Photo by Andrew Dobson

Halloween Fun in Southwest Illinois

No one knows how to do Halloween like the towns throughout the Great Rivers and Routes region located in Southwestern Illinois, just minutes from St. Louis.

There are plenty of activities available for the kids ... and the kid in all of us. Each community has put its own spin on this most haunted season. Check out what's in store this year!

Community Parades
Trick-or-Treat Events

Ghosts, Goblins and Floats, Oh My!

Put on your favorite costume and join the Halloween fun in southwest Illinois this year. Watch the downtown streets in regional communities come alive with ghosts, goblins, floats and bands during annual Halloween Parades. Or enjoy trick or treat activities, an egg hunt event and parties galore!

Get ready for some Halloween fun. Here is a look at the activities taking place.

Community Parades

  • Alton: One of the oldest running Halloween parades in the country returns to the streets of downtown Alton on Saturay, Oct. 31 at 7:00 p.m. Floats, bands, and folks dressed up in their creepiest costumes will journey down Broadway Street and end at the intersection of Piasa and Sixth Street. Be sure to get your street side place early for best viewing opportunities.
  • Edwardsville: Join the spectators lining city streets along the parade route that stretches from Schwarz Street to St. Louis Street, Vandalia Street and North Main Street. The parade will step off at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 31.
  • Bethalto Rotary Halloween Parade 6:30 – 8 p.m. Oct. 26
  • East Alton Halloween Parade 7-9 p.m., Oct. 29
  • Litchfield Halloween Block Party and Parade 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Oct. 31
  • Wood River Halloween Parade 10:30 a.m. – Noon, Oct. 31
  • Hartford Halloween Parade 1- 3 p.m., Oct. 31
  • Carlinville Halloween Parade 6-7:30 p.m., Oct. 31

Trick-or-Treat Events

Alton: Friday, Oct. 30 5-7 p.m.

Bethalto: Friday, Oct. 30 6-8 p.m. & Saturday, Oct. 31 6-8 p.m.

Carlinville: Friday, Oct. 30 6-8 p.m. & Saturday, Oct. 31 6-8 p.m.

Collinsville: Saturday, Oct. 31 6-9 p.m.

East Alton: Friday, Oct. 30 6-8 p.m. & Saturday, Oct. 31 6-8 p.m.

Edwardsville: Friday, Oct. 30 Noon -9 p.m. & Saturday, Oct. 31 Noon -9 p.m.

Granite City: Saturday, Oct. 31 Dusk – 9 p.m.

Grafton: Friday, Oct. 30 6-8 p.m.

Godfrey: Friday, Oct. 30 6-8 p.m. & Saturday, Oct. 31 6-8 p.m.

Hartford: Friday, Oct. 30 6-8 p.m. & Saturday, Oct. 31 6-8 p.m.

Explore More