Halloween 2026 · Chicago
28 places, each confirmed for 2026 on its own website. Updated Oct 9.
Haunted housesTrails & hayridesGhost toursNot too scary
Here's the thing about Chicago haunts: the scariest ones are out in the suburbs. 13th Floor Haunted House Chicago in Schiller Park and Massacre Haunted House in Montgomery are the heavy hitters. If you want sheer size, I'd go with Massacre, which claims more than 35,000 square feet, over 75 rooms and more than 100 live actors across three attractions. That's a lot of hallway. Want something weirder? Undead Acres in Monee puts you on a trailer with mounted paintball guns so you can shoot live zombies. They don't shoot back. Heads up: Undead Acres sells tickets only at the door, first come, first served.
Downtown is ghost tour territory. The Chicago Gangsters and Ghosts Walking Tour covers 1.5 miles of the old Loop vice district for $36 an adult, and a couple of smaller tours work the Lincoln Park neighborhood that was built on one of the city's earliest cemeteries. If you've got little kids, there's a lights-on, no-actors daytime walkthrough in West Chicago for $15. Most of the big houses recommend 13 and up, so check before you buy.
The big scream parks are out in the suburbs, and most of them recommend 13 and up.
Schiller Park, IL · 14 mi from Chicago
👻👻👻👻👻 Terrifying
Chicago haunted attraction featuring mini escape games and secret themed bars.
Tip: Free parking is available on bordering side streets like Winona Ave. and Ainslie Street; do not park at neighboring businesses or you may be towed.
Downers Grove, IL · 20 mi from Chicago
👻👻👻👻👻 Terrifying
Haunted attraction featuring immersive set designs, special effects, and trained actors
Tip: Arrive a little before or as close to the start time as possible.
West Chicago, IL · 30 mi from Chicago
👻👻👻👻👻 Terrifying
Two floors of terror inside a 100-plus-year-old barn.
Tip: Arrive early at opening to encounter the shortest wait times.
Aurora, IL · 36 mi from Chicago
👻👻👻👻👻 Terrifying
Features an abandoned underground laboratory and a Shattered 3D attraction.
Tip: Plan to arrive a little before or as close to the event start time as possible.
Gurnee, IL · 37 mi from Chicago
👻👻👻👻👻 Terrifying
Intensely scary Halloween event with haunted mazes, scare zones, and shows.
Tip: Purchase a Haunted Attractions Pass or Fright Fest Bundle if you want to enter the haunted mazes, as maze access requires an additional fee.
Montgomery, IL · 37 mi from Chicago
👻👻👻👻👻 Terrifying
Over 35,000 square feet of indoor horror across three themed attractions.
Tip: Purchase tickets online in advance or arrive early to minimize your wait time.
Oak Lawn, IL · 14 mi from Chicago
👻👻👻👻 Very scary
Chicagoland haunted attraction featuring multiple scare zones, escape rooms, and games.
Tip: Visit earlier in the season or on a Sunday to avoid peak late-October crowds.
Chicago, IL · 8 mi from Chicago
👻👻👻 Scary
Immersive multi-room theatrical horror party inside a historic lakefront mansion.
Tip: Costumes are encouraged, and participants can compete for costume prizes.
Elmhurst, IL · 16 mi from Chicago
👻👻👻 Scary
Features live student bands, themed scare rooms, and trunk-or-treating.
Tip: Enter the haunted house through the back door and exit through the side.
Monee, IL · 32 mi from Chicago
👻👻👻 Scary
Shoot live zombies with paintballs from a specially designed trailer.
Tip: Tickets are sold only at the door on a first-come, first-served basis; no online purchases or reservations are offered.
Haunted hayrides and wooded trails, mostly 20 to 30 miles out in West Chicago, Lockport and the western suburbs.
West Chicago, IL · 29 mi from Chicago
👻👻👻👻 Very scary
Open-air ride featuring live actors, animatronics, and pyrotechnic effects
Tip: Secure your tickets in advance to enjoy the farm's attractions upon arrival.
Lockport, IL · 30 mi from Chicago
👻👻👻👻 Very scary
Haunted park hayride featuring line entertainment, a bonfire, and outdoor movies.
Tip: Tickets must be purchased online in advance and are valid only for the date selected.
Lockport, IL · 31 mi from Chicago
👻👻👻👻 Very scary
Outdoor haunted walking maze commanded by a swamp Voodoo Priestess.
Tip: Wear closed-toe shoes and appropriate outdoor footwear; sandals, flip-flops, and high heels are not allowed.
Westmont, IL · 19 mi from Chicago
👻👻👻 Scary
Wagon ride and spooky walking trail through Smith Woods.
Tip: Families with younger children should choose the earlier 'Little Monsters' session.
Woodridge, IL · 24 mi from Chicago
👻👻👻 Scary
Ride a haywagon to seven scary scenes in the woods.
Tip: Park at the Fred C. Hohnke Community Center, on Carleton Drive, or at Village Hall on Plaza Drive.
Gangsters, old cemetery ground and the Hull-House Devil Baby, mostly on foot.
Chicago, IL · 1 mi from Chicago
👻👻👻 Scary
Chicago's top-rated family-friendly ghost tour
Tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the tour covers a significant distance through the city streets.
Chicago, IL · 2 mi from Chicago
👻👻👻 Scary
Walking tour exploring forgotten burial sites and a documented vampire hunt.
Tip: Plan transportation in advance, as the tour ends at Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinders—a 16-minute walk back to the starting point.
Naperville, IL · 28 mi from Chicago
👻👻👻 Scary
Walking ghost tour showcasing 30 years of paranormal archives and recordings.
Tip: Call ahead to make reservations and arrive 15 minutes early for check-in.
Aurora, IL · 36 mi from Chicago
👻👻👻 Scary
Outdoor walking tour exploring haunted spots along the Fox River
Tip: Arrive 15 minutes before the start of the tour, as late arrivals will not be accommodated.
Chicago, IL · 0 mi from Chicago
👻👻 A little spooky
Historian-led walking tour exploring Chicago's historic Loop vice district.
Tip: Bring a camera to capture photos at the various haunted stops.
Chicago, IL · 1 mi from Chicago
👻👻 A little spooky
Explore settlement ghost stories and urban legends like the Devil Baby
Tip: Tickets are eligible for refunds up to three days before the event.
Chicago, IL · 1 mi from Chicago
👻👻 A little spooky
Nighttime tours exploring settlement ghost stories like the Infamous Devil Baby.
Tip: Come prepared to share your own ghost stories or local folklore during the tour.
Chicago, IL · 3 mi from Chicago
👻👻 A little spooky
Nightly walking tour exploring the haunted history of Lincoln Park.
Tip: Plan to arrive at the meeting spot 15 minutes before your tour begins, as tours depart on time without waiting for late arrivals.
South Elgin, IL · 35 mi from Chicago
👻👻 A little spooky
Trolley ride to campfire ghost stories in a haunted forest preserve.
Tip: Costumes are welcome.
Two small haunted woods walks, a glow-in-the-dark alien yard haunt and a lights-on daytime walkthrough.
Glen Ellyn, IL · 22 mi from Chicago
👻👻 A little spooky
Haunted outdoor trail featuring earlier, less scary hours for younger children.
Tip: Check the online registration system early or join the waiting list, as the event may fill up.
Joliet, IL · 31 mi from Chicago
👻👻 A little spooky
Dark woods expedition and local folklore about mysterious monsters.
Tip: Advance registration is required for each attendee.
Des Plaines, IL · 20 mi from Chicago
👻 Mild
100% UV-reactive outdoor home haunt with giant animatronics.
Tip: Parking is free on site.
West Chicago, IL · 30 mi from Chicago
👻 Mild
Lights-on daytime walkthrough of the haunted house with no scare actors.
Tip: Plan for the walkthrough to take about 30 minutes.
Only places with 2026 dates on their own website made this list. If a haunt you love is missing, it probably hasn't announced yet.
Haunted Houser