Haunted Halloween Ball at Congress Plaza — Chicago 2026
🎃 Michigan Avenue, Chicago · Saturday, October 31, 2026 · 21+ Costume Party
Adult Party21+Ticketed
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The Haunted Halloween Ball is Chicago’s biggest annual 21+ Halloween costume party in Chicago, IL — held at the Congress Plaza Hotel on Michigan Avenue, one of USA Today’s most haunted hotels in the world. The 122-year-old hotel’s 20,000 square-foot ballrooms transform into an abandoned hotel run by zombies for one night only, combining the elegance of a luxury hotel gala with the terror of a haunted house and the intensity of a VIP nightclub. World-renowned DJs, professional scare actors, VIP table service and hotel room packages available.
📋 Event Details
📍 Venue: Congress Plaza Hotel, 520 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
📅 Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
🕐 Hours: Evening event, typically 9 PM – 3 AM
🎫 Price: Ticketed · VIP tables and group discounts available; hotel room + ticket packages sell out early
👶 Ages: 21+ only, valid photo ID required
🚗 Parking: Valet at Congress Plaza or nearby garages on Michigan Ave and Wabash
🚆 Public Transit: CTA Red Line to Harrison, Brown/Orange/Green/Pink/Purple to Adams/Wabash
⏱ Plan for: Full night out — dinner, party, hotel stay
🏢 Organizer: Haunted Halloween Ball / Surreal Nightlife
🎃 Local Insight Ratings
Family-Friendliness: ⛔ 0/5 — 21+ only
Scare Level: 🎃🎃🎃 3/5 — scare zones and actors integrated into party
Photo-Worthiness: 🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃 5/5 — costumes, hotel ballrooms, Michigan Ave
Budget: $$$ — GA tickets to VIP tables and hotel packages
Best for: adult costume enthusiasts, DJ/dance fans, groups, out-of-town visitors staying downtown
💡 Know Before You Go
🎃 Book tickets early to lock in the lowest prices — the ball sells out Congress Plaza every year and prices climb as October approaches.
🎃 Consider a hotel + ticket package — the Congress Plaza rooms are limited but let you avoid a late-night ride home in costume.
🎃 Costumes are required — the event enforces a costume-only door policy. Full get-ups win costume contests with prizes.
🎃 Bring valid photo ID — 21+ is strictly enforced at check-in.
🎃 Coat check available — Chicago Halloween is cold. Layer up on your way in and grab coat check inside.
Always check the official Haunted Halloween Ball website (hauntedhalloweenball.com) for current tickets, table pricing and hotel packages before attending. Find Halloween Near Me is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Haunted Halloween Ball, Surreal Nightlife or Congress Plaza Hotel.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Haunted Halloween Ball held in Chicago?
The Congress Plaza Hotel at 520 S Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605 — right across from Grant Park and Millennium Park in the South Loop.
Why is Congress Plaza considered haunted?
USA Today has named Congress Plaza Hotel one of the most haunted hotels in the world. The 122-year-old building has documented paranormal history that the Haunted Halloween Ball leans into for its atmosphere and theming.
How much do Haunted Halloween Ball tickets cost?
Prices vary by tier and how early you book. GA tickets, VIP tables and hotel room + ticket bundles are all sold on hauntedhalloweenball.com — early-bird pricing is significantly cheaper than late-October prices.
Is the Haunted Halloween Ball family-friendly?
No — this is a 21+ only event with strict ID enforcement at the door. For family Halloween events in Chicago, see the Upside Down Parade, Spooky Zoo, or Arts in the Dark instead.