Galena's 45th Annual Halloween Parade & Festival

Event Insider Guide

Whether you’re a first-time spooky visitor or a seasoned ghoul of Galena, this insider’s guide will help you soak up every bewitching detail of the 45th Annual Halloween Parade & Festival. Expect Main Street to transform into a spellbinding spectacle of floats, marching bands, costumed participants, and tricks (or treats!) for all ages - plus food vendors, kids’ activities, and easy shuttle access to the heart of the action. With this guide in hand, you’ll know when to arrive, where to park or ride, and how to make the most of the festivities under the autumn moon.

Event Details

Downtown Galena comes alive on Saturday, October 25, 2025, as the 45th Annual Halloween Parade & Festival takes over Main Street from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Hosted by the Galena Area Chamber of Commerce, this beloved tradition features a spellbinding lineup of floats, marching bands, costumed characters, and entertainment for all ages. With the glow of autumn lanterns and the energy of thousands of spectators, it’s one of the region’s most anticipated fall celebrations.

Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025

Time: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Location: Main Street, Downtown Galena

Host: Galena Area Chamber of Commerce

Can't watch the parade in person this year?
The City of Galena provides four live video feeds of the 2025 Galena Halloween Parade for public enjoyment. The live streams are positioned in four different locations from the start of the parade to the end. You may access the parade live stream page here!

Parade Timeline

3:00 PM - All vehicles need to be removed from Main Street.
3:00 PM - Shuttle begins at Walmart (see Shuttle Services dropdown below)
3:00 PM-6:00 PM - Parade participant check-in, in front of the Post Office
5:00 PM - University of Wisconsin Marching Band performance at Grant Park
6:00 PM - Main Street Closed
6:15 PM - Donation float for the parade will be on Main Street. Note: Donations can also be mailed to the Galena Area Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 204, Galena, IL 61036
6:15 PM - Chad Wienen, an 8-time ATV/Quadcross Series Champion, will be greeting fans on Main Street before the parade starts.
6:30 PM - Parade start time

Shuttle Services

Shuttles will run from the Walmart parking lot (look for the bus near the Garden Center) to downtown Galena beginning at 3:30 PM.
- The fare is $5.00 per person ages 6 and above. Wristbands will be given for round-trip riders.
- Overflow parking will be at the Tractor Supply and Medical Associates parking lots.
Last outbound shuttle (toward downtown) departs at 5:30 PM before the parade starts.
After the parade, return shuttles will resume and continue operating until approximately 9:15 PM, dropping passengers off at the Walmart parking lot.
Note: The shuttle service does not run during the parade itself for safety reasons.
The pick-up/drop-off point for returning shuttles is near Galena City Hall (same location as drop-off).

Parking Info

The City of Galena Parking lot will be closed with no public parking.
Handicapped parking will be available with City approval at the South Main Street /Gazette Parking lot. Call to reserve your spot: 815-777-1050.
Parking will be limited due to street closures. Please refer to the City of Galena parking map and details on our Know Before You Go page.
No RV parking in the downtown area.
Those parked along Water Street after 3:00 PM will not be able to move until the parade ends, due to the parade lineup.

Street Closures

Beginning at 10:00 AM:

No parking on Washington Street between S. Commerce Street and Main Street
No parking on Perry Street between Commerce Street and Main Street

Beginning at 12:00 PM:

No parking on Commerce Street from Perry Street to Franklin Street, both sides.

Beginning at 3:00 PM:

No parking
- Main Street, for the length of the floodgates to Meeker Street - any vehicles not moved by 3:00 PM will be towed.
- Franklin Street, between Bench Street and N. Commerce Street.
- Commerce Street, between Hill Street and Franklin Street.
- Hill Street, between Commerce Street and Bench Street.
- Warren Street, between Main Street and S. Commerce Street.
- Water Street for the parade participant lineup.
- Green Street, by the Post Office.
- Commerce Street, by the Post Office, including the diagonal parking spaces.
- City lot by the Galena Gazette - Handicap parking only. Call to reserve your spot: 815-777-1050.

Safety & Guidelines

To keep the Halloween Parade fun and safe for everyone, please review the following rules before you go:

Drones: Personal drones are not allowed over the parade route.
Alcohol: Open alcohol is prohibited if you are participating in the parade.
Viewing Areas: Rooftop viewing is not permitted along Main Street.
Street Closures: All cars must be removed from Main Street by 3 PM. The street closes to traffic at 6 PM.
Shuttle Reminder: The last shuttle departs Walmart’s parking lot at 5:30 PM.
Candy Distribution: Candy may be handed out, but not thrown from floats or vehicles.
Containers: Replace glass bottles with non-breakable alternatives along the parade route.
Behavior: This is a family-friendly event. Profanity, disrespectful behavior, and inappropriate costumes are not tolerated.
Prohibited Items: Firearms (real or fake) are not allowed.
Seating: Only small folding chairs are permitted on shuttle buses. No chairs are allowed on Main Street before 3 PM. Any chairs set up before 3 PM will be removed.