Outrageous costumes. Larger-than-life personalities. A neighborhood that knows how to celebrate. Haunted Halsted brings Halloween to the heart of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community, turning North Halsted Street into a gathering place for creativity, connection, and a little spooky mischief.
For decades, the Halloween parade and costume contest have given people a place to go all out. From elaborate handmade creations and pop-culture transformations to terrifying characters and coordinated group costumes, the celebration puts imagination in the spotlight. Come dressed to impress or cheer from the sidelines—being part of the crowd is part of the fun.
In 2026, Haunted Halsted celebrated its 30th anniversary and opened a new chapter with the addition of Haunted Halsted Fest. The expanded celebration brought daytime festivities into the Halloween tradition, connecting an afternoon in the neighborhood with the evening parade and costume contest.
Be a part of the 30th Annual Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade! Every year over 500 spirted costumes compete for over $4,000 in cash prizes in 5 categories, this year it could be you!
A Spooktacular Day of Halloween Fun in Northalsted!
Saturday, October 31, 2026 | Starts 12PM | Free Admission
Halloween is taking over Northalsted! In celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade, we’re starting the festivities early with an all-day Halloween street festival packed with spooky fun, live entertainment, food, drinks, and activities for all ages!
Halsted Street transforms into a festive Halloween block party featuring local vendors, live music, street performers, and plenty of surprises along the way. Bring the whole family in costume for daytime trick-or-treating at more than 25 neighborhood businesses, Halloween arts and crafts, games, and a dedicated kids zone. Adults can enjoy seasonal cocktails, delicious food, and the incredible energy of Chicago’s most spirited neighborhood.
Explore more than 50 vendor booths and enjoy an afternoon celebrating everything we love about Halloween.
Beginning at 12pm, the five-block section of N. Halsted Street from Aldine to Brompton will be converted to a pedestrian-only “block party” full of activities, entertainment, food, drinks, and fun. Attendees at this free-to-attend event can look forward to:
Note: At 6:00pm, Halsted Street will be cleared to prepare for the 7:00pm parade portion of the event. At that time, Fest attendees will be required to move to sidewalks (behind the barricades) and are encouraged to visit participating event vendors and Halsted Street businesses before finding a spot watch the parade!
Back for its 30th (!) year, the Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade annually features more than 300 costumed participants, impressively decorated vehicles from the Windy City Jeep Club, and live street performances from locally-loved groups including the Lakeside Pride Marching Band, Chicago Thriller Flash Mob, Chicago Spirit Brigade, and the Windy City Rollers. The parade concludes with a stunning display of pyrotechnic prowess from Full Moon Jam.
Costumed participants are strongly encouraged to sign up in advance here but day-of entries will be accepted beginning at 2:00pm at the costume registration tent (3211 N. Halsted).
Finishing off the festivities is our Costume Contest and Post-Parade Party held at the NoHa parking lot (3514 N. Halsted). Judge-selected finalists from five categories — Character, Creative, Scary, Group, and Youth (13 & under) — will be invited on stage with our Halloween hosts to show off their fabulous costumes to the crowd and vie for $4,000 in total cash prizes. Live music, DJs and drag performances will finish off the night, with Halloween happenings occurring in venues along Halsted Street all night long. Â
Haunted Halsted is a celebration of the people who make this neighborhood special: artists, performers, local businesses, longtime residents, and visitors who come ready to express themselves. Halloween offers the perfect excuse to be theatrical, try something unexpected, and celebrate together.
The costume contest has long been at the heart of Haunted Halsted. Its Character, Creative, Scary, Group, and Youth categories make room for different kinds of imagination—from clever concepts and detailed craftsmanship to playful family costumes and ambitious group productions. Past contests have offered $4,000 in total cash prizes, giving participants another reason to bring their best.
Over the years, the celebration has featured Chicago Full Moon Jam’s fire performers, the Windy City Jeep Club, Lakeside Pride Marching Band, the Windy City Rollers, and Chicago Spirit Brigade. Drag artistry has also helped shape the event’s character, including Raven’s appearance as Grand Marshal and costume contest host in 2025.
Saturday, October 31, 2026 marked a milestone for Haunted Halsted. For its 30th anniversary, the celebration expanded beyond the evening parade with Haunted Halsted Fest, adding a daytime street festival to the neighborhood’s Halloween tradition.
The 2026 program brought together local vendors, food and drinks, live entertainment, street performers, and activities for families. Trick-or-treating, Halloween crafts, games, and a dedicated kids zone gave younger Halloween fans their own ways to join the celebration before the evening festivities.
Already thinking about next Halloween? Keep Northalsted on your radar. Follow our social channels for photos, costume inspiration, neighborhood happenings, and future Haunted Halsted announcements.
Join our email list using the form below to receive event news and 2027 details as they’re announced. From planning a visit with friends to dreaming up your next costume, it’s an easy way to stay connected between celebrations.
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Keep the inspiration. Bring your imagination. We can’t wait to celebrate with you again.
$4,000 in prizes! $500 first place, $200 second place, $100 third place in each of 5 categories. Contestants must be present to win.
To become a sponsor of the Haunted Halsted Halloween Block Party & Parade celebration, please email:
Karyn Terrones at karyn@chicagoevents.com
   and/or
David Wilson at david@chicagoevents.com
A variety of tailored sponsor rates and benefits are available, including (but not limited to) logo/brand recognition on event collateral, on-site activations and product exclusivity options, and presenting sponsor/stage sponsor opportunities.
For general information/questions, you may also contact the event organizer, the Northalsted Business Alliance, at info@northalsted.comÂ
Limited on-site vending opportunities for the one-day Haunted Halsted Halloween celebration are available at varying costs depending on your business type.
For more information on vendor opportunities, and to submit your vending application for review/approval, please visit the Haunted Halsted Halloween Vendors page.
Note: All vendors will be positioned on intersecting streets adjacent to Halsted Street so that they may show and sell their items for the entirely of the event — both during the Haunted Halsted Block Party and during the Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade. Load-in and load-out instructions will be provided once an application is approved.
Please contact info@northalsted.com regarding media access during the Parade. Only media representatives that have been approved and credentialed specifically for this event by the Northalsted Business Alliance will be allowed to perform activities within the barricaded parade route.
NOTICE: From 7:00am on Saturday, October 31st through 2:00 am on Sunday, November 1st, street parking on Halsted Street between Belmont Ave. & Addison Street ; and on Brompton, Cornelia (both sides), Newport, Roscoe (both sides), Buckingham (both sides), Aldine (both sides), and Melrose, to the nearest alley(s). Violators will be towed.
NOTICE: From 10:30am on Saturday, October 31st through 2:00am on Sunday, November 1st, vehicle traffic will be prohibited on Halsted Street between Belmont Ave. & Addison Street ; and on Brompton, Cornelia (both sides), Newport, Roscoe (both sides), Buckingham (both sides), Aldine (both sides) and Melrose, to the nearest alley(s).Â
A full list of affected streets and addresses includes:
Pets are welcome to march in or watch the parade, but must be leashed or carried. Pet owner(s) assume all liability for incidents involving their animal and should responsibly assess their animal’s behavior and demeanor when considering participation.
