Northalsted Halloween parade returns Oct. 31 following pandemic pause

The legendary Haunted Halloween Parade is returning this weekend to Chicago’s Northalsted neighborhood, after a year’s absence due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Hundreds of costumed participants will march down N. Halsted St. from Aldine to Waveland on Sunday, Oct. 31 starting at 6 p.m. The parade is free to attend.

Organizers invite ghouls, goblins, zombies and all haunted beings to go above and beyond for this year's parade theme with competitive costume contest award winners being named in 6 categories:  Scary, Drag, Creative, Cosplay, Youth (13 and younger), and Group (6 people or less).

There’s no cost to enter the costume contest, which includes $6,000 in cash prizes - $500 first place and $250 runner up in each of 6 categories. The Large Group category for 6 or more people has a $1,000 first prize and $500 runner up.

Participants can register in advance online or on-site before the event from 5 - 6 p.m. at N. Halsted St. and Aldine.

An awards show, hosted by parade grand marshals Matthew Rodrigues, host of NBC5’s Chicago Today, and Batty Davis the Dancing Diva, will take place after the parade (approximately 7 p.m.) at Waveland and Broadway.

Local legends “chicks that rock,” Catfight, will take the stage at 7:30 p.m.

Parade entertainment includes the dazzling Chicago Full Moon Jam fire performers, Windy City Jeep Club, and the GoodBus mobile soundstage.

The 24th annual parade is sponsored by the Northalsted Business Alliance, the same group behind Chicago Pride Fest and Northalsted Market Days. It is the culmination of a weeklong series of Hallowing events and festivities in Chicago’s LGBTQ community.

Events: Halloween 2021 (Chicago's LGBTQ Calendar is on GoPride.com)