October is just around the corner and that means it’s time to prepare for the 2024 Galena Halloween Parade and Festival! The 44th annual event is scheduled for October 26th, 2024 and we hope you’ll come join in the fun!

Galena, IL is well known for its rolling hills, charming streets, and stunning 19th-century architecture. Each October, however, the town takes on a spookier air, transforming into the perfect destination for Halloween lovers.

Halloween in Galena offers a mix of eerie tales, seasonal beauty, and fun festivities. The area comes to life with ghost tours, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and a variety of special events. Best of all is the Galena Halloween Parade and Festival.

This popular annual event sees downtown Galena transformed into a family-friendly street party. There are Halloween-themed booths, live entertainment, goodies from local restaurants, and costumes galore.

Finally there’s the Halloween Parade, which has to be seen to be believed. Just about everyone gets in on the fun – even your Hawk Valley Retreat innkeepers! We love marching in the Halloween Parade and plan to do so again this year. In fact, our marching group won 1st Place Crowd Favorite last year. Talk about good times!

2024 Galena Halloween Parade and Festival

This year’s Halloween Parade and Festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 26th, 2024. During the event, Main Street closes to traffic at 3pm and the street fills with costumed revelers. The parade runs down North Main Street in downtown Galena from 6:30pm to 8pm.

This spectacularly fun and spooky parade includes Halloween themed floats, marching bands, costumed performers, and prizes. There are even hot air balloons!

Attendees are encouraged to park at the Walmart off US  20 and ride one of the shuttles to the festivities in downtown Galena. You don’t have to wear a costume to attend but it definitely makes it more fun.

Best of all, Hawk Valley Retreat is less than 15 minutes from all the fun. This means you can easily attend the festivities with just a short drive afterwards to our secluded Galena bed and breakfast.

Shuttle services to and from Walmart pause for the parade, then resume afterwards, running until 11pm. Visit the 2024 Galena Halloween Parade and Festival event page for more information.