Your 2014 Melbourne Halloween Party Guide

Melbourne has really thrown itself into Halloween festivities this year with a range of parties, gigs, film events, comedy and burlesque shows all being put on in honour of the spooky non-holiday. For most of us, Halloween is something we’re glad to get involved with, but rarely plan for. It always seems like a last-minute effort pulling together a costume or a happy accident that your favourite bar is throwing a horror-themed party. Whether you're putting the final touches on your ornately-crafted spooky outfit or have only just realised Halloween is actually this week, here are a few options.

Gigs and Parties

All right, ghosts and ghouls it’s time to bust out the bandages, pour on the fake blood, and work on your Count Dracula accent because the witching hour is nearly upon us. Our pick of the Halloween gigs for this year would have to be The Halloween Ball at The Forum, featuring local country lads Graveyard Train. For the uninitiated, Graveyard Train only sing horror-themed song such as 'Ballad for Beelzebub' and 'Even Witches Like To Go Out Dancing', which makes them the perfect choice for All Hallow's Eve. One band member even plays a hammer and chain for goodness sake.

If you're after something a little more modern head down to the Liberty Social for I OH YOU & Converse Present: Halloween House of Hell. The night will feature indie bands and DJs including Straight Arrows, Sable, Bad//Dreems, UV Boi, City Calm Down, and Two Bright Lakes. It’s only 15 bones for entry, but there are no presales, so make sure you drop in at a decent time. Prizes are also up for grabs for best dressed so don’t hold back.

While there are plenty of Halloween parties happening at bars all over the city, there are also a select few who have decided to celebrate the Mexican version, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). As part of Good Food Month, Howler will be transforming their beer garden with calaveras and piñatas for Howler Day of the Dead Mexican Takeover. Think tapas with a modern twist, slow-cooked meats, and cocktails. DJs and bands will also be pumping Mexican tunes to keep you in the festive mood.

If you want to combine the best of both worlds, head to Fitzroy Beer Garden for Halloween VS Day Of The Dead. A dual celebration, Friday will be all about Halloween and Saturday will be Dia de los Muertos. Doors are open from midday both days, with $2 tacos, $2 tequila shots, face painting and plenty of DJs playing all weekend long. Even if you don’t come dressed like a zombie, you’re going to feel like one after this two-day bender.

Movies, Comedy and Burlesque

If you like to keep your festivities a little more low-key, there are plenty of shows you can attend without going the whole nine yards costume-wise. Cinema Nova are running fantastic movie marathons with Cultastrophe, and this Friday will bring the Halloween Creature Triple Feature. It includes John Carpenter’s In The Mouth Of Madness, '80s creature-feature Critters and Wes Craven’s cult classic Deadly Friend. There will also be a haunting pre-show, door prizes and scary movie trivia for those who know all about things that go bump in the night.

Beyonce and Halloween finally come together at last with ZomBey Dance Fest. The night will feature Bey Dance girls doing their Mrs Carter thang for a spooky showcase and The Real Hot Bitches dance posse Yo Let’s Go '90s Dance Troupe. To keep the good times rolling, comedians Claire Hooper, Harley Breen, Luke McGregor, Backwards Anorak and Aunty Donna will also take the stage for some creepy comedy. If you feel like turning this night into an all-out rager, stick around for Andrew McClelland’s Finishing School and pull out your best Michael Jackson’s Thriller dance moves. Ticket money for the night will go to the Bey Dance crew finally funding the studio space of their dreams.

For those looking to laugh until their sides spit, Joel Creasey’s Halloween Party at Newmarket Hotel is where it’s at. This is the fourth year Creasey has hosted a horror-infused comedy night for Halloween, and although costumes are optional there are prizes for best dressed.

Halloween is notorious for bringing out the devil in all of us, so it’s no surprise there are a few burlesque events to coincide with October 31. The 86 are hosting two horrifyingly good things on Friday night, starting with Halloween Trivia at 7pm with Cherry Bites. At 10pm is Blood and Grind, a gore-filled burlesque show featuring Kerry X, Raven, Betty Blood, and plenty more.

House Party Tips and Tricks

Halloween house parties are the greatest for getting in the ghostly spirit without having to run around the CBD in your gory rags. If you need to organise a costume, or add the final touches, don't fret. There are a bunch of amazing places still stocked up to get you sorted.

Rose Chong on Gertrude Street always has a fantastic selection of costumes and vintage pieces for any fancy dress occasion. If you have got an idea in your head tell the amazing team and they will help you assemble an outfit. Added bonus: on October 31, nail art whiz kids I Scream Nails will even be popping up in store to add that extra something to your scary/sexy outfit.

If you're further up north, Centre Stage Costumes in Brunswick have accessories and makeup available as well as full costumes. They've put together some Zombie Make Up Kits with all the goods to make you look truly messed up. Alternatively, you can go nuclear at Costume Factory Melbourne (previously known as Fancy Dress Melbourne). These guys have everything from the kitsch to couture. Tucked away in Hardware Lane in the CBD, this is an excellent place to pick up a quick costume on the go.

Once you've got the outfit sorted, it's time to turn to the haunted house. We suggest kicking it off with some bright green potion party punch. Mountain dew, lime cordial or Midori will start you off, everything else that goes in there is your call. Next is a killer playlist: don’t be afraid to get super cheesy and throw on 'Monster' by Kanye West, 'Ghost Town' by The Specials, the Ghost Busters theme song and of course, 'The Monster Mash'.

Finish it off by splattering around some extra face paint, fake blood capsules and toilet rolls to make impromptu costumes for those who came unprepared. No one is too cool for Halloween. No one.

Photo credits: danhollisterduck, the cherry blossom girl and --Mark-- via photopin cc.