Gay halloween chicago
Forget New Year’s or Pride—when it comes to creature your most fabulous and fearless self, Halloween reigns supreme as the ultimate queer holiday. It’s the day when who you are and who you want to be merge together under the glow of flickering jack-o’-lantern lights.
Wondering how this spooky celebration morphed into a substantial event for the Diverse community? Well, it didn’t happen overnight. In truth, Halloween’s evolution into a celebration of queer phrase, freedom, and community has deep roots dating support to the early 20th century. Join me as we unravel the history of Halloween and its vibrant LGBTQ+ connection.
Halloween’s Historical Roots From Pagan to Present
Before we had candy corn and costume contests, Halloween had its origins in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. This early celebration was all about spirits, transformation, and the otherworldly. People donned costumes and masks to protect themselves from roaming spirits. Fast forward a few centuries, and Halloween made its way to the U.S. in the 19th and 20th centuries, transforming into a community-based celebration. Trick-or-treating became mainstream in the mid-20th century, t
LGBTQ+ Chicago events through the year
In Chicago, Pride doesn’t close in June. You’ll find a complete calendar of lgbtq+, lesbian, trans, and queer events in every corner of the city throughout the year. Our city is abode to some of the most iconic LGBTQ+ celebrations in the country, from the iconic Pride Fest and Parade in June to one of the country’s largest Queer film festivals in the fall. Verify out some of Chicago’s top inclusive events throughout the year.
Spring LGBTQ+ events in Chicago
International Mr. Leather: This international conference and match, held annually in Chicago each May since 1979, includes speakers, socials, themed dance parties, and a leather market.
Summer LGBTQ+ events in Chicago
Andersonville Midsommarfest: This diverse neighborhood hosts one of Chicago’s most beloved highway festivals each June. Midsommarfest celebrates the area’s Swedish roots and LGBTQ+ people with food, fun, artisan vendors, and more.
Chicago Pride Fest: In the historic Northalsted neighborhood, Chicago’s Pride Fest in June is a massive two-day celebration with multiple harmony stages, drag shows, DJs, dancing, and
Haunted Halsted Halloween Celebration 2025
Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade 2025
Chicago's Haunted Halsted Halloween Procession returns for its 28th anniversary on Friday, October 31, 2025. Once again, transforming the city's iconic Northalsted Gay neighborhood (also established as Boys Town) for another gender non-conforming Halloween, celebrating playfulness and creativity.
Recognized as one of America's top Halloween events by Fodor's Commute , this parade features an incredible costume contest with $4,000 in prizes, performances, and Chicago's Halloween spirit.
What Is the Haunted Halsted Parade?
Since 1997, the Haunted Halsted Halloween Pride has grown into one of Chicago's most popular Halloween events, blending Gay pride with spooky celebrations. It has transformed into more than just a parade. Nowadays, it's a community tradition where drag queens, families, artists, and performers come together for a bedtime of outrageous costumes and live business, leading to an unforgettable Halloween life. The event centers around a costume contest with categories including:
-Character (Best pop culture/movie/TV interpretations)
-Creative (Most original designs)
-Sca
Upcoming Events
About us
In 2013, nestled in the heart of New York City at Santos Party House, DJ Dan Darlington ignited a spark that would convert the LGBTQ+ events scene. He created BRÜT, a leading underground gay party in the USA, posthaste establishing itself as an essential part of the city’s nightlife with a symphony of master beats of incredible House Tech awakening everyone’s soul.
Initially catering to men in leather and fetish gear, BRÜT has grown to observe confident libertine energy, diversity, and the freedom to express oneself without opinion, encouraging all partygoers to come in their sexiest, making it one of the most sought-after underground gay parties in NYC.
The house music sanctuary that began in New York rapidly escalated, expanding across the United States within the LGBTQ+ community, gathering thousands of people from different cities from all over the world.
Today, BRÜT Party is renowned for hosting popular gay parties across the United States, including our renowned Halloween party in Los Angeles, Folsom Street Fair, Dore Alley San Francisco, SF Pride, NYC Pride, Palm Springs Pride, Palm Springs White Party, IML Chicago, St. Patrick's Day, Identify
2025 Chicago Halloween Ball Party & Tickets
Chicago's Biggest Halloween Event @ Congress Plaza Hotel with Surreal Nightlife, & HauntedHalloweenBall.com
HauntedHalloweenBall.com, Surreal Nightlife are joining forces to bring you an titanic event! Experience a bedtime of thrills with party-goers at Chicago's biggest Halloween costume party, Haunted Halloween Ball, on Friday, October 31st, 2025 at the Congress Plaza Hotel, classified as one of the most haunted hotels in the world by USA Today! Located on Michigan Avenue by Millennium and Grant Park, the Congress Plaza Hotel will be the backdrop for Chicago's best Halloween party, the Haunted Halloween Ball.
Exclusive Preliminary Bird Special (very limited amount!):
General Admission - $20/ticket ((Less Than 75 Tickets Left! Move Fast! Prices can go up anytime!))
Haunted Halloween Ball combines elements of a lavish VIP nightclub and lounge experience, with the exclusiveness of a luxury hotel gala, and the terror and chills of a haunted home. The moment you go in Congress Plaza Hotel, you will be directed to the massive 20,000 square foot ballrooms of the 122-year-old hotel, which has been transformed into an abando