Mayor Brandon Johnson Announces the Return Of “Chicago Fall Fest” From Oct. 17-Nov. 2, Featuring Hundreds Of City-Supported Events For Youth and All Residents
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CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced the return of Chicago Fall Fest, a coordinated two-week-long series of cultural and community fall events designed to engage Chicago's youth and residents of all ages. This year's effort, which will showcase events from October 17-November 2, will provide Chicagoans with events celebrating Halloween, Día de los Muertos, Diwali, and more. Chicago residents of all ages are invited to access additional information on ChicagoFallFest.org.

"Chicago Fall Fest will be a celebration of our residents' creativity, culture, and connections," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "Through this series, my administration continues our commitment to engaging young people in safe, welcoming, and accessible spaces for them to thrive. I am grateful to our community partners who are leading many of our events to ensure they are reflecting the needs and spirit of our communities."

Chicago Fall Fest activities will begin October 17 with the community-led Teen Night CHI-TOBERFEST event in Harold Washington Library Center's iconic Winter Garden. This event, planned by Austin-based organization Project Exploration in collaboration with the City of Chicago, will include music, free food, and activities for teens.

"We're proud to be part of Fall Fest and to bring the spirit of Austin to the citywide celebration," said Janeicia Williams, Director of Community Ecosystem and Austin My CHI. My Future. lead at Project Exploration. "Through The Austin Experience, we host free and fun events for teens and families, led by youth who are owning what safe spaces look like on Chicago's West Side."

The following day on October 18, the 11th Annual Arts in the Dark Parade will take place from 6-8 p.m. on State Street, moving south from Randolph 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 will be 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 Chicago Loop Alliance and Goodwill of Greater Milwaukee and Chicago.

That won't be the only parade during Chicago Fall Fest 2025. On October 25, the UPSIDE DOWN Halloween Parade returns for a 6th year on Russell Drive in Washington Park from 12-2 PM. Presented by LUMA8 and the City of Chicago, this event turns the traditional parade upside down. Attending families will actually BE the parade as they walk in costume through the park to view entertainment all around them. The street will come alive around them with dancers, acrobats, puppetry, and sports mascots.

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"We are delighted that Mayor Johnson and the City of Chicago continue to support events that highlight the cultural richness of our city," said Sharene Shariatzadeh, President and CEO of LUMA8. "Both Arts in the Dark and the Upside Down Halloween Parades give locals and visitors alike a way to celebrate Chicago's extraordinary spirit—where world-class creativity, diverse communities, and bold artistic expression come together to create experiences found nowhere else."

Between October 22 and to November 7, the Mayor's Office will support ten community "Fall-4-All" events featuring DJs, free food, resources, and activities. These events, led by local organization partners, are open to youth and all Chicago residents. They will be held in the following areas:
  • Ravenswood on October 22, in partnership with Ravenswood Elementary
  • Altgeld Gardens on October 24, in partnership with People for Community Recovery
  • Belmont Cragin on October 24 (in partnership with the 30th Ward) and October 25 (in partnership with the State Senator's office)
  • Englewood on October 26, in partnership with Branding Englewood and partners
  • Garfield Park on October 27, in partnership with Garfield Park Rite to Wellness and partners
  • East Side on October 31, in partnership with Giving Others Dreams
  • Greater Grand Crossing on October 31, in partnership with Future Ties
  • North Lawndale on November 2, in partnership with Firehouse Community Arts and partners
  • Little Village on November 7, in partnership with Beyond the Ball

Throughout the Fall Fest period, My CHI. My Future. Safe Spaces for Youth partners will continue to 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 (DFSS) 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
  • Belmont Cragin – Northwest Center
  • 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
  • South Shore – Urban Male Network

"Fall Fest is a wonderful opportunity for our Youth program participants to utilize their creativity and produce safe, fun and memorable events for themselves and their peers," said DFSS Commissioner Angela Green. "DFSS is excited for another engaging fall season of Youth activities, and for the meaningful work opportunities these experiences provide for our young people."

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Alongside Chicago 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 in parks citywide, including Halloween costume parties, haunted houses, arts and crafts workshops, and more.

"Fall in the parks is a vibrant time full of opportunities to enjoy pumpkin patches, haunted houses, bonfires, scary movies, costume parades and more during the Chicago Park District' indoor and outdoor Halloween in the Parks programs and events that welcome everyone to come and participate," said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez Rosa. "Whether you come for the free MARS candy or a delightful fright, the Chicago Park District team is excited to offer a variety of fun-filled and spooktacular options to stay active in our parks. We're thrilled to partner with Mayor Brandon Johnson's Fall Fest 2025 and be part of the plethora of fall-themed, family-friendly events happening citywide."

The Chicago Public Library will host over 100 fall-themed events throughout the month of October as well.

"Fall at Chicago Public Library is a time to celebrate creativity, culture, and community," said Library Commissioner Chris Brown. "From teen-led events to Día de los Muertos storytelling, our branches are alive with opportunities for connection and expression. We're proud to join Mayor Johnson and partners across the city to make this season one where every Chicagoan can find joy, belonging, and inspiration."

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 of the events mentioned above, and plenty more, 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.

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