Halloween is an excuse to dress up and let out your inner weirdo … or your inner hero. It’s a holiday that is all about fun without any of the responsibilities that the hectic holiday season will be inflicting upon us all too soon.
No matter how long you try to drag out the trick-or-treating phase, it’s bound to be over by the time you hit your college years, whether you like it or not. Face it, the days of knocking on doors begging strangers for candy are long gone.
So what are you supposed to do now? Give up on Halloween and all the excitement it has to offer? Of course not! But if you’re new to Philly and don’t know what’s out there, or if you’ve just been sitting in the last couple years, now is a time for change. Make the most out of your Halloween weekend with any of the events listed.
It will also give you a good excuse to get out and have some fun after stressing over midterms all week. Put the work aside and find time to indulge in one of the many city Halloween happenings. These hot spots will be a great excuse to don your Halloween best. Remember, most of the options below are for the 21-and-over crowd.
1. 94 WYSP Halloween
Freak Fest
The Tweeter Center will be hosting an indoor concert on Friday, Oct. 28, at 7:30 p.m. Featured bands will include Audioslave, Seether and Thirty Seconds to Mars. If you’re up for music but you don’t want to hit the club scene, this might be a good event for you.
2. The Haunted Ship – “Terror at Sea”
This event is being held at Penn’s Landing from Thursday, Oct. 27, through Sunday, Oct. 30. The “Terror at Sea: the Legend of Augusto’s Curse” is a “frightening live performance” aboard the ship Gazela. The show features daring swordplay and swashbuckling pirates. Tickets are only $6 and all proceeds go to the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild. For more information visit www.gazela.org or call (215) 238-0280.
3. Halloween Family Festival
Even though this might seem like something for parents and kids, this event on Monday, Oct. 31, at the Kimmel Center is a fun night out for any age. The Philadelphia Orchestra will play haunting classics from the most chilling film scores while decked out in Halloween costumes. Audience members are encouraged to wear their own costumes too. It’s a great choice for those who are out partying all weekend and need a low-key way to wind down and celebrate the holiday. Tickets can range anywhere from $27 to $77, but the good news is that as students, you’ll be able to get rush tickets the day of the show. It begins at 8 p.m. For more information visit www.kimmelcenter.org.
There are lot of costume options out there, but where are you going to show off yours? Plenty of local bars and clubs will be incorporating Halloween festivities into their nightly events by holding costume contests, many of which offer a very nice cash prize. Trust, these are nothing to scoff at. They’ll pay for that $54 costume you bought at Halloween Adventure and then some. So don’t be a victim of “all dressed up without a place to go.”
4. Glamour to Gore, A Mischief Night Dance Party & Masquerade Ball
World Cafe Live will be hosting Le Cabaret Melange Third Annual Halloween Extravaganza & Masquerade Ball on Sunday, Oct. 30. It begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets can be bought in advance for $12, or $15 the day of the show if you’re in costume. If you don’t wear a costume the price is upped to $25, so come dressed to thrill. There will be costume contests, door prizes and giveaways. Entertainment includes DJ Robert Drake of WXPN and VJ Large Marge, the comedy of Mr. Dead Guy & Friends. Visit www.worldcafelive.com for more information.
5. McFadden’s Very Spooky Halloween Party
McFadden’s Saloon will be hosting a Halloween bash on Saturday, Oct. 29 starting at 8 p.m. The cover charge is only $5 and there are $2 and $3 drink specials. There is also a nice $500 cash prize and gift certificates for the best costumes. Promotions Manager Amanda Reed said, “McFadden’s can offer something for everyone. We have hosted a Halloween Party every year, and every year it has been successful.” Pictures from last year’s party and a copy of their flyer are on their Web site, www.mcfaddensphilly.com.
6. The Second Annual Saints and Sinners Ball
Swanky Bubbles, located at 10 S. Front St., will be hosting the Saints and Sinners Ball on Friday, Oct. 28, beginning at 9 p.m. The price is $15 for an advanced ticket, and all proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross for hurricane victims. There is an open bar from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Their costume contests include categories for sexiest costume and most creative costume. The winners will be awarded $500 cash. Guests are required to register for the costume contest between 9 to11 p.m. “This event should appeal to anyone … this is the second annual party and [last year] it was a sold-out event and it was a blast,” said Director of Marketing Vince Frankowski. Music will be provided by DJ Scott Payne. Call (215) 888-9866 to buy advanced tickets. Group rates are also available.
7. Creepy Costume Party at Tiki Bob’s Cantina
Tiki Bob’s, at 461 N.Third St., is already a popular nightspot among college students, so their Halloween event shouldn’t disappoint. The party will be held Saturday, Oct. 29, and doors open at 8 p.m. There is a $500 prize for best costume, which the management said is always competitive. More information is provided at www.tikibobsphilly.com.
8. A Nightmare on South Street
On Saturday, Oct. 28, starting at 9 p.m. Fiso Lounge will host a Halloween party complete with costume contest and giveaways. The cost is $10 and Fiso is located at 1437 South St. E-mail any questions to tinakuylen@aol.com.
9. Phreak Out!
On Saturday, Oct. 29, at 9 p.m. Khyber, located at 56 S. Second St., will host a costume party featuring DJ’s Dev79, Stumble and Generic Man. Cover is free and the party is for those 21 years and older. Their costume contest will provide cash prizes and giveaways to the winners.
10. Halloween Party at Brownies
On Saturday, Oct. 29, Brownies Pub, located at 46 S. Second Street in Old City, will be hosting their annual Halloween Party. “We teamed up with a radio station this Halloween. DJ Richie Rich from Q102 will be here, and we’ll have a live band, Vibe Tribe, playing,” said Brownies manager Janet Rickards. “There will be a $300 cash prize for the best costume, and the judging is going to be around midnight.” Brownies will also offer a free buffet until 10 p.m. and $2 drink specials until midnight. Free food is always a plus, and Brownies is another popular college spot where you’re sure to meet a lot of other 20-somethings from around the city.
Now there’s no excuse. There’s no reason for you not get out this weekend and give yourself a Halloween to remember.
Lisa Thompson can be reached at lisa526@temple.edu.
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