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!

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 Tuesday, 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., Tuesday, Oct. 31.

Bethalto: Tuesday, Oct. 24 6:30 p.m.

East Alton: Parade steps off at 7 p.m., Oct. 26.

Wood River: Saturday, Oct. 28 at 10:30 p.m.

Hartford: Sunday, Oct. 30

Mt. Olive: The Turner Hall Halloween Parade starts at 4 p.m., Oct. 30 at Blue Star Park.

Hillsboro: The 9th annual Trick or Treat Trail and Halloween Parade will be held at 5 p.m., Oct. 27.

Litchfield: The Litchfield Chamber of Commerce Parade will take place from 4 p.m., Oct. 28.

Carlinville: Friday, Oct. 28, 6:15 p.m.

Granite City: Month of Magic & Mayhem Parade Saturday, Oct. 7

Hartford: Friday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m.

More Halloween Events

Trick or Treat in Southwest Illinois

Carlinville: 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 30 & Tuesday, Oct. 31

Alton: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 30 & Tuesday, Oct. 31

Bethalto: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 30 & Tuesday, Oct. 31

East Alton: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 30 & Tuesday, Oct. 31

Wood River: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 26

Edwardsville: Noon - 9 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 29 & Monday, Oct. 30

Hartford: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 30 & Tuesday, Oct. 31

Litchfield: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31

Hillsboro: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 30 & Tuesday, Oct. 31

Granite City: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31

Mt. Olive: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 30 & Tuesday, Oct. 31