# Every year in Chicago

> 31 events in and around Chicago that come back every year, sorted by the month they usually start. Each one has its own page with the last dates we confirmed, and 23 already have their next dates posted. When an organizer announces new dates, they go on that page.

- Last checked: 2026-10-30
- 31 yearly events; 23 with next dates posted
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/yearly/
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/llms.txt

## October

- **[Boo Bash at Strohacker Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/boo-bash-at-strohacker-park/)** at Strohacker (Howard) Park. Usually: October. Next dates: Oct 30, 2026. Price (2026): Free. Ages (2026): Ages 0–12. Official page: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/boo-bash-strohacker
- **[Boo-tiful Adventure at Galewood Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/boo-tiful-adventure-at-galewood-park/)** at Galewood Park. Usually: October. Next dates: Oct 30, 2026. Price (2026): Free. Ages (2026): Ages 2–10. Official page: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/boo-tiful-adventure-galewood
- **[Casper Movie and Bonfire at Douglass Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/casper-movie-and-bonfire-at-douglass-park/)** at Douglass (Anna and Frederick) Park. Usually: October. Next dates: Oct 30, 2026. Price (2026): Free. Ages (2026): Ages 3–12. Official page: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/spooky-movie-and-bonfire-douglass
- **[Community Halloween Party at Sauganash Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/community-halloween-party-at-sauganash-park/)** at Sauganash Park. Usually: October. Next dates: Oct 30, 2026. Price (2026): Free. Ages (2026): Ages 0–12. Official page: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/community-halloween-party-sauganash-0
- **[Community Halloween Party at Valley Forge Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/community-halloween-party-at-valley-forge-park/)** at Valley Forge Park. Usually: October. Next dates: Oct 30, 2026. Price (2026): Free. Ages (2026): Ages 0–12. Official page: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/community-halloween-party-valley-forge-0
- **[Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/fall-fest-at-lincoln-park-zoo/)** at Lincoln Park Zoo. Usually: October to November. Next dates: Oct 30, Oct 31 and Nov 1, 2026. Price (2026): Free; rides are ticketed. Ages (2026): Ages 0–12. Official page: https://www.lpzoo.org/event/fall-fest/
- **[Halloween Magic Mania at Haas Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/halloween-magic-mania-at-haas-park/)** at Haas (Joseph) Park. Usually: October. Next dates: Oct 30, 2026. Price (2026): Free. Ages (2026): Ages 4–12. Official page: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/halloween-magic-mania-haas
- **[Halloween-a-Palooza at Green Briar Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/halloween-a-palooza-at-green-briar-park/)** at Green Briar Park. Usually: October. Next dates: Oct 30, 2026. Price (2026): Free. Ages (2026): Ages 0–12. Official page: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/halloween-palooza-green-briar-0
- **[Haunted House at Fosco Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/haunted-house-at-fosco-park/)** at Fosco (Peter) Park. Usually: October. Next dates: Oct 30, 2026. Price (2026): Free. Ages (2026): Ages 0–12. Official page: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/haunted-house-fosco-0
- **[Halloween Party at Palatine Community Center](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/halloween-party-at-palatine-community-center-park-district/)** at Palatine Park District Community Center. Usually: October. Next dates: Oct 31, 2026. Price (2026): $10 kids, $1 adults. Ages (2026): Ages 2–8. Official page: https://www.palatineparks.org/event/halloween-party-2/
- **[Haunted House at Columbus Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/haunted-house-at-columbus-park/)** at Columbus (Christopher) Park. Usually: October. Next dates: Oct 31, 2026. Price (2026): Free. Ages (2026): Ages 4–12. Official page: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/haunted-house-columbus-0
- **[Upside Down Halloween Parade at Washington Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/upside-down-halloween-parade-at-washington-park/)** at Washington (George) Park. Usually: October. Next dates: Oct 31, 2026. Price (2026): Free. Ages (2026): Ages 0–12. Official page: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/upside-down-halloween-parade-washington-0
- **[Halloween Arts and Crafts at Brooks Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/halloween-arts-and-crafts-at-brooks-park/)** at Brooks (Oscar) Park. Usually: October. Next dates: not announced yet. Last confirmed: Oct 26 and 27, 2026. Price (2026): $8 per person. Ages (2026): Ages 3–5. Official page: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/halloween-arts-and-crafts-brooks
- **[Halloween Party at Lincoln Park Cultural Center](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/halloween-party-at-lincoln-park-cultural-center/)** at Lincoln Park - Cultural Center. Usually: October. Next dates: not announced yet. Last confirmed: Oct 29, 2026. Price (2026): Free. Ages (2026): Ages 0–12. Official page: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/halloween-party-lincoln-0
- **[Haunted Fieldhouse at Seward Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/haunted-fieldhouse-at-seward-park/)** at Seward (William) Park. Usually: October. Next dates: not announced yet. Last confirmed: Oct 29, 2026. Price (2026): Free. Ages (2026): Ages 0–12. Official page: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/haunted-fieldhouse-seward-0
- **[Haunted Hall at Mann Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/haunted-hall-at-mann-park/)** at Mann (James) Park. Usually: October. Next dates: not announced yet. Last confirmed: Oct 29, 2026. Price (2026): Free. Ages (2026): Ages 0–12. Official page: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/haunted-hall-mann-0
- **[Haunted Hallway at Franklin Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/haunted-hallway-at-franklin-park/)** at Franklin (Benjamin) Park. Usually: October. Next dates: not announced yet. Last confirmed: Oct 28, 2026. Price (2026): Free. Ages (2026): Ages 0–12. Official page: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/halloween-haunted-hallway-franklin-0
- **[Little Monster Mash at Donovan Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/little-monster-mash-at-donovan-park/)** at Donovan (George) Park. Usually: October. Next dates: not announced yet. Last confirmed: Oct 26, 2026. Price (2026): $5 per person. Ages (2026): Ages 2–10. Official page: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/little-monster-mash-donovan
- **[Monster Mash at Minuteman Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/monster-mash-at-minuteman-park/)** at Minuteman Park. Usually: October. Next dates: not announced yet. Last confirmed: Oct 26, 2026. Price (2026): $5 per person. Ages (2026): Ages 2–4. Official page: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/monster-mash-minuteman
- **[Pythons and Pizza Party at Oriole Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/pythons-and-pizza-party-at-oriole-park/)** at Oriole Park. Usually: October. Next dates: not announced yet. Last confirmed: Oct 29, 2026. Price (2026): $10 per person. Ages (2026): Ages 3–12. Official page: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/childrens-halloween-party-oriole-0

## November

- **[Illumination](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/illumination-morton-arboretum/)** at The Morton Arboretum. Usually: November to January. Next dates: Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027. Price (2026): Dated tickets; price on the ticket page. Official page: https://mortonarb.org/explore/activities/exhibitions/illumination/
- **[City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/city-of-chicago-christmas-tree-lighting-ceremony-millennium-park/)** at Millennium Park, near Michigan Ave. & Washington St. Usually: November. Next dates: Nov 20, 2026. Price (2026): Free. Official page: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park_tree.html
- **[Photos with Santa at ZooLights](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/photos-with-santa-at-zoolights-lincoln-park-zoo/)** at Lincoln Park Zoo. Usually: November to December. Next dates: Nov 20 – Dec 23, 2026. Price (2026): Needs a ZooLights ticket. Official page: https://www.lpzoo.org/event/zoolights/
- **[ZooLights](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/zoolights-lincoln-park-zoo/)** at Lincoln Park Zoo. Usually: November to January. Next dates: Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Price (2026): $7–$12 ahead for set dates, $20 day-of; free Mondays except Dec 21 and 28 with tickets released a week ahead; everyone needs a ticket. Official page: https://www.lpzoo.org/event/zoolights/
- **[Holiday Magic](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/holiday-magic-brookfield-zoo-chicago/)** at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Usually: November to January. Next dates: Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Price (2026): From $29.95; free for members. Official page: https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/events/holiday-magic
- **[Santa at Holiday Magic](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/santa-at-holiday-magic-brookfield-zoo-chicago/)** at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Usually: November to December. Next dates: Nov 21 – Dec 23, 2026. Price (2026): Free with Holiday Magic admission. Official page: https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/events/holiday-magic
- **[Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/wintrust-magnificent-mile-lights-festival-michigan-avenue/)** at Michigan Avenue. Usually: November. Next dates: Nov 21, 2026. Price (2026): Free to watch. Official page: https://www.themagnificentmile.com/lights-festival
- **[Chicago Thanksgiving Parade](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/chicago-thanksgiving-parade-state-street/)** at State Street. Usually: November. Next dates: Nov 26, 2026. Price (2026): Free to watch. Official page: https://www.choosechicago.com/blog/special-events/chicago-thanksgiving-day-parade/
- **[Turkey Trot Chicago 5K, 8K and Plymouth Rock Ramble](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/turkey-trot-chicago-5k-8k-and-plymouth-rock-ramble-lincoln-park/)** at Lincoln Park, Cannon Dr. just south of Diversey. Usually: November. Next dates: Nov 26, 2026. Price (2026): 5K $60, 8K $65, kids’ race $25 (subject to change). Official page: https://www.turkeytrotchicago.com/kids-race/
- **[Kohlights](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/kohlights-kohl-childrens-museum/)** at Kohl Children’s Museum. Usually: November to December. Next dates: Nov 27 – Dec 20, 2026. Price (2026): $20 early, $18 regular ($15 members). Official page: https://www.kohlchildrensmuseum.org/special-events/kohlights/

## December

- **[Merry Museum with Santa](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/merry-museum-with-santa-dupage-childrens/)** at DuPage Children’s Museum. Usually: December. Next dates: Dec 4–11, 2026. Price (2026): Price on the event page. Official page: https://dupagechildrens.org/family-fun/merry-museum-santa/

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### Which yearly events in Chicago have posted their next dates?
[Boo Bash at Strohacker Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/boo-bash-at-strohacker-park/) (Oct 30, 2026); [Boo-tiful Adventure at Galewood Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/boo-tiful-adventure-at-galewood-park/) (Oct 30, 2026); [Casper Movie and Bonfire at Douglass Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/casper-movie-and-bonfire-at-douglass-park/) (Oct 30, 2026); [Community Halloween Party at Sauganash Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/community-halloween-party-at-sauganash-park/) (Oct 30, 2026); [Community Halloween Party at Valley Forge Park](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/community-halloween-party-at-valley-forge-park/) (Oct 30, 2026), plus 18 more below.

### What happens to an event page after the event?
It stays up at the same address. Once the dates pass, the page shows the last confirmed dates with that year’s price and ages, and we add the next dates when the official page lists them.

### How do you check these yearly events?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every Monday and Thursday. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).