Spooky season has crept up on us once again. Luckily, there are plenty of costume parties, wicked food and drink specials, and more terrifyingly tempting festivities happening in Baltimore. It may be hard to choose just where to spend All Hallow’s Eve, but we’ve got a lineup that is sure to put you in the spooky spirit. Get your costume ready and find out where all the tricks and treats lie this year by browsing our guide.
Parties and Performances
10/19: Fright Night Massive 2024: System Overload
Power Plant Live is known for its spooky celebrations, and Fright Night is no exception. Jam to exceptional DJs like Sullivan King and Dieselboy as you are met with hordes of zombies, immersive horrifying visuals, and mind-blowing lasers. 34 Market Pl. 4 p.m. $13.42-50.
10/24: Halloween Rally: Glow Edition Part 1
Power Plant Live’s annual Halloween party returns with another edition of glow-themed fun. Come dressed in costume to dance to Top 40 and EDM hits, play bar games, and more. The price of admission includes five drink tickets for canned beverages or cocktails. 34 Market Pl. 10 p.m. $45-61.
10/25: Halloween Party and Costume Contest at Michael’s Cafe
At this hair-raising Halloween bash in Timonium, compete in a costume contest offering $1,000 in prizes. Throughout the evening, DJ Leni K and The Wafflers will cast a spell on you with their frighteningly funky tunes. 2119 York Road. 9 p.m. Free.
10/25: Sweet Spot’s Gay Halloween Dance Party
Prepare to slay the dance floor with scary-good tunes and drag performances by local queens Baby and Alastor. Halloween looks are encouraged. Metro Baltimore, 1700 N. Charles St. 10 p.m. $20.
10/25: BSO Music Presents: Play Me a Ghost Story
Hear a ghost story like you never have before, to the tune of chilling symphonies inspired by the likes of Edgar Allan Poe and Frankenstein. Featuring the music of Gustav Mahler, Lou Reed, and Jim Stephenson, families will feel the music in their bones by the end of this 50-minute concert. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. 11 a.m. $12-22.
10/26: Halloween at The Maryland Science Center
Boogie on down to the Maryland Science Center for a groovy party featuring more than 15 live performances, two stages, and a rooftop dance party. DJ sets will also take over the planetarium and the immersive IMAX experience. Look out for artists like the Charm City Bluegrass Allstars and Talking Heads and David Bowie tribute, Psycho Killers Let’s Dance. 601 Light St. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $55-99.
10/26: Halloween Bash at The Crazy Tuna
Join Hëdrush for live rock covers, waterfront views, and boo-zy drinks at The Crazy Tuna. The Essex tiki bar is throwing a Halloween party you won’t want to miss, complete with drink specials, a cash bar, and a costume contest. 203 Nanticoke Rd. 8 p.m. Free.
10/26: Haunted Harbor
Head to Power Plant Live’s Haunted Harbor for a night full of thrills and chills. You’ll have access to all featured bars and DJ performances on the main stage. Pull out all the stops for your costume and you may go home with prizes. 34 Market Pl. 9 p.m. $19-27.
10/26: Let’s BOO-gie Down Halloween Party at Looney’s Pub
Looney’s in Bel Air is throwing its annual Halloween bash with live music from the modern country band Triple Rail Turn. Come in your sexiest, scariest, or funniest costume for the chance to win cash prizes. 312 S. Main St. 9 p.m. Cover at the door TBA.
10/26: Black Pearl Halloween Cruise
All aboard! Set sail on the Spirit of Baltimore’s boo-ze yacht party with more than 300 other revelers. Dance into the witching hours with three decks, two live DJs, and massive fun. All costumes are welcome, but this year’s theme is pirates. 561 Light St. 12-2 a.m. $29.74 – $62.44.
10/31: Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
The Kennedy String Quartet is bringing an amazing ensemble of spooky songs to the First Unitarian Church in Baltimore. Hear favorites like “Thriller,” The Addams Family theme, and the prelude from Psycho, all beneath the dancing shadows of candlelight. 10 W. Franklin St. 6:30 and 8:45 p.m. $31-64.
10/31: Hampden HalloweenFest
Go trick-or-treating on the Avenue and show off your artistry with a handmade costume. After you score some candy, stop by Hot Dog Central at 6:30 p.m. for a costume contest where each age group can win “scariest,” “prettiest,” and “most original” prizes. West 36th Street. 5-8 p.m. Free.
10/31: Halloween Rally: Glow Edition PART 2
If you missed the first rally, have no fear! Spend Halloween night at Power Plant Live dancing with massive inflatables, confetti cannons, and top hits spun by DJs. 34 Market Pl. 10 p.m. $45-61.
Eats and Drinks
To 10/31: Spooky Season at BSC Cocktail Gallery
Get into the spirit with a collection of fall-inspired drinks at Baltimore Spirits Company’s bar inside Union Collective. Throughout the month, enjoy specialty sips including an Apple Old Fashioned, the Pink Pumpkin Club (Shot Tower gin, Pepita Orgeat, lemon, and angostura), and the Pumk’tini—a take on a pumpkin-spice espresso martini made with BSC’s coffee-flavored Singularity #14 whiskey, coffee and rye liqueur, espresso, and a spiced pumpkin shrub. 1700 W. 41st St. Ste. 430. Weds-Sat: 5-10 p.m. Sun: 3-8 p.m.
10/26-27: Nepenthe Brewing Co. Halloween Party Weekend
This time of year, the taproom at this Hampden brewpub transforms into an all-out haunted hangout. During Halloweekend, come dressed to kill to enjoy a themed menu, photo booth fun, a soundtrack of spooky beats, and rotating horror flicks on the big screen. Optional open bar packages will be available on Saturday, and on Sunday groups can look forward to competing in a Murder Mystery game hosted by Showtime Trivia.
10/26: Baltimore Halloween Crawl
Visit 10-plus local haunts around Thames Street and Broadway in Fells Point with thousands of other ghouls and goblins. Tickets get you cover-free access to participating bars, a souvenir mug, and exclusive food and drink specials. If your costume stands out, you can win prizes in one of the city’s largest costume contests. S. Broadway St. 1-9 p.m. $17.68.
10/26: Federal Hill-O-Ween
For the 14th year in a row, Federal Hill-O-Ween returns across 13 nightlife destinations around South Charles Street. Wristbands include cover-free entry to participating bars, monstrous drink specials, and more. Registration at Mother’s Grille, 1113 S. Charles St. 5-8 p.m. $10-20.
10/27: Ryes Up Against Cystic Fibrosis Charitable Gala
Raise your glasses for a good cause at the 13th-annual Ryes Up Against Cystic Fibrosis Gala—where you can see top local bartenders compete to create the most impressive Rye-centered cocktails. Participate in the costume contest, snack on local bites, and bid on the silent auction. Union Craft Brewing, 1700 W. 41st St. 4-8:30 p.m. $129.89-215.26.
10/30-11/2: The ‘Harmery’
This year, what was once known as The Charmery’s Fear Factory has spread across all locations as “The Harmery.” While flavors last, put your bravery to the test and try out five “Haunted Ballpark”-themed ice cream flavors. Think Camden Yards favorites…but ice cream. All Charmery locations. $8.
10/31: Ekiben Baoloween
Ekiben’s Halloween celebration—which regularly sees lines wrap around the block at all three of its locations in Fells Point, Hampden, and Locust Point—has easily become a favorite tradition among locals throughout the past few years. Here’s how it works: Show up in costume to receive a $4 steamed bun or $7 rice bowl from 4:30-10 p.m. The only rules are that the offer is for in-person ordering only, and you have to wear a costume. Multiple locations including 1622 Eastern Ave. 4:30-10 p.m. $4-7.
Deadly Drag Shows
10/19: Not Another Halloween Drag Show!
Despite the name, this really is another Halloween drag show. Your host, Pariah Sinclair, leads a show full of other local drag performers, Thom Boy, Nazel the Brat, and Onyx D Pearl. 2549 N. Howard St. 7:30 p.m. $10.
10/20: HallowQueen Drag Brunch
Join host Evon Dior Michelle at Guilford Hall Brewery for a fabulously frightening drag show featuring performances by Aquarius Moon, Jasmine Clitopatra, and Sapphire Dupree. As the performers take the stage, enjoy bottomless mimosas and a brunch buffet. 1611 Guilford Ave. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $25.
10/25: Dungeons and Drag Presents: Dead Man’s Party
Head to the Ottobar for a drag party to die for. Hosted by Cher Rub & Kelsey Kadaver, this boo-filled bash features over-the-top drag performances and a costume contest. 2549 N. Howard St. 7:30 p.m. $10.
10/26: HallowQueen Drag Bingo at Bark Social
Bring your pup for a dog-friendly afternoon of thrills and chills. Enjoy all-you-can-play bingo, door prize raffles, and a drag show that will certainly serve up a scare. Eats and drinks will be available for purchase for both dogs and their owners. 3822 Boston St. 4 p.m. $20.
10/26: Trick or Treat Drag Brunch
Sipping on a Bloody Mary will take on a whole new meaning at this blood-curdling brunch and drag show. Enjoy outrageous theatrics by Sage Angel, Dustyn Dawn, and other local performers while you indulge in bottomless mimosas and a brunch buffet. Watertable Restaurant at Renaissance Harborplace Hotel, 202 E. Pratt St. 1 p.m. $15.
Spooky Sights
10/5-11/3: The Nightmare Before Bar
Inspired by Tim Burton and classic horror movies, this pop-up bar takes over Tequila Works in Power Plant Live for the month of October. Entry includes a 90-minute window to enjoy one welcome drink, a themed cocktail and snack menu, and games hosted by characters in the bar. 26 Market Pl. Times vary. $14.50.
10/26: Ottobar Halloween Market
Creep through the Ottobar, where more than 30 vendors will showcase local handmade goods, Halloween-themed cocktails, and spooky snacks. 2549 N. Howard St. 12-4 p.m. Free.
10/26: The Great Halloween Lantern Parade & Festival
Help light up the night at this family-friendly festival, which is celebrating its 25th birthday this year. Festivities will begin with a kids and family costume contest, pop-up performances, and an arts and crafts market. Once the sun sets, march through the streets with dazzling handmade lanterns in honor of the main event. Patterson Park, 2601 E. Baltimore St. 4 p.m. Free.
10/26: Guinness Brewery Halloween Movie Night
Come dressed in your best costume and sip a beer as you watch a daunting double-feature of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and Beetlejuice. Things get even more spooky with the chance to snap a picture with the Charm City Ghostbusters themselves. 5001 Washington Blvd. 5 p.m. Free.
10/26 & 10/28: “Young Frankenstein” at The Charles
Catch this spooky screening of Mel Brooks’ classic “Young Frankenstein” starring Gene Wilder. This makes for a great date night or friends-night-out idea to kick off your Halloween festivities with a fright. 1711 N. Charles St. Sat. 11:30 a.m. & Mon. 7 p.m. $12-14.
10/31: Halloween with Endless Mike and Friends
Come dressed in your Halloween best as the hilarious Jake Leizear leads you through a night of laughs and great music. Endless Mike and The Beagle Club, Matt Pless, and Too Soon Jokes will take the stage to provide the evening’s entertainment. Le Mondo, 406 N. Howard St. 7 p.m. $15.