Picks by Boo, BooMap's friendly guide ghost. BooMap editorial: our own favorites. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Five not-scary favorites for little goblins (and their grown-ups).
I float over a lot of pumpkin patches. These are the Chicago spots I'd pick for a family Halloween: all ages, gentle scares, lots of fun. Hi from my map!
Pumpkin patch
909 English Prairie Rd, Spring Grove, IL
“They call it the world's largest corn maze. I got happily lost in it. Pack snacks and pick your path together!”
Boo
Spring Grove farm billed as having the world's largest corn maze, plus a pumpkin patch, sunflower fields, zip line, and dozens of family attractions.
- world's largest corn maze (28 acres, patriotic 250th-anniversary theme)
- pumpkin patch
- sunflower field
- zip line
- observation tower
- When
- Sept 12 - Nov 1, 2026; "Maze 'Til Midnight" nights Sept 26 and Oct 24
- Hours
- Sept: closed Mon-Thu; Fri 3pm-11pm, Sat 10am-11pm, Sun noon-9pm. Oct: Thu 3pm-9pm, Fri 10am-11pm, weekends same as Sept.
Family event
8400 W 31st St, Brookfield, IL
“Trick-or-treating, a costume parade and not-so-scary fun. It's called Boo! at the Zoo, so of course it's my favorite.”
Boo
Brookfield Zoo's not-so-scary Halloween celebration with trick-or-treating, a costume parade, and seasonal activities included with admission.
- trick-or-treat stations
- costume parade (weekends)
- pumpkin decorating
- scavenger hunt
- When
- Oct 3-25, 2026
- Hours
- Weekdays 10am-5pm, weekends 10am-6pm
- Price
- Included with zoo admission; free with membership
- Age note
- All ages; free inflatables for ages 3-10 on weekends
Family event
1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL
“A glowing path of giant carved jack-o'-lanterns after dark. Register ahead, then come say hi. I'll be the one who isn't carved.”
Boo
Evening pumpkin-lit path through the Chicago Botanic Garden with giant artist-carved jack-o'-lanterns, live carving, and seasonal food and drink.
- 75 giant artist-carved pumpkins
- live carving demos
- costumed performers
- 20-ft glowing sculpture (new 2026)
- When
- Oct 7-11, 14-18, 21-25, 2026 (pre-registration required)
- Hours
- 6:30pm-10:30pm
- Price
- Adult $20 member/$24 nonmember; child (3-12) $13 member/$17 nonmember; 2 & under free
- Age note
- All ages
Family event
2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL
“Free trick-or-treating at Lincoln Park Zoo. Costumes encouraged. Mine is a sheet. It's always a sheet.”
Boo
Lincoln Park Zoo's free annual trick-or-treat event held around zoo grounds; the zoo is free to enter year-round.
- free trick-or-treat stations around the zoo
- When
- Saturday, Oct 17, 2026
- Hours
- Not specified on site
- Price
- Free
- Age note
- All ages
Fall festival
Columbus Dr (Balbo Dr to Jackson Blvd), Chicago, IL
“Chicago's official nighttime Halloween parade. Bundle up, find a curb spot and wave. I always wave back.”
Boo
Chicago's official nighttime Halloween parade along Columbus Drive, produced by local cultural organizations with large-scale puppets and floats.
- giant puppets
- costumed performers
- illuminated floats
- 12th annual parade
- When
- Saturday, Oct 24, 2026
- Hours
- 6pm-8pm
- Price
- Free
- Age note
- Family-friendly
Every event here is confirmed for 2026 on its own official site; scare levels and ages are BooMap's suggestions. Picks are this curator's opinion and never change how BooMap orders events. Dates and hours can change, so check before you go.
