Halsted Halloween Parade Changes Route, Stays Outrageously Fun

As one of the most anticipated Halloween events in Chicago, the 16^th Annual Northalsted Halloween Parade in Boystown is ready to turn the energy on high with an altered parade route in 2012.

Along with starting the march down North Halsted at a later time, the festivities on Oct. 31 will begin at Circuit Night Club – 3641 N. Halsted St. near West Waveland Avenue – and move south toward Belmont Avenue. This is the first time in 16 years that the highly attended parade has been changed and extended, but organizers are excited about the modification. 

“We have some big changes for the Halloween parade this year,” said Sandra Klein, a member of the Triangle Neighbors association. “The biggest one is the parade route. We’re flipping it. The alderman and police district are very happy because not as many streets will be closing, and the traffic will be better.”

And in lieu of the Mayan calendar prediction, the theme for this year’s North Halsted parade is Apocalypse 2012, a theme chosen by attendees. Fourth year veteran Miss Foozie will emcee the event while attendees show off their Halloween costumes.

"The alderman and police district are very happy because not as many streets will be closing, and the traffic will be better.”

Between the live stage show during the parade by the Chicago Spirit Brigade and the Fire Tribe and the array of costume contests, organizers with the Triangle Neighbors and Northalsted Business Alliance are preparing for an enormous party, and best of all, the event is completely free.

In addition, while organizers consider the Northalsted Halloween Parade to be the most family-friendly event in Boystown, parents and children are welcome to attend another event just a few days before aimed at entertaining the youngest group of ghouls.

“The parade itself is always on Halloween, but the Sunday proceeding the parade is the Space Park Spooktacular, and that’s for kids and families,” said Northalsted Business Alliance Executive Director Jay Lyon. “So the families come can come to Space Park and the kids always come in costume. It’s great.”

Parents with children 12-years-old and younger are welcome to attend the Spooktacular in Space Park at 815 W. Roscoe St. on Oct. 28 from 1-3 p.m. The event features arts and crafts, games, activities, costume contests and special performances.

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Halsted Parade Schedule

• 4-6 p.m. – Check in for the parade at Circuit Night Club
• 7 p.m. – Parade begins down Halsted from Waveland to Belmont
• 8 p.m. – Stage show begins at Halsted and Belmont. Costume contest winner announced.

Costume Contest

(Registration is from 4-6 p.m. at Circuit Night Club)

• Best Couple
• Best Group
• Best Drag
• Most Original
• Scariest
• Best Theme
• Best Pet

Parking/Street Closures

• There will be no parking on North Halsted on Oct. 31 from Grace to Belmont.
• North Halsted will be closed to drivers from Belmont to Waveland from 4-10 p.m. on Oct. 31.