Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, which means more families, parties, and events filling Chicago’s streets from the afternoon well into the night. New crash data shows why drivers and pedestrians alike should take extra care.
In an analysis of five years of Chicago Halloween crash data, pedestrian-involved crashes on Halloween 2025 were about 108% above the average for comparable days: 21 crashes, compared with an average of 10.1. Here is what the numbers show, and what you can do with them.
What the Chicago Pedestrian Crash Data Shows
Pedestrian crashes stood out in the data. Three findings matter most:
- Pedestrian crashes rose about 62% on average on Halloween from 2021 to 2025, compared with about 17% for all crash types.
- The biggest increase came before dark, around 3 and 4 p.m., which may coincide with school dismissal and early trick-or-treating.
- Children ages 3 to 9 made up more than double their usual share of pedestrians involved in Halloween crashes.
The full analysis breaks the numbers down by year, hour, age group, and crash location.
Where Halloween Crowds Gather in Chicago
Halloween in Chicago is more than trick-or-treating. Events like the Navy Pier’s Slightly Spooky Saturday, The Spooky Zoo, Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up, Arts in the Dark Parade, and the Northalsted Halloween Parade all draw large crowds, and many neighborhoods fill with families into the evening.
More people on foot means more crossing, more drop-offs, and more drivers navigating crowded streets. If you’re heading to an event, plan how you’ll get there ahead of time, use designated drop-off areas for rideshares, and give extra space to crowds spilling off the sidewalk.
How to Stay Safe During Halloween
A few habits can make a real difference, depending on how you’re celebrating. Here are several safety tips to keep in mind to avoid any accidents during Halloween:
If you are driving:
- Practice defensive driving and slow down in residential neighborhoods, especially in the afternoon and early evening when trick-or-treating begins.
- Scan sidewalks and crosswalks for children darting out between parked cars.
- Put the phone away, come to a full stop at stop signs, and never drive impaired.
If you are trick-or-treating with kids:
- Keep young children with an adult at all times, and have older kids travel in groups.
- Add reflective tape, glow sticks, or flashlights to costumes and treat bags.
- Use face paint instead of masks so kids can see traffic clearly.
- Cross at crosswalks and intersections, and make eye contact with drivers before stepping out.
- If your street has no sidewalks, walk as far from traffic as possible and face oncoming cars.
If you are heading to a party or parade:
- Plan a safe ride home ahead of time.
- Stay out of the roadway, and don’t assume a driver can see you.
- Wear light or reflective accessories with your costume, especially if you are walking home after dark.
What to Do if an Accident Happens
If you or someone in your family gets hurt in a car crash or pedestrian accident, call 911 and get medical attention right away, even if injuries seem minor.
If it’s safe, take photos of the scene, collect witness contact information, and be cautious about giving statements to an insurance company before you understand your rights.
An experienced Chicago car accident attorney can help explain your options and what compensation may be available.
Make It a Safe Halloween in Chicago
Halloween should be about fun, costumes, and candy, not emergency rooms. Knowing when and where the risk is highest helps families plan smarter routes and helps drivers stay alert when it matters most.
To see the hour-by-hour chart, the age breakdown, where crashes happened, and the full methodology, read the full Chicago Halloween crash analysis.
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