Chicago Fringe Opera is proud to be featured in Arts in the Dark, a magical nighttime parade that celebrates Halloween as the “artist’s holiday”. The event draws together world-renowned institutions including the Art Institute of Chicago, celebrated Chicago organizations like Lookingglass Theatre Company, important programs like After School Matters and aspiring artists in every field, delighting the audience with unique floats, spectacle puppets and creative performances that are exceptionally dramatic, set against the backdrop of Chicago’s majestic skyline.
The parade takes place on Columbus Drive, starting at Balbo and moving north to Monroe and begins at 6 pm (dusk).
After Parties
Millennium Park, Cloud Gate (aka “The Bean”)
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Following the Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade, visit Millennium Park for an immersive Halloween experience with live DJs, sideshow characters, stilt walkers and performance artists, a kids station, fortune tellers and magicians, video projections and more!
Maggie Daley Park
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Join Chicago Park District immediately after the parade for trick or treating (until the candy runs out!), a showing of the movie Beetlejuice, Mini Golf, spooky games, prizes and more at the climbing wall and Skating Ribbon!
Safety Guidelines
Having a safe and fun parade experience for spectators very important. Please follow these procedures to help ensure everyone’s safety.
- Spectators cannot wear face masks, this includes teens and children. Instead, please feel free to use face paint, wigs, etc.
- The parade area will be monitored by the Chicago Police, Private Security Officers, Parade Marshals and Staff, and other Emergency Response Personnel. If you have a problem of an emergency nature, please contact those responders along the parade route for assistance.
- PLEASE NOTE: NO BACKPACKS, LARGE BAGS, LAWN CHAIRS OR LARGE UMBRELLAS ARE ALLOWED ALONG THE PARADE ROUTE
This project is partially supported by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.
