Another 90s Halloween Party Dust off your flannel shirt and Doc Martens: it’s a 90s-themed costume party. The night includes a photobooth from Glitter Guts and fly gear from Kokorokoko. Sat 10/29, 9 PM-3 AM, Beauty Bar, 1444 W. Chicago, 312-226-8828, thebeautybar.com/home-chicago.
Bowie Night 2: Son of Bowie This David Bowie costume party features music from DJ Bobby E. Sat 10/29, 9:30 PM-2:30 AM, Crown Liquors, 2821 N. Milwaukee, 773-252-9741.
Bric-a-Brac’s Halloween Brunch The Empty Bottle hosts a Halloween brunch featuring food from Bite Cafe and spooky music spun by the owners of Bric-a-Brac Records & Collectibles, Jen Lemasters and Nick Mayor. Sun 10/30, noon, Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, 773-276-3600, emptybottle.com. F
Bye Bye Liver: Drink or Treat Sketch comedy show Bye Bye Liver presents a Halloween performance and drinking game replete with Halloween-themed drinks and seasonal beers, a costume contest, bobbing for apples, and plenty of candy. Sat 10/29, 9 PM, Public House Theatre, 3914 N. Clark, 800-650-6449, byebyeliver.com, $25.
Carmine’s Friday Fright Fest Chicago Woman magazine cohosts this event featuring a costume contest, appetizers, beer, and wine. A portion of the proceeds goes to first responders’ charity the 100 Club of Chicago. Fri 10/28, 11 PM-1 AM, Carmine’s, 1043 N. Rush, 312-988-7676, rosebudrestaurants.com/rest2.php, $50.
Chicago Sinfonietta: Dia de los Muertos The Chicago Sinfonietta plays skeletal classics including Danse Macabre, Night on Bald Mountain, and Sones de Mariachi alongside screenings of silent films chosen by the Chicago Film Archives. Mon 10/31, 7:30 PM, Orchestra Hall, Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan, 312-294-3000, chicagosinfonietta.org, $10-$99.
Day of the Dead Chicago Gather at Harrison Park for an event that remembers and celebrates the dead with festivities such as ofrendas (altars), pan de muerto (Day of the Dead bread), face painting, and crafts. This year features an interactive, animated ofrenda projected onto the museum wall. Sun 10/30, 3-8 PM, National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th, 312-738-1503, chicagodayofthedead.org.
Death Toll: A Drinking Game Performance Corn Productions’ comedy troupe asks its audience to take a drink every time a character dies in this horror-themed show. Through 10/29: Fri-Sat 11 PM, Cornservatory, 4210 N. Lincoln, 773-650-1331, cornservatory.org, $10-$15.
The Fame Monster Mash Chicago drag trio Sadhaus performs the music of Lady Gaga, “the Mother Monster.” Dress up as a Little Monster for the costume contest. Sun 10/30, 10 PM, Berlin, 954 W. Belmont, 773-348-4975, berlinchicago.com.
Glitter Ghoul Halloween DJ Carriemonster and DJ Lisa Marchese spin the music for this dance party. Fri 10/28, 8 PM-4 AM, Late Bar, 3534 W. Belmont, 773-267-LATE, latebarchicago.com.
Halloween at East Room Overcome by the spirit of Halloween, local bands Jollys, Human Errors, American Stars & Bars, and the Bingers perform as the Troggs, the Kinks, Neil Young, and Stink 18Poo (Blink 182). Mon 10/31, 9 PM, East Room, 2828 W. Medill, 773-276-9603, eastroomchicago.com.
Halloween Extravaganza XII Chicago bands possessed by the spirit of Halloween—including the Blind Staggers, Dream Version, and Band from the Back Porch—perform as Alice Cooper, Everclear, Saves the Day, and Criss Angel Mindfreak. Sat 10/29, 9 PM, Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 773-281-4444, beatkitchen.com, $10, $8 with costume.
Halloween Live Drawing by Rachal Duggan Have you ever wondered what you would look like as a witch, zombie, or ghost fart butt? Illustrator Rachal Duggan dispels the mystery with custom portraits in each theme. Sun 10/30, 2:30-4:30 PM, Comfort Station, 2579 N. Milwaukee, comfortstationprojects@gmail.com, comfortstationlogansquare.org, $5.
Halloween Movie Night A movie night featuring spooky classics Beetlejuice, Thriller, and Halloween. Horror-themed drinks and snacks are available for purchase. Sun 10/30, 6 PM, Untitled Supper Club, 111 W. Kinzie, 312-880-1511, untitledchicago.com. F
Hallowzine 2016 Chicago Zine Fest hosts a night of spooky readings, comics, and music from guests Jack Murphy, Jade Beach, Bianca Xunise, and Fresh2Death. Costumes are encouraged. Fri 10/28, 7 PM, the Chicago Publishers Resource Center, 858 N. Ashland, chicagozinefest.org, $5.
Haunted Ghost Lecture Chicago paranormal researcher Ursula Bielski and her team at Chicago Hauntings discuss the corpses buried under the Lincoln Park Zoo and the grounds’ haunted history. Thu 10/27, 7-9 PM, Cafe Brauer, 2021 N. Stockton, lpzoo.org/eve_host_brauer.php, $29.
Haunted Hotel Logan Square’s Emporium Arcade Bar has morphed into a hotel where guests check in but don’t check out—at least, not until close. Tickets include one drink. 10/24-10/27: 7 PM-1 AM, Emporium Arcade Bar, 2363 N. Milwaukee, 773-360-8774, emporiumchicago.com/logan-square, $10.
Haunting History Magician David Parr guides guests through the North Shore’s historic Dawes House. Fri 10/28-Mon 10/31: 7 PM, 8 PM, and 9 PM, Evanston History Center, Charles Gates Dawes House, 225 Greenwood St., Evanston, 847-475-3410, evanstonhistorycenter.org, $25.
Helltrap Nightmare 8: Halloween Helltrap Nightmare, the performance project that combines comedy and noise music, gets even more nightmarish for Halloween. Hosted by Sarah “Squirm” Sherman, the show’s eighth iteration features a haunted house plus performances from Melody Kamali, Rebecca O’Neal, and the Rat Boys. Sun 10/30, 9 PM-midnight, Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 773-227-4433, hideoutchicago.com, $7.
Hip-Hop Halloween Hoedown Fabulous Ladies of Fitness (FLOF) and the Lord spin hip-hop tracks and lead guests through the Humpty Dance, the Roger Rabbit, and the Super Bowl Shuffle. Thu 10/27, 9 PM-2 AM, Cole’s, 2338 N. Milwaukee, 773-276-5802, facebook.com/FLOFChicago.
Hog-lloween Prepare to be haunted by the spirits of sows after sampling Frontier’s all-you-can-eat smoked Carolina-style pulled-pork sliders along with succotash, mac ‘n’ cheese, and Rocky Mountain oysters. Mon 10/31, 6:30-9 PM, Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee, 773-772-4322, thefrontierchicago.com, $15.
Howl-O-Ween Bash Ian Sherwin Gallery and Sit Social: A Dog Lounge host a “night for pets and pet parents.” Pups can participate in a scavenger hunt, compete in a costume contest, and look into their doggie futures with a tarot card reading. Sat 10/29, 7-10 PM, Sit Social: A Dog Lounge, 3920 N. Ashland, 773-661-9336, sitinchicago.com, $10.
La Casa de Santanas 2016 La Casa de Satanas hosts its annual performance-art-based haunted house featuring “violence, nudity, sexual content, and gore.” Fri 10/28, Sun 1-/30-Mon 10/31, 9 PM-midnight, 2058 W. 21st, 2058 W. 21st, lacasadesatanas.wixsite.com/satanas, $20.
Little Bash of Horrors Bit Bash hosts a night of live music, food, drinks, and the chance to play spooky video games like the Brookhaven Experiment, Crawl, and Pony Island. Costumes are encouraged. Fri 10/28, 7-11 PM, Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake, 312-666-6775, bitbashchicago.com.
Mama’s Boy Halloween Party A celebration complete with Italian food, a photobooth, and a costume contest. Fri 10/28, 5 PM-1 AM, Mama’s Boy Peasant Italian, 445 N. Dearborn, 312-832-7700, rosebudrestaurants.com/restaurant/mamas-boy-peasant-italian.
A Memory Palace of Fear Theater Oobleck and ensemble member Martha Bayne present a haunted house inspired by the spine-tingling minutiae of housing: eviction, foreclosure, mice, ghosts, etc. The “immersive theater installation” runs in installments of about 30 minutes each. 10/29-10/30: Sat 6-10 PM, Sun 1-5 PM, Silent Funny, 4106 W. Chicago, theateroobleck.com, $10 suggested donation.
Nightmares on Lincoln Ave. 8: The Faculty’s Disturbing Craft Corn Productions’ parody of the 90s high school horror genre. Through 10/29: Wed-Sat 8 PM; also Mon 10/31, 8 PM, Cornservatory, 4210 N. Lincoln, 773-650-1331, cornservatory.org, $15.
Northalsted Halloween Parade More than 2,000 costumed Chicagoans march through Boystown for the parade’s 20th anniversary. It’s preceded by the Ruby Red Relay, in which local business owners race in drag for the Legacy Project. Mon 10/31, 7:30-10:30 PM, Belmont and Halsted, northalsted.com.
Pay 2 Slay A late-night Halloween-themed sketch show from the members of the Public House Theater ensemble. Through 10/29: Fri-Sat 10 PM, Public House Theatre, 3914 N. Clark, 773-230-4770, thepubtheatre.com, $10.
Peek-a-Boo: Ooky Spooky Halloween Revue Burlesque group Kiss Kiss Cabaret brings back its Halloween show for the eighth year. Through 10/29: Fri-Sat 10 PM, Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway, 773-867-1946, kisskisscabaret.com, $27.50.
Porn and Chicken: Halloween Banger DJ Collective Porn and Chicken hosts this hell- and warfare-themed Halloween party with guest DJs Dark Wave Disco, Jaded Lover, and GoodSex. Fried chicken included. Mon 10/31, 10 PM, Evil Olive, 1551 W. Division, 773-235-9100, evil-olive.com, $10.
Race of the Dead 5K Participants of the Carrera de los Muertos, the race sponsored by Chicago’s United Neighborhood Organization, compete for the grand prize of a decorated sugar skull. The race culminates in a party celebrating the Day of the Dead with food, music, and a costume contest. Sat 10/29, 8 AM, Addams/Medill Park, 1301 W. 14th, unoraceofthedead.org.
Scare You Very Much Stand-up Dave Helem and AMFM Magazine host a 90s-themed Halloween party and variety show. BYOB. Fri 10/28, 7-11 PM, Chicago Art Department, 1932 S. Halsted, #100, 312-226-8601, chicagoartdepartment.org.
Spooky Zoo Spectacular At the 30th anniversary of this seasonal event costumed children can craft near the lions, step into a haunted house by the seals, and collect tasty treats. Sat 10/29, 10 AM-1 PM, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon, 312-742-2000, lpzoo.org.
Too Much Fright Makes the Baby Go Blind The Halloween variation of the long-running Neo-Futurist show featuring 30 plays in 60 minutes. “Expect dark humor, heavy metal, and existential dread.” Sun 10/30, 10:30 PM, Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland, 773-275-5255, neofuturists.org, $20.
203 Fear Street: All Saints + Souls DJs Nick Castle and the Golden Pony play alongside slasher films in the Commons Club. Special Halloween drinks and DJs Little Boots, the Hood Internet, and Rocktapussy keep the party going on the Cerise rooftop lounge. Sat 10/29, 9 PM, the Commons Club, 203 N. Wabash, 312-940-4400, virginhotels.com/the-commons-club, $20.
Whores of Horror: Freakshow Uptown Underground hosts a night of drinks and drag performances by Anita Jon, Ashley Morgan, Dixie Deveraux, Helena Handbasket, Juan M. Wett, Vivian Dejour, and cohost Coco Sho-Nell. Fri 10/28, 8 PM, Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway, 773-867-1946, uptownunderground.net, $10.