Mayor Brandon Johnson Announces “Chicago Fall Fest” from October 18 - November 3, Featuring Hundreds of City-supported Events for Youth and All Residents
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CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced Chicago Fall Fest, a coordinated two-week-long series of cultural and community fall events for Chicago's youth and residents of all ages. This year's effort, which will showcase events from October 18-November 3, will provide Chicagoans with events related to Halloween, Día de los Muertos, and more. Chicago residents of all ages are able to access this information on ChicagoFallFest.org.

"We are excited to host the first annual Fallapalooza this Friday and begin an exciting two weeks of community events throughout Chicago," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "We are grateful for the partnership with community organizations, City departments, the business community, and our philanthropic community to help provide hundreds of activities across our city for Chicago's families to enjoy this fall season."

Chicago Fall Fest activities will begin on October 18 with the first-ever Fallapalooza, a City-sponsored teen event in Harold Washington Library Center's iconic Winter Garden. The event will include music, free food, activities, crafts, a movie, and more.

"Chicago Public Library is proud to support Chicago Fall Fest, beginning with hosting Teen Fallapalooza in our very own Winter Garden at the Harold Washington Library Center," said CPL Commissioner Chris Brown. "Downtown Chicago has spaces built for and by our city's youth—whether you're creating at CPL's YOUmedia or kicking back in the Winter Garden for Fallapalooza. We also look forward to supporting residents across the city with fall-themed events throughout our neighborhood branches."

The following evening on October 19, the 10th Annual Arts in the Dark Parade will take place from 6-8 p.m. on State Street, moving south from Lake to Van Buren Streets. This parade celebrates Halloween as the "artists' holiday" and features cultural organizations and artists from every corner of the city. It is a magical evening of puppets, music, dancing, and fire spinners, all set against the backdrop of historic State Street. The parade is presented by LUMA8 and the City of Chicago with major support from the Chicago Free for All Fund and Chicago Loop Alliance.

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Throughout the Fall Fest period, the My CHI. My Future. Safe Spaces for Youth partners will host events for teens, called "Kickbacks," across the city. These events are planned and hosted by a group of 15 youth employees at each organization and are focused on engaging other youth and families in their communities. The Department of Family and Support Services funds Year-Round Safe Spaces for Youth programs in the following Community Strategy Regions:
  • Auburn Gresham – Metropolitan Family Services
  • Austin – Project Exploration
  • Back of the Yards – After School Matters / Increase the Peace
  • Brighton Park – SGA Youth & Family Services
  • Chicago Lawn – Think Outside Da Block
  • Gage Park – SGA Youth & Family Services
  • Garfield Park – After School Matters / Marillac
  • Greater Englewood Area – Think Outside Da Block
  • Greater Grand Crossing – Urban Male Network
  • Greater Roseland Area – Metropolitan Family Services
  • Humboldt Park – YMCA
  • Little Village – The Alliance 98
  • North Lawndale – UCAN
  • South Shore – Urban Male Network

"The Department of Family and Support Services is proud to be a 2024 Fall Fest Partner," said DFSS Commissioner Brandie Knazze. "Fall is such a festive time of year, a time for people to gather. We especially look forward to the creative and fun events being planned by our My CHI. My Future. Safe Spaces youth and delegate agencies. These events, planned by youth and for youth, create spaces across the city to safely enjoy the fall season and its many celebrations."

Between October 25 to November 1, the Mayor's Office and Community Safety Coordination Center (CSCC) will support additional community "Fall-4-All" events that will feature DJs, free food, resources, and activities. These events are open to youth and all Chicago residents and will be held in the following areas:
  • Altgeld Gardens
  • Belmont Cragin
  • Edgewater
  • Garfield Park
  • Gage Park
  • Greater Grand Crossing
  • Near West Side
  • Little Village

On October 26, the UPSIDE DOWN Halloween Parade is back and will take place on Russell Drive in Washington Park from 12-2 PM.  Presented by LUMA8 and the City of Chicago and sponsored by Amazon and Ferrara Candy Company, this event turns the traditional parade upside down for the fifth year. Attending families will BE the parade as they walk in costume through the park to view entertainment all around them.  The street will come alive with dancers, acrobats, puppetry, and sports mascots. Youth will receive a complimentary goody bag as they exit the event.

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"LUMA8 is proud to be partnering with the City of Chicago to present both the UPSIDE DOWN Halloween Parade and Arts in the Dark," said LUMA8 President and CEO, Sharene Shariatzadeh. "Both events highlight Chicago's vibrant and diverse cultural community, and our hope is that bringing this creativity to the street will inspire the next generation of artists."
Along with Fall Fest, the Chicago Park District kicked off the month of October with Halloween in the Parks, a series of fall season and Halloween-themed events, presented by Mars Wrigley in parks citywide, including Halloween costume parties, haunted houses, arts and crafts workshops and more.
"Chicago parks citywide welcome Chicagoans of all ages to celebrate Halloween in the Parks at more than 60 events throughout the month of October," said Chicago Park District Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño. "From spooky haunted houses, to family friendly Trunk-or-Treats, pumpkin patches, harvest fests and Halloween-themed parties, all our Halloween-themed park events will make celebrating a fun, safe Halloween season accessible and affordable for all Chicago families."
The city has additional planned events and activities for Chicago Fall Fest:
  • In addition to the Chicago Park District's Halloween in the Parks, the Chicago Public Library will host over 170 fall themed in-person events throughout the two weeks  
  • Chicago community-based organizations, businesses, and block club leaders are asked to visit ChicagoFallFest.org to register their Fall events and activities. Launched October 1st, the website features a list and map of all Chicago Fall Fest events happening across the city and will continue to be updated through the end of the month.

All Chicago fall events can be found on www.ChicagoFallFest.org, the My CHI. My Future. website, and the My CHI. My Future. mobile app on iOS and Android. The full schedule of Halloween in the Parks events is available at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/halloween.

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