Chicago Teens Launch Annual Haunted House at Chase Park
The 16th annual production raises funds for local teen programming through a spooky clown-themed experience.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Teens
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Teens from the Society of Screams program are hosting their 16th annual haunted house at Chase Park in Chicago. The attraction features a clown-themed sweet sixteen party and serves as a fundraiser for neighborhood after-school activities.
Why it matters
The project empowers local youth by allowing them to manage all aspects of the production, from set design to costuming. Revenue generated from the ticket sales directly funds essential teen programming at the park.
Tickets for the PG-13 attraction are priced at $16 each. The production involves 25 student participants who design and staff the haunted house.
The players
Society of Screams
This local youth organization provides free membership to participants who collaborate on large-scale creative projects.
Chase Park
Located at 4701 N. Ashland Ave., this Chicago facility hosts the annual haunted house production to support community youth initiatives.
The details
This year, the attraction features a theme centered around a sweet sixteen party hosted by a clown. Teens involved in the Society of Screams program handle all creative elements, including planning the props, costumes, and makeup for the event.
Timeline
September 2026: The teens began planning the annual haunted house production.
October 16, 2026: The haunted house attraction opens for the season.
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: The event remains open to the public.
November 1, 2026: The haunted house attraction concludes its season.
Culture Shift
This production represents a growing reliance on community-led youth entrepreneurship to secure funding for local civic centers. By managing the full operational cycle of the event, participants shift away from passive roles toward active engagement in neighborhood economic sustainability.
Residents can purchase tickets for $16 to support after-school programs while experiencing the student-run production. The venue is located at 4701 N. Ashland Ave. and operates throughout the weekend until the start of November.
The takeaway
Supporting this student-run event provides a direct financial contribution to youth resources in the neighborhood. Families planning to attend should note the PG-13 rating of the attraction when considering their visit.
Further reading
Learn more about local youth initiatives on our Teens page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Block Club Chicago.
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