The best things to do this Halloween

Ghoulish Halloween events that’ll have your heart racing

Arguably one of the best holidays of the year, Halloween marks a time where we celebrate everything weird, wonderful and decidedly not for the faint of heart. And this time, Beijing's come prepared. On this year's list, we've got everything from cheery, booze-filled events at your favourite watering holes, a whole host of sinister, frenzied parties to make your skin crawl, and even stuff to make the kiddies squeal. So whatever you'd like to do this All Hallow's Eve, we've got your back. It's Halloween in Beijing – and it's going to be a scream.

THINGS TO DO

The Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween screening

Migas. Thu 26. Free

In anticipation of their Rocky Horror themed disco-drag Halloween party, Migas are screening the cult classic that features hit tunes by Richard O’Brien, a scantily-clad Tim Curry, tap-dancing and Meatloaf on a motorbike. Get dressed to impress and do the Time Warp at this weird and whacky Halloween pre-party.

Farm to Neighbors Halloween market

The Grand Summit. Sat 28-Sun 29. Free

After two weeks away due to the National Party Congress, Farm to Neighbors returns with its largest second-hand exchange event of the year. On Saturday, trade in your pre-loved goods (and possibly pick up a costume in the process), while on Sunday head down for a special Halloween edition of their usual market. Expect seasonal goods, spooky face painting and a Halloween costume competition.

Jing A Halloween Beer Mile

Jing A Brewing Taproom. Sun 29. Free

Jing A's annual Halloween Beer Mile returns this Sunday with plenty of beer guzzling festive mayhem. Try not to chuck up your guts as you run four quarter mile laps around Courtyard 4 while downing a pint of beer at the start of every lap. Prizes and glory await the first three men and women to cross the line.

FOOD AND DRINK

Superheroes vs Villians H-Arrow-een Party

Arrow Factory Brewing Taproom. Sat 28. Free

Don your best hero or villain costume this Saturday for Arrow Factory's spooky Halloween shindig. They'll be pouring out a free keg of beer every two hours via their Beer Wheel of Death while also offering select beers for only 30RMB all night. DJ Spookeh will also be spinning his selection of sinister anthems to get your blood really pumping. 

Eye-P-A Halloween at Jing A Brewpub

Jing A Brewpub. Sat 28. Free

On Saturday night, Jing A Brewpub Xingfucun transforms into a house of horrors for their 'Eye-P-A' Halloween Party. Gather 'round a butcher's block of freshly carved meat from their smoker and wash it down with a buy-one-get-one-free deal on their Monster Mash Pumpkin Ale, going all night. Stick around until 11:11pm when they'll also judge the three best costumes – the top prize up for grabs will win a ticket to their 8x8 Brewing Project Beer Festival in November!

Get funked up at Slow Boat

Slow Boat Sanlitun Brewpub. Sat 28. Free

This Saturday, Slow Boat brewpub’s second floor is morphing into a bar/fun/funk zone with DJ Jay 1,2 on the turntables playing the best of funk and disco. Dress up as a monster decked out in 70's garb and enjoy their all night drink specials: four pints of Monkey’s Fist IPA or the SOS Belgian Wit for only 100RMB.

Halloween party at Red Dog

Red Dog. Fri 27. Free

This Friday, Red Dog's throwing a frightening and fun Halloween party with music labels Nika Sonata and Trial-Trip. Halloween drinks will be on offer for buy-one-get-one-free, or you can go all out with the dangerously devilish deal of six Halloween shots for only 100RMB. People who come dressed up (and why wouldn't you?) will receive four free shots. That's a lotta booze.

PARTIES

Freak Out Festival

Omni Space. Fri 27. 280RMB; 220RMB (presale)

This year, one of China's wildest Halloween raves returns bigger and better than ever. On Friday night, get ready to rave with Caked Up, Hydraulix, Tsunano and loads more. With a dark, ghoulish vibe, a massive sound system and thousands of people, get ready to get freaky on the one night of the year where anything goes.

Rocky Horror Halloween Extravaganza

Migas. Sat 28. Tickets tbc

Beijing’s most fabulous gender-bending dance party Disco Extravaganza is turning Halloween into a night of debauchery inspired by The Rocky Horror Picture Show. As always with Disco Extravaganza, expect outrageous performances, lots of drag and plenty of dirty dancing.

Puppet Master Halloween Party

Sir Teen. Mon 30-Tue 31. Free (Mon); 100RMB (Tue, presale)

Over the course of two nights, Sir Teen's celebrating Halloween with a creepy doll-themed party that'll have your heart racing. On Monday, they'll be throwing a pre-party to the main event with free entry for all, while Tuesday night sees only a limited number of early bird tickets being sold. Early bird ticket holders receive a free cocktail at the bar, so get your tickets now.

80's Halloween party

Dada. Tue 31. Tickets tbc

It may be a Tuesday, but it's also one of the most important holidays of the year so get dressed up in your cheesiest 80's costume and boogie with the good folks from Dada. Featuring DJ Ozone (playing an all 80's vinyl set) and DJ Half n Half.

Spooked Halloween

Lantern. Sat 28. 100RMB; 60RMB (presale)

Join all the other party animals at Lantern this Halloween where they'll be serving up an audio/visual bloodbath until dawn. Featuring DJs Eva Xu, Jackson Lee, El Conchitas, QQ, Elvis T, Watermelon and loads more.

FAMILY

Spook-tacular Halloween brunch

Feast (Food by East). Sun 29. 428RMB (per person)

Kicking off with a free welcome drink, this holiday buffet will be followed by an array of their signature brunch favourites (seafood specials, steaks, ham), followed by ghoulishly-good Halloween treats such as finger biscuits, ghost cupcakes, brain cakes and more. There's also a haunted house at Xian for the kids!

Children's Halloween workshop

Domain. Sat 28. 168RMB (one adult and child)

This Halloween, take a break from trick-or-treating to spend some quality time with your little ones at Domain's Halloween cupcake decorating class. Every adult and child can try their hand at decorating four cupcakes, plus enjoy one coffee or tea and a fresh juice.

For more spooky things to do this Halloween, hit '阅读原文'.

More from Time Out Beijing