Slightly Spooky October

About This Event

Navy Pier's Halloween programming has grown from a single themed Saturday into a full 'Slightly Spooky October' run, spread across four dates: Oct 17, 24, 31, and Nov 1. Every date runs free, 1 to 5 PM, with movies picking up at 5 — a rotating lineup that includes Hotel Transylvania, Beetlejuice, Wall-E, Scream, Ghostbusters, Halloween, and Coco.

The first two Saturdays (Oct 17 & 24) lean toward hands-on activities: a Mad Scientist Lab running chemistry experiments, a Mobile Art Studio, Double Dutch performances, and a Wintrust Community Market with local vendors. Halloween itself (Oct 31) is the one actually built around trick-or-treating — indoor candy stops throughout the Pier, dance workshops, mask-making, vintage photo souvenirs, and a costume contest with prizes split into Family, Duo, and Individual categories. Nov 1 closes it out with a Día de los Muertos celebration: face painting, marigold crowns, alebrije art, and a community ofrenda.

Worth knowing: costumes are welcome on any of the four dates, not just Halloween, and everything is free — no tickets or reservations needed.