Here Comes Halloween: London Events

This Halloween is the best-scheduled so far! There are so many amazing events planned in London, many of them for free or at least low-priced, plus there is something to suit almost everyone. If you want to dress up and dance your spiked heels off, you can. If you want to go to a book reading, that's an option too. If you're in an educational mood, you can attend talks about horror films and other spooky things. If you just want to watch Beetlejuice and eat cupcakes - London is here for you!

I have selected the suggestions on this mini-list of events myself. For the most part, if I haven't visited a venue or attended a particular company's events in the past, then I know at least one person who has. However, there are a couple of events thrown in to the mix that I just think sound really cool...

Friday 26th October

Photo by mrskyce

• At Halloween Stand Up for Books, 20:00–22:30, The George on the Strand, £3 for SYP members, £5 otherwise

I've been to several of the Society of Young Publishers' and the Society of Authors' events in the past and this one sounds like a great idea. The main acts are authors James Dawson, Cathi Unsworth, and Katy Darby, and there will be readings of gothic poems and short stories inbetween.

• Friday Late: Kensington Gore, 18:30-22:00, Victoria and Albert Museum, entrance and most events free

Music, talks (including one on 'Witchcraft through Fashion'!), films, and other activities. Did I mention that it's free?

Saturday 27th October

Photo by jamieanne

• Foyles Presents: Fearfest, 14:00-16:00, The Gallery at Foyles,Third Floor, Charing Cross Road, Free

More literary spookiness with a multi-author discussion, including C J Daugherty, who wrote Night School (link goes to review on my book blog).

• Cant Buy Me Love, 12:30-17:30, The Boogaloo, entrance free

If you'd rather shop, entry to the CBML vintage market and jumble sale is free.

• Reel Music Halloween Special, 20:00-03:00, Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes, £7.00

Seven hours of movie-soundtrack tunes, with free popcorn, and Oscars awarded to the wearers of best costumes. If you get hungry you can visit the diner and if the music isn't enough, you can make your own in the karaoke rooms, or bowl, of course.

•  THRILLER NIGHT!, 18:00-02:00, Drink Shop & Do, £5 with fancy dress/£8 without

House-party style Halloween with Thriller dancing. They also have pumpkin carving nights on the 29th and 31st, and Day of the Dead colouring-in on the 30th.

• Or just go to Slimelight. They've got a very generous special offer on membership that night.

Wednesday 31st October 

Photo by Blyzz

•  Halloween Movie Night: Beetlejuice!, 6:30 onwards (film begins at 7:30), Beas of Bloomsbury at Maltby Street, £5.50 entrance

I went to the St Paul's Beas of Bloomsbury for my birthday the year before last and can personally attest to the deliciousness of their cakes. If you don't have a sweet tooth, however, there will be plenty of American-style savoury food available too.

• Barbican After Dark Halloween Special, 19:00-01:00, Barbican Foyers, entrance and most events free

Film, performance, art, music, and blood-red cocktails. For £8 you can join a backstage torch-lit tour. There are other relevant entertainments this week at the Barbican too.

What are your plans for Halloween? How do you prefer to celebrate it? Will you be going to any of these events - or one I've missed? There are several amazing-sounding Halloween balls this week and next in London, but most of them are sold out and/or out of my current budget!