Trick-or-treating was a blast when we were kids, but as adults we still want to celebrate. That’s exactly why there are tons of spooky things to do on Halloween for adults aimed at those a bit too old to dress as a ghost and rake in the candy. From mock Frankenstein trials to concerts at haunted hotels and even cabaret, there’s something to suit every inclination and some even allow you to celebrate early and avoid the crowds on October 31.
Chicago’s historic Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center will host Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics this October, featuring a string quartet performing spooky film and classical themes by the glow of thousands of candles in the Gold Room. The event pairs the hotel’s notorious haunted history with immersive candlelit acoustics for a theatrical seasonal experience.
Over 10,000 pumpkins and fall fun await at Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up. Chicago’s biggest pumpkin patch pop-up opens Saturday, September 19, 2026 at Goose Island and runs daily through November 1, featuring over 10,000 pumpkins, fall cocktails, apple cider donuts, games like axe throwing and carnival activities, and a large corn maze.
It’s a reflective courtroom case that revisits Victor Frankenstein’s creation of Adam two decades earlier and asks jurors to consider remorse, motive, and whether invention absolves or condemns the creator.
The audience becomes the jury, voting individually on salient points directly from their seats as talented actors create an atmosphere that weighs heavily on the conscience. Avoid the Halloween crowds with tickets just a few days before at this 12+ trial.
An all-day Halloween block party and night parade with $4,000 in costume prizes. Chicago’s Haunted Halsted returns as an all-day Halloween celebration on Halsted Street between Aldine and Addison, culminating in the nighttime parade, performances, and a costume contest with $4,000 in cash prizes.
Sink your teeth into a seductive, gravity-defying Halloween spectacle at Experience 868. AirOtic’s BITE! brings a dark, immersive burlesque and contemporary cirque show to Experience 868 in River North, running from October 9 through November 1. Expect gravity-defying aerials, live music, themed seating, a crypt-themed pre-show cocktail hour, and 21+ entry with tickets starting around $60.
Zoo Brews: Howls and Growls
On October 23 and 24, Lincoln Park Zoo transforms for Zoo Brews: Howls and Growls—a wonderfully spooky, adults-only sanctuary. Instead of collecting candy, you will “trick-or-treat” through shadowy trails for craft beer and cider samples. You can soak in the electric atmosphere with roaming entertainers, then take a glowing nighttime Ferris wheel spin
