Shanghai's best Halloween parties 2017

Halloween's here! When you're done sinking your fangs into all the candy, and you're dressed-up as something genuinely ghoulish, it's time to get your freak on. Here's a rundown of the best Halloween parties this year.

Freaky Disco

In a nutshell A scarily good time at Roxie.

What to wear A Count Dragula outfit.

The Stanky Boyz host what's sure to be a lively night at Roxie with band The Nasty Revue performing live, Lindberg, Sean 2.0 and Levzep on the decks, plus Temple of Boom 'vinyl threesome', a drag show from The Dragonettes and quite probably loads more besides. 

Roxie Second Floor, 359 Kangding Lu, near Shaanxi Bei Lu. Sat 28. 6pm-late. 50RMB

Dagu Lu Halloween

In a nutshell Kids trick or treating followed by a pub crawl (for the adults) along Dagu Lu.

What to wear This is one to get properly costumed up for. Not sure how you represent 'the ghost of Yongkang Lu' in costume form, but give it a whirl.

Children will receive a goodie bag and find a treat in store at numerous outlets along the street; adults will find drinks deals and get a special T-shirt if they complete the crawl. The family-friendly trick or treating is from 11am-4pm; the pub crawl starts from 4pm. Participating locations include Bar Gatsby, The Hop Project, Shanghai Republik, Paradox, Park 91, Les Cafe des Stagiaires, Urban Thai and The Caxton. 

Les Cafe des Stagiaires 386 Dagu Lu, near Shimen Yi Lu. Sat 28. 11am-4pm, 4pm-late. TBA

Diisneey Trash

In a nutshell Definitely-not-IP-infringing Bund-side blowout.

What to wear A messed-up Miinniie, Miickeey or Muulaan outfit? There’s a pretty clear theme to work with here.

Bar Rouge’s oh-so-carefully spelt Halloween night is back once more with its usual mix of weird cartoon costumes, pole dancers, Champagne and house music - this time with a 'haunted goldmine' theme. All set against the bizarre Lujiazui skyline, which adds an extra layer of seemingly haunted weirdness as the lights go out. If you’re in search of a glitzy, high-end Halloween – and why not? – this is the party you’re looking for. 

Bar Rouge Seventh Floor, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Nanjing Dong Lu. Fri 27 - Sat 28. 10pm-late. 100RMB

Freakout Fest 2017

In a nutshell Big ticket party in a Changning shopping mall.

What to wear Something full-on, but not a Donald Trump costume – think harder. Maybe grab a friend and come as the Haier Brothers.

Having hosted Lex Luger, AraabMuzik and Keith Ape for their last two Halloween outings, SHFT are bringing in LA future bass producer Y2K, Vegas DJ duo Caked Up and Barong Family trap artist Bailo for their third Freakout Fest. The addition of so-hot-right-now Chengdu hip hop collective Higher Brothers - who rap about everything from WeChat to 7-Eleven - means this should be a popular one. 

The full line-up is as follows: Caked Up, Al Rocco, Blow Fever, Y2k, Josh Pan, Warz, Bass Hoodie, Dirty Class, Louie Louie, Vrosikiii, Allnigher$, Nimbus League, Fader One, Miiia, Gloyane, Leo Chiodarol and Siesta. 

Jiantao Shopping Centre 269 Tongxie Lu, near Xiehe Lu. Sat 28. 9pm. 220RMB pre-sale, 280RMB door.

Halloween Tribute Night 2017

In a nutshell Local musicians cover iconic songs in costume.

What to wear A 'ghost of Dan Shapiro' get up.

A perennial Shanghai Halloween favourite, this year's Yuyintang covers-in-costume blowout features members of locally based bands performing as classic acts. Pixies (the Black Francis and Kim Deal-led band, not the mythical fairy-like creatures), Nirvana, Pantera and The Hives are the acts being covered this year, artist choices that should make for a good combination of ridiculous costumes and strong discographies, which is always when the tribute night is at its best. 

Yuyintang 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu. Sat 28. 9pm. 60RMB.

Love Bang Halloween: Dawn of the Dongmei!

In a nutshell Free and easy fun times.

What to wear An exact replica of the Xu Dongmei costume, just to mess with them.

The Love Bang gang are sinking their fangs into the Halloween thang once again this year, with their free Dawn of the Dongmei event at DADA. Caution and Heatwolves are teaming up with homegrown producer Zean for a night of hip-hop, '80s classics, Italo disco, 'trippy cartoon visuals' and no doubt a heavy dosage of other randomness – something always to be expected at Love Bang nights.

Entry is 0RMB and the costume policy is relaxed – 'you can come as whatever you like,' they say – making this a fun and mafan-free Halloween option. As for Dongmei incidentally, that's Xu Dongmei, the freelancing street cat, fashion week fixture and Love Bang mascot that looks like it just wandered out of a Halloween party all year round, no costume needed.

Oh, and if you're a bit of a date purist about these things, note that DADA will also be hosting a Halloween party on Tuesday 31, with DJs Scary Monster and Boo Ghost playing 'fun music only' all night.

DADA 115 Xingfu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu. Sat 28. 10pm. Free.

STD Anniversary and Arkham Halloween Party

In a nutshell Always popular club night with extra fake blood.

What to wear A 'Pokemon Go to hell' costume - the game's cards and imagery often pop up in the work of headliner Yung Lean. 

Teenage Swede Jonathan Leandoer Håstad – alias Yung Lean – brings his hazy, ethereal 'cloud rap' tracks to Arkham for their annual Halloween party, an event which will also mark 10 years of promotional body STD.

Get in early for this one - it ought to be popular.

Arkham Found 158, 168 Julu Lu, near Chengdu Nan Lu. Sat 28. 10pm. 220RMB pre-sale, 300RMB door.

Haunted on the Huangpu Boat Party

In a nutshell A 'haunted' boat cruise down the Huangpu.

What to wear Keep it topical and get Shanghai'ed with a nautical themed costume. 

Expect DJs, drink deals and crazy costumed fun. Tickets include one drink, with sangria, beers and mixers available. 

Yangjiadu Pier 1 Zhangyang Lu, near Puming Lu. 19.30-21.30. 228RMB pre-sale, 288RMB door, 1000RMB five ticket package pre-sale.

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