Halloween is lurking just around the corner, and Baltimore is hosting plenty of events to get locals into the spooky spirit. In addition to dancing and drinks, join a holiday bike ride, catch a drag show, and try your hand at a hot dog eating contest—all in celebration of All Hallow’s Eve. Hope you’ve got your costume ready.
Parties and Performances
10/13: Spooky Queer Karaoke Night
Pumphouse Studio—a new queer-owned, indoor-outdoor events venue in Broadway East—is hosting this haunted happening on Friday the 13th. Warm up your vocals for a queer karaoke night complete with a photo booth, costume contest, and eats by Cocina Luchadoras and Royal Sauce. 1414 N Wolfe St. 6:30-11:30 p.m. $5-10 donation requested.
10/13: Dungeons and Drag Presents: Trick & Treats
The Ottobar is getting a jump start on its Halloween festivities with this drag extravaganza. Head upstairs for some scarily impressive performances by the likes of Cher Rub, Kelsey Kadaver, and Floozy Carmichael, as well as spooky beats courtesy of DJ Nikki Woodles. 2549 N. Howard St. 7:30 p.m. $10
10/25: Candlelight Concerts: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
This family-friendly show at the Creative Alliance in Highlandtown offers Halloween-inspired music performed by the Kennedy String Quartet under a gorgeous candlelight glow. The 65-minute concert will include renditions of familiar tunes such as “Thriller,” the Stranger Things theme, and a medley from The Nightmare Before Christmas. 3134 Eastern Ave. 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. $45-$55.
10/26: Halloween Rally in the Alley: Glow Edition
Power Plant Live’s annual Halloween party will keep with the glow theme with live DJs spinning EDM and top hits, plus games and glow inflatables. With each ticket purchased, partygoers will receive five drink tickets good for canned beverages or cocktails. 34 Market Pl. 10 p.m. $35-$40.
10/27: Halloweek at Bark Social
Pull out your pup’s costume and head to this Canton dog social club for a week of festivities. There’s a dog (and human) costume contest on October 23, a dance party with DJ Dance Pantz on October 27, and an all-out fall festival (think: pie eating contests, a straw bale pyramid, and pumpkin calligraphy) planned on October 28. Stick around later that evening for HallowQueen: Bark After Dark drag bingo hosted by Evon Dior Michelle from 8-10 p.m. Any dog is welcome to all events, as long as they are registered beforehand. 3822 Boston St. 6-9 p.m. Free.
10/27: Sweet Spot Halloween at Metro Gallery
Looking to spice up this Halloween? Show up at this costume party for a night of high-energy live performances from drag performers Jack Powers, Baby, and Jazmine. Accompanied by electric pop music, the haunted house will have a technicolor show for party-goers to experience. 1700 N Charles St. 10 p.m. $25.75.
10/28: Black Pearl Halloween Cruise
Go all out with your Halloween-loving buds on board this Spirit of Baltimore boo-ze cruise. Come in costume to shake your bones to music spun by two live DJs and sip drinks from the cash bar. 561 Light St. 12-2 a.m. $55.
10/28: Haunted Harbor
If you can’t make it to Rally in the Ally, mark your calendar for Power Plant Live’s Haunted Harbor, a celebration including all of the district’s bars and nightclubs, as well as DJ performances on the central main stage. Be sure to show up in costume for a chance to win prizes. 34 Market Pl. 9 p.m. $11-20.
10/28: Halloween at the Maryland Science Center
The annual bash is the place to be for Baltimoreans on Halloween weekend. Roam around three indoor performance spaces (and venture up to the rooftop dance party) to enjoy acts like The Dirty Grass Players, Caleb Stine Band, DJ James Nasty, and Talking Heads tribute group Psycho Killers. 601 Light St. 8 p.m. $55.
10/31: HipHop Heroes Costume Party
The theme of this deadly dance party at Our Time Kitchen is hip-hop heroes. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the genre by curating a costume reminiscent of your favorite singers, rappers, producers, moguls, or groups. Co-hosted with House Party 421 and The Charm City Maven, this bash will feature delicious food, drinks from Blackstone Brothers Distillery, and music spun by DJ Shainight. 117 West 24th St., 7-11 p.m., $10
10/31: Halloween Hangout
This kids party will be held in the parking lot of the Franciscan Center in Old Goucher. Dress up the kiddos and show up for pumpkins, trick-or-treating, and more family fun. 101 W 23rd St. 5:30-7 p.m. Free.
Food and Drink:
10/20: Shocktail Hour’s Tournament of Terror at Golden West Cafe
Hosted by Aurora Gorealis, this annual Halloween party game show will feature spooky spins on classic games like The Vincent Price Is Right, The Newlydead Game, and Win Lose or Draw Blood. As you try your best to survive this night of fright, savor seasonal cocktails and bites and watch creepy clips in between games. 8:30-12 a.m., 1105 W 36th St, $10-25.
Wear your most wickedly elegant costume to this Halloween-themed dinner at True Chesapeake in Hampden, featuring five delicious courses such as roasted chicken with fried leeks, cabbage-wrapped catfish, and an “Invocation of Chocolate Divination” for dessert. If that’s not enough to entice you, anticipate live music, spooky cocktails and wine pairings, and eerie decor by Tilled Studio. 6-10 p.m. 3300 Clipper Mill Rd. $85. $125 with cocktails and wine.
10/27: Boos & Booze at Jimmy’s Famous Seafood
Head over to Jimmy’s in Dundalk for this annual bash—a costumed night of music, dancing, and $25 unlimited drinks. Get creative (the best costumes win cash prizes) and don’t forget to grab a crab cake before you go. 6526 Holabird Ave. 10 p.m. $25
10/28: Baltimore Halloween Crawl
Come in costume to stroll around multiple Fells Point bars cover-free. In their free souvenir mugs, crawl participants will be able to enjoy drink deals like $3 Bud Lights, $4 rail drinks, and $4 haunted shots. Plus, there will be costume contest prizes and free raffles all day long. S Broadway. 1-9 p.m. $20.
10/28: Federal Hill-O-Ween
Hundreds of revelers will descend on Federal Hill on Halloweekend for this 12th-annual spooky bar crawl. After picking up your bracelets at Mother’s or Blue Agave, your crew can bounce around 13 bars (think: Wayward, Crossbar, Nobles, One Star Country Club, and the like) to sip $3 beers and $5 mixed drinks with no cover charge. There will also be a costume contest for those who dress up. 1032 Light St. 1-10 p.m. $15.
10/28: Guinness Brewery Halloween Movie Night
Sip on beers in spooky costumes as you watch special screenings of Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Plus take a photo with the real-live Charm City Ghostbusters for a fun and interactive experience. 5001 Washington Blvd. 5 p.m. Free.
10/28: Halloween Party at Nepenthe Brewing Co.
Stop by this Hampden brewpub for its annual party filled with themed food, spooky music, a costume contest with prizes, a photo booth, and, of course, candy. Optional open bar packages include four hours of bottomless beer, wine, and punch for $45. 3626 Falls Road. 12-10 p.m. Free.
10/28: Eat, Drink, and Be Scary Bull Roast
Gather 10 friends and score a table at this second-annual fundraiser for Middle River Volunteer Fire & Rescue. The all-out feast will include top round pit beef and turkey, steamed shrimp, honey ham, kielbasa and sauerkraut, sides, dessert, and beer. While you indulge, check out raffles, show off your costume, grab a drink from the cash bar, and enjoy tunes spun by DJ Blaze. 1010 Oldham St. 7-11 p.m. $55
10/28: Halloween Dance Party at Baltimore Spirits Co.
Put on a costume and dance your heart out at this Halloween dance party featuring delicious cocktails and music from Jack Denning of the All Mighty Senators. If your costume is scary enough, you might even win a prize. 8-12 a.m., W 41st St. $11.
10/29: Sporty Dog’s Halloween Hot Dog Eating Contest
This favorite local hot dog purveyor—known for its beef, jerk chicken, and vegan franks—is back with its annual spooky season hot dog-eating contest. Think you have what it takes to down the most dogs in 10 minutes? Show up in costume and try beating the reigning champ Alexander Hasz. 333 N Charles St Side Entrance. 1 p.m.
10/29: Ryes Up Against Cystic Fibrosis
Baltimore’s most creative bartenders are stirring up delicious rye cocktails—plus alcohol-free and non-rye options—for this annual charity event to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. As you sip, grab a bite to eat, bid on items at the silent auction, and vote for your favorite drink and food item. Don’t forget to come dressed in your best costume for a chance to win a prize. 1715 Thames Street, 5-8 p.m., $120-$200
10/31: Ekiben Baolloween
Details haven’t been announced quite yet, but we can only expect that Ekiben will be back with its annual Halloween special, which offers discounted buns to anyone who shows up in costume. Lines typically stretch around the block, so be sure to arrive on time. Follow Ekiben on Instagram for updates. 1622 Eastern Ave. and 911 W. 36th St.
Spooky Sights:
10/21: The Great Halloween Lantern Parade and Festival
Take in the beautiful sights of glowing lanterns illuminating Patterson Park at this beloved local tradition, which also includes a costume contest, performances, DIY lantern crafts, and more family fun. Patterson Park Pulaski Monument. 4 p.m. Free.
10/26: A Nightmare on Elm Street at The Charles
As part of its revival series, this historic Station North theater is showing a Halloween classic for horror-seeking film lovers. Make a night of it by grabbing a drink and a bite to eat from neighboring Tapas Teatro or Alma Cocina Latina. 1711 N. Charles St. 9 p.m. $10
10/27: Baltimore Bike Party Halloween Ride
What better way to get your heart racing this Halloween than with a ride through the city with hundreds of other costumed cyclists? Join Baltimore Bike Party for their annual Halloween ride, followed by a costume contest, dance-off, and delicious food Union Collective. St. Mary’s Park. 6:45-11:45 p.m. Free.
10/28: Ottobar Halloween Market
Check out the 30-plus local vendors showcasing their goods and spooky treats at Ottobar’s pop-up market. In between browsing, step inside for Halloween-themed cocktails featuring everyone’s favorite flavor, pumpkin spice. 2549 N. Howard St. 12-5 p.m. Free.
Looking for ghost tours or haunted houses and hayrides in the area? We’ve got you.
Costume Contests
10/27: Halloween Bash & Costume Contest at Michael’s Cafe
When it comes to cash prizes, the costume contest at this Timonium hangout has the rest beat. They’re giving away more than $1,000, so hit the vintage shops and pull together your best look. The evening’s live soundtrack will be provided by Synful Pleasure and DJ Vision. 2119 York Road. 8 p.m. Free.
10/28: Halloween Bash at The Crazy Tuna
Head over to this Essex tiki bar for special drinks, live music with Thunderball, and a costume contest with cash prizes. 203 Nanticoke Rd. 6 p.m. Free.
10/28: LoonASea Halloween Party at Looney’s Pub
This year, Looney’s in Perry Hall is celebrating with a pirate and mermaid-themed costume party, where attendees can sip on spooky cocktails and dance the night away. Make sure your costume is scary good to win cash prizes in three different categories. 8706 Bel Air Rd. 9 p.m. Free.
10/31: Hampden Halloweenfest
Missing the Hampden community spirit in the wake of HampdenFest’s cancellation in September? Have no fear. The Avenue’s annual trick-or-treating event starts at 5 p.m., but make sure to head over to Hot Dog Central for the costume contest at 6:30—featuring trophies in different age categories for “prettiest,” “funniest,” and “most original” costumes. West 36th Street. 5-8 p.m. Free.
