Halloween 2016: 20 scarily good parties, gigs and movies to try this weekend in York

It’s the spookiest night of the year, and York has a frighteningly good choice of ways to spend it.

If you are after family-friendly activities, there’s a big selection of Halloween events in our holiday round up here.

But if you want a night to chill the blood, here are all the haunts promising something special for scary season.

Pubs and clubs

Kuda Halloween Weekend: Day of The Dead: Located next to York Dungeons, York’s “biggest halloween weekend party is spread out over the whole weekend”.
October 28-October 30

Halloween Masquerade Ball at Revolution: Bring your mask and chill out.
October 30

Club Salvation Twisted Disney Halloween Special: “It’s time to go further down the rabbit hole, take a bite from the rotten apple, make a deal with ursula and get that fur coat made from those Dalmatian puppies.”
October 29

Halloween Open Fright Night at The Nook: Not your usual open mic night, with Halloween cocktails and decorations. Come in fancy dress and receive a free shot at the bar.
October 28

Dead Celebrities Halloween Party at Gibson’s: All in the best possible taste, Gibson’s invites you to come dressed as your favourite dead celebrity, with prizes for the best outfits.
October 29

Halloween at Flares: “Five nights of fearful fun” – talk about making the most of something… From a Monster’s Ball to a Devil’s Disco, there’s something every night.
October 27-31

Halloween Weekender at the Slug & Lettuce: Dress to kill at the Slug’s riverside bar, and remember ghouls just want to have fun…
October 28-30

Halloween at The Punch Bowl: Mad Alice tells you gruesome tales from York’s history, followed by games, beer tastings and more.
October 31

Music

The Fulford Arms Massacre for Halloween: A special Halloween evening celebrating they’re 1,000th day and night of being open. “Come and join the trick or treat fun as we welcome some of York’s most brutal musicians to join us for the best party in town.”
October 28

Halloween Special Open Mic Night at the Golden Ball: York’s community pub open mic night is hosting a Halloween special. You’d better start learning the Monster Mash…
October 31

Halloween Bonanza at the Basement Bar: Musical fright night featuring Kymberley Kennedy, Ramona Rose, Laura Kindelan and more.
October 30

Movies

The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Yorkshire Museum: A screening of one of the world’s favourite rock ’n’ roll musicals – plus with a themed buffet and cash bar.
October 31

Vampyr at the NCEM: It may have been released in 1932 but this black and white film classic still has the power to chill the blood… And you can tuck in to wine and cheese too.
October 28

Train To Busan + Halloween Party: Watch the acclaimed apocalypse horror flick Train To Busan at City Screen then head to its riverside bar for the party.
October 29

Halloween Special: The Babadook: A spooky film, plus an intro by by Jon Towlson, critic for Starburst Magazine and author of Subversive Horror Cinema, all at the City Screen.
October 31

Drama and art

Murder Mystery: Halloween in York – The Grand Hotel & Spa: Murder mystery company Scandalous Affairs are staging a classic murder in the boardroom this Halloween. Can you work out who did it? Plus a three-course dinner.
October 28

Halloween at the Old Fire Station: Come and experience Halloween at the Old Fire Station for the final time. Soon this building will be demolished, so come and explore this historic building by torchlight. Will the spirits come out and play one last time?
October 29-31

York Dungeon after hours: Scary at any time of the year, York Dungeon stays open till 9pm on Halloween to eke out the frights. Dare you go after dark…?
October 31

Grinny Grandad’s Big Halloween Bash at The Crescent: Electro funk rockers Grinny Grandad headline the Crescent’s Halloween bash, supported by many more local artists. And there are prizes for the best fancy dress.
October 28

Hallows Gate: The Hourglass Devastation: Join the York Terror Trail team for this new Halloween drama acted out on the streets of York. This year the guides find themselves facing their greatest challenge yet as the Ministry of Time attempts to invade and take over the tour in their pursuit of temporal refugees…
Nightly till October 31