The allhallows ghouls have given us the greatest gift of all this year: Halloween on a Saturday. That means more celebrations than ever—and less of a chance that you’ll accidentally show up to work in full skeleton face. But with so many more options, how can you possibly choose the perfect haunt for the weekend?
That’s what we’re here for. So grab your Donald Trump costume, take a look at this list, and don’t be scared about not having Halloween plans.
All Hallows’ Day Variety Show Nurse your Hallow-hangover at this fund-raiser for the Chicago Publisher’s Resource Center. The night includes shadow puppetry, comics, and performances by author Audrey Niffenegger, poet Jacob Saenz, and mentalist Jason Adams. Sun 11/1, 8 PM, California Clipper, 1002 N. California, chiprc.org, $10.
Audience Annihilated 3: The Trouble With Angels The third installment of Dream Theatre’s annual interactive Halloween show invites audience members onstage to play the part of 12-year-old Angel, whose drunken mother ends up getting tortured by a group of religious fanatics. The 20-minute production is not for the faint of heart. Through 11/1: Wed-Sun 8, 8:30, 9, and 9:30 PM, Dream Laboratory, 5026 N. Lincoln, dreamtheatrecompany.com, $20.
The Black Market Ball Sure, we’re a little biased, because this is OUR Halloween party, but we throw a damn good party. This haunted, goth-inspired gathering features more than 20 performers from the Collaboraction Theatre Company, drinks from Goose Island and City Winery, bites from the Chop Shop, and music from DJ Intlel and Johnny Walker. To blend in with the decor dress in black, silver, and blood red, or get decked out to enter the night’s costume contest. Sat 10/31, 9 PM-1 AM, First Ward, 2033 W. North, 1stwardevents.com, $50.
Boneshaker Redmoon’s annual bash includes everything a real party needs: bumper cars, arcade games, cocktails, a temporary tattoo parlor, and aerial artists. Proceeds support Redmoon’s free programming throughout the city. Sat 10/31, 9 PM, Redmoon, 2120 S. Jefferson, redmoon.org, $75.
Día de los Muertos Ball: Love Never Dies Love never dies, and neither does the season’s celebration; nearly a week after Halloween guests can sip handcrafted cocktails while enjoying a live performance by DJ Jesse La Peña of Vocalo Radio and a private viewing of the museum’s exhibition “La Muerte Niña: Day of the Dead.” Fri 11/6, 7 PM, National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th, nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org, $150, $125 in advance.
Halloween Game of Thrones Tango Dance Party Nothing goes together better than the HBO fantasy show and the Argentinian ballroom dance, right? Let’s just give Duet Studios the benefit of the doubt concerning their Halloween party, which features beginner tango classes, a Game of Thrones costume contest, and performances from Duet students. Fri 10/30, 9 PM, Duet Dance Studio, 2515 W. North, duetdancestudio.com, $25.
Manifestations Discover whether the Red Lion Pub in Lincoln Park—supposedly the most haunted pub in Chicago—is truly filled with spirits at this three-course English pub dinner. A performance by magician Jim Bergstrom will follow, that is, if the ghosts don’t get him first. Fri 10/30, 5 and 8 PM, Red Lion Pub, 2446 N. Lincoln, redlionchicago.com, $65.
Night Out With Nosferatu Trinity United Methodist Church hosts a viewing of Nosferatu with live organ accompaniment. To prevent your children from getting scarred for life by the images of the German vampire, there will be a petting zoo, pumpkin decorating, and story time after the screening. Fri 10/31, 6 PM, Trinity United Methodist Church, 9848 S. Winchester, chicagotrinityumc.org, $5 suggested donation.
Northalsted Halloween Parade No one knows how to throw a costume parade quite like the Boystown neighborhood. The 17th annual procession returns with a “Twisted Circus” theme and a costume contest with the categories drag, group, and pet. Sat 10/31, parade 4-5:30 PM, costume contest 6 PM, Belmont and Halsted, northalsted.com, free.
One Act Festival: Halloween Edition This edition of Brian Posen’s twice-annual One Act Festival features the new haunted-themed works of seven companies including Babes With Blades, Cold Basement Dramatics, Organic Theater Company, and (Re)discover Theatre. According to critic Dan Jakes, the Ruckus’s twist on Gretel is memorably unsettling, so be prepared. Fri 10/30, 10:30 PM, Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, stage773.com, $15.
If these don’t tickle your frightful fancy, you can check out even more Halloween events here.