Top 10 Neighborhoods to Trick or Treat Near Chicago

1. Southport

The Southport neighborhood in Lakeview goes all out for Halloween. Trick or treating takes place on Southport Avenue between Roscoe and Grace Street. The whole family can enjoy games, activities, snacks from local food vendors, craft beer for grownups, music, and trick-or-treating at local businesses. 

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Harper Avenue in Hyde Park, one of our favorite neighborhoods to trick or treat in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Anne Rossley Real Estate

2. Hyde Park and Kenwood 

With its historic mansions and tree-lined streets, Hyde Park is a storybook setting any time of year. Add a touch of ghostly decor, and you will feel transported into a scary-good tale. On Halloween night, locals flock to Harper Avenue between 57th and 59th Streets. Word on the street is that it can get crowded with long lines, so little ones should go early. Families looking for a more relaxed experience can check out nearby Kenwood on Dorchester between 48th and 50th Streets. 

Photo courtesy of the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce

3. Lincoln Park 

As one of Chicago’s most family-friendly neighborhoods, it's no surprise that Lincoln Park makes our list of best trick-or-treating neighborhoods. Head to the Haunted History Tours at Lincoln Park Zoo to learn more about the neighborhood's haunted and cemetery history on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the month. Come back to the 'hood on Sunday, October 22 for the Lincoln Park Spooktacular, when local businesses up and down Lincoln Avenue hand out free candy, and jugglers, stilt walkers, and magicians will keep your squad entertained. 

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Boo-Palooza is a costume parade for kids and dogs. Photo courtesy of the Wicker Park Chamber of Commerce

4. Bucktown and Wicker Park   

Bucktown and Wicker Park are favorites of Chicago parents for trick or treating, and it’s not hard to see why. There are plenty of activities, entertainment, and free candy for the whole family. Take the kids to Boo-Palooza on October 22 for a costume parade and contest for kids and dogs, plus live entertainment and pumpkin decorating. Enjoy another costume parade in Bucktown, usually held the Sunday before Halloween, followed by games, snacks, and a costume contest. On the 31st, head over to the WPB Trick-or-Treat, where local businesses will be handing out candy.

5. Andersonville

Recently named the second coolest neighborhood in the country by Conde Nast Traveler, Andersonville celebrates Halloween for the whole month with spooky yoga at Sandbox Baby Boutique and pumpkin decorating at bars like SOFO Tap and Meeting House Tavern. 

Halloween 2018 by spablab is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

6. Logan Square

With all the hip, young families that live in Logan Square, it is no surprise that this Chicago neighborhood is one of the best places to go trick or treating. The annual Logan Square Halloween Parade takes place on Sunday, October 30. On Halloween, kids can trick or treat up and down Logan Boulevard.

7. Lincoln Square 

Lincoln Square or Lincoln SCARED? Bad jokes aside, Lincoln Square is a top choice for Halloween activities. The Lincoln Square business district transforms into Lincoln Scared on Sunday, October 30, when businesses hand out free candy to costumed kids. Or, visit on October 22 for Pup-O-Ween on Damen Ave between Leland Avenue and Argyle Street, where your favorite furry family member can trick or treat for doggie bones and biscuits. 

 
Norwood Park offers early trick or treating in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Norwood Park Chamber of Commerce

8. Norwood Park

This far northwest side neighborhood has an early trick or treating in its business district, or you can come back to visit the big, old houses in the neighborhood for traditional trick or treating. The neighborhood's family-friendly feel with more houses and fewer apartments is appealing to many north-side families.

 
Photo courtesy of napervilleparks.org

9. Naperville

It's not a neighborhood, it's a suburb. But it's a suburb where you really clean up on pre-Halloween trick-or-treating from local businesses and attractions. Trick or treat at Naper Settlement, the Naperville Riverwalk, in downtown Naperville, or at Naperville's Safety Town courtesy of the Junior Women's Club. And if that's not enough, we recommend the big houses just north of Hobson Road and east of Washington.

10. Buffalo Grove

In the Chicago area, Halloween has a reputation for being either 40 degrees with "wintery mix" or 80 degrees. If you're looking to avoid extreme conditions, this northwest suburb has two opportunities for indoor trick-or-treating. The first, through the Buffalo Grove Park District, is on October 28, while My Gym Buffalo Grove has parties with trick or treating on October 30th.