From now until All Hallows’ Eve and beyond, our annual haunted house guide, plus a dozen more attractions for your spooky season:
HAUNTED HOUSES
HellsGate Haunted House: Off the beaten path in a mansion in the woods, put on by Zombie Army Productions. You take a shuttle bus into the HellsGate grounds from the parking lot in Lockport. Inside, expect multiple floors and a giant slide. For a $160 Hell Pass, says Hellsgate, “we will mark your friend or family member as our personal target for the entire tour.” Through Nov. 2 at 301 W. 2nd Street, Lockport; tickets from $40 at 605-301-4283 and hellsgate.com
Dungeon of Doom: This sprawling haunted house in Zion boasts 45,000 square feet and has been running for 29 years. Slasher Nights, devoted to horror movie icons, are Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Blackout Nights are Nov. 7-8, and Sub-Thermal Nightmare is coming in December. Through Nov. 8 at 600 29th St., Zion; tickets from $33.99 at 847-262-3666 and dungeonofdoom.com
Basement of the Dead: This popular haunted house near the Hollywood Casino in Aurora is open for plenty of weeknights as well. Through Nov. 2 at 42 W. New York St., Aurora; tickets from $21.99 at 630-896-2466 and basementofthedead.com
13th Floor Haunted House: This is the 12th season in the Chicago area for the big-budget haunt put on by the Denver-based Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group. Attractions for 2025 include Shattered Skyline, a haunt devoted to the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, a zombie shoot and mini escape games. Through Nov. 9, including most weekdays from Oct. 8, at 5050 River Road, Schiller Park; tickets from $29.99 (online only) at 13thfloorchicago.com
Disturbia Haunted House: Disturbia is back for 2025 in Downer’s Grove, a warehouse-like companion haunt to Basement of the Dead. Through Nov. 8 at 1213 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove; tickets from $21.99 at 630-896-2466 and hauntedhousedisturbia.com
Midnight Terror Haunted House: This haunt is in an industrial space just across from Chapel Hill Garden South Cemetery. Located in the fictional (we hope) and haunted town of Black Oak Grove, the haunts also include a sinister research firm called ShadowTek and a crazed carnival. Lights-on family trick-or-treating from noon to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 25, Blackout Night from 7-10 p.m. Nov. 2, Clown Takeover from 7-10 p.m. Nov. 8. Plus axe throwing, escape rooms and Artist Alley, with handmade goods created by Midnight Terror artisans. Through Nov. 8 at 5520 W. 111th St., Oak Lawn; tickets from $37.29 at 708-571-0266 and midnightterrorhauntedhouse.com
The Massacre: This longtime west suburban haunt has some 30,000 square feet of space, all indoors, with more than 40 rooms, including The Underground. Plus Mind Trap Escape Rooms. Through Nov. 1 at 299 Montgomery Road, Montgomery; tickets from $35.99 at 708-320-3327 and fearthemassacre.com
Realm of Terror: A longtime haunt, running for more than 20 years and the theme for 2025 is “Rotten Origins.” Pride Night on Oct. 11 benefits the LGBTQ+ Center of Lake County. You can walk through without scare staff on Oct. 30; the gentler Family Fright is 1-4 p.m. Oct. 25. Plus carnival games, a gift shop and mini escape rooms. Through Nov. 1 at 421 W. Rollins Road, Round Lake Beach; tickets from $29.99 at 847-270-8061 and realmofterror.com
Old Joliet Haunted Prison: Created inside the gothic towers and high stone walls of the former Joliet Correctional Center, built some 160 years ago. Old Joliet Haunted Prison is put on by Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group. There are three different haunts this year — Warden’s Revenge, Forsaken Facility and Death Row Rampage — plus mini escape games and on-site bars (ages 21+). Through Nov. 9 at 401 Woodruff Road, Joliet; tickets from $29.99 (online only) at hauntedprison.com
Fright Fest at Six Flags Great America: Come for the scares, stay for the rides. The park is family-friendly until 6 p.m., then the monsters come out. In addition to the Scare Zones, rides and live shows, there are five haunted mazes this year, including a new one based on the “Saw” movies, another on “The Conjuring.” Through Nov. 2 at 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee; tickets from $40 (park admission only) at sixflags.com
Park After Dark: Returning for 2025, a haunted house to benefit the Chase Park after-school teen program. Fridays through Sundays Oct. 17 to Nov. 2 in Chase Park, 4701 N. Ashland Ave. (use Ashland entrance); tickets $13-$15 (online only) at chaseparkafterdark.com
Evil Intentions: Evil Intentions is back in its new location out in the wilds west of St. Charles, dubbed Forsaken Hollow. Through Nov. 1 at 45W050 Beith Road, Maple Park; tickets from $37.72 at eihaunt.com
THEATER AND EVERYTHING ELSE
“Paranormal Activity”: In the Yard at Chicago Shakespeare on Navy Pier, a live stage play with an original story based on the “Paranormal Activity” film franchise, written by Chicago playwright Levi Holloway. Oct. 8 to Nov. 2 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave.; tickets $73 at www.chicagoshakes.com
“The Spirit Cabinet”: Magician Dennis Watkins turns his long-running show in the Loop into something more Halloweenish for a week of performances. Inspired by what Watkins says is classic spiritualist magic theater, he promises the power to tell you your secrets and “deliver messages from beyond.” Oct. 25-31 at the Magic Parlour, 50 W. Randolph St.; tickets $93 at www.goodmantheatre.org
“Jekyll & Hyde”: Presented on the Chopin Theatre Mainstage, Kokandy Productions says this will be the first Chicago staging of the macabre musical in more than a decade. Adapted from the story by Robert Louis Stevenson by Frank Wildhorn and Steve Cuden, with book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and music by Frank Wildhorn, the gothic story of a doctor and a madman will star David Moreland, Ava Stovall and Emily McCormick, directed by Derek Van Barham with a 15-piece orchestra. Oct. 9 to Dec. 21 at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St.; tickets $25-$55 at kokandyproductions.com
Emily McCormick, David Moreland and Ava Stovall will star in Kokandy Productions’ production of “Jekyll & Hyde.” (Collin Quinn Rice)
“Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary”: This special screening of the movie will include live appearances by three of its original cast members: Barry Bostwick (who played Brad Majors), Nell Campbell (Columbia) and Patricia Quinn (Magenta). As part of the tour, coming to the Chicago Theatre for one night only, audiences can meet the cast members, participate in a costume contest and interact (as one does) with a mashup of a live performance and the full, unedited movie shown on stage. The 1975 “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” written by Jim Sharman and Richard O’Brien, was itself based on a 1973 stage musical created by O’Brien — who plays Riff Raff in the movie that famously also stars Tim Curry. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets from $66.55 at msg.com
“Strange Cargo: The Doom of the Demeter”: City Lit and Black Button Eyes’ co-production tells the gothic horror story inspired by the seventh chapter of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.” The world premiere play is set aboard an ocean-going Russian schooner that “accepts the belongings of a certain Count aboard, for transport from Transylvania to England.” Oct. 10 to Nov. 23 at City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr (second floor of Edgewater Presbyterian Church); tickets $30-$38 at citylit.org
“Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience”: A new “Harry Potter” outdoor attraction has arrived in the north suburbs for October. “Forbidden Forest” lets fans of the books and movies, as well as the spin-off “Fantastic Beasts” films, wander down a trail and interact with characters, props and settings they know from the films, as well as lights and digital displays. Presented by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, Fever and IMG Arts & Entertainment. Through Nov. 2 at YMCA Camp Duncan, 32405 N. US Highway 12, Ingleside; tickets from $29 (all ages) at hpforbiddenforestexperience.com
A parade participant dances during the Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade on State Street Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Arts in the Dark: What’s become Chicago’s favorite Halloween event returns to State Street this October, when the nonprofit LUMA8 presents the 11th Annual Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade. Crowds are expected to line the route to see floats, costumed actors, spectacular puppets and creative performances, including those by dozens of local schools, dance companies and music groups across various genres. “Artists will bring a 50-foot cosmic serpent, a 40-foot glow worm, a motorized bathtub and 16 giant skeletons,” according to an announcement of the parade by LUMA8, the Chicago Loop Alliance and Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago. 6-8 p.m. Oct. 18 on State Street from Lake Street to Van Buren; free, more information at artsinthedark.com
“The Haunting of Hill House”: Adapted for the stage by F. Andrew Leslie from the novel by Shirley Jackson, directed for Saint Sebastian Players by Jack Dugan Carpenter. An investigator of supernatural phenomena and his guests visit a remote mansion to look into its morbid history. Oct. 17 to Nov. 9 at St. Bonaventure (lower level), 1625 W. Diversey; tickets $30-$35 at saintsebastianplayers.org
“House of the Exquisite Corpse”: Just how frightening can puppets be? Come find out with Rough House Puppet Arts, presenting this theatrical haunted house for its fifth season. Groups of small audiences are let in via timed entries to experience six “rooms” of horror stories, told through puppets, stage artistry and live theater. Oct. 9 to Nov. 1 in Steppenwolf’s Merle Reskin Garage Theatre, 1624 N. Halsted St.; tickets $21-$46 at roughhousetheater.com
Puppet by Grace Needlman and Pablo Monterubio, with puppeteer Lindsey Ball, in “House of the Exquisite Corpse” by Rough House Puppet Arts in Steppenwolf’s Merle Reskin space. (Yvette Marie Dostatni)
Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns: For a few short weeks in October, the Chicago Botanic Garden glows with rows of artist-carved pumpkins at dusk and after dark. Along with all the pumpkins, lit with LED lights, there will be carving demonstrations, costumed characters and food vendors. The family-friendly attraction has expanded to 15 nights this year. 6:30-10:30 p.m. on select nights from Oct. 8-26 at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe; tickets from $25 at chicagobotanic.org
“Click, Clack, Boo! A Tricky Treat”: This bit of Halloween theater trades the scares for treats in an all-ages show presented as part of Lifeline Theatre’s KidSeries in Rogers Park. Based on the “Click, Clack, Moo” books by Doreen Cronin, this is the story of Duck, Pig, Cow and Hen when they try to throw a Halloween party. Oct. 4 to Nov. 2 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave.; tickets $15-$20 at lifelinetheatre.com
“Drunk Dracula”: The folks behind the downtown show “Drunk Shakespeare” have a new offering for the spooky season. The formula is simple enough: One member of the cast has five shots of whiskey and then everyone tries to put on a show. For four weeks, that show is “Dracula,” and the audience (ages 21+) is encouraged to get into the spirit, as well. Through Nov. 2 at The Lion Theatre, 182 N. Wabash Ave.; tickets from $49 at drunkdracula.com
dgeorge@chicagotribune.com
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/07/halloween-2025-haunted-houses/
