The Town of Chesterton celebrates Halloween eve with 2026’s Downtown Trick or Treat

On the chilly night of Friday, Oct. 30, the Town of Chesterton welcomed residents and local businesses alike to take a stroll along Broadway and South Calumet Road the night before Halloween. Attendees tried out their costumes early and practiced their best call for “trick-or-treat” to vendors and businesses with open doors, welcoming booths, and bowls full of candy.

Downtown Trick-or-Treat, sponsored by the Duneland Chamber of Commerce, has given residents an early opportunity to celebrate Halloween, and businesses to get to know their clientele more personally, for over 15 years. On the last Friday of October, sections of Downtown Chesterton area are sealed off so attendees can freely roam the streets, drop by businesses, and get to know what’s in their area better.

“It’s really about bringing the business community together and giving them the opportunity to interact with residents that they wouldn’t normally have a chance to see,” said Chamber Events Manager Rachel Campbell.

With more than 2,000 people each year to plan for, the night doesn’t bring itself together on its own. Campbell and Chamber President Maura Mundell coordinate with fellow Chamber members, local businesses, the Chesterton Police and Fire departments, and members of the Town Council to line the streets with familiar faces and enough candy to go around.

After two decades of tradition, however, the businesses and community staples in the area are well accustomed to the process.

“There’s a lot of tried and true people who want to be here, so they sign up pretty early.” Campbell noted. “It takes a lot of logistical planning on where to put people. Our businesses love to participate, though, so they themselves are like, ‘We’ve got the candy, let’s do it.’”

One of the many local businesses who appreciate the opportunity to further cement their place in the community is Tethan’s Candy & Confections. Jennifer Gilbert, Tethan’s owner, is always eager to open her door.

“Every year I recognize more kids,” Gilbert said. “I see more familiar faces, and every year there’s new people who walk by for the first time and didn’t know that we’ve been here,. “It’s good to see new and familiar faces.”

The most important part is preparing, as more than 2,000 pieces of candy will need to be ready as soon as the early trick-or-treators come around. Part of the fun also comes from the chance to hand out something other than candy picked up from the store.

For Gilbert, Tethan’s always hands out chocolate coins. Another business, Hometown Tattoo, has passed out packets of Ramen noodles for both years it’s been in Chesterton.

When it comes to setting up, for many in the area, it’s as simple as pulling out a table and splashing it with some decor, either in the spirit of Halloween, or themed to fit their business. For others, without a brick and mortar spot in the Downtown, they set up in the Duneland Chamber of Commerce’s parking lot.

The pre-Halloween tradition has only continued to grow, as Broadway has now been added to the event, functioning more as a strip of trunk-or-treating as attendees line each side the sidewalks of businesses, walking through until they reach the Duneland Chamber of Commerce’s parking lot.

It’s the perfect opportunity for residents to freely explore the Downtown with their friends and families, and get an eye for what activities, clubs, and shopping spots are available to them. The Duneland Chamber of Commerce looks forward to seeing what next year holds, and where they can take the tradition next.

For more information on the Duneland Chamber of Commerce, visit its website at dunelandchamber.org