The City of Carbondale is excited to announce the kickoff of Carbondale Halloween 2025, a month filled with traditions, thrills, and exciting new events for all ages! 

Halloween Kickoff – October 4 
Festivities begin on Saturday, October 4, at The Varsity Center with a special double-feature screening of Ghostbusters and The Substance. This is the first of several spooky movie nights planned throughout October. Residents and visitors can enjoy classic Carbondale Halloween traditions such as The Pumpkin Glow from Green Earth, Inc. (Oct. 16-18), & The Great Carbondale Pumpkin Race (Oct. 18), put on by The Rotary Club of Carbondale- Breakfast, along with many other family-friendly outings, old and new, throughout October, on into the beginning of November.  

This year, Carbondale Halloween and SIU Homecoming join forces for the Carbondale Halloween Homecoming Music Street Festival on Friday, Oct. 24 from 3-10 p.m. South Illinois Avenue will be closed for an evening of food trucks, vendors, games, an all-ages costume contest, and live music featuring The Urge, Keller Williams Presents DeadPettyKellerGrass, Hot Like Mars, and Modern Day Saints ft. Tawl Paul and other special guests.  Don’t resist “The Urge” to join us with friends, family and alumni to celebrate Halloween and SIU Homecoming on the Strip. 

Find full itinerary and details of all Carbondale Halloween events at carbondalehalooween.com.  

Official Trick-or-Treat Hours – October 31 
Halloween trick-or-treating will take place on Thursday, October 31, from 4–8 p.m. 

• Residents who wish to hand out candy should leave their porch or driveway lights on. 

• Trick-or-treaters are encouraged to wear reflective clothing or tape, and guardians should check candy for safety. 

• Volunteers are welcome for the Pumpkin Patrol, which helps ensure a safe Halloween night. To volunteer, contact Randy Mathis at the Carbondale Police Department at 618-457-3200 ext. 402 or via email at rmathis@carbondaleil.gov. 

Halloween Decorating Contest 
Carbondale will again host its Home & Business Decorating Contest to celebrate the spirit of Halloween. Winners in each category will receive a $50 gift card to a local business. 

• Entries must feature decorations visible from outside. 

• To participate, email photos to contest@carbondaleil.gov with your name, phone number, and address. Please also indicate if you consent to your photos being shared on social media and your address being included in the public map of decorated homes. 

• The submission deadline is Monday, October 27. 

“Carbondale has a proud Halloween tradition that grows stronger each year,” said City Manager Stan Reno. “Halloween 2025 has something for everyone—from family-friendly favorites to exciting new events that bring our community together. We look forward to welcoming residents, students, alumni, and visitors to celebrate safely and enjoy everything Carbondale has to offer this October.”