Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade — Chicago 2026
🎃 Northalsted, Chicago · Saturday, October 31, 2026 · 6:30–10 PM
LGBTQ+ ParadeAll AgesFree
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The Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade is Chicago’s only Halloween parade actually held on Halloween night in Chicago, IL — and one of the country’s most iconic. 29 years running, this Northalsted (Boystown) LGBTQ+ neighborhood tradition draws thousands to Halsted Street on October 31 for a costume contest with $4,000 in prizes, drag performances, a grand marshal-led procession and one of the most photogenic Halloween nights in America. Fodor’s Travel ranks it among the top 10 Halloween events in the United States.
📋 Event Details
📍 Route: Halsted Street, from Belmont north to Brompton (parade starts at Halsted & Belmont, awards show at parking lot at 3514 N. Halsted)
📅 Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
🕐 Hours: 6:30 PM – 10 PM (costume contest and after party continue past 10)
🎫 Price: FREE · $4,000 in costume prizes
👶 Ages: All ages welcome to watch; pet-friendly route
🚗 Parking: Not recommended — the whole neighborhood is packed. Use ride share or transit.
🚆 Public Transit: CTA Red Line to Belmont (drops you at the parade start)
⏱ Plan for: 3 hours minimum — parade plus costume contest plus after party
🏢 Organizer: Northalsted Business Alliance
🎃 Local Insight Ratings
Family-Friendliness: 🎃🎃🎃 3/5 — all ages welcome to watch, but crowd is adult-heavy
Scare Level: 🎃 1/5 — celebratory, not scary
Photo-Worthiness: 🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃 5/5 — extravagant costumes, drag performers, neighborhood lights
Budget: FREE — watching is free; food and drinks along Halsted extra
Best for: LGBTQ+ community, costume enthusiasts, photographers, adult Halloween seekers
💡 Know Before You Go
🎃 Take the Red Line to Belmont — driving on Halloween night in Boystown is extremely difficult. Streets close and parking is impossible.
🎃 Come in a full costume to compete — the costume contest has $4,000 in prize money, but you need to register and be on Halsted between the specific check-in times.
🎃 Arrive early to grab a curbside spot — the parade route fills 30 minutes before start. Show up by 6 PM.
🎃 Reservations at neighborhood restaurants — every restaurant on Halsted is packed. Book early or eat before or after.
🎃 Bundle up — Chicago Halloween nights are cold. Costume over layered clothing is the move.
Always check the official Northalsted Business Alliance website (northalsted.com) for current parade details, costume contest rules and weather updates before attending. Find Halloween Near Me is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Northalsted or the parade organizers.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade 2026?
Saturday, October 31, 2026 (Halloween night) from 6:30 PM to 10 PM, running north up Halsted Street from Belmont to Brompton in Chicago’s Northalsted (Boystown) neighborhood.
How much does Haunted Halsted cost?
Watching the parade is completely free. If you want to enter the costume contest, there’s a check-in and registration process on the Northalsted Business Alliance site — winners split $4,000 in prizes.
How is Haunted Halsted different from other Chicago Halloween parades?
Haunted Halsted is Chicago’s only parade actually held on Halloween night itself (October 31). Arts in the Dark is on October 24 (the Saturday before), and the Upside Down Parade is a daytime family parade in Washington Park. Haunted Halsted is the nighttime, adult-heavy, LGBTQ+ neighborhood tradition.
Is Haunted Halsted family-friendly?
All ages are welcome to watch, but the crowd is adult-heavy and the costumes range from family-friendly to intentionally provocative. Best for teens and older; parents with young children should decide based on their comfort level.