ARTS IN THE DARK HALLOWEEN PARADE MOVES TO COLUMBUS DRIVE Oct. 24th, 2026

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CHICAGO’S 12TH ANNUAL 

ARTS IN THE DARK HALLOWEEN PARADE 

MOVES TO COLUMBUS DRIVE DUE TO ITS DYNAMIC GROWTH 

Saturday, October 24, 6-8 pm

4,000 performers from over 100 cultural organizations will take to the street, showcasing an authentic representation of Chicago culture with music, dance, theater, spectacle, and merriment

Chicago's annual Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade is a top favorite of ours here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows. It's free, family friendly, and full of Chicago's actors, dancers, puppeteers, and community groups. We highly recommend checking it out. 

2024 AinD 501st closeup Tori _Torsion_ Howard 

LUMA8 and the City of Chicago return with the 12th Annual Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade, a family-friendly celebration of Chicago’s cultural landscape and creative spirit, featuring unique floats, spectacle puppets, and all forms of artistic performance on Saturday, October 24, from 6-8 p.m. along Columbus Drive, with the parade stepping off at Balbo Drive and marching north to Monroe Drive. This magical evening procession celebrates Halloween as the “artist’s holiday” and draws together participants from cultural organizations, creative youth programs, and artists in every field and from every ward of Chicago. Named ‘one of the best Halloween celebrations in the world’ by UK-based Wanderlust Magazine and included in USA Today’s 10 best Halloween parades, this dazzling production delights an audience of over 100,000 with a wild mash-up of masks, costumes, dancers, musicians, artists, spectacle, circus and fire artists, creative guilds, art cars, and much more. Arts in the Dark is sponsored by Chicago Free For All Fund, with major support from Chicago Loop Alliance and Goodwill of Greater Milwaukee and Chicago. It is produced in partnership with The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and the Chicago Park District. 

2024 AinD Brazilian Cultural Center Purple Feathers Apertrue Photography

While the Arts in the Dark parade is a Halloween event, participants are not bound by a Halloween theme; each group is invited to showcase who they are as an organization with music, dance, costumes, and other dramatic visual elements. This year’s parade will feature a fire-breathing dragon, 2 giant alebrijes, a 60-foot glow worm, 10 drumlines, 10 marching bands, 20 Mexican cultural groups of over 1,000 performers, hundreds of mesmerizing puppets and dramatic masks and costumes, scores of dance troupes including a bevy of groups capturing the power of Black dance, a collection of LGBTQ+ groups, 3 colleges (including Columbia College bringing hundreds of arts students), 11 high schools, 30+ dance companies, and music groups across genres. Virtually every Chicago neighborhood is represented, and over 75% of the groups are comprised of creative youth – showcasing the grit, commitment, and talent of young people from across the city.

2024 AinD Cirques Experience girls wheel closeup Tori _Torsion_ Howard Photography

After School Matters violins

“This is a signature event for Chicago’s cultural community that brings together artists, creative youth and cultural organizations across the city on such a large scale – and in playful solidarity in the name of art,” said Mark Kelly, Arts in the Dark Co-founder and Artistic Director. “Over the course of the night, the audience and parade will merge as one in celebration of this magical evening procession. In the spirit of our parade, we encourage parade-goers to show up in costume.”

The parade will feature Creative Guilds, a collection of creative professionals from different organizations who will come together to honor their respective fields. These guilds include architects (50 individuals wearing their own sculptural headpiece creations), photographers (acting as “paparazzi” documenting the event from inside the parade), writers, poets, and visual artists.

Additionally, the parade will continue its tradition of honoring Creative Spirits who will be introduced and honored at the parade. This year’s Creative Spirits include:

Marty Lennartz - Esteemed and prolific 93XRT radio host for 45 years

Mayda de Valle - Poet Laureate of Chicago and renowned educator and artist

Barbara Gaines - Beloved Founder and Artistic Director of Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Peter CottonTale - Multi-platinum, GRAMMY Award-winning musician, producer, and composer

"We are delighted to welcome the Chicago Free For All Fund as the lead sponsor of Arts in the Dark for 2026," said Sharene Shariatzadeh, President & CEO of LUMA8. "Their support has been instrumental to this parade's growth and success over the years, and having them step forward as our lead sponsor for this pivotal year is a tremendous vote of confidence in everything we've built together. We're also honored to have received a 2026 Chicago Presents Grant from DCASE, and to continue our partnership with Chicago Loop Alliance and Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago, whose major support helps bring this magical night to life."

The parade will also bring back by popular demand the spectacular DIY costume contest for parade-goers, presented by Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago – a major supporter of the Arts in the Dark parade. Goodwill invites Chicagolandresidents to participate in The Haunted Runway Costume Contest by creating a parade-ready look. To enter the contest, folks can shop at their local Goodwill to create a DIY or homemade costume, snap a photo of the look, and submit it online at bit.ly/TheHauntedRunway. All entries must be submitted by the deadline on October 5. After community voting, five finalists will showcase their artistry in the parade, where thousands of parade-goers will cast their vote for the ultimate winner. Contest rules, eligibility, and details are available HERE.

2024 AinD Rogue Llama Raf Winterpacht Photography

Adler 2016 Cubs

Arts in the Dark is presented by LUMA8 and the City of Chicago and sponsored by Chicago Free For All Fund, with major support from Chicago Loop Alliance and Goodwill of Greater Milwaukee and Chicago. It is produced in partnership with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and the Chicago Park District. Support for Arts in the Dark also is provided by Blue Plate Catering, CHOOSE Chicago, Harris Theater – Millennium Park, Ferrara, Industry Ales, Italian Village Restaurants, Millennium Garages, William Blair, and the LUMA8 Board of Directors. Arts in the Dark is a part of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Fall Fest 2026. LUMA8 also acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council.

About LUMA8 (Light Up My Arts)

LUMA8 is an independent not-for-profit that strives to elevate Chicago as a focal point of artistic innovation to enrich the lives of its citizens and create economic impact. www.luma8.org

About the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City’s future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca.html

About Chicago Loop Alliance
Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA)’s mission is to lead the community by creating and supporting inclusive programs that attract people and investment to the Loop. CLA is a membership organization as well as the sole service provider for Special Service Area#1-2015, and the Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation produces public art projects and events. For more information, please visit LoopChicago.com.

About Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago

Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that enhances the dignity and quality of life for individuals and families by strengthening communities and eliminating barriers to opportunity. Shopping at and donating to Goodwill keeps items in use and supports community programs and services that help people build skills, find a job and connect to resources like housing, food and transportation.

Learn more about community services offered by Goodwill in Greater Chicago and find store locations at www.goodwillgreatermc.org.

For more information visit www.artsinthedark.org , LUMA8.org.

Top Weekend Picks: Chicago's Renowned Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade Returns Saturday, October 21, 6-8pm

 

ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List: 

Free Family Friendly Fun

Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade

Arts in the Dark is presented by LUMA8 and the City of Chicago and is co-sponsored by Barry Callebaut and HARIBO, with Major Support from the Chicago Loop Alliance. 

Saturday, October 21, 6-8pm

With pre-parade candy giveaway starting at 5pm

 

This Saturday ChiIL Mama will be ChiILin' on Chicago's historic State Street, catching the 9th Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade, a family-friendly happening featuring unique floats, spectacle puppets and all forms of creative performance taking place Saturday, October 21, from 6-8pm. Check back soon after for our photo filled recap right here at ChiILMama.com, and come experience this fabulous spectacle in person if you can.

Attendees are urged to arrive early to find a good spectating spot and attend a pre-Parade candy giveaway starting at 5pm featuring HARIBO’s Goldenbear and more. Spectators are also encouraged to come dressed in their own colorful and creative costumes to join in the festive fun. 

  CELEBRATES HALLOWEEN AS THE “ARTISTS’ HOLIDAY”

This magical evening procession celebrates Halloween as the “artists’ holiday” and draws together participants from major cultural organizations, inspiring youth programs, and aspiring artists in every field. Named ‘One of the best Halloween celebrations in the world’ by UK-based Wanderlust magazine – this dazzling production annually delights an audience of 50,000+ gathered along historic State Street, from Lake to Van Buren Streets.

PARADE TO FEATURE SOME 90 ARTS & CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS;

This year’s Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade holds a record number of applicants, with a selection of approximately 90 arts organizations participating. Families can expect to see well over 4,000 parade participants with virtually every neighborhood in Chicago represented. Colorful costumes, masks, installations, lighting, fire, acrobatics, puppetry and spectacle, dance moves and choreography, music, theatrical performances, street arts, circus arts, and cultural traditions will fill State Street.

Mark Kelly, Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade co-founder and artistic director, is thrilled to see the explosion of creative ferment as the parade groups prepare for their State Street performance. “I am very excited to have the League of Chicago Theatres, in partnership with BandWith Chicago, leading the parade,” he shared. On some of the specific featured groups, he commented, “Reinvent Ability and their wheelchair dancers will join over 40 dance organizations, while several striking IATSE film locals will remind us of their importance to the cultural life of our city. The amazing creative life of our city is truly captured in this playful and singular event.” 

As the parade celebrates the Halloween holiday by representing thousands of Chicago artists, it’s fitting that the parade, located in the ‘Candy Capital of North America,’ is co-sponsored by two giants of the candy industry: Barry Callebaut, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, and HARIBO, the world's leading manufacturer of gummi products.

“Barry Callebaut is proud to again sponsor this iconic Chicago event,” said Ben De Schryver, President, North America, Barry Callebaut. De Schryver added, "Given that Chicago is the home of our North American headquarters, it is important to us to support events, like the Arts in the Dark Parade, that honor the diversity and contributions of our community and bring people together to celebrate the sweet joys of Halloween.”

“We’re thrilled to be part of the Arts in the Dark Parade to support our local Chicago community and put the ‘happy’ back in ‘Happy Halloween!” said Seth Klugherz, Vice President of Marketing, HARIBO. “HARIBO is committed to giving back to the places where we live and work, and we’re excited to bring Goldbears to the Parade to infuse fun and treats for families and friends to share while enjoying inspiring live performance.”

FIRST-EVER BILINGUAL EMCEE TO PROVIDE ENGLISH & SPANISH-LANGUAGE PARADE COMMENTARY

This year marks the parade’s inaugural bilingual emcee, Spanish-speaking WGN-TV journalist and co-anchor Lourdes Duarte, who will provide commentary on the parade from her staging between Monroe and Adams Streets.  This year’s parade will feature close to a dozen Mexican contingents, many of which choose to represent their cultural heritage by showcasing the traditions surrounding Dia de los Muertos. Noteworthy as well are the remarkable contributions of Chicago’s Black cultural organizations and traditions to the parade. A wide array of other ethnic and cultural traditions will be represented as well, including Brazilian, Columbian, Irish, Indonesian, Peruvian, Caribbean, Jamaican, Polynesian, and Indigenous groups.

Chicago’s diverse dance community will be well represented with a selection of 40 dance organizations including Reinvent Ability dance group and their wheelchair dancers, The Joffrey Ballet, Forward Momentum Chicago, Ballet Folklorico de Chicago, Astronaut Flee, Trinity Dance School, Aztec Dance,  and more. Dance genres will include footwork, tango, hip hop, house, stepping, clogging and ballet. And this year, audiences can expect a collection of 12 marching bands and drumlines and several music ensembles. Select music groups include everything from the South Side Jazz Coalition to the Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles. The parade showcases a variety of music genres including hip-hop, jazz, gospel, opera, Mariachi, house, pop, steel pan, rock, punk and more.

LUMA8 President & CEO Sharene Shariatzadeh is delighted that her company will provide over $70K in grants to parade groups who might not otherwise be able to participate.  “Our priority is to ensure that Arts in the Dark is a true reflection of Chicago’s diverse cultural and ethnic community,” she says. “Thanks to the support of our sponsors and a 2023 Chicago Presents Grant from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), we are able to offer the assistance that allows organizations from every corner of Chicago to celebrate together in the heart of the city.” 

Arts in the Dark is presented by LUMA8 and the City of Chicago and is co-sponsored by Barry Callebaut and HARIBO, with Major Support from the Chicago Loop Alliance.  It is produced in partnership with DCASE and is a proud recipient of a 2023 Chicago Presents Grant. Additional support is provided by Choose Chicago, Harris Theater for Music and Dance at Millennium Park, and William Blair.

 

About LUMA8 (Light Up My Arts)

LUMA8 (Light Up My Arts) is an independent not-for-profit that strives to elevate Chicago as a focal point of artistic innovation to enrich the lives of its citizens and create economic impact. www.luma8.org

 

About Barry Callebaut Group

With annual sales of about CHF 7.2 billion (EUR 6.6 billion / USD 7.9 billion) in fiscal year 2020/21, the Zurich-based Barry Callebaut Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products – from sourcing and processing cocoa beans to producing the finest chocolates, including chocolate fillings, decorations and compounds. The Group runs more than 60 production facilities worldwide and employs a diverse and dedicated global workforce of more than 13,000 people.  The Barry Callebaut Group serves the entire food industry, from industrial food manufacturers to artisanal and professional users of chocolate, such as chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakers, hotels, restaurants or caterers. The global brands catering to the specific needs of these Gourmet customers are Callebaut® and Cacao Barry®, Carma® and the decorations specialist Mona Lisa®.  The Barry Callebaut Group is committed to make sustainable chocolate the norm by 2025 to help ensure future supplies of cocoa and improve farmer livelihoods. It supports the Cocoa Horizons Foundation in its goal to shape a sustainable cocoa and chocolate future. www.barry-callebaut.com

 

About HARIBO

HARIBO is the world's leading manufacturer of gummi products, most famous for our classic Goldbears. Globally, the business employs nearly 7,000 Associates and operates 16 production sites in 11 countries. A family-owned business with a century-long heritage, our founder, Hans Riegel, built HARIBO on a foundation of quality and inspiring moments of childlike happiness through our products. Established in 1920, HARIBO is the acronym that comprises our founder's name and the city in which the company was born (Bonn, Germany): HAns RIegel BOnn. We pride ourselves on making playful gummies that are meant to be shared so our inner child can always experience joy through sweet treats. HARIBO global headquarters is in Grafschaft, Germany and its U.S. headquarters operates out of Rosemont, Ill. www.haribo.com 

About the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City’s future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca.html

About Chicago Loop Alliance

Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA)’s mission is to create, manage and promote positive and inclusive programs that attract people to the Loop and accelerate economic recovery. CLA is a membership organization as well as the sole service provider for Special Service Area#1-2015, and the Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation produces public art projects and events. www.loopchicago.com.

For more information visit www.artsinthedark.org, LUMA8.org.