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There's a house haunted by holographic ghosts, skeletons and creepy pumpkin creatures at 2211 W. Estes Ave. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago

CHICAGO — Witches, ghosts, skeletons and even aliens are everywhere in Chicago nowadays.

The city is gearing up for Halloween on Sunday — and that means residents are going all out when it comes to decorating their homes, blocks and businesses.

Block Club asked readers to tell us which spots had the most elaborate spooky decorations in Chicago — and they delivered.

Photographer Kathleen Hinkel visited more than a dozen spots, documenting the amazingly creative — and horrifying — ways people are getting ready for the holiday.

Here are some of the spookiest blocks you’ll see this Halloween:

There’s a witchy hamlet on Throop Street just south of Madison Street in the West Loop. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
Isabel Hernandez’s Pilsen yard on 19th Street between Throop and Loomis streets includes a 15-foot ofrenda for Día de los Muertos. It honors lost loved ones from the neighborhood. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
At 10857 S. Hamlin Ave. is this house, which is lit at night and has a variety of creepy creatures. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
At 10857 S. Hamlin Ave. is this house, which is lit at night and has a variety of creepy creatures. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
At 10857 S. Hamlin Ave. is this house, which is lit at night and has a variety of creepy creatures. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel
This house on Wayne Street just north of Foster Avenue features holographic ghosts, a graveyard and three charming pumpkins that sing and tell ghost stories. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
Lakewood and Wayne streets near Andersonville are a great place to walk to see decorated houses.
The block of Hamlin Avenue just north of Argyle Street goes big for Halloween, with most houses participating. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
The block of Hamlin Avenue just north of Argyle Street goes big for Halloween, with most houses participating. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
The block of Hamlin Avenue just north of Argyle Street goes big for Halloween, with most houses participating. This home had a zombie circus. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
The block of Hamlin Avenue just north of Argyle Street goes big for Halloween, with most houses participating. This home had a zombie circus. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
This house, 3426 N. Springfield Ave., near Irving Park and Avondale leans into a creepy clown theme. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
This house, 3426 N. Springfield Ave., near Irving Park and Avondale leans into a creepy clown theme. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
This house, 3426 N. Springfield Ave., near Irving Park and Avondale leans into a creepy clown theme. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
This house, 3426 N. Springfield Ave., near Irving Park and Avondale leans into a creepy clown theme. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
This house, 3426 N. Springfield Ave., near Irving Park and Avondale leans into a creepy clown theme. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
This house at Artesian Avenue and 99th Street in suburban Evergreen Park features a terrified child being carried by a creepy skeleton. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
Skeletons have taken over in suburban Evergreen Park at the corner of Artesian Avenue and 99th Street. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
Skeletons have taken over in suburban Evergreen Park at the corner of Artesian Avenue and 99th Street. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
An alien abduction area has popped up in the Irving Park/Avondale area at 3731 W. Eddy St. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
An alien abduction area has popped up in the Irving Park/Avondale area at 3731 W. Eddy St. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
An alien abduction area has popped up in the Irving Park/Avondale area at 3731 W. Eddy St. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
An alien abduction area has popped up in the Irving Park/Avondale area at 3731 W. Eddy St. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
An alien abduction area has popped up in the Irving Park/Avondale area at 3731 W. Eddy St. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
Just east of Albany Park at 2920 W. Wilson Ave. is this home, where zombies are taking over. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
In Portage Park on Henderson Street just east of Central Avenue is a house committed to a pirate Halloween. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
In Portage Park at 5834 W. Roscoe St. is an impressive graveyard with a headless gravedigger. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
In Portage Park at 5834 W. Roscoe St. is an impressive graveyard with a headless gravedigger. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
There’s a house haunted by holographic ghosts, skeletons and creepy pumpkin creatures at 2211 W. Estes Ave. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
There’s a house haunted by holographic ghosts, skeletons and creepy pumpkin creatures at 2211 W. Estes Ave. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
There’s a house haunted by holographic ghosts, skeletons and creepy pumpkin creatures at 2211 W. Estes Ave. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
This house, on the north side of Estes Avenue and just west of Ridge Boulevard in Rogers Park, has a skeleton walking his dogs. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
This house, on the north side of Estes Avenue and just west of Ridge Boulevard in Rogers Park, has a skeleton walking his dogs. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago

Want to visit the spots we featured?

  • South Throop Street and West Madison Street
  • West 19th Street and South Throop Street
  • 10857 S. Hamlin Ave.
  • North Wayne Avenue and West Foster Avenue
  • North Hamlin Avenue and West Argyle Street
  • 3426 N. Springfield Ave.
  • Artesian Avenue and West 99th Street
  • 3731 W. Eddy St.
  • 2920 W. Wilson Ave.
  • West Henderson Street and North Central Avenue
  • 5834 W. Roscoe St.
  • 2211 W. Estes Ave.
  • West Estes Avenue and North Ridge Boulevard

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