Navy Pier invites guests to start their Halloween celebrations at the Pier beginning October 24. The height of this spooky week will be on Saturday, October 29 when several Pier partners are creating various Halloween activities. Events and programs include Slightly Spooky Saturday, Offshore Rooftop’s Nightmare Halloween Party, Amazing Haunted Maze, Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest, Oktoberfest Stein Hoisting Contest, Pier Pumpkin Lights and Sea Dog Haunted Tours.
This Halloween season Navy Pier will transform into a mystical candy land for our free Slightly Spooky Saturday program 12pm–6pm on Saturday, Oct. 29. Bring the family to trick-o-treat with over 30 indoor candy stops and aerial performances by The Actors Gymnasium. There also will be interactive art spaces, toy making, spider balloons, and a sugar skull painting workshop hosted by Somos Arte Chicago. Families can take part in costume contests and the Dog Costume Contest being held at Harry Caray’s. Shop local art for Día de Los Muertos with Lolita’s Bodega and enjoy special themed Halloween beverages from local restaurants for purchase as you walk along the Pier.
Adults 21 and older can party this Halloween at Offshore Rooftop's Nightmare Halloween Party on October 29 from 8pm–midnight. Tickets start at $125 and include a premium 4-hour bar, bottomless drinks and passed bites. There will be giveaways, a costume contest, music, dancing, and more. Click here to purchase tickets.
The Amazing Maze will transform into the Amazing Haunted Maze starting Fri., October 28th, 6pm–10pm, Sat., Oct. 29, 6pm–10pm, Sun., October 30, 5pm–8pm and Mon., October 31, 5pm–8pm. This classic childhood treasure is now reimagined. Things aren’t as wondrous as they used to be, and terrors are lurking around every corner. The haunted maze is scary, contains actors, loud sounds, fog, various lighting effects, and is an intense experience. Enter at your own risk. Tickets start at $15 and are non-refundable. They may be purchased at the booth day of, first come, first serve. This experience is for ages 10 and older. Parents and legal guardians should accompany children through the haunted house. Click here for photos.
Harry Caray's Tavern Navy Pier will host their Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest Saturday, October 29 from 4pm-5pm on their outdoor patio. Tickets are $10 for a single entry and all proceeds go to PAWS Chicago! Prizes, courtesy of Harry Caray's, will be awarded to the winners in 3 categories: Most Creative, Funniest and Best Superfan (any Chicago sports team). Click here for more information or to purchase your pup's entry into the contest.
Then from 6pm–8pm Saturday, October 29 the search is on for the next Masskrugstemmen champion in the Oktoberfest Stein Hoisting Contest at Harry Caray's Tavern. The strength and stamina contest involves participants holding a full, one-liter Sam Adams stein with a straight arm parallel to the ground for as long as possible, without spilling. The winner will receive a special prize from Sam Adams. It is free to enter. Click here for additional details and photos.
Pier Pumpkin Lights returns to Navy Pier from Oct. 1 - 31. The free experiential fall spectacle includes nearly 1,000 pumpkins stacked in elaborate and photo-worthy displays. Guests can explore a variety of larger-than-life pumpkin pop-up installations throughout the Pier featuring photo opportunities galore, both indoors and outside as guests stroll along the lakefront. Pumpkins will glow, as the sun sets earlier each evening. Guests are welcome to explore this popular pumpkin pop-up experience while enjoying Pier-wide deals and other Halloween festivities throughout the month.
Halloween celebrations are taking sail with the Sea Dog Haunted Tours. This spooky experience will take place every Fri., Sat., and Sun now through Oct. 30. Guests should board at 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The cruise will run from 7:15pm–8:30pm. Then on Sundays boarding starts at 5pm. The cruise will last from 5:15pm–6:30pm. Guests on board can wear their favorite costumes and embark on a boat tour that explores Chicago's spooky past. The tour guide will provide insight into many secrets, spirits, scandals, and sins of the Windy City. They will share spine-tingling tales of mysterious supernatural occurrences and infamous figures while exploring the Chicago skyline from the water. Tickets start at $34. Click here for more details.
Note: All dates and artists are subject to change.
ABOUT NAVY PIER
Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is the top nonprofit tourism destination in the Midwest, stretching more than six city blocks and typically welcoming nearly 9 million annual guests. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility, this Chicago landmark showcases more than 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities and more. The Pier celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016 with the unveiling of the iconic Centennial Wheel, Polk Bros Park, Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion and Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion. In 2021, Navy Pier continued to usher in its second century with ongoing Pier-wide redevelopment efforts—including Sable, a 223-room Hilton hotel, new restaurants and partnerships, and thrilling additions to Pier Park. The Pier is also proud to continue providing free, year-round arts and cultural programming designed to inspire, educate and connect communities across the city and globe. Click here to donate to Navy Pier, a mission-driven 501(c)(3) organization, in support of the organization’s post-pandemic revival and free public programming. For more information, visit www.navypier.org.