Happening around the same time as Halloween, the Latin American holiday of Día De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrates the deceased. On Nov. 1, celebrants make private altars for their deceased relatives with sugar skulls and the relative’s favorite foods and drinks.

In Chicago, there are lots of places to celebrate. See the largest annual Day of the Dead exhibition at the National Museum of Mexican Art (1852 W. 19th Street). On Nov. 1 at 7:30 pm, enjoy a special Chicago Sinfonietta concert at the Harris Theater (205 E. Randolph), featuring Latin American composers.

Several Mexican restaurants around the city will offer Día de Los Muertos specials. At Su Casa (49 E. Ontario), enjoy three specialty pumpkin-flavored drinks, including the Pumpkin Spice Martini. Mercadito (108 W. Kinzie) also will serve a specialty drink, La Muerte, made with tequila, pear puree, and rose water, rimmed with ancho salt.--Ruthie Kott

Ever since Halloween inexplicably morphed from a simple one-day candy grab into an elaborate “season” unto itself, it has become a holiday that appeals to adults and kids alike. Such inclusiveness is certainly one of the draws of Halloween, but the divide between appropriate activities for adults and children can make choosing one’s celebrations a bit complicated—no sense in prematurely scaring the wits out of the little ones or subjecting a group of 20-somethings to an apple bob.

The good news is that just as the reach of Halloween has grown, so too has the number of options for enjoying an age-appropriate good time.--Mark Loehrke   


Family Friendly

Navy Pier Really Big Halloween Party
From pumpkin carvers and spooky scavenger hunts to trick-or-treating and pony rides, there’s enough on the Pier to occupy the little ones until next Halloween (top image). Fri.– Sat., 12–9pm; Sun. and Wed., 12–8pm. 600 E. Grand, 312.595.7437.

Zombie Safari
What’s better than a regular game of paintball? Zombie paintball on a haunted trail—that’s what. 6:30–11:00pm. $20–$30. Paintball Explosion, 601 Dundee Ave. in East Dundee, 847.426.2662.

Screams in the Park
As the name suggests, this more intense haunted endeavor is probably best for kids over age 13 only. A recreation of serial killer H. H. Holmes’s mansion, the haunted house (image second from top) is in the basement of the MB Financial Park at Rosemont. Fri.–Sat., 7–11pm; Sun., 5–9pm; Mon.–Wed., 7–11pm. $20. 9703 Bryn Mawr in Rosemont, 847.349.5008.

Adults Only

Spooky Sushi and Spirits
The chic Rebar at Trump Tower breaks out Halloween-themed drink (a Dra-Kahlua, anyone?) and sushi specials through Wed., Oct. 31. 676 N. St. Clair, 312.588.8000.

“There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin.”

Originally printed in Charles Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip, the quote above is best known from the 1966 animated TV special It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, featuring beloved characters, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy, and more. For Peanuts fans, the quote inspires warm feelings around this Halloween season, and so will Charlie Brown and the Great Exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry (57th and Lake Shore, 773.684.1414).

Running through Dec., this exhibit honors the nearly five decades Charles Schulz researched, wrote, designed, and drew his Peanuts strip. Charlie Brown and the Great Exhibit explores Schulz’s personal history, original cartoons, and Peanuts ephemera to see how the characters evolved. You’ll see Schulz’s studio recreated, and the exhibit offers a tour of the holidays through the eyes of the Peanuts characters.--Ruthie Kott