Where to party this Halloween weekend
The scene was rockin’, all were digging the sounds
Halloween falls on a Monday this year! You could read that as shamelessly feeding those greedy (but precious!) children last year’s leftover candy, or you could forget the children and go all-out with a four-day freak-end full of festivities. The choice is yours. Here are some of the best haunts and get-downs celebrating All Hallows’ Eve.
Friday, 10/28
Can’t make it down to Chattahoochee Hills for the Sleepy Hollow Experience? Serenbe Playhouse’s players make their way to Midtown for ghostly tours at the High. The tour is free with museum admission, but get there at least 15 minutes early to secure your spot. Free-$14.50. Fri., Oct. 28, 6, 6:30, 7, 8, 8:30 p.m. High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St., N.E. 404-733-4400. www.high.org.
Scoutmob and Hand-Picked Atlanta’s Halloween 2016 is basically adult trick-or-treating. The second floor of Ponce City Market transforms into a Halloween-shrine featuring all things eerie for the October event. There’s a bloody fairground, Beetlejuice-inspired immersive light sculpture, creepy church, and more spooky installations as part of the horror-filled party. Snag a picture in Smilebooth’s GIF booth and pick up grown-up goodies like specialty cocktails, beer from Atlanta’s Wild Heaven Brewery, and snacks by the Mercury. End the night with a late-night dance party, macabre music courtesy of DJ Chris Devoe in the Infinite Disco. $45-$89. 8 p.m. Fri., Oct. 28. Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E. 404-900-7900. www.handpickedatlanta.com.
From comedy to thrills, the CC&Co. dancers will entertain you cabaret-style. Rachael Houdek, the Madame of Ceremonies, will guide the audience through a thrilling cabaret show that truly has something for everyone. Watch everything from athletic contemporary dance to gravity-defying aerial acts along with hysterical audience participation (only if you want to). Rouge is a sell-out show in the group’s hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. Seating is limited. This show is rated PG-13 and for mature audiences. $25-$30. 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., Oct. 27-29. 7 Stages Theatre, 1105 Euclid Ave. N.E. 404-523-7647.
Back by popular demand, The Ghastly Dreadfuls features a motley band of specters celebrating Halloween with creepy stories, frightful songs, and devilish dances from around the world. This dreadfully ghostly jamboree is only open to patrons 18 years and older. $18.75-$25. 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., Oct. 28-29. Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St. 404-873-3391. www.puppet.org.
Consistently named one of the top haunts in the country (this year’s accolades come courtesy BuzzFeed, USAToday, and HauntedHouse.com, among others, and it was named most popular #hauntedhouse on Instagram), Netherworld Haunted House is back in its slightly OTP digs with two new haunts. Weave through Netherworld’s labyrinth interior as you dodge monster invaders in the aptly named “Monster,” then descend into Netherworld’s basement for “Vault 13: Meltdown,” a secret government facility featuring unspeakable horrors — mutants, aliens, robots, oh my! This year, Netherworld celebrates 20 years of screams, so expect an onslaught of favorite characters from years past. Visitors can also check out an on-site retrospective museum featuring Netherworld’s creepiest characters — if you’re not too busy cleaning up your pants, that is. $23-$55. Open nightly through Mon., Oct. 31: Sun.-Thurs., 7:30-10:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 7 p.m.-midnight, and Fri.-Sat., Nov. 4-5, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Netherworld Haunted House, 6624 Dawson Blvd., Norcross. 404-608-2484. www.fearworld.com.
Saturday, 10/29
Halloween beer and candy pairing
Second Self is looking out for the old heads this Halloween. Head to the “boo-ary” for a real grown-up time pairing Second Self brews with your favorite candies. Think Milk Duds with Red Hop Rye and gummy worms with Maverick and Gose. Munch on jerky from Ghost Jerky, and get decked out in henna by local artist Ankita Shah. 1-4 p.m. Sat., Oct. 29. Second Self Beer Company, 1311 Logan Circle N.W.
Buford Highway Halloween parade
Dust off that disco jumpsuit, pull out the witch’s hat, or pop in vampire fangs and get ready to celebrate Buford Highway in all it’s glory at the first-ever Buford Highway Halloween parade. Lanterns, kites, instruments, and more are welcome. Before setting out through the district, hang out at the pop-up park. Afterwards, trick-or-treat at local businesses along the parade route.Free. 5-9 p.m. Sat., Oct. 29. City Farmers Market, 5000 Buford Highway N.E. 770-455-0770.
The Village Theatre’s second Halloween bash is probably the best deal in town. For one ticket, guests will bear witness to an improvised Salem witch trial, the Atlanta Banana’s “Atlanta Explained” Halloween special, tunes by FutureBeat, Scaryoke, food truck eats, and more. Enter the costume contest for a shot at the cash prize, and summon spirits with what may (or may not) be the world’s largest Ouija board. Did we mention tickets includes entry to the Beacon’s Haunted Halloween Housewarming Party? $10. 6:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Sat., Oct. 29. The Village Theatre, 349 Decatur St. S.E., Suite L. 404-688-8858.
Ditch pumpkins in favor of sand molds this Halloween and bring your jack-o-lantern game to the next level. Railroad Earth’s Black Light Ball is a Halloween party unlike any other, complete with tunes by DJ Whosit and Black Sabbath tribute band Axe Sabbath, a costume contest with cash prizes up to $200, face and body paint by Deidre Lynn, and a gallery featuring pieces from folk artist Crandell Brock and horror-enthusiast Heather Jellesma, among others. However, the main attraction is the iron pour, obvs. Guests carve images into sand molds then fill them with hot iron, creating a metal version of the image. It’s basically extreme pumpkin carving. $10-$15. 7 p.m. Sat., Oct. 29. Railroad Earth—ATL, 1467 Oxford Road N.E. 678-770-9180. www.RRE.net.
Biters’ next live show of infectious rock ‘n’ roll, complete with singer and guitarist Tuk Smith’s hilarious between-song banter, will be performed in high heels. In the spirit of Halloween, the group takes the stage for the Star Bar’s 25th anniversary bash as the Disco Bitches, the band’s fabulously over-the-top alter ego act featured in the “1975” video. The Star Bar was packed when Biters appeared there as a KISS cover band in 2014. Don’t show up late for this one, lest you watch the show from the sidewalk. $10. With DINOS Boys, Bad Spell, and Gunpowder Gray. 8 p.m. Sat., Oct. 29. Star Bar, 437 Moreland Ave. www.starbar.net.
Ashamed to be spotted indulging in the fancy new rooftop park atop Ponce City Market? Then this party is for you. Not only is Haunted Heights Halloween the first such All Hallows Eve jam at Skyline Park, it’s the perfect opportunity to bask in the buzzworthy new playground for the bougie while disguised in a Halloween costume. Billed as this year’s “biggest Halloween bash,” the shindig boasts live DJs and a zombie flash mob, plus acrobats, games, and themed cocktails for an exclusive 21-and-over crowd. Don’t miss all that fun for fear of ruining your indie cred. Costumes are encouraged, so hide your hipster pride behind a mask and come see what the hullabaloo is about. $35-$50. 8 p.m.-midnight. Sat., Oct. 29. Skyline Park, 675 Ponce de Leon Ave. 770-999-1530. www.skylineparkatlanta.com.
The 11th annual Scarendipity invites all creeps and freaks to an evening of Halloween groovin’. Fire-spinning displays and aerial performances will light up the night while local acts Voodoo Visionary and Mahayley’s Grave set the mood with live tunes. Party outdoors under the Oktoberfest-style tent or inside of the haunting Victorian-style parlor house. Tickets include an open bar –– yes, that means all the booze and brews –– and Mix’d Up food truck will be on site serving loaded burgers. Costumes are pretty much required, this is a Halloween party after all. Parking is limited, so use the buddy system for transportation. $40. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Sat., Oct. 29. The Howard House, 229 Howard St. N.E. 678-887-5539. www.thehowardhouse.com.
ATL Collective Presents Thriller
Following Michael Jackson’s death, a collective sadness fell over fans lamenting the untimely passing of a pop legend and the chance to see him perform live. Thankfully, ATL Collective provides a night dedicated to Thriller that gives audiences an opportunity to revel in the album’s pop brilliance. The local group of revolving musicians has garnered acclaim for its faithful tributes to countless albums from U2’s The Joshua Tree to TLC’s CrazySexyCool. An impressive array of talented artists including singers Chelsea Shag and Cleveland Jones are set to pay tribute to Jackson’s defining record just in time for Halloween. $20-$25. With Chelsea Shag, Cleveland Jones, Prisca, and Ben Deignan. 8:30 p.m. Sat., Oct. 29. Terminal West, 887 W. Marietta St. 404-876-5566. www.terminalwestatl.com. — Paul DeMerritt
Shalloween w/ Christeene + House of Gunt
The one and only Christeene, known to the masses as a “human pissoire of raw unabashed sexuality; a gender-blending, booty-pounding, perversion of punk fully equipped with an arsenal of ferocious music intertwined with raw moments of strained intimacy and fiery stank,” takes over the Heretic during a dance party and costume contest. FATHERFANNIE and DJ King Atlas will set the soundtrack, and Savannah’s House of Gunt will join the festivities. Be kind and bring a gift for the evening’s hosts, Biqtch Puddin’, Brigitte Bidet, Ellisorous Rex, Hydrangea Heath, Kryean Kally, Michael Robinson, Zaida J, and more. $10-$15.10 p.m. Sat., Oct. 29. The Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road N.E. 404-325-3061.
Sunday, 10/30
Día de los Muertos Celebration
Celebrate the Day of the Dead the proper way with the Institute of Mexican Culture. Guests of all ages will learn the history and traditions behind Día de los Muertos as they stroll through altar displays decorated for lost loved ones — one of which will win a $500 cash prize, watch traditional dancing, make traditional holiday crafts, and eat authentic Mexican food. Kids and grown-ups competing in the Catrin/Catrina competition will paint on their best sugar skulls for a shot at $100 (kids) or $300 (adults). Free. Noon-5 p.m. Sun., Oct 30. Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road N.W. 404-814-4000. www.atlantahistorycenter.com.
Monday, 10/31
Halloween is the one night of the year most folks wild out with costumes and let their freak flags fly. For Kevin Barnes’ experimental pop outfit Of Montreal, it’s just another night at the office. The Athens-based five-piece puts on highly theatrical shows involving costume changes, elaborate stage setups, choreography, and other shenanigans. Hell, one year the group brought country icon Kitty Wells back from the dead. Of Montreal is currently touring behind its latest album, Innocence Reaches, the group’s most danceable album in years. On the spookiest night of the year, Barnes and Co. are sure to go all out. $20. With TEEN and Chief Scout. 8 p.m. Mon., Oct. 31. Terminal West, 887 West Marietta St. N.W. 404-876-5566. www.terminalwestatl.com.
NOTE: The Buford Highway Halloween Parade entry has been altered to correct the address.