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Trunk-or-Treat in Chicago: 31 Fun Halloween Events

Trunk-or-Treat in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Winnetka Park District
Trunk-or-Treat in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Winnetka Park District
10/9/22 - By Maureen Wilkey

Is it too cold, too hot, or too far to walk this Halloween? Fear not, toddler parents, there are plenty of trunk-or-treat events in Chicago available for your little ghosts and goblins. Trunk-or-treat in Chicago involves local families, businesses, or organizations decorating their cars and lining them up in a parking lot so kids can go from trunk to trunk gathering sweets, just like trick-or-treating. And many neighborhoods and suburbs have them, sponsored by their park district, local church, school, or toy store. Trunk-or-treating in Chicago also offers kids an extra opportunity to grab some candy before Halloween, while supporting local businesses and non-profits.

Trunk-or-treat events make up just some of our free halloween events, while there's plenty of top halloween events you can pay for as well. And for traditionalists, we have a list of the Best Trick-or-Treat Neighborhoods in Chicago, too. Just don't spend your whole night in one of our favorite pumpkin patches waiting for the Great Pumpkin!

Here's some of our favorite places to trunk-or-treat in Chicago and the suburbs.

Try trunk-or-treat events in Chicago this Halloween. Photo courtesy of Bigstock.
Try trunk-or-treat events in Chicago this Halloween. Photo courtesy of Bigstock.

Trunk-or-Treat in Chicago Through October 16

The Learning Experience Trick or Treat

Friday, October 14—Addison
Wear your costume and bring your treat bag to The Learning Experience to trick or treat with Bubbles the Elephant. The event will also include a magician's table, pumpkin painting, contests, and more. READ MORE

HomeSmart Realty Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 15—Naperville
Costumes, candy, and cookies are on hand at HomeSmart Realty's Trunk or Treat event in Naperville. Kids can trick or treat from the trunks of decorated cars in the Realtor's office parking lot. READ MORE

Sedgwick Park Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 15—LaGrange
Have a spooktacular good time at Sedgwick Park by trick-or-treating from the trunks of decorated cars. Halloween games and prizes will complete the fun. READ MORE

Penny Lane Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 15—Oak Lawn
A live DJ and games accompany this trunk-or-treat in the Penny Lane parking lot in Oak Lawn, Goodie bags are available while supplies last. READ MORE
Niles Park District Trunk-or-Treat. Photo courtesy of nilesparks.org
Niles Park District Trunk-or-Treat. Photo courtesy of nilesparks.org

Chicago Area Trunk-or-Treat Events on October 17-23

Grace UMC Trunk or Treat

Wednesday, October 19—Naperville
Put on your non-violent costume and enjoy trunk-or-treating, s'mores, and more at Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville. Trunk-or-treating is open to kids ages 1-12, but all are welcome to join the fun. READ MORE

BOOmingdale Halloween Party

Saturday, October 22—Bloomingdale
Fall festivities abound at this event sponsored by the Bloomingdale Park District, Village of Bloomingdale, Bloomingdale Public Library, and Friends of the Bloomingdale Public Library. The Police and Fire Department offer Halloween themed building tours and trunk or treat while the library will host a hay maze, moon jump, balloon artist, face painter and refreshments. The Park District will offer arts and crafts, a pumpkin decorating contest, and a gymnastics play station. READ MORE

St. John's Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 22—Lombard
Adults and kids can enjoy decorating their cars and trick-or-treating from their trunks at this annual event from the St. John's PTO. You do not have to decorate your car to trick-or-treat! Grown-ups are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and join the fun. READ MORE

Niles Park District Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 22—Niles
Niles Park District and Village vehicles, as well as cars sponsored by local businesses, will line up in the parking lot of the Oasis Fun Center for trunk-or-treating. Masks are required. The event will be moved indoors in case of inclement weather. READ MORE

Cheer Destiny Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 22—Old Irving Park
Cheer Destiny gymnastics gym's families will decorate tables to create a fun and safe environment for kids to trunk or treat in. This event is free and open to the public. Bring your own bucket! READ MORE

Trunk-n-Treat at McFetridge Sports Center

Saturday, October 22—North Center
Kids can dress in their Halloween costumes to trick or treat from cars decorated for Halloween. Other fun Halloween activities will be available for after kids fill their trick-or-treat bags. READ MORE

Winnetka Park District Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 22—Winnetka
North Shore families can enjoy a safe and family friendly trick or treating experience from the trunks of decorated cars at the Winnetka Park District parking lot. The family with the best decorated car will win a 2023 family beach pass. READ MORE

Faith UMC Trunk or Treat

Sunday, October 23—Downers Grove
Wear your Halloween costume to trunk-or-treat in the parking lot of Faith United Methodist Church in Downers Grove. Games, activities, food, and candy will add to the fun. READ MORE
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Trunk-or-Treat in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the event
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Trunk-or-Treat in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the event

Trunk-or-Treats In Chicago October 24-31

Touch-a-Truck + Treat

Thursday, October 27—Palos Heights
Dress in your Halloween costume to enjoy climbing in and exploring vehicles in Palos Heights. Each truck's vendor will also hand out treats to participating kids. READ MORE

Beacon Tap Trunk or Treat

Thursday, October 27—Des Plaines
This annual event at Des Plaines's Beacon Tap features a best-decorated car competition as kids trick or treat from the trunks of cars. The restaurant will also grill hot dogs and make specialty cocktails for the grown-ups as kids trunk or treat. READ MORE

StoryPoint Naperville Trunk or Treat

Thursday, October 27—Naperville
StoryPoint tries to host the largest Trunk or Treat in Naperville. Complete with a balloon artist/magician, this event promises big family fun. Free Affy Tapples will be available for the first 100 kids. READ MORE

Trunk or Treat at Ridgeland Common

Friday, October 28—Oak Park
Oak Parkers can visit Ridgeland Common to trick or treat out of the trunks of decorated cars at this annual event. Cars must register for a spot and provide their own candy. READ MORE

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Trunk-or-Treat

Friday, October 28—Glenview
A collection of festively decorated cars will be on hand at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Glenview for kids to trunk or treat. Treats, food and music will be available for Halloween fun. READ MORE

Palos West Trunk or Treat

Friday, October 28—Palos Park
Palos School District 118 families will decorate their cars and park in the north lot of Palos West Elementary School to hand out treats. Parents must stay with their children. READ MORE

Trunk or Treat at Wentworth Park

Saturday, October 29—Midway
Kids can dress in their Halloween costumes to trick or treat from cars decorated for Halloween. Families can volunteer to decorate their cars by calling the park district. READ MORE

Park District of Forest Park Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 29—Forest Park
Kids can trick-or-treat in a safe environment from the trunks of decorated cars at the Park District of Forest Park's Trunk or Treat event. Car owners will come dressed up and pass out candy from their vehicles. READ MORE

Haunt Against Hunger & Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 29— Lombard
In addition to trunk-or-treating from local businesses, organizations and families, kids can enjoy Halloween music, a bounce house and pumpkins for sale at this Butterfield Park District event. Each child is asked to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Haunts Against Hunger Food Drive. READ MORE

Gary United Methodist Church Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 29—Wheaton
Enjoy the hospitality and community at Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton at this annual trunk-or-treat event. Wear your own costume for the fun and festive morning. READ MORE

Proesel Park Trunk-or-Treat

Saturday, October 29—Lincolnwood
Treats, games and spooky fun are on hand at Lincolnwood's Proesel Park this Halloween. All children must be accompanied by an adult. READ MORE

Wood Dale Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 29—Wood Dale
Families, businesses and organizations will decorate their cars for a trunk-or-treat in Wood Dale's Community Square. Contests will be held for the best decorated car and the best costume, and families can enjoy a balloon artist and treats for purchase. READ MORE

American Legion Post 231 Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 29—McKinley Park
Legion members and their families will dress up in spooky costumes and let costumed kids trick-or-treat from their trunks. Scariest and cutest costumes will win a prize. The event includes free pizza and a DJ. READ MORE

Four Corners Community Church Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 29—Darien
Bring the family for a screaming fun time trunk-or-treating in the parking lot of Four Corners Community Church in Darien. Bring a bag to collect your own candy from decorated cars. READ MORE

Gear Headz Trunk or Treat Car Show

Saturday, October 29—Mokena
Enjoy spooky fun, cars, and candy at Gear Headz, a car repair shop in Mokena. READ MORE

Roselle American Legion Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 29—Roselle
The Roselle American Legion and Rotary Club host their annual Trunk or Treat event. The party includes candy, music, games, and more. READ MORE

Halloween Extravaganza featuring Trunk or Treat

Sunday, October 30—Oak Park
Family fun for all is happening at Unity Church in Oak Park on Halloween. Kids can enjoy a trunk-or-treat in the parking lot, along with face painting, music, spooky videos, crafts, and fall-themed refreshments. READ MORE

Eggers Grove Trunk or Treat

Sunday, October 30—East Side
This family-friendly forest preserve event includes plenty of candy and costumes. East Side Chamber of Commerce also sponsors the trunk-or-treat in Eggers Grove. READ MORE

Trunk or Treat at Austin Town Hall

Monday, October 31—Dunning
Kids can dress in their Halloween costumes to trick or treat from cars decorated for Halloween. Arts and crafts and and fun and games are also included. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Grace United Methodist Church
St. John's Lutheran Church and School
Faith United Methodist Church
Palos Heights Pool Parking Lot
Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Palos West Elementary School
Gary United Methodist Church
Four Corners Community Church
Roselle American Legion 1084