Halloween in Chicago

Courtesy City of Chicago

Paint The Town Orange At The
8th Annual Chicagoween
Tis’ the season to paint the town orange with Chicago’s October celebration, Chicagoween. Throughout the city, boo-tification takes place and most especially in the Haunted Village, located at Pumpkin Plaza, October 15-31, 2004.
The city’s civic center plaza known the rest of the year as Daley Plaza (Washington and Dearborn streets) hosts the Haunted Village and is transformed into Pumpkin Plaza, with pumpkin decorating, spooky storytellers, trick-or-treating and more to thrill and chill. Each day there are performances from the high flying aerial entertainers, Midnight Circus: 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday through Sunday includes evening shows scheduled at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Free tickets to the Paramount Pictures movie titled Lemony Snicket’s: A Series of Unfortunate Events (opening in December) will be given away following the Midnight Circus performances. Tickets can also be received as prizes for the costume contest at the State Street Halloween Happening Parade.
Kids can join in the on the fun by marching in costume as part of The State Street Halloween Happening Parade on Saturday, October 23. The parade steps off at Noon at the corner of State and Randolph streets. Following the parade, kids can enjoy trick-or-treating, a performance by Midnight Circus and a costume contest—all at Pumpkin (Daley) Plaza.
Free pumpkin decorating is offered Saturdays and Sundays (except for parade day, Saturday, October 23) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or while supplies last) and spooky storytelling runs Thursday through Sunday at 4 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.
A pirate siege invades the CTA as large-scale pirate puppets from Quest Theater Ensemble set sail aboard a CTA elevated train performing some of the most terrifying stories known to man! Tickets are free and on a first come, first served basis the day of the show only at the Visitor's Center inside the Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St. There is a 4 ticket maximum per person. The Haunted 'L' runs October 21-23 and 28-30 on Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday during the day. The Haunted 'L' is presented in conjunction with the Chicago Office of Tourism.
Chicagoween is presented by the Mayor's Office of Special Events, along with other generous sponsors including WLIT 93.9 FM, the Chicago Tribune, Ford Division and the Chicago Transit Authority and the State of Illinois.