FREE THINGS TO DO IN THE CHICAGOLAND AREA DURING HALLOWEEN!!!

Well, mostly free. There's some listings that may
cost you some green but it's not much at all.

Yes, I found a few things you can do w/the family or w/your homies around and on Halloween. Aside from trick or treating and with the economy being as it is, it's nice to see that everyone isn't a greedy "F" word not taking you for all your moolah as you take your family for a great night out.


For families and adults who are "young at heart" or just plain ole' refuse to grow up:


Freaky Frights:


Yes, they're BAAAAAACK! After being shut down mid season last year due to cranky neighbors who didn't live anywhere near Forest and Cermak in North Riverside, they have returned! This is where two blocks of neighbors get together and decorate to the NINES for Halloween with fun and scary Halloween decor. They use robotic figures, there are hired actors dressed scarily to add ambiance; it's like walking around looking at Christmas lights, but all Halloween! Not quite for the faint hearted as you ramble along at nighttime just be forewarned you may have a vampire grabbing you...and not Edward from Twilight. There are portapotties and there is a snack stand(ala Tastee Freeze/Dairy Star) there for treats and I'm sure they'll have hot chocolate if it's cold. Located at the corner of Forest and Cermak in North Riverside and only on weekends at dusk. For more info check out the website at:

http://freaky-frights.com/

Morton Arboretum is having a reenactment of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." You'll hike up to various areas of the park and watch as actors reenact Washington Irving's classic novel. Just BYOB/C(bring your own blanket/chair to sit on whilst you see the performance).
Weekends at 3PM until Halloween weekend. Want the 411?

http://mortonarb.org//

Meson Sabika, the Spanish restaurant in Naperville is having a free Halloween party with goodies and activities for the kiddies from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM on Halloween....a nice alternative to those who don't want to take the kiddies trick or treating. Located at 1025 Aurora Avenue in Naperville. More info?

http://www.mesonsabika.com/


Navy Pier is having a Halloween exhibit but it do cost a pretty penny, however; they do have their fireworks display every Friday and Saturday night 9PM thru the entire month of October. More info needed for anything regarding Navy Pier?

http://www.navypier.com/


Garfield Conservatory located at 300 North Central Park in Chicago is having a "Creatures of the Night" exhibit which will show nocturnal animals and include other activities for Halloween. On Halloween day from 12-3PM. Get more info at:

http://www.garfield-conservatory.org/


Stuff for older kids/grown-ups or the over 21 "gotta hit a night club" crowd:


North Halsted Halloween Parade will go down on Halloween at 4PM at 3190 North Halsted.


The Roof at the Wit Hotel at 201 N. State Street is having a faux paparazzi/red carpet event. Fight off the paparazzi as you walk the red carpet into this quite cool bar/pub, etc...There is also a $1000 costume contest. Happening on Halloween, free admission but the drinks are not...


http://roofonthewit.therestaurantsatthewit.com/


Uncle Fatty's at 2833 N. Sheffield is having loads of Halloween fun; before and during Halloween itself. For more info:

http://www.unclefatty.com/


Also, to find out the trick or treating schedules of various Chicagoland area 'burbs, check out the Illinois Halloween website(which also lists priced Halloween activities and various haunted houses in the area).

http://www.hauntedillinois.com/


And last, but not least I MUST post info about this, despite it's not a freebie, it is an event put on by a friend of mine. Scott Jackson will have the Halloween Art Exhibit going on again for the 11th year in a row! For only a $5 donation you can view and purchase exquisite art work by various and incredibly talented artists(my sister Ary and good friend Charles are a couple of the featured artists) and participate in various activities related to the season of the witch. It's this weekend, October 16-17th from 8:30-11PM. They'll have DJ's spinning ghoulish hits and dancibles as well as a Thriller costume contest(ala Michael Jackson) and a Michael Jackson seance. Located at 1901 W. Belmont(at Wolcott).

More info?

http://www.halloweenartexhibit.com/index.html


Kidswinks have a website that lists things to do ...free or otherwise with your kiddies. Check them out below:

http://www.kidwinks.com/KidsEvents/Holidays/Halloween/


Whatever you do, have a fun and safe Halloween! If you can remember, post what you ended up doing on Halloween(or before, after, etc...) and if you can, share what images you have of your costumes! Joe is going to be either Jimi Hendrix or Indy again, Ian will be Buddy the Elf, Keira will be Maggie Simpson or a lady bug or a witch and I'll be Janis Joplin.