LUMA8, in partnership with the City of Chicago, presents the 11th annual Dark Arts Halloween Parade—a family-friendly celebration featuring dazzling floats, lifelike puppets, and spectacular performances. The parade will take place on Saturday, October 18, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM along historic State Street, ending at Randolph Street. The event is part of the Chicago Loop Alliance's fall "Falling for the Loop" initiative.
This magical nighttime parade celebrates Halloween as an "artist's festival," bringing together cultural organizations, youth programs, and artists from every Chicago neighborhood. Dark Arts is part of Falling for the Loop, a month-long initiative to support the Loop region's economy and unite all 77 neighborhoods. Dark Arts is a one-of-a-kind fall tradition. For the first time, this year's parade will feature eight creative guilds, comprised of creative professionals from various organizations representing their respective fields, coming together to celebrate a playful spirit of solidarity. These guilds include architects (nearly 100 of whom will wear their own sculptural headdresses), photographers (acting as "paparazzi" documenting the parade from within), audio producers (interviewing parade-goers for podcasts), as well as writers, poets, visual artists, theater professionals, and filmmakers. The artists will present a 50-foot-long cosmic snake, a 40-foot-long firefly, an electric bathtub, and 16 giant skeletons.
Another new feature of this year's parade is the exciting DIY costume contest, hosted by Goodwill of Greater Milwaukee and Chicago, a major supporter of this year's "Dark Arts" parade. Goodwill is inviting Chicago-area residents to participate in the "Haunted Runway Costume Contest" and design a costume suitable for the parade. After a community vote, five finalists will showcase their artistic talents in the parade, and thousands of paradegoers will vote to select the winner.

Dane County

United States

Madison

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Time:	Oct 18, 2025 (UTC-6) ENDED
Location:	State Street

Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade | Madison

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