Dubuque residents looking for a big downtown Halloween parade this October will come up empty-handed. Unlike recent years when the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival helped revive a community parade along Locust Street, no major city-sponsored or large-scale Halloween parade is scheduled in Dubuque for 2026.

That absence doesn’t mean the season is quiet. The broader Tri-State Area — spanning eastern Iowa, northwest Illinois, and southwest Wisconsin — is overflowing with family-friendly and frightful events that more than fill the gap.

Nearby Parades Ready for Costumes and Candy

Just a short drive from Dubuque, several classic parades are on the calendar:

•  Asbury Halloween Parade (Friday, October 23, 7–8:30 p.m.)
Starts at Cloie Creek Park and heads to Asbury Park. Expect groups, floats, costumes, and candy handed out along the route. Volunteers are still needed, and participants line up beginning at 6 p.m. Special treats await at the finish. Hosted by the Asbury Area Civic & Recreation Foundation.

•  Galena’s 46th Annual Halloween Parade & Festival (Saturday, October 31, 6:30–8 p.m.)
One of the region’s biggest and longest-running celebrations takes over Main Street in downtown Galena, Illinois. Floats, marching bands, costumed characters, prizes, and treats draw thousands. Shuttles run from the Walmart parking lot. This year’s entries are encouraged to nod to Galena’s history as the community marks a bicentennial theme.

•  Bellevue Rotary Halloween Parade (Saturday, October 31, 5–6 p.m.)
Held indoors at the old Bellevue Elementary gym for a weather-proof experience. Participants parade around the gym while spectators watch from the bleachers. Candy bags for all, plus cash prizes for top individuals and groups. Sign-up starts at 4:30 p.m.

•  Theisen’s Dog-O-Ween Costume Contest & Parade (Sunday, October 25)
Dogs and their humans compete in costume categories at Theisen’s Home Farm Auto in Dubuque. Registration at 1 p.m., parade at 3 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Dubuque Regional Humane Society. Spectators free; participants $10.

Family Events, Trunk-or-Treats, and Milder Scares in and Around Dubuque

Even without a parade, Dubuque and its immediate neighbors offer plenty of safe, low-key options:

•  Trunk-or-Treat at the Dubuque County Fairgrounds (Thursday, October 22) features decorated vehicles, candy, and “Trunker Trophy” contests.

•  Halloween Hike at Mines of Spain / EB Lyons Interpretive Center (October 9) includes guided non-scary trails with characters, followed by s’mores and hot chocolate.

•  Mad Scientist Fun Day and related activities at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.

•  Outdoor movie nights, paint parties, and costume contests at spots like the Dubuque Arboretum and local play cafes.

•  Traditional city-wide trick-or-treating in Dubuque runs 5:30–7:30 p.m. on October 31, with similar evening windows in Asbury, East Dubuque, Galena, Platteville, and dozens of other Tri-State towns.

For those who prefer a bigger fright, longtime attractions such as Dark Chambers in Hazel Green, Wisconsin, and other regional haunted houses remain open on select nights through early November.

Why the Gap in Dubuque?

Dubuque’s big Halloween parade has had an on-again, off-again history. After the local YMCA stepped away years ago, the event went dark for a stretch before film-festival organizers briefly brought it back with a movie-themed twist. This year, organizers appear to have focused resources elsewhere, leaving the streets of downtown quieter on parade night.

The upside is clear: the Tri-State community has stepped up. From Asbury’s neighborhood-friendly route to Galena’s massive Main Street spectacle, families still have multiple chances to dress up, collect candy, and enjoy the season without traveling far.

Check local city websites, chamber of commerce pages, and community calendars for the latest details, weather contingencies, and registration forms. Whether you’re chasing a classic parade, a dog in a costume, or a quiet hike with hot chocolate, the Tri-State Area has Halloween covered — even if Dubuque’s own big parade is sitting this one out.