Celebrate Halloween on Chicago's North Side

Halloween Spooktacular Returns to Lincoln Park, Saturday, Oct. 27
Details: Watch Clark Street in Lincoln Park morph into a candy haven on Saturday for the Halloween Spooktacular. Join street magicians, jugglers, and balloon artists from Armitage to Diversey. If you’re dressed to impress, enter the costume contest at 4:30 p.m. For a full schedule of activities, check out the Spooktacular website.
Cost: Free

Halstead Halloween Parade, Oct. 31
Details: 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. The parade begins at 7 p.m. and the stage show is at 8 p.m.
Cost: Free

Boo-Palooza, Saturday, Oct. 27
Details: From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., decorate pumpkins, learn to play chess, get your face painted, and even find a needle in a haystack in Wicker Park. The Boo-Palooza is at 1425 North Damen and is organized by the Wicker Park Advisory Council and Chicago Park District.
Cost: Free

Trick or Treat on Southport, Sunday, Oct. 28
Details: The businesses on Southport are once again throwing a Halloween party. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., tour the avenue from Roscoe to Irving Park. There’s also a Pumpkin Party with decorating, moon jumps and face painting.
Cost: Trick or treating is free, but the pumpkin party is a $5 suggested donation per child

Trick or Treat Northcenter, Saturday, Oct. 27
Details: From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., join the businesses of Northcenter for trick-or-treating along North Lincoln Avenue. The costume contest starts at noon in the Town Square and will have a grand prize for the best-dressed family.
Cost: Free 

And for adults only, check out a list of Halloween parties in Chicago.