Festivals, Fairs & Special Events
Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade October 24, 2026
LUMA8 proudly announces the 12th Annual Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade, a family-friendly event featuring unique floats, spectacle puppets, and all forms of creative performance on Saturday, October 24, from 6-8 p.m. Due to the growth of the parade, Arts in the Dark triumphantly returns to its original larger location along Columbus Drive, with the parade stepping off at Balbo Drive and marching north through Jackson Boulevard. This magical evening procession celebrates Halloween as the “artist’s holiday” and draws together participants from major cultural organizations, inspiring youth programs, and aspiring artists in every field and from every ward of Chicago.
This year, the parade returns “home” to where it first stepped off along Columbus Drive – where it will entertain an audience of over 100,000 attendees. Food trucks will be parked along the east side of the parade route, and vendors will be open along the west side for patrons to enjoy before the parade begins.
Attendees are strongly encouraged to come in costume and join the spirit and creativity of the parade – whether channeling a favorite classic Halloween look or debuting an original, one-of-a-kind creation.
