Love Halloween? Then you'll love this: Organizers of many Halloween celebrations around the Valley are getting an early start to the scary season by holding their events even earlier and normal this year. And thanks to the fact that All Hallows Eve falls on Thursday, October 31, many bars, clubs, and other nightlife establishments are planning to offer their usual parties on the weekend prior. We've included all the aforementioned Halloween-related shindigs that are taking place throughout the latter half of October in our exhaustive guide to the scary season, which features all manner of events, parties, concerts, and freaky fiestas happening from Friday, October 18, until Thursday, October 31.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18
Special Events
The Good Egg
3110 N. Central Ave.
50 E. Camelback Road
34948 N. North Valley Pkwy.
All three locations will serve up "Trick or Treat" pancakes (made with salted peanuts, dark chocolate chips, caramel, Nutella, whipped cream, and powdered sugar) and "Butter Beer" during the month of October. Call 602-248-3897, 602-263-8554, or 623-582-4442.
Sixth Street Merchants
900 N. 6th St.
The shops of Sixth Street will hold an outdoor screening of the horror film classics Night of the Living Dead and Carnival of Souls while boutiques Annie Boomer Vintage, Cellar Door Vintage and GROWop Handmade+Found will offer 15 percent discounts. The sale starts at noon and the films start screening at 7 p.m. Call 602-399-0826, 812-251-7786, or 602-714-5256.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
Special Events
Bud's Glass Joint
1021 N. 1st St.
Bud's will celebrate its first anniversary with pumpkin carving, live music from Supajoint, free beer for those of legal age, and a bong raffle. 4 p.m. Call 602-258-1500.
Tempe Cinemas
1825 E. Elliott Road, Tempe
www.pollacktempecinemas.com
Get ready to hail to the king, baby, as the October edition of Cult Classics will feature the goofy horror-comedy Army of Darkness. As always, organizer Victor Moreno will create T-shirts and posters for the event and will conduct a costume contest and giveaways before the screening. 9:30 p.m. General admission is $11 and VIP packages are $20-$40. See armyofdarkness.brownpapertickets.com.
Bars & Clubs
Monarch Theatre
122 E. Washington St.
www.facebook.com/monarchtheatre
Masked mixmaster DJ Bl3nd fittingly will headline The Freak Show costume ball, which will also feature spin sessions from Kuntrol, Mando Rockz, Zolnger, Fawk Unek, and Morgan Laine. 9 p.m. $15. Call 602-692-9633.
Joe's Grotto
13825 N. 32nd St.
www.joesgrotto.com
Dress as your favorite rogue, scoundrel, or bad guy and head for Joe's Grotto to attend The Villain's Ball Costume Party. Hard rock bands Bellicose, Virulent, Vivicide, Kin of the Zen, and Storm of Perception are scheduled to perform. 6:30 p.m.; $5 in advance, $10 at the door. Call 602-992-1007.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20
Special Events
Symphony Hall
75 N. 2nd St.
www.phoenixsymphony.org
Attention, muggles of the Valley: The Phoenix Symphony will perform selections from John Williams' epic scores for the Harry Potter films during "Halloween at Hogwarts." Participants are asked to come dressed as their favorite wizard or other characters from the movies and books. Pre-concert activities will also take place. 2:30 p.m., $11-$19. Call 602-262-6225.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23
Special Events
Sixth Street Merchants
900 N. 6th St.
A trio of retailers (Cellar Door Vintage, GROWop Handmade+Found, and Annie Boomer Vintage) will offer 10 percent off all vintage clothing and accessories. Noon-7 p.m. Also available on Thursday, October 31. Call 602-399-0826, 812-251-7786, or 602-714-5256.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25
Special Events
The Pressroom
441 W. Madison St.
Swedish doom metal band Ghost, led by Papa Emeritus II, will serenade both ghouls and fans alike with a night of terrifying music. 8:30 p.m.; $20 in advance, $22 day of show. See www.ticketfly.com.
Salt River Fields
7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale
www.saltriverfields.com
The sky will be illuminated by the glow of numerous hot-air balloons, many in the shapes of creatures and characters, during the two-night Spooktacular Balloon Festival. About 1,700 tons of candy will be handed out to trick-or-treaters of all ages during the event Balloon rides, live music, fireworks, games, food and drink vendors, and a haunted house also are planned. 5 to 10 p.m.; $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 3 to 12. Also runs on Saturday, October 26. See www.srfballoonfestivals.com.
The Underground
105 W. Main St., Mesa
www.mesaunderground.com
The two-night Punk Rock Halloween Bash kicks off at the Underground with local bands dressing up and sending up some of the most legendary punk and hard rock acts of all time. The lineup includes Rotten Youth paying tribute to Reagan Youth, To Our Grave covering Mötorhead, The Proles going as The Queers, When Enough Is Enough taking on Operation Ivy, and The Crew as 7 Seconds. 6:30 p.m., $15. Call 480-834-3709.
Bars & Clubs
Joe's Grotto
13825 N. 32nd St.
www.joesgrotto.com
Halloween Bash with music by Howitzer, Altered Silence, Killing Spree, Scarab Vex, Illusion of Control, Woodsplitter, Heir Elite, and Unforeseen. Costumes are encouraged. 6 p.m.; $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Call 602-992-1007.
Maya Day & Nightclub
7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale
Pre-Halloween celebration featuring the mixing talents of NYC's DJ Carlos Melange. 9 p.m., $10. Call 480-625-0528.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
Special Events
Alwun House
1204 E. Roosevelt St.
Thrills and chills await at the Alwun House's annual Monsters Ball, which will be occupied by creepy creatures and nightcrawlers aplenty. Rockabilly and surf bands like The Sinisters and Mod Zombies will gig at the event, as will a variety of dance and performance art troupes. Hors d'oeuvres, dancing, and other freaky fun is also planned. This is a 21-and-over event. 7 p.m.; tickets are $11 in advance, $17 at the door. The yearly "Monster's Menagerie" group art show will also be on display in the Alwun House gallery until October 31. Call 602-253-7887.
The Clarendon Hotel
401 W. Clarendon Ave.
www.goclarendon.com
The Clarendon's swank Halloween Party will take place and feature live music by Zero Zero, spins by DJ Michael Hooker, and a costume contest for prizes. The members of the Grand Canyon chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will judge the competition and also stage a luminaria ceremony. 6 p.m.; $20 in advance, $30 at the door. Call 602-252-7363.
Historic Heritage Square
115 N. 6th St.
Prepare yourself, mortals. Undead creatures once again will rise from their graves and invade the streets and sidewalks of downtown Phoenix as the annual Zombie Walk once again dawns. Thousands of brain-craving freaks will don ghoulish makeup and tattered clothing before assembling for an afternoon-long Halloween festival at Heritage Square before they begin stumbling and strolling through around downtown at sunset. The event runs from 2 to 10 p.m. and admission is free. See www.downtownphoenix.com/zombie.
Hotel Valley Ho
6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale
This vintage Scottsdale lodge will host its yearly Haunted Hotel Ball, which will star DJ Tranzit, DJ XCalibur, and DJ Decipha laying down hot sounds in two ballrooms, premium cocktails, and a costume contest with winners getting $1,000 in cash and prizes. 9 p.m., $50. Call 480-248-2000 or see www.hauntedhotelball.com.
The Nile Theater
105 W. Main St., Mesa
www.niletheatre.com
Local pop-punk bands will be in abundance during Spooky Night III concert, including Avilion, Cities of Refuge, The World to Come, Take Up Your Cross, Plagued Angel, and others. 5:30 p.m.; $12 in advance, $14 at the door.
Pop Culture Paradise
715 S. Forest Ave., Tempe
www.popculture-comics.com
Geek out during the afternoon-long Halloween Comic Fest 2013, which will feature an appearance by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II actor Ernie Reyes Jr. as well as more than a dozen local comic book artists and authors. A costume contest, silent auction, games, giveaways, $5 sketches, and other nerd-oriented distractions are also planned. Noon to 4 p.m. Call 480-557-6640.
Sixth Street Merchants
900 N. 6th St.
Sixth Street in downtown Phoenix will hold a "Unsexy/Sexy Halloween Party" that's probably going to be a bit different from other All Hallows Eve events. To wit: organizers are requesting that attendees come dressed as an object or person that's inherently unsexy, like "a loaf of bread, a tube sock or Gary Coleman." Then, they'd like people to sex things up, such as a "boy scout in shorty shorts or the box of tools in silver unitards." Live music, food, and beer is also promised. 9 p.m.; $5 suggested donation.
The Venue Scottsdale
7117 E. 3rd Ave., Scottsdale
The first Halloween Howl will take place at the venue and feature music from The Chris Parker Project and DJ Mike G., as well as drink specials, creepy culinary delights, funky photo ops, and a costume contest for cash and vacation prizes. Benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Phoenix. 8 p.m.; $30 general admission, $60 for VIP access. Call 480-945-5551 or see venuehowl.eventbrite.com.
W Scottsdale Hotel
7277 E. Camelback Road
www.wscottsdalehotel.com
The W will host its Resident Evil Halloween Party and offer swanky-yet-sinister fun. Specialty cocktails, guest DJs, and a costume contest for prizes are planned. 8 p.m., $25. Call 480-970-2100 or visit www.wscottsdaletickets.com.
Bars & Clubs
Coach's Corner Grill
333 E. Jefferson St., Suite 110
Halloween party with $3 specials on Bud Light, Miller Lite, Fireball, Jack Daniel's Honey, and well drinks, as well as $4 Sierra Nevada. DJ Nerd will spin and a contest offers prizes for the sexiest, funniest, most creative, and best Elvis costumes. 8 p.m. Call 602-293-3332.
Fat Tuesday
680 S. Mill Ave., Tempe
Monster Masquerade with four different DJs, two dance floors, multiple bars, and a costume contest for prizes. 7 p.m.; $5 general admission in advance, $15-$25 for VIP access. Call 480-967-3917.
Paradise Lounge
4541 E. Cactus Road
The lounge will host "A Ghoulish Night in Paradise" with $3.50 Three Olive drinks, Halloween Jell-O shots, and a costume contest at midnight with prizes for the sexiest, most creative, and funniest outfits. 8 p.m. Call 602-953-2993.
Sail Inn
26 S. Farmer Ave., Tempe
www.sailinn.com
Local bands French Girls, Fairy Bones, Pleasure Victims, Sister Lip, and The Echo Bombs will perform during the "Trick 'R Treat" show. 8 p.m. Call 480-966-9565.
Yucca Tap Room
29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe
The Punk Rock Halloween Bash concludes with performances by the PV Casualties as The Misfits, Atomic Zombies as Circle Jerks, West End Crooks offering tribute to Agent Orange, The Venomous Pinks covering Black Flag, and Storm the Beach doing their best Smut Peddlers impression. 7 p.m., free. Call 480-967-4777.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27
Special Events
Cibo
603 N. 5th Ave.
The urban pizzeria's annual Hallowine event this year will feature more than just exotic selections of vino and gourmet Italian cuisine selections as the event will also help raise money for esteemed local chef Lisa Giungo (of Lisa G.'s Wine Bar and Café fame) and her fight with lung cancer. Live music and benefit raffles are also planned. Tickets are $20 ($5 off with costume) and include food and wine. 4 p.m. Call 602-441-2697.
Bars & Clubs
Club Red
2155 E. University Dr., Tempe
Get in some alcohol-free fun at Party Sober Clothing's Halloween Show, which will hace live music from such bands as Artificial Insanity, Unconscious Minds, A Moment to Rise, Kill the King, Kapital Disorder, Apathy's Insight, and I Don't Konform. 3 p.m., $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Call 480-966-4733.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29
Bars & Clubs
Marquee Theatre
730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe
The tattooed and pierced princesses of the Suicide Girls Blackheart Burlesque will strut their stuff on the Marquee's stage as the touring troupe returns to the Valley. 9:30 p.m., $25. Call 480-829-0707.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30
Special Events
Roosevelt Growhouse
902 N. 6th St.
Stories of a spooky, creepy, and scary nature will fittingly be slung around a campfire by comedian Greg Tidrow and those in attendance at this Halloween Eve event. The musicians of 23.kt will also perform and participants are asked to keep their tales family friendly. 7 p.m. Call 602-885-6267 or see www.phoenixhealthgeek.org.
Bars & Clubs
Blue Martini
5455 E. High St., Suite 101
Exotic Erotic Halloween Ball with live music from The Marley Taylor Band, drink specials, and a costume contest for cash and prizes. 8 p.m. Call 480-638-2583.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31
Special Events
Talking Stick Resort
9800 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale
Scottsdale party planner and events queen Raven Valdes will hold her namesake Masquerade Ball at the resort on Halloween night. The rockers of The Instant Classics will perform and DJ Kilo will work the mixers while two bars serve up $6 cocktail specials. A costume contest will award cash and prizes to the best-dressed male, female, and couple. 8 p.m.; $15 per person, $25 per couple in advance. Call 480-850-7777 or visit www.ravenevents.com.
Bars & Clubs
C.A.S.A.
15 E. 6th St., Tempe
The 18-and-over Neon Halloween Block Party will encompass both the C.A.S.A. Sunbá and lounge and will boast costumed revelers, drink stations, and a haunted garden. DJs like Luminox will spin at both locations, as well as inside the enormous Kalliope art car outside. 6 p.m. Tickets are $20-$22. See neonhalloween.eventbrite.com.
Cash Inn Country
2140 E. McDowell Road
Drag king troupe Sisterzz Twisted will offer an evening of special Halloween vignettes. 8 p.m. Call 602-244-9943.
Cheetahs
4125 N. 7th St.
Zombie strippers will invade Cheetahs on Halloween night as its crew of exotic dancers will be dressed as the undead before baring it all onstage. Bottles XVII Karat champagne and $300 in cash and prizes will also be awarded to patrons with the best zombie costumes. Well drinks and drafts will be $3 from until 11 p.m. Call 602-277-8487 for cover.
Crescent Ballroom
308 N. 2nd Ave.
Sean Watson isn't sure what exactly he'll be wearing on All Hallows Eve (and admits he might wind up throwing something together at the last minute), but he guarantees it will be something memorable. Ditto for his namesake Halloween Costume Ball at the Crescent's lounge, which is likely to be a haven for the hip crowd. Fellow DJs Kris the Fist and Jared Alan will also perform and artist Matt Castleberry will stage a visual takeover. Concert tickets will be given away to those with the best getups. 10 p.m., free. Call 602-716-2222.
Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row
4420 N. Saddlebag Trail, Scottsdale
The newest arrival to Saddlebag Trail will off three straight nights of events inspired by Halloween. First, there's the "Outlaws - Dead or Alive" event on Thursday, October 31, with music by Georgia Chrome and patrons dressed as their favorite rogues and outlaws. It's followed by the "Camo or Commando" affair on Friday, November 1, and a staging of the "Redneck Games" on Saturday, November 2. Call 480-945-6200.
El Hefe
4425 N. Saddlebag Trail, Scottsdale
They take their partying pretty serious at El Hefe, especially when it comes to Halloween. As such, four nights of events are planned, kicking off on Thursday, October 31, with an appearance by Scottsdale favorite DJ Fashen. Next, the "Dias De Los Hefe" party will take place and star DJ Diverse in the mix all night on Friday, November 1. If you ain't worn out yet, the Circus Freak Show with Deejay Diesel on Saturday, November 2, and a gig by DJ duo Sick Individuals on Sunday, November 3, will wrap up the joint's "Halloweekend." Call 602-380-8545.
Marc's Sports Grill & Nightlife
4494 W. Peoria Ave., Glendale
Nightmare on Marc's Street with DJs and dancing in the main room, karaoke in the lounge, and drink specials all night. The sexiest, spookiest, and funniest costumes will win prizes. Call 623-842-1053.
Marquee Theatre
730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe
The insidious costumed bass freaks of Destroid — which consists of dubstep kings Excision, Downlink, and KJ Sawka — will blast their heavy-duty audio from the sound system at the Marquee. 8 p.m.; $32 general admission, $62 VIP access. Call 480-829-0707.
Maya Day & Nightclub
7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale
The twin sisters of Australian DJ duo Nervo will spend their Halloween night in the booth at Maya dropping electro-house tracks and other EDM offerings. Patrons are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite duos for a chance at winning $2,500 in cash and prizes. Call 480-625-0528.
RA Sushi
Five Valley locations
Each RA will host a Boo Bash Halloween Party, which will feature food and drink specials (including such small plates as $8 Vampire Chicken and $10 spider rolls), costume contests for cash prizes, and guest DJs. 7 p.m. Call 480-303-9800 or 480-990-9256.
Sail Inn
26 S. Farmer Ave., Tempe
www.sailinn.com
Halloween party with rock band karaoke and live music from The Metal King and 2 in the Chest. 9 p.m., $10. Call 480-966-9565.
Sleepy Dog Brewery
1451 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert
Live music from alt-rock band Sketching In Stereo at 8:30 p.m., Halloween-inpsired food specials from the kitchen until midnight, and a candy-themed cocktail menu that will include such specialty drinks as "Pop Punk" and "Pink Starburst." Call 480-963-1805.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Special Events
Fear Farm
2209 N. 99th Ave.
The Arizona Zombie Prom with rockabilly and psychobilly music The Embalmers, Koffin Kats, 12 Step Rebels, Three Bad Jacks, Nim Vind, and Kats of Horror, as well as performances by freak show artists and fire-eaters. Food trucks and face-painting stations will also be available. 6 p.m. See www.azzombieprom.com.
Bars & Clubs
Aunt Chilada's
7330 N. Dreamy Draw Dr.
Halloween party with Zimis, DJ Mike G., a costume contest with such prizes as a spa vacation in Rocky Point and $1,000 pesos, and more. 7 p.m. Call 602-944-1286.
