Fall is arguably the best time for DIY shows in Chicago. The air is finally comfortable without the overbearing summertime sun, and the crisp, cool weather is ideal for meeting up with friends and walking to a DIY spot —plus, you can rock that limited-edition band hoodie you bought over the summer without risking heat stroke in the pit. And, as the temperatures begin to drop, Halloween shows are lurking just around the corner.
Halloween is on a Sunday this year, which means Hall-O-Weekend is packed with costume shows, cover sets, and parties. Whether you’re looking for an all-ages costume party or want to attend a metal fest at a 21+ venue, Locals Only has compiled a guide to Halloween shows going on around Chicagoland that features tons of festive, age-inclusive options.
ALL AGES SHOWS
Halloween at The Darkroom
If your favorite part of Halloween is dressing up and pretending to be someone else, then you’ll love how the artists on this Darkroom lineup are taking their costumes a step further by swapping their usual songs for cover sets. Local bands Atheena, Satin Black, Talking Pretty, and Pure Intention will be performing as Nirvana, Ramones, Black Flag, and Misfits, respectively.
Date: Saturday, October 29. 6:30 P.M.
Location: Elgin, IL
Age: All ages
Price: $10
Sector Record Release Show
Supported by a heavy-hitting lineup of hardcore bands and an early Hatebreed cover set, Sector will be playing their debut album, The Chicago Sector, which was released on September 20. The record is the band’s first solo studio release since their March 2020 EP, “The Virus of Hate Infects the Ignorant Mind.” Wear a costume!
Date: Saturday, October 29. 6:00 P.M.
Location: Cobra Lounge
Age: All ages
Price: $20
COSTUME SHOWS
A Transylvania Double Feature
This Halloween pre-party has a little bit of everything you need to get in the spooky spirit: a costume party; cover sets from Tub Girl (as System of a Down), No Hitter (as My Chemical Romance), and Not Mumford and Sons (as AJJ); and a late-night screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Date: Saturday, October 22. 5:00 P.M.
Location: Joliet, IL
Age: 18+
Price: $5
A Halloween Extravaganza at Albion House
Head to this noise & grindcore costume party extravaganza if you’re looking for a great party to kick off Hall-O-Weekend! From new local bands like Brilliant Behemot and Blackwater Sniper to touring bands Deliriant Nerve and Deterioration, this show is sure to be heavy, packed, and full of Halloween fun.
Date: Friday, October 28. 6:00 P.M.
Location: Rogers Park, Chicago
Age: 18+, 21+ to drink
Price: $10
Two Days of Drk Nite at SubT
This two-day fest features heavy rock and alternative bands from Chicago, as well as from across the state! Dress in all-black or wear a costume — and be sure to stick around for the Halloween Dance Night after party on Saturday!
Dates: Friday, October 28. 5:30 P.M. AND Saturday, October 29. 5:30 P.M.
Location: Subterranean
Age: 18+, 21+ to drink
Price: $13
A Gabaghoul Halloween at LiveWire
New Orleans tour package Brat + Total Hell rightfully have the top billing for this 21+ costume party show, but you won’t want to miss the Chicago support — especially Lundindungeon, a project with members of local noise groups Sarin and Midwestlust.
Date: Sunday, October 30. 8:00 P.M.
Location: LiveWire Lounge
Age: 21+
Price: $20, or $15 with a costume!
SPOOKY METAL SHOWS
O’Hallows Death Fest 3
This all-day metal fest is ideal for those who want to check out as many bands as they can and still make it to a Halloween costume party that night. With 14 bands on the lineup, you’re likely to walk away having discovered a new favorite death metal band (or two!)
Date: Saturday, October 22. 3:00 P.M.
Location: Magoos Bar
Age: 21+
Price: $20
Autopsy at Reggies Rock Club
Not one for Halloween theatrics but still want to get out for the music? Brutal death metal band Autopsy will be headlining Reggies Rock Club with local support from Molder and Bones.
Date: Saturday, October 29. 7:00 P.M.
Location: Reggies Rock Club
Age: 17+, 21+ to drink
Price: $33
ALL HALLOWS’ EVE FESTIVITIES
$1 Beer Night at Sleeping Village
Looking for something to do on All Hallows’ Eve — even if it is a Monday? A $5 cover charge at Sleeping Village in Avondale will grant you access to their music venue where Space Gators and The Tomblands will be serving up all the spooky tunes. Oh yeah, did we mention shitty domestic beers are just a buck all night long?
Date: Monday, October 31. 8:30 P.M.
Location: Sleeping Village
Age: 21+
Price: $5
Locals Only 