Sinister Skies Ahead: Halloween parades, markets and fashion shows

The best weekend of the school year has arrived at long last. While students finalize their rotation of Halloween costumes for the holiday festivities, they can also RSVP to bar crawls and house parties.

Ramblers can keep their celebrations to Loyola with the Halloween Bash at Arrupe College, where attendees can gorge themselves on sweet treats before the plastic gourds come out when Thanksgiving takes over the shelves at home decor stores. Or, sit front row at the Gothic Fantasy Fashion show, hosted each semester by Fashion Arts Club.

Furry friends can tag along to the Three Avenues Bookshop for their Paws & Claws Costume Crawl. The parade will meander through Lincoln Park. For a full-day option, Navy Pier has all-day activities and food and beverage vendors. At the end of the day, the Pier will wrap up with two spooky films.

Paws & Claws Costume Crawl Halloween Pet Parade: Oct. 28

Three Avenues Bookshop is hosting their second annual Paws & Claws Costume Crawl Oct. 28. Participants and their furry friends will gather at 5:30 p.m. and the parade will begin at 6 p.m. Stroll through the neighborhood and take spooky pictures with fellow pet owners while making fun stops at Lincoln Park businesses along the way.

Loyola Halloween Bash: Oct. 30

Loyola is hosting a Halloween Bash for students looking to celebrate on the Water Tower Campus at Arrupe College. From 12:30-2 p.m. in Maguire Hall’s second floor, students can snack on sweet treats, enter into giveaways and participate in a costume contest. The best costume will win a prize.

Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade and Block Party: Oct. 31

Starting at noon, the 30th Haunted Halsted Fest will commence, featuring food, drinks, live entertainment, street performers and other activities. Costumed participants and performers can show off their Halloween spirit when the night parade begins at 7 p.m. The event will be concluded by a costume contest with almost $4,000 total in cash prizes up for grabs.

Slightly Spooky Saturday at Navy Pier: Oct. 31

Navy Pier is going all in on the Halloweekend festivities, hosting a day of spooky activities, games, crafts and more. Visitors can grab food at restaurants on the pier, browse shops and participate in costume contests and other giveaways. The night will wrap up with two films, “Ghostbusters” at 5:30 p.m. and “Halloween” at 7:30 p.m.

Gothic Fantasy Fashion Show: Oct. 31

Loyola’s Fashion Arts Club is hosting their highly-anticipated fall semester fashion show — Halloween themed. Doors to Jo Ann Rooney Hall in Mundelein Center will open at 2:30 p.m., with the show set to begin at 3 p.m. Seats fill fast, so make sure to arrive early and bring $3 for the entry fee. Sales are cash only.

Loaves and Witches Halloween market: Oct. 31 – Nov. 1

Loaves and Witches is hosting a two-day market Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 from 12-4 p.m. to celebrate the spooky weekend. Customers can stop by the bakery and buy a sweet treat, sip on a coffee and connect with different vendors. Jewelry, cards, artwork and other knick-knacks will be available for browsing and purchase.