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Zombies, ghouls and warewolves: scary, but not half as terrifying as the thought of missing out on a whole load of fun this Halloween weekend because you didn't plan it and couldn't buy tickets in time. So, how to avoid the frightful scenario of sitting in your flat alone, listening to 'Monster Mash' on repeat and weeping as you eat all the sweets you saved for the the trick-or-treaters? Simple. Just read up on our list of 12 awesome Halloween parties and club nights and get booking.
And remember there are plenty more frightfully good options – a monstrous 50, in fact – on our Halloween parties page.
The one for tricks and treats
The Halloween Playground
Set in beautiful Hornsey Town Hall, this killer party is bursting with freaky fun including cabaret, circus performance, a zombie cinema and a human ghost train. There’s free whisky too – Dutch courage for having to take on lots of zombies.
Hornsey Town Hall. Fri Oct 30 and Sat Oct 31.
The one for the undead
Coffin Dodgers: Rave from the Grave
The over-28s club night lays on a spooky instalment of its self-deprecating pop disco. There’ll be Halloween games and scary stuff – but not too scary, as they don’t want to give the crumblies a heart attack.
The Phoenix. Fri Oct 30.
The one for bad taste and bad singing
Karaoke Rumble: Dead Pop Stars Special
Decency is overrated, so leave it behind at this raucous party, which asks you to dress as a dead pop star and belt out anthems. A make-up artist will help with the horror.
The Star of Kings. Thu Oct 29.
The one for immersive fright vibes
The Halloween Project
Spook yourself good and proper at this experiential event in a Bermondsey warehouse, where you can explore and interact with petrifying performers, from DJs to Shakespearean actors, darling.
Ugly Duck. Fri Oct 30 and Sat Oct 31.
Photo: Dan Govan
The one for terrifying, trashy fun
Douche Bag: Halloween Bloodbath
Here’s the organisers’ costume advice for this pop-fuelled east London LGBT night: ‘Bitchy witches and yummy mummies (the bandaged kind).’
The Star of Bethnal Green. Sat Oct 31.
The one for partying, apocalypse-style
The End of the World Party
Dress and revel like it’s your last night on earth at this end-of-days extravaganza. Punters pick the tunes, but nul points for ‘The Final Countdown’ – get creative!
Electric Brixton. Sat Oct 31.
The one for heavy Halloween beats
Goldie’s Hip-Hop Halloween
The D&B DJ, orchestral conductor and ‘EastEnders’ villain shows his lighter side, heading a costume-heavy party and spinning hip hop.
The Nest. Sat Oct 31.
Photo: Soul Stealer
The one for bonkers B-movie misadventures
Percolate and Mad Ferret: Attack at the Premiere
This eccentric party is themed around a B-movie premiere, with a red carpet, paparazzi and ’50s Hollywood decor, plus Detroit house innovator Moodymann DJing.
Studio 338. North Greenwich.
The one for creepy vaudeville antics
White Mischief: Heaven and Hell Halloween Ball
An epic, eerie grand ball spread across multiple rooms of frightful participatory chaos. Look out for bands, DJs, cabaret, aerial acts and a real, live snake. Seriously.
Scala. Sat Oct 31.
The one for freaky, funky raving
Secretsundaze: Carnival Du Freak
A fancy dress horrorshow soundtracked by bleeding-edge selectors, including deep disco ace The Black Madonna and dubby house dude Kassem Mosse. Don’t expect to hear ‘Monster Mash’.
Shapes. Sat Oct 31.
The one for gore and glitter
Sink The Pink: Halloween Extravaganza
Get filthy and freaky at this bash, with blood-curdling performance and DJ sets. Dress nice and hideous, and if you want a double dose, STP host a ‘Cockles and Muscles’ Halloweener at Dreamland Margate on the Friday.
Oval Space. Sat Oct 31.
The one for zombie superhero larks
Soundtracks: Avengers Dismembered
Can a zombie Incredible Hulk breakdance? Find out at this film-themed night, where DJs spin movie theme tunes. Channel your inner undead on the dancefloor!
The Monarch. Sat Oct 31. £3-£4.