ROGERS PARK — The Far North Side is full of spooky — and just plain fun — Halloween events this year, including a Zombie-themed prom, pumpkin carvings and pet costume contests and haunted houses.
The festivities begin Saturday and wrap up Halloween day.
Rogers Park
Children's Pumpkin Party at the Chicago Math and Science Academy, 7212 N. Clark St., 4-6 p.m., Oct. 26: Carve pumpkins, paint faces and listen to spooky stories read by Rogers Park librarian Ms. Jesse. Actors from the Lifeline Theatre will offer a sneak peak of the new children's play "Click, Clack, Boo!"
Halloween FunFest at R Public House, 1508 W. Jarvis Ave., 8 p.m.-3 a.m., Oct. 26: Jarvis Square's newest bar offers drink specials, pumpkin spice pizzas and fried Snickers bars. A costume contest kicks off at 11 p.m.
Jarvis Square Halloween Festival, 1500 W. Jarvis Ave., 2-6 p.m., Oct. 27: Best costume wins a prize — for adults, kids and pets. Cookie decorating, costume pet parade and pumpkin carving at the Poitin Stil bar are all on the menu. Bring donations of canned soup, toilet paper and more for nonprofit A Just Harvest.
Zombie Prom at Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Ave., 10:30 p.m., Oct. 31: Following the final 8 p.m. Halloween showing of the musical "Zombie Prom," the Mayne Stage opens its doors to the undead — and zombie love is in the air. A zombie-themed prom for those 18 years of age or older is free with a show ticket. General admission is $10. Festivities include a cast meet-and-greet, free appetizers, drink specials, a costume contest and tunes from local rockabilly band The Amazing Heeby Jeebies.
Film-Noir Costume Discount at the Side Project Theatre, 1439 W. Jarvis Ave., Oct. 31-Nov. 3: Show up at the door dressed in a film-noir-themed costume and save $7 on a ticket for The Ruckus' "Heist Play" by Mitch Vermeersch. With the discount, tickets are $10 at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Edgewater
Boo Ha Ha! Festival at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St., 2-5 p.m. Oct. 26: Festivities include funnel cakes, inflatable toys, face painting and free acting workshops for the kids. An "Actor's Toolbox" workshop (ages 6-8) is from 1:30-2:15 p.m. A "Musical Theatre" workshop (ages 9-13) is from 2:30-3:25 p.m.
Buffy: The Vampire Slayer party at Parlour on Clark, 6341 N. Clark St., 11 p.m.-3 a.m. Oct. 26: Northern Lights and The Qu present "The Bronze," a "Buffy: The Vampire Slayer" party. The party is "a tribute to one of the best shows that television ever produced," according to organizers. Expect drink specials and a runway contest. There is a $5 suggested donation.
Halloween Bash at Berger Park, 6205 N. Sheridan Rd., 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 29: Music, snacks and a costume contest for pets and their owners will be featured at this third annual event. There is $5 fee to enter the costume contest, but all entrants will receive a $5 gift certificate from the Waterfront Café for use during the summer of 2014 and a $5 gift certificate to the Bark Bark Club.
Trick or Treat on Bryn Mawr Avenue, 4-6 p.m. Oct. 30: Bring the kids for this trick or treat event. Many businesses and organizations — including Apart Pizza, A Better Tan, Lovely Too, Chicago Apartment Finders, Edgewater Development Corp., Nookies, Starbucks, Salon 63, Bridgeview Bank, Lakefront Realty, Johnny Sprockets, Zanzibar, Hellas Gyros, Superfoods, Bryn Mawr Apartments, UPS, Subway, Chase Bank and Francesca's — will be handing out candy.
Terror on Glenwood Haunted House, at 5456 N. Glenwood Ave., 5:30-8:30 p.m., Oct. 31: The Glenwood Catalpa Condo Association plans to transform their building into a haunted movie theater. Movie-goers will be greeted by "ghoulish paparazzi, undead police officers and creepy ushers," including a dead Joan Rivers, according to organizers. The theater's concession stand will serve treats and popcorn. The non-existent film "Terror on Glenwood" is on the bill, although no actual movie will be shown.
