookie decorating and a petting zoo.
- Noon-3pm Saturday at 900 N. Michigan Ave.
- Tickets are free or $5 and proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish Illinois.
Halloween Boo Bash: The Halloween party/fundraiser includes karaoke, campfire stories, pumpkin carving and painting, trick-or-treating, costume contests, seasonal bites and brews, and it all benefits artists' wages at the American Blues Theater.
- 4-7pm Sunday at American Blues Theater in Peterson Park.
- Tickets start at $35.
Jack's Pumpkin Pop-up: Chicago's largest fall fest has a corn maze, carnival games and three full bars.
- Now-Nov. 2 in Goose Island.
- Tickets start at $27.
Nightmare on Clark Street: A haunted bar with Halloween-themed cocktails like Dracula's Blood and plenty of Instagram-worthy backdrops is exactly what you'd expect for Halloween in Wrigleyville!
- Now-Nov. 3 at Stolen Saddle.
- Tickets start at $29.
Trunk or Treat at Cook County Forest Preserves: Plus, pony rides, bounce houses and DoorDash discount codes.
- Noon-4 Oct. 26 at Eggers Grove in East Side.
- Free
Halloween in the Parks:
- Día de los Muertos, 5:30-8pm Friday at Marquette Park, free.
- Monster Bash, 6-8pm Friday at Field Park in Albany Park, $2.
- Halloween Party & Trick-or-Treat Trail, 11am-2pm Saturday at Eckhart Park in West Town, $15.
- Upside Down Halloween Parade, noon-2pm Saturday at Washington Park, free.
Go deeper: Halloween events are scheduled at parks across the city through the end of the month.
What's next: If you're a purist who can only celebrate on the actual day, we've got you covered.
- Montrose Monster Mash, 4-7pm Friday, Oct. 31, on Montrose Avenue near the Brown Line stop. Free, but register.
- Death by Disco, 8pm-2am Friday and 8pm-3am Saturday at Time Out Market. Tickets start at $35.
- Scream" at Rooftop Cinema, 10:50pm Oct. 30 and 7:30pm Oct. 31 at 311 N. Morgan St., 5th floor in Fulton Market. Tickets start at $23.