Our neighborhood’s small businesses and residents always go all-out for Halloween, hosting a variety of events, parties, and activities. To help you celebrate of Halloween in Ravenswood, the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce staff has collected details on all the local spooky celebrations and haunted happenings. For more on Halloween fun around the City, visit the Chicago’s official “Halloweek 2023” HQ at chicagohalloweek.org.
Ravenswood Costume Crawl Returns on October 25
Your favorite local haunts are teaming up for an evening of treats and drinks! Come out for this treats and BOOze crawl and sample a fantastic selection of desserts, snacks, and sips as you explore neighborhood shops and restaurants. Wear your costume for a chance to win prizes from KOVAL Distillery!
Participating businesses include Amy’s Candy Bar, Chicago’s Pizza, First Slice Pie Café, Gnome Brew, Hazel, Hilary’s Cookies, KOVAL Distillery, Lillstreet Art Center, Paradise Port Cafe, Slim’s of Chicago, and Teddy’s Ice Cream. 5:30-8:30pm, along Montrose and Ravenswood Ave, $26, 21+ More Info
Terror Tuesdays at Sulzer Regional Library
Rondo Award-winning authors and Chicago horror enthusiasts Jon Kitley (Kitley’s Krypt) and Aaron Christensen (HORROR 101 with Dr. AC) return to Ravenswood! Prime yourself for Halloween with four fun-filled discussions celebrating fright flicks and horror culture. Themes each week are as follows.
- 10/3, Rule Makers/Rule Breakers: Horror Directors of the 1920s-1960
- 10/10, Masters of Horror: Horror Directors of the 1970s and 1980s
- 10/17, The New Kids: Horror Directors of the 21st Century
- 10/24, Such Sights to Show You: Makeup Masters and Special FX Artists
6:30-7:30pm, 4455 N Lincoln Ave, FREE w/ RSVP More Info
The Park After Dark Haunted House at Chase Park
Can you survive a walk in the park? Every year, the old theater at Chase Park transforms into a brand-new haunted house, never repeating the same theme twice. This truly unique local Halloween tradition returns this year as “Outbreak, A Zombie Survival Adventure.”
In the fall of 2023, a strange affliction plagued the quite community of Chase Park. What started out as a run of the mill cold, soon spread too all who were unlucky enough to visit the park that fateful day. Within hours, the hopeless victims were dropping like flies, their lifeless bodies littering the park. But that was just the beginning… their mangled corpses began to rise from the dead with an insatiable hunger. To contain the carnage, the remaining staff locked the park’s doors, trapping the horde inside.
This October, venture through a macabre city park overrun by the damned children and staff trapped inside. This attraction is PG-13. Tickets must be purchased online. The Park After Dark is open from on 10/20-10/22 and 10/27-10/29. 4701 N Ashland Ave, $12 More Info
More Halloween Events & Celebrations in Ravenswood
10/11, Ravenswood Farmers Market: Harvest Celebration
Each year, the final Ravenswood Farmers Market is marked by a family-friendly Fall Harvest Celebration. Come out for an afternoon of fun including a fire pit for s’mores making, pumpkin and gourd painting for kids, live from Bryan Harrell and Sami Scott, lawn games from The SKEE League, and a bounce house.
On top of the regular weekly vendors, the final night will include special guests like Begyle Brewing, Amy’s Candy Bar, Lotus Hand Knits, and more. Click here for details. 4-7:30pm, 4900 N Damen Ave, FREE
10/13, Pumpkin Painting Workshop at Ponnopozz
Artist Adrianne Hawthorne will guide you through painting a foam pumpkin in her signature style (or your own)! These cute artificial pumpkins have realistic looking stems and will last for years.
Each ticket includes one 6″ white pumpkin for painting, plus all paint, brushes, and supplies. All attendees receive 15% off any shop purchase, as well as complimentary snacks and beverages. Costumes are encouraged! Click here to register. 6pm, 4839 N Damen Ave, $45
10/13, Pumpkin Carving Bazaar at BitSpace
BitSpace is bringing out their power tools for two days of ultimate pumpkin carving fun! They’ll also have a painting station and options to elevate your pumpkin with a selection of lasercut accessories and LED tealights.
All ages are welcome, but those under 5 must be assisted by parents. Power tools and paints included. BYOpumpkin or purchase one on-site. Click here for more information. 5-7pm, 2541 W Lawrence Ave, $5-10
10/14, Pumpkin Carving Bazaar at BitSpace
BitSpace is bringing out their power tools for two days of ultimate pumpkin carving fun! They’ll also have a painting station and options to elevate your pumpkin with a selection of lasercut accessories and LED tealights.
All ages are welcome, but those under 5 must be assisted by parents. Power tools and paints included. BYOpumpkin or purchase one on-site. Click here for more information. 2-5pm, 2541 W Lawrence Ave, $5-10
10/17, Fall Pumpkin Painting Workshop at KOVAL Distillery
Bring the whole family for a weekend pumpkin painting workshop on KOVAL Distillery’s patio! Join artist George Booker for a festive afternoon of pumpkin painting and cocktails.
Each ticket includes one pumpkin to paint, with instruction and inspiration from the artist. No tickets are required for non-pumpkin painters! All materials provided. Click here to register. 7pm, 4241 N Ravenswood Ave, $30, 21+
10/21, Spooky Show at Wayward Arts
Spooky Show is a group exhibition celebrating the dark arts, hosted by Brit Fröst and Wayward Arts Gallery. Click here to RSVP. 5-9pm, 1770 W Berteau Ave, FREE
10/21, Felted Spooky Spectacular at Lillstreet Art Center
Lillstreet’s popular, family-friendly felt workshop is back just in time for Halloween! Learn how to needle felt soft 3D objects and turn colorful wool fluff into spooky decorations. Make cute pumpkins, ghost garlands, or a mini-monster of your own imagination.
This workshop is open to ages 8+ when accompanied by a paying adult. No experience necessary. Click here to register. 2pm, 4401 N Ravenswood Ave, $130
10/21, Trick or Treat Event & Spooky Circus Show at Chase Park
Join the Chase Park Advisory Council for an afternoon of Halloween fun! Enjoy Trick-or-Treating (3-5pm), a “No Scare” Haunted House (5-6pm), and Spooky Circus Show (6-7pm). 100% of ticket sales support the Chase Park Teen Club. Click here to purchase tickets. 3-7pm, 4701 N Ashland Ave, $5 per child (FREE for adults)
10/21, Fall Fest at Rogers Park Montessori School
Fall Fest will feature live music from School of Rock and a folk song sing-a-long. State Senator Mike Simmons and State Representative Hoan Huynh will visit to spooky stories with children. The festival will include a Costume Parade at noon, as well as games, crafts, a balloon artist, and a magician.
Food will be provided by the Fat Shallot Food Truck. RPMS students will be selling pumpkins, granola, cookie jars, and hot and cold beverages. Click here for more information. 10am-2pm, 1800 W Balmoral Ave, FREE
10/21, Pumpkin Carving at Root Handmade Pizza
Roots Pizza is hosting a family-friendly pumpkin carving class perfect for small groups. The package, which can be added on to dine-in and take out orders, includes a pumpkin, carving kit, and treats. Reservations are required and available online.
RSVP by 10/17. Click here make a reservation. 3pm, 2200 W Lawrence Ave
10/22, Pumpkin Painting Workshop at Ponnopozz
Artist Adrianne Hawthorne will guide you through painting a foam pumpkin in her signature style (or your own)! These cute artificial pumpkins have realistic looking stems and will last for years.
Each ticket includes one 6″ white pumpkin for painting, plus all paint, brushes, and supplies. All attendees receive 15% off any shop purchase, as well as complimentary snacks and beverages. Costumes are encouraged! Click here to register. 4pm, 4839 N Damen Ave, $45
10/22, Halloween Cookie Decorating Class at Sweet Virginia’s Kitchen
Gather your ghouls and join Top Notch Bake Shop for a devilish good time! At this class, you’ll receive guided instruction as you create 5 adorable and tasty Halloween cookies. Light snacks will be provided along with goodies to take home including, cookie and icing recipes.
Best for ages 12+. No experience necessary. Tickets include a drink from Side Practice Coffee. Click here to register. 10am-12:30pm, 5131 N Damen Ave, $65
10/25, Horror Trivia at Spiteful Brewing
Spiteful hosts Trivia Nights every 2nd and 4th Wednesday in their taproom on the north end of Malt Row. Trivia Nights are curated and brought to life by the Todd Starr. Themes rotate every week, and for Halloween the focus shifts to HORROR!
Follow Spiteful on social media for the latest updates on dates and themes. 7pm, 2024 W Balmoral Ave, FREE, 21+
10/27, Spooky Charms & Earrings Workshop (10+) at Lillstreet Art Center
In this one-day workshop, your teen will explore using hand tools, power tools, and some flame work techniques to create frighteningly eerie charms and/or copper and brass sheet metal earrings! They can make their own ghoulish jewelry, like a pair of mysterious black cat earrings or a monster mash-up charm bracelet.
This workshop is open to ages 10+. No experience necessary. Click here to register. 5:30-8:30pm, 4401 N Ravenswood Ave, $100
10/27, Varo String Quartet at Rosehill Cemetery
Varo String Quartet presents their debut concert at the historic Rosehill Cemetery with an evening of haunting melodies and intriguing sonic landscapes.
Audiences will experience the evocative music of Dmitri Shostakovich alongside innovative works by Ha-Yang Kim, Lee Hyla, and Caroline Shaw. By juxtaposing these diverse compositions, Varo String Quartet invites listeners on a journey of musical transformation that will illuminate new facets of both the well-loved and the unknown.
The concert will take place inside the Horatio N May Chapel. Click here for tickets and details. 7:30-9pm, 5800 N Ravenswood Ave, $10
10/28, Glass Fusing Class for Day of the Dead at Chicago Glass Collective
Use Halloween and the Day of the Dead to inspire a glass-fusing project! Sugar skulls, pumpkins, ghosts, and witches are easily translated into fused glass shapes, colors, and textures.
Instructors from Chicago Glass Collective will guide you in using a variety of colorful glass pieces, frit, and stringers to create a vibrant, one-of-a-kind 8” glass plate or wall piece. Learn the basics of cutting and assembling flat glass. Pre-cut pieces and decals will also be available. Click here to register. 6-8pm, 1770 W Berteau Ave, $115
10/31, Tricks and Treats and Tunes
Add Wilson to your Halloween route this year! Access Contemporary Music will have spooky musical performances, $1 coffees and cocoas and treats for the kiddos. Dandelion Art Therapy and Mathnasium will host activities and O’Shaughnessy’s will offer $6 spiked ciders! Plus, kids can pick up treats from Fin, New Einstein’s, and more.
Click here for details and a map of participating businesses. 5-7pm, 1760 W Wilson Ave, FREE
10/31, Rebecca Spectre presents: Halloween Night Magic at Inclusive Funeral Care
Professional magician Rebecca Spectre (Magic Castle, Chicago Magic Lounge, Bucktown Arts Fest, National Museum of Mexican Art) presents a magic show for adults that is warm, funny, and all about human connection. It’s also astounding, full of mystifying magic performed with Tarot cards, dangerous metal hooks, and more.
The show takes place in the cozy living room at Inclusive Funeral Care. Costumes are welcome! Click here to get tickets. 8-9:30pm, 4880 N Clark St, $20
10/31, Spooky Cocktail Class at KOVAL Distillery
Join KOVAL for a frightfully delicious cocktail class with hands-on instruction. Expect creative twists on classics like a Bloody Manhattan, as well as innovative drinks featuring festive elements. Costumes are encouraged!
The evening will begin with a sneak peek into the distillery to see where and how spirits are made. After that, it’s on to cocktail creation! Class includes construction and enjoyment of 3 cocktails, with the guidance of an instructor and provided recipes. All bartending equipment is included.
Attendees also receive a 10% discount on KOVAL from their retail shop. Click here to register. 7pm, 4241 N Ravenswood Ave, $75, 21+
