Halloween Pet Parade and 3K Fun Run on Oct. 23-24 in Northbrook

If you’ve never experienced the Northbrook Park District’s Halloween events, make sure not to miss them this October — grab your spookiest costumes and come have fun with your whole family, pets included!

The Halloween Pet Parade takes place Oct. 23 and the Halloween 3K Fun Run/Walk on Oct. 24, both at Techny Prairie Park in Fields in Northbrook.

This year, the Pet Parade and the Fun Run/Walk will take place on different days, to ensure everyone gets a chance to participate in both events at their leisure.

Additionally, the Pet Parade will feature a new route, so participants can enjoy a true “parade feel.”

Halloween Pet Parade

The Halloween Pet Parade is a great way to bring the community together and showcase beloved pets in their spookiest Halloween costumes, Recreation Supervisor Matt Papale said. As tradition, Village of Northbrook’s animal control officer and a community service officer dressed in costume are scheduled to lead the parade.

After the parade, a costume contest will crown winners for the best look-alike pet, best pet and owner combo costume, and the spookiest animal.

“The costume contest has a variety of fun categories, and it’s always fun to see who wins each year,” Papale said. “Pet owners will have the opportunity to meet our awesome event sponsors, receive fun giveaways, and take cute pictures with their pets in our pumpkin patch-themed photo area.”

The event’s presenting sponsors are First Bank Chicago, Rover’s Place and Your Dog’s Guru. The gold-level sponsors are Becker Animal Hospital, Bond Orthodontics, Culver’s of Northbrook, Kohn Animal Hospital, Northbrook Animal Clinic, North Shore Family Pet Hospital and Remax Top Performers – The Jane Lee Team.

When: 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23

Where: Techny Prairie Park and Fields, 1750 Techny Road, Northbrook

Who: Adults 18 and up and their pets

Fee: $10 per pet

Registration: nbparks.org (use code 27074) or onsite until the event begins.

For more information, visit nbparks.org/events/halloweenpetparade or call (847) 291-2993.

Halloween 3K Fun Run/Walk

The Halloween 3K Fun Run/Walk isn’t just a race, it’s a full-on Halloween celebration for all ages, Recreation Supervisor Isaac Urow said.

“Bring the whole family and come dressed in your wildest, wackiest, or coolest costume—we highly encourage it!” he said. “Whether you're running, walking, or just vibing to the tunes, it's going to be a frightfully good time.”

The course will meander through the park district’s beautiful Techny Prairie Park and Fields, which will be decked out in spooky Halloween decor.

After the race, runners can enjoy bagels, donuts and (of course) candy. Post-race activities will include an inflatable obstacle course, a bounce house, and games such as giant Jenga, cornhole and more.

The event wraps up with a chance for runners to compete in three costume categories: best child costume, best adult costume and best family costume.

This year’s event is presented by RISE Therapy Chicago. Gold-level sponsors include Art of Problem Solving Northbrook, BAK Brothers, Inc., and Sportclips Northbrook.

Event information

When: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24

Where: Techny Prairie Park and Fields, 1750 Techny Road, Northbrook

Who: Ages 5 and up

Fee: Individual $15, family of four $45

Registration: nbparks.org (code 27110 individual, 27109 family) or on the day of the event in the lobby of Techny Prairie Activity Center, 180 Anets Drive, Northbrook

Additional info: Bag and T-shirt pick up 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22 in the lobby of Techny Prairie Activity Center. T-shirts are not guaranteed for those registered after Thursday, Oct. 23.

For more information, visit nbparks.org/events/halloween3k or call (847) 291-2993.

Established in 1927, the mission of the Northbrook Park District is to enhance the community by providing outstanding services, parks and facilities through environmental, social and financial stewardship.