To help you get into the spirit of Halloween, here is our list of the best upcoming events around town to get you on your ghoulish way. From pumpkin carving classes to donning your best costume, there is bound to be an event to match your taste.
Don’t forget to check out our list of the best costume shops to help put together your perfect outfit!
For Kids
2018 Urban Family Kids Halloween Weekend
Join us for a weekend of fun Halloween activities! Our Urban Family Kids Halloween Weekend will feature a range of musical performances as well as tons of fun games for the little ones. Expect no less than pumpkin carving, apple bobbing and a donut-eating contest. In the spirit of ghoul, there will also be a costume competition for kids to show off their spookiest, silliest and craziest costumes. It will be voted on by the audience and followed by a Halloween parade with prizes.
Oct 27-28, 11am-5pm. Shanghai Archwalk, see event listing.
Catrinas Workshop by Kentika
Catrinas are the representation of life and death in traditional Mexican culture. This workshop will teach you how to make a Catrinas doll with age-old techniques. Suitable for kids aged 11 and above.
Oct 21-28, daily 10am-1pm, RMB480. un Caffe Bar, see event listing.
Day of the Dead Party at Pistolera Jinqiao
Why not bring your kids to a fun-filled Halloween celebration? At Pistolera Jinqiao your kids will get into the holiday spirit with face painting and tons of yummy Halloween cookies. Adults can relax with a scary margarita or go wild with some black eyeball shots!
Sat, Oct 27, 3pm. Pistolera (Jinqiao), see event listing.
Halloween and Dia de los Muertos at POP
Join POP to celebrate a week-long carnival of horrors, with all-day gourmet options and awesome drink deals. Come for the 'boos' and stay for the 'booze'! Wear your best costume for their special Halloween party on October 31. Get your tickets at the POP reception from 8pm until late, and enjoy six bottles of SOL beer for RMB250. They'll also be holding a Dia de los Muertos party on November 2. Entry fee is RMB100, which includes one glass of beer or a special spooky drink. Costumes are also encouraged!
Sat-Sun, Oct 28-Nov 4. POP American Brasserie, see event listing.
Halloween Brunch with Awesome Kids Club
Awesome Kids Club is throwing a Halloween Brunch on October 28. On the beautiful terrace Twelve at Hengshan Hotel, parents can enjoy a luxury buffet with free-flow beer and sparkling wine, while kids have a blast with their awesome Halloween games and activities! There will be pumpkin carving, mummy wrapping, tarantula tossing, baking classes, pumpkin bowling, a bouncy castle, face painting and lots more on offer with their awesome teachers! Spots are limited, so scan the QR code to register.
Oct 28, 11.30am-3.30pm, RMB850 for two adults, RMB150 (kids aged 3-12), free for kids below 3. Twelve at Hengshan Hotel, see event listing.
Jitterbugs Shanghai Halloween Festival
We mustn’t leave toddlers out from all the Halloween fun happening around town, and Jitterbugs is here to help. Celebrate the occasion with upbeat music, dance and candies at one of Jitterbug’s participating venues. Suitable for kids aged four and below.
Oct 27-31, RMB100 per family. See venues, see event listing.
Monster Mash Halloween Party at Big Bamboo Jinqiao
The whole family is invited to Big Bamboo for a scary monster mash! Expect ghoulish cocktails for adults and spooky face painting for kids. Dress up the whole family and jump into the holiday spirit!
Sat, Oct 27, 12pm-late. Big Bamboo (Hongfeng Lu), see event listing.
Pumpkin Carving Class at Big Bamboo
Let your kids experience the excitement of carving a pumpkin without having to clean up any of the mess. With Halloween fast approaching, Big Bamboo is organizing a pumpkin carving class with all the tools and pumpkins needed to create a spooky, or friendly, masterpiece. Lunch (pizza and fries) will be served during the event and is included in the ticket price.
Oct 28, 11am-1pm, RMB98. Big Bamboo, see event listing.
Spooktacular Food Fest
Halloween is foodie season for the entire family at Jiashan Market. On October 27, expect a ton of delicious edibles and holiday-themed drinks for adults and their little ones. Attend the costume competition for the best dressed ghoul and be sure to let your kids enjoy all the fun activities!
Oct 27, 11am-6pm. Jiashan Market, see event listing.
Trick or Treat Halloween at Urban Diner Gastropub
Urban Diner Gastropub is hosting a Halloween party for the kids, with plenty of games and activities for the whole family. They've partnered up with ISG Football Academy to teach the young’uns the basics of American football. There will also be plenty of candy and popcorn treats, as well as an artist on hand for face painting.
Sat, Oct 27, 2pm. Urban Diner Gastropub, see event listing.
For Adults
That's Halloween Party
That’s Shanghai is taking over Cages for one hell of a Halloween party! There will be prizes awarded for the best-dressed ghouls and gals there, so suit up and get ready for a frightful night. Pre-order and receive four drink tickets, good for draft beer, spooky crimson Pangolin gin & tonic or Jarritos & tequila.
Oct 27, 8pm-late, RMB100-200. Cages Bar and Sports, see event listing, buy tickets.
Beyond the Shimmer at Arkham
Image via Arkham
Arkham will be transformed into a dreamland of external reflections, so get ready to cross the shimmer with us. Theme music from hip-hop to techno, supported by MMQ, DJ TAG, NO-COMPLAY, WARLOCK, NASTY, Kin J, Max Shen.
Oct 27, 10pm-late. Arkham, see event listing.
BUDX Freakout
China's favorite party organizers SHFT have teamed up with Budweiser to throw the biggest Halloween Warehouse Rave the country has ever seen! One of China's most famous live-streaming princesses Ma Li Mei has gone missing! Friends of Ma Li Mei have said that in recent months she started acting crazy with rage because she was losing thousands of online fans by the day. Countless efforts have been made to find the couple, but there has been no luck. Although, the one thing fans across the country know, is that Ma Li Mei is a head-banging party animal, and she would never miss a rave!
Oct 27, 6pm-late, RMB340 (door); RMB280 (pre-sale). One Space Warehouse, see event listing.
Coven: The Wake at McKinnon Hotel
A cabaret to celebrate the life and death of Agnes Sampson and her attempted assassination of King James. Come dressed in white, and dance till late with a DJ-ed afterparty.
Oct 31, 10.30pm-late, RMB350, McKinnon Hotel, see event listing.
Day of the Dead Party at Pistolera (Hengshan Lu)
Party with the deceased in your finest costume! Your skull will rattle with black and bloody margaritas, sangria and the ever-present, ever-refreshing True Legend craft beer. Wear your scariest costume to win a bottle of free tequila.
Sat, Oct 27, 3pm-late. Pistolera (Hengshan Lu), see event listing.
Franks n Steins Halloween
Come on down to The Blind Pig for some award-winning Basque Chorizo and Texas Hot Link Sausages on Saturday. Add a stein to your franks with a hot deal on True Legend Craft Beer. Delicious!
Sat, Oct 27, 6pm-late. The Blind Pig Bourbon and Smokehouse, see event listing.
Freak Show Halloween Party at Park Hyatt
Image via Park Hyatt
MVP EVENTS & Park Hyatt invite you to the FreakShow Halloween Party powered by Pernod Ricard on October 27. As the night falls over, the lustful Park Hyatt transforms the 92nd floor into a frightening house that will leave you terrified! Dj Tuto & Titi will make you dance the night away in their Music & Lounge rooms till sunrise.
Oct 27, 10pm-late, Free entry before midnight by RSVP to events@mvpshanghai.com. Mandatory Halloween costume, otherwise cover RMB120 (welcome drink included). Park Hyatt Shanghai, see event listing.
Frisky Disco at un Caffe Bar
Un Caffe Bar is hosting a combined roller-disco/Halloween party that is guaranteed to get weird. Household names Deeper Joy, James Brown and the Temple of Boom will DJ the event in collaboration with RollerDisco Camp. Costumes are encouraged (well maybe not ones that would get caught in your skates). Beware of falls and late-night frisks.
Oct 27, 9pm-late. un Caffe Bar, see event listing.
Halloween Bash at The Rooster
Celebrate Halloween in your scariest costume! The Rooster's Halloween bash is sure to be an exciting mix of fun, drinks and lots of creepy crawlies. Come with friends and show off your costumes for a chance to win awesome prizes. But, get ready for some competition because this is serious! The lucky winner awarded ‘best costume’ will receive a free keg of Single White IPA. It's pageant, and party rolled into one!
Oct 26, 6pm-late. The Rooster, see event listing.
Halloween Bowling Party at Bund Bowl
Get ready to knock down some pins at this spooky bowling party. Get three drinks for only RMB100 and get an extra one for free if you wear a costume. All lanes are open, so wear a costume and get bowling!
Sat, Oct 27, 5pm. Bund Bowl, see event listing.
Halloween for Beautiful People
You better find a babysitter, because The Bull & Claw is throwing a Halloween bash on October 27 for grown ups only. Expect to taste exquisite food from a few of the best chefs in town, including Eduardo Gomez from El Santo and Lorraine Li from Revo. Drink, party and forget yourself.
Sat, Oct 27. The Bull & Claw, see event listing.
Halloween Horror Theater at Café des Stagiaires and Found 158
Fond 158's annual Halloween party is back, and this year Café des Stagiaires will become a Horror Theater. DJ Tofu and China Social Club will rock the dance floor. You can also get a free shot for wearing a costume. There will be prizes worth a total of RMB8,000 for the best costumes at Found 158.
Sat, Oct 27, 6pm-late. Café des Stagiaires & Found 158, see event listing.
Halloween Nightmare at M1NT
M1NT invites you to enter a dream of deadly illusions and souls of mischief. Come to the devil's nightmare Halloween party! Wear a costume and receive a glass of blood. It will be a hellish place, with special performances and hot tunes from the devils.
Oct 27, 9.30pm-late. M1NT Shanghai, see event listing.
Halloween Party at Hyatt Regency Shanghai Global Harbor
Hyatt Regency Shanghai Global Harbor invites you to join the theme buffet dinner at Market Café and Halloween Party at The Bar on October 31. Enjoy the Halloween-themed buffet dinner, featuring unlimited seafood, yellow fin tuna, finger biscuits, pumpkin shaped cake and other traditional Halloween dishes and desserts. There will also be themed cocktails, stilt-walkers, a magic show, live band performance and lucky draw. Plenty of other fun surprises are in store for the evening.
Wed, Oct 31, RMB158 net per person. The Bar, Hyatt Regency Shanghai Global Harbor, see event listing.
Halloween Party at TY7 BAR
This Halloween, dress as in your scariest costume and head to TY7 Bar for a night of creepy crawly fun. There will a costume contest, face painting and lots of drinks. Bring your friends and get partying!
Oct 31, 8pm-2am. TY7 BAR, see event listing.
Halloween Quiz and The Rocky Horror Picture Show Viewing
On Halloween night, the Cages Quiz will be on as usual, but with a ‘horrific’ twist to the trivia. Immediately after the quiz, they’ll play The Rocky Horror Picture Show on one of Shanghai's largest screens. Newspapers, rubber gloves, playing cards and more will be provided. Come up to the lab, and see what's on the slab!
Oct 31, 8.30pm-late. Cages Bar and Sports, see event listing.
Spellbinding Delights at Mia Fringe
Image via Mia Fringe
When pumpkins glow with candlelight, Mia Fringe’s spellbinding treats are here to delight and fright. On its ground-floor café, Ghost White Chocolate Mousse with Raspberry Cream brings a cool and creamy taste, while the Pumpkin Bread is warm and wacky. For any purchases on October 31, there will also be complimentary hand-made Halloween cookies. On the second floor, the Restaurant and Lounge will serve a ‘bloody’ spooky cocktail to the truly brave. Based on tequila, with hazelnut and grapefruit flavor, it contains a hint of spice trimmed with some ‘worm’ candy.
Oct 31, 8.30am-late. Mia Fringe, see event listing.
Moka Bros Dog HOWL-EEN Day
Come see adoptable pooches, bring your pup in costume and take pictures at Moka Bros’ haunted dog-house. It will be a ‘howl-ing’ good time.
Oct 28, midday-6pm. Moka Bros, see event listing.
Pumpkin Carving Competition at The Rooster
Halloween means fun, and fun is what you'll get at The Rooster's pumpkin carving competition. Unleash your inner Michaelangelo when you carve the next masterpiece in jack-o-lantern art. Don't be afraid to get messy, because pumpkin guts will splatter everywhere. The juices and gore will add to the mood. Amazing prizes await the top three winners! Get a free drink along with your pumpkin when you enter.
Oct 20, 4pm. The Rooster, see event listing.
Renaissance Halloween Party at THE CUT Rooftop
It's the beginning of the end at this "Evil Revival" Halloween party by La Renaissance at The Cut Rooftop on Friday. They'll have Blueman, Superbestfriend and DJ @pple spinning up the best beats to get your groove on for Halloweekend.
Fri, Oct 26, 7pm. THE CUT Rooftop, see event listing.
Rocky Horror Halloween Show at The Pearl
The Pearl is hosting their freaky annual Halloween Show on October 26. Give yourself over to absolute pleasure this October at The Rocky Horror Variety Show: an outrageously sinful, genderbent reinterpretation of the ultimate smutty cult classic. Join them as they follow the light over at the Frankenstein place, find out what’s on the slab down in the lab and whatever happened to Fay Wray in the end. It’s not easy having a good time, but dammit Janet, we’re gonna try.
October 26, doors open at 6pm with happy hour till 8pm; show starts at 9pm with full dinner service all night, RMB220 (door);,RMB180 (presale). The Pearl, see event listing.
Tomatito Presents: Noche de Halloween
Tomatito is staying tip-top sexy this Halloween with a distinctly Latin twist. Expect scary Spanish pintxos at great prices from RMB20 to RMB35 and all house wines, beers and gin and tonics beginning at RMB25. There is no better way to spend your Halloween!
Wed, Oct 31, 6pm-late. Tomatito, see event listing.
Waldorf Astoria Celebrates Halloween
Halloween gets classy at the Waldorf Astoria. The Long Bar will be serving up zombie-themed cocktails on October 31 with lucky draws, a dance show and a host of nether-worldly beings to keep you company. Try a “Lost Pumpkin,” brewed using Havana rum, Disaronno, steamed pumpkin, and egg yolk, as well as a “Trick or Treat,” featuring Havana Rum, Fernet-Branca, Frangelico, Malibu and cream.
Wed, Oct 31, 9pm, tickets RMB188 net per person. The Long Bar, Waldorf Astoria, see event listing.
White Ghost Halloween Bash
Go to Stone Brewing for a truly haunting event on Saturday. If your costume is white, expect to receive a free gargoyle mask. If your costume is fantastic, you might win a year of free beer at the taproom. The night will be filled with vintage rock tunes and terrifying apparitions.
Sat, Oct 27, 9pm-late. Stone Brewing, see event listing.
Witch Hunt Party at Cotton’s
Image via Cotton's
To join the Halloween parade, Cotton’s will be hosting a Witch Hunt party backed by plenty of booze and DJ music.
Oct 27, 10pm-late. Cotton’s, see event listing.
Zapata's Halloween Party
Head over to Zapata's for one of the biggest Halloween parties in Shanghai. Your RMB100 entry includes two drinks, and ladies in costume free before midnight. There will also be a costume competition with over RMB6,000 in prizes to be won.
Sat, Oct 27, RMB100, free entry for ladies in costume before midnight. Zapata's, see event listing.
#MyBrunch Halloween Edition at The CUT
Join The CUT for the Halloween edition of their weekly #MyBrunch. Get two dishes starting from just RMB148, including one drink. Enjoy the Devil's Eye, a special Halloween-themed cocktail mixed with vodka, peach, lime juice and a hint of bamboo-charcoal.
Sat-Sun, Oct 27-28. The CUT Rooftop, see event listing.
After October 31
Day of the Dead Weekend at El Santo
Okay, we know, Dia de los Muertos is not Halloween. But hey, it's close enough. Come November 3, El Santo brings on the fun with face painting, special drinks, traditional Mexican food and prizes for the best Mexican themed costume. DJ Charles'N Tonic will be pumping tunes all night long.
Sat, Nov 3. El Santo Tacos & Tequila, see event listing.
Day of the Dead Coco Brunch
If you're still awake in the morning, why not stay at El Santo for brunch? Festivities last all day with more face painting, Mexican crafts, a screening of the movie Coco and free-flow options.
Sun, Nov 4. El Santo Tacos & Tequila, see event listing.
[Cover image via Pexels]
