Elgin’s Nightmare on Chicago Street Event

Details & Potential Impact on Rally Point Sessions

‘Nightmare on Chicago Street’ is an annual, city-backed Halloween event that transforms downtown Elgin into a themed festival in late October.

This year, the event has grown to two days - Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17, 2026 - and will include significant road closures, crowds, and setup activity around our office area - both ahead of and during the event itself.

If you’ve got a session scheduled during this time, there are a few potential impacts you should be aware of.

Potential Impact on Sessions

Generally speaking, the biggest impacts on sessions at Rally Point are parking restrictions and the presence of themed props on downtown streets ahead of the event. Clients should be aware that street closures, parking changes, and setup downtown begin the week of the event (Monday, October 12th) and last until after the event is over and decorations have been cleaned up. Please note that this year’s decorations are zombie/horror themed and are already going up around downtown - some clients may find them unsettling.

Week of the EventMonday, Oct 12 – Wednesday, Oct 14

  • Halloween/horror-themed decorations will be visible around downtown.
  • Monday the 12th: some streets temporarily closed while stages and gates go up. Parking is available but harder to find – allow extra time.
  • Office access / session scheduling is normal.

Thursday the 15thSetup day

  • Chicago Street and some side streets closed. Parking greatly restricted – expect delays ahead of sessions.
  • Fencing begins going up around our building.
  • Office access is normal, but may appear restricted as fencing goes up. Consider scheduling virtually or allowing extra time to reach the building.

Friday the 16th & Saturday the 17thEvent days – office closed

  • Entire downtown area closed without event wristbands and only through specified gates.
  • Rally Point offices closed entirely – no access either day.
  • Sessions on these days are virtual only. If you have an in-person session scheduled, your counselor will reach out to move it online or reschedule.

Parking Lot Closures

Our downtown office at 164 E. Chicago St. sits inside the event zone, so parking changes more than in past years (see map).

  • Through Thursday, Oct. 15: the free multi-story parking deck at Spring St. & Highland Ave. (just northeast of our building) is open. Street parking on Chicago, Douglas, and Spring closes as fencing goes up, so plan on the deck.

  • Thursday, Oct. 15: Chicago Street closes to traffic and fencing goes up around the block. Our entrance stays open on foot, but allow extra time to walk from the deck.

  • Friday, Oct. 16 & Saturday, Oct. 17: the office is closed and the parking deck is reserved for event parking. All sessions on these days are virtual.

We recommend allowing extra time for parking and arriving early to your appointment if you’re scheduled during the week of the event.