HILLOWEEN RETURNS: Trick or treat and kids carnival event is back from the dead in 2026 — Volunteer Park pet costume parade Sunday
After a two-year hiatus, a Capitol Hill Halloween tradition is rising from the grave with a boost from City Hall.
Meanwhile, the month’s trick or treat festivities get off to a monstrous start Sunday with the 2026 Halloween Pet Parade in Volunteer Park.
On the 31st, the annual Hilloween carnival and trick or treating returns for the first time in three years.
Two years ago, the Broadway BIA announced it had to cancel the long-running event due to lack of funding.
Last fall after a second year of cancellation, District 3 representative Joy Hollingsworth championed a budget amendment moving $5,000 to the Department of Neighborhoods matching fund program to support “annual Halloween events for children.”
Now moved under the organizing power of Egan Orion and PrideFest, the event is set for a Halloween day return. Orion says the celebration is being planned to expand beyond Broadway this year with trick or treating also in the Pike/Pine area. A central carnival is also being planned.
Lena and Ralphie as Queen Bee and Baby Bee
Capitol Hill Hilloween enthusiasm will begin to grow this weekend with the Halloween Pet Parade organized by the Volunteer Park Trust:
2026 Halloween Pet Parade
Sunday, October 4, 2026
11:00 AM 2:00 PMIt’s back! And spookier/sillier than ever, coming up October 4, 2026! Last year over 900 community members joined us for creative costumes, fabulous furry families, prizes, food trucks, and more.
Meanwhile, you can also expect the Capitol Hill Trick or Treat Hot Zone to make as strong a showing as ever with goblins, ghouls,… and, sometimes, quite a few umbrellas.
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