Chills and Thrills: Local Halloween Events

With Halloween only a few weeks away, it seems as if fall is leaving us just as quickly as it came. Have you already started planning your costume? If you’re like me, then you’ve been thinking about it since the beginning of September. The only problem is, where are you supposed to wear it? Quirky Burlington offers a few ghoulish gatherings for us to show off our creative ensembles. So drop that bag of candy corn (or take it with you) and turn off Hocus Pocus (don’t worry, it will be on later) and check out these awesome local Halloween events to get you in a spooktacular mood!

Like to dance? Whether you’re a natural at walking like an Egyptian, or know all the words to “Monster Mash,” perhaps one of these Halloween shindigs will strike your fancy:

• Saturday, October 26th– The Boogieman! is Higher Ground’s very own Halloween costume ball. Not only is there a costume contest (count me in), but also music by DJ Precious (electro, tribal, and progressive), Rue Mevlana (live electronica) and a special performance by the Green Mountain Cabaret. Tickets are only $10! The other good news? It’s 18+! Doors open at 9:30pm, then you can party all night long under the full moon.

• Thursday, October 31st– For those of you who are 21+, there’s also Magic Hat’s Night of the Living Dead event at the Echo Lake Aquarium. With musical performances by Papadosio, Spiritual Rez, Serotheft, and Sambatucada, as well as entertainment by Human Canvas and Schadenfreude Circus, and photography by Matthew Thorsen, it’s going to be quite the party. Oh, and did I mention this one has a costume contest too? Best group costume wins $500! Tickets are $20 in advance, and $25 the day of. Nectar’s is also having a Halloween extravaganza. There will be a costume contest party with Richard James and the Name Changers on the main floor, the doors open at 9:30pm, 21+, and the cover is $5 (or free if you wear a costume/bring the event flyer). If you’re looking for an electronic dance music party, upstairs at Club Metronome will be Robotic Pirate Monkey, the doors open at 9pm, 21+, and the cover is $8 in advance, $12 DOS.

Parties not your thing? There are quite a few more Halloween-related activities happening in the local area. We’ve already mentioned a few in previous articles, like the Queen City Ghostwalk and The Haunted Forest, but what else is there? For the not so faint of heart, check out Nightmare VT, an interactive haunted house with “a reputation for cinema-level visual effects, engaging characters, and wild Halloween fun.” You can either be a volunteer and join in on the spooking, or go through the house yourself! Or both. Either way, you’ll be in for a treat. The shows are October 24- 27th & 30th. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. They sell fast— so get a move on it!

Whether you plan your elaborate costume ahead of time, or just throw on a sheet and call it a day, there’s a haunted Halloween happening for everyone. Okay, I admit it— maybe the only reason these events exist is because adults are trying to cope with not being able to trick-or-treat. If you’re feeling nostalgic then go watch Double, Double, Toil and Trouble, hopefully by the end you’ll feel better and will want to finally explore all that Halloween has to offer when you’re an adult.

Photo Credit: http://www.vtbeer.org/events/n… ; http://www.nightmarevermont.or… ; http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/ma…

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