Halloween weekend is finally upon us. You've spent weeks putting the finishing touches on your Black Swan Emanuel costume, and you're ready to hit the town. Look no further-we've got a massive roundup of citywide events for you, your costumes, your phobias and even your pets to squeeze every last drop of spooky fun out of the Windy City this weekend.
ALL WEEKEND
Nightmares on Lincoln Avenue 3: Calculated Ramblings of an Unsound Mind
Care for a laugh with your screams? The Cornservatory explores the juncture of funny and scary with a series of Chicago-based sketches, running Friday through Monday at their Lincoln Ave. theater. The performances are B.Y.O.B. and draw from Chicago history.
Where: The Cornservatory, 4210 N. Lincoln Ave.
When: 7 p.m. Sunday, 8 p.m. all other days
Price: $10 most days, $15 Halloween
The Rocky Horror Show
We didn't forget the "picture"--this imagining of the classic cult film adapts the story for stage extended its run following rave reviews and will run all weekend, with a special midnight showing on Halloween Eve. The Underscore Theatre Company will embrace the show's underground roots while bringing the 2-D story to life at the Underground Lounge bar. You can count on the interactive pre-show to kick-start the audience partici...pation.
Where: Underground Lounge, 952 W. Newport Ave., Chicago
When: 12 a.m. Monday Morning, 8 p.m. all other nights
Price: suggested donation of $18-25, special packages on Kickstarter
Linda Blair Appearances At Exorcist Screenings
Would we love the classic horror film "The Exorcist" as much without Linda Blair, the pea soup-spewing, backbend-crawling engenue possessed by the soul of the devil in the classic 1973 flick? Pay homage to one of the greatest female horror stars at her scheduled appearances all weekend. Grovel accordingly, Samara.
Where: Hollywood Palms Cinema in Naperville Friday and Saturday, Hollywood Blvd Cinema in Woodridge Sunday and Monday
When: 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Friday, 4:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Sunday, 8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Monday
Price: $8
FRIDAY
Who Can Kill A Child?
A gory update on the "wicked child" subgenre that produced "Village of the Damned" in 1960 and "The Omen" in 1976, "Who Can Kill A Child" follows a vacationing couple that stumbles upon an island populated only by murderous children. Director Narciso Ibanez Serrador opens with archival footage of historical horrors as if to justify the little ones getting even. Check out a special screening at the Gene Siskel Film Center.
Where: Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., Chicago
When: 8:15 p.m.
Price: $11
Nightmare on Wells Street
The horrors of hunger are all too real in Chicago; Cactus Bar and Grill on Wells St. joins the fight with an all-day Halloween party collecting money and non-perishable food items in exchange for buckets, shots and appetizers. Guests are encouraged to dress in costume and enter raffle giveaways, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Where: Cactus Bar & Grill, 404 S. Wells St., Chicago
When: 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.
Price: Free
The Haunted Mansion
Get a sexy start to your Halloweekend at Vision's Haunted Mansion, hosted by Playboy playmates Valerie Mason and Kelley Thompson and DJ'd by B96's Stylz and Roman. The ghoulish party will feature a costume contest with a $2,000 first place prize, and $10,000 in other awards and giveaways.
Where: Vision Nightclub, 632 N Dearborn, Chicago
When: 10 p.m.
Price: $15 ($10 before 11 p.m.)
SATURDAY
Howl-O-Ween C.A.R.E. Scare
We know you love dressing up your pups, so show off your canine stylings at a dog-friendly festival sponsored by the Evanston C.A.R.E. animal shelter. Refreshments will be served, and dogs can enjoy pooch-oriented carnival games, goodie bags and enter into the costume contest. Donations of canned goods (for people) will be collected.
Where: Golly Gear, 7243 St. Louis Ave., Skokie
When: 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Price: $10 per pup
Nocturna All Hallows Eve Ball
Scary Lady Sarah, the mastermind and DJ behind Chicago's biggest gothic All Hallow's Eve bash, will be at the 23rd annual Nocturna Ball. Will you? The Bottom Lounge will be dressed for the occasion and guests should be too, for a night of frightening films, festive performances, a Glitter Guts photo booth and a costume contest sure to bring out all the best.
Where: Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., Chicago
When: 9 p.m. - 3 a.m.
Price: $18, $15 with costume
Race of the Dead
Celebrate Halloween in the spirit of our neighbors to the south with a 5K through Pilsen and University Village in honor of the Mexican Day of the Dead. Fundraising for the UNO Charter School Network, the race is expecting over 3,500 participants to be running (in costume). Mexican food and festivities will follow the race.
Where: Ashland Ave. and 16th St., Chicago
When: 8 a.m.
Price: $35 registration fee
Roosevelt Road Zombie Walk And Pub Crawl
Make your stumbling look intentional with full-on makeup and garb at the second annual Roosevelt Road Zombie Walk and Pub Crawl, sponsored by the scaremasters at Horrorbles. Makeup is included in the admission price, and proceeds will benefit the 16th Street Theater. The walk will be in silence; the after party will be anything but.
Where: Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn
When: Makeup begins at 4:30 p.m. Parade at 6:30
Price: $15
SUNDAY
Graceland Cemetery Architectural Tour
Some of Chicago's best architecture and sculpture lies with some of its most notable figures at Graceland Cemetery. Take a walking tour, led by Patrick Butler of the Ravenswood/Lake View Historical Association, of the famous site where notable Chicagoans including Marshall Field, George Pullman and Allan Pinkerton were laid to rest.
Where: Graceland Cemetery, 4001 N. Clark St., Chicago
When: 2 p.m.
Price: $10
Chi-Town Clown Revue Halloween Show
Coulrophobia is a fear of clowns. sound like you? Get an easy scare at the lighthearted Chi-Town Clown Revue, a one-night only Halloween show with a built-in pie fight and other shennanigans. Try to contain any outward signs of terror, as you might be surrounded by gleeful children.
Where: The Neo-Futurarium. 5153 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago
When: 9:30 p.m.
Price: $10
Pumpkin Carving at Burger Bar Chicago
Save yourself the mess and let Burger Bar Chicago handle your pumpkin guts at their kid-friendly Pumpkin Carving Event, where pumpkins and tools will be provided and little ones eat free off the children's menu.
Where: Burger Bar Chicago, 1578 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago
When: 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Price: Free with RSVP
MONDAY
Cereal Killers
If you thought Count Chocula was as scary as ceral could get, think again. The Mid Chicago is hosting a Halloween bash that promises a clash of gore and technicolor. Featuring a host of hot DJs and a separate dubstep VIP room run by Tsunami & Bobby De Maria of United2Nite and Dj Inphinity, it's worth busting out a punny costume and turning out in style for this bash. (Here's an idea: Beak + Knife = Son of Toucan Sam)
Where: The Mid, 306 N. Halsted St., Chicago
When: 10 p.m.
Price: $10
Halloween Under The Stars
One of Chicago's newest steakhouses is hosting an autumnal bash in the Halloween spirit on their rooftop--it's heated, so revealing costumes are welcome. III Forks Steakhouse will be awarding the costume contest-winners dinners for two in their swanky dining room, and complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be served.
Where: III Forks Steakhouse, 333 East Benton Place, Suite #208
When: 5 p.m.
Price: Free
Trick or Teets
Burlesque comedty troupe Off Off Broadzway is putting on a special Halloween show full of catchy songs, dirty jokes and anything-goes campy humor. Broadz Dolly Natrix, Ricki Dickyouless, Brie Tarde, Cassie Oh, Andy Drodgenous and Maddie Scientits promise to “cover our slutty outfits with other slutty outfits and no one gets naked.” Guests are encouraged to come in costume, too.
Where:Stage773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave
When: 8 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Price: $20
Did we miss something great? Spread the word in the comments below: