One of the Midwest’s Best Halloween Parades Happens Soon In Illinois

The one item that is always on my Fall bucket list is going to the massive Halloween Parade and Festival held each October in Galena, Illinois. Sadly, I have yet to make it there.

It's not that my family never visits Galena, we try to go there as often as we are able to. It just seems like we always have something going on when the parade happens, and I really want to make it a priority to get there this year because I know my kids, (and I) would love it.

Many people I know have seen Galena's Halloween Parade several times, and they are always raving about how cool it is. I've been to Galena in early October several times, so I know the downtown area and all its cute, little shops are always dressed to the 9's in their Halloween best, so I can only imagine how spooky it gets for parade time.

What To Expect at the Galena Halloween Parade and Festival

Galena's 2021 Halloween Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 30, but there is plenty of fun to be had before the actual parade begins at night! There will be hot air balloons on display, a kids' fest at Galena's middle school, a food festival, and plenty of spooktacular shopping, (always my favorite thing to do in Galena).

If you're worried about traffic and parking due to the massive crowds this event brings in, a shuttle service is available before and after the parade.

VisitGalena.org says;

From 3 p.m., shuttles will run from the Walmart parking lot off US 20, to downtown Galena. Please note that for safety reasons, the shuttle cannot run during the parade but will resume after the parade and continue until 11 p.m. The cost of a round trip ticket on the shuttle is $5 per person for ages 6 and up.

All parade-goers are encouraged to come in costume and get prepared for a fantastically spooky time, I know I will be!