Which Slightly Spooky day at Navy Pier has trick-or-treating?
Trick-or-treating at Navy Pier's Slightly Spooky event is Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, from 1 to 5 p.m. Here's what the other dates offer.
When you’re planning a Halloween outing, the key detail is which day includes trick-or-treating. At Navy Pier, trick-or-treating takes place Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, from 1 to 5 p.m. The event is free, and costumes are welcome.
The other Slightly Spooky dates have activities and movies, while Nov. 1 focuses on Día de los Muertos. Knowing the schedule helps you choose the right day for your family.
Halloween Saturday is the trick-or-treat day
Saturday, Oct. 31, is the only Slightly Spooky day with trick-or-treating at Navy Pier in 2026. Candy stops are set up indoors throughout the Pier from 1 to 5 p.m., and admission is free. You’re welcome to wear a costume.
Navy Pier’s fall announcement lists Slightly Spooky hours as noon to 6 p.m. The trick-or-treating window is shorter, so plan around the 1-to-5 p.m. activity time if collecting candy is your priority.
The indoor setup gives you a Halloween outing at the Pier with candy stops inside. You can also take part in the day’s activities, including mask making, a dance workshop, and a costume contest.
If you’re choosing among dates, keep Oct. 31 for trick-or-treating. Oct. 17 and Oct. 24 offer free activities and evening movies, while Nov. 1 has a Día de los Muertos program.
What the other Slightly Spooky days offer
Oct. 17 and Oct. 24 bring free hands-on activities from 1 to 5 p.m., including the Mad Scientist Lab, followed by evening movies. Neither date has trick-or-treating.
Those Saturdays work for families looking for an indoor activity day without candy stops. You can take part in the afternoon activities, then stay for a movie at Crystal Gardens. Check the movie schedule when choosing a date, since each evening includes a family film and a later, spookier selection.
Sunday, Nov. 1, is a Día de los Muertos day at Navy Pier. Chicago Children’s Museum is free for kids that day, giving families another free option alongside the cultural programming.
The dates suit different plans: Oct. 17 or 24 for activities and movies, and Nov. 1 for Día de los Muertos. If trick-or-treating is the reason for your visit, choose Oct. 31.
The Halloween day schedule
On Oct. 31, trick-or-treating runs from 1 to 5 p.m., with candy from Keebler and Ferrara Candy Company. The day also includes mask making with Chicago Children’s Museum and a Power Rangers dance workshop.
A costume contest runs from 3 to 5 p.m. Categories include family, duo, and individual entries, so you can plan to participate as a group or on your own.
Arrive early in the afternoon to give yourself time for the candy stops and activities before the contest begins. If the costume contest is part of your plan, aim to be at the Pier ahead of its 3 p.m. start.
The scheduled activities fall within the afternoon program, with trick-or-treating ending at 5 p.m. Costumes are welcome, and the event is free.
Free movies in Crystal Gardens
Free indoor movies are scheduled for Oct. 17, Oct. 24, Oct. 31, and Nov. 1, with a family film at 5:30 p.m. and a spookier movie later each night.
On Halloween, the movie lineup is Ghostbusters followed by Halloween (1978). The later selection is a horror film, so if you’re visiting with young children, plan to leave after Ghostbusters.
The movie screenings give you an evening option after the afternoon activities. Check Navy Pier’s movie schedule for the showtimes and titles on the other dates.
Getting there and parking
CTA buses #29, #65, #66, and #124 serve Navy Pier. The #124 provides service from the Union and Ogilvie Metra stations, which is useful if you’re coming downtown by train.
If you drive, the Pier garages charge by the hour. Validated parking is available at off-site garages for a lower cost, so compare that option with parking at the Pier before you go.
For a visit built around the 1-to-5 p.m. activities, plan your arrival early enough to get inside before the candy stops begin. If you’re staying for a movie, account for the later end to your outing when choosing how you’ll get home.
Photo by 1139623 on Pixabay.