Along with the beautiful foliage, the end of October offers another reason to be excited about autumn: Halloween!
Taking place each year on October 31, the holiday’s origins are actually an amalgam of celebrations associated with Celtic harvest feasts and a time on the Christian calendar during which martyrs, saints and the dead are honoured.
Yet, just as with Christmas, a combination of time, European migration and an American penchant for commercialisation has transformed Halloween into a holiday in its own right; one that playfully revels in all things ghoulish, dark, scary, unholy and frightening.
Amsterdam may not be Salem or New York, but the popularity of Halloween has been growing rapidly over the past decade. With a variety of events and parties taking place around the city, there’s more than enough going on in the city to get your Halloween fix!
Since it’s Halloween, dare to be bold and wear a costume to these parties while dancing your way around the city!
-Date: October 31
-Location: Hotel Arena (‘s-Gravesandestraat 51)
Organisers Spook take their Halloween celebrations seriously! For the first time, they will be hosting a four-day long mini Amsterdam Halloween Festival.
With the theme being "Underworld" expect visitors to come dressed as all sorts of hellish creatures inspired by Dante’s Inferno, Hellboy, The Exorcist and other nightmarish fabrications.
-Date: October 31
-Location: Tolhuistuin (Tolhuisweg 5)
For this one, costumes are a must and feature the combined efforts of the Amsterdam BeatClub and Big Night Out.
Known for their 1960s revival themes, the Amsterdam BeatClub will do vintage in ghastly style with bloody burlesque, horrific go-go dancing and a carnival of "hellucinations," while the big ballroom will feature the sounds of Big Night Out assisted by live act The Smoke Eaters, DJ Alec Smart and chill-inducing visuals by VJ Mister Fab.
-Date: November 1
-Location: Sugarfactory (Lijnbaansgracht 238)
Featuring DJs, live performances, fortune tellers, a creepy
-Dates: Oct. 17-19, 24-25, 31 & Nov. 1-2
-Location: Boom Chicago (Rozengracht 117)
Boom Chicago is once again teaming up with masters of fright Horror Nights to create a fully haunted pop-up experience on the Rozengracht, fittingly called Freak Circus.
This haunted experience isn’t for the faint of heart as trained actors and elaborate set designs will put on tortured versions of circus acts with performers, terrifying encounters and startling moments over the course of 25 minutes.
-Dates: October 27-31
-Location: Amsterdam Dungeon (Rokin 78)
If you’ve never been to the Amsterdam Dungeon, it’s billed as a theatrical, gruesome history attraction.
With creepy actors highlighting the gorier aspects of early 17th century punishment, the evening consists of a trip through the Dungeon and a special horror themed boat cruise featuring an all-inclusive three course dinner!
Autumn can often mean a dip in your physical activity, but it doesn’t have to! Beat those lethargic feelings and use Halloween as inspiration to get up and moving.
-Date: November 1
-Location: Rokin to Westergasfabriek
Sponsored by media giant FOX International, the Amsterdam Halloween Parade is the biggest of its kind in the Netherlands and is inspired by similar spectacles in the U.S.
Put on your costume and enjoy the company of fellow Halloween aficionados as you walk the 3,8km from the Rokin to the Westergasfabriek where a massive Halloween party awaits!
-Date: October 29
-Location: Pllek (TT Neveritaweg 59)
Catering to the early birds, the Morning Gloryville raves are not an afterparty, but rather a way to start the day.
A mix of (sober) dancing, smoothies, yoga, massages and superfoods, the Halloween edition will see a real grass dance floor, a variety of performers and a festive party ferry to bring you there!
-Date: October 31
-Location: Meet at Vondelpark
Since Halloween falls on a Friday, the Friday Night Skate club will be holding their special costumed edition to honour All Hallows’ Eve on the day itself!
Lace up your skates, get to the Vondelpark and show off your costume to the city with a pack of Halloween enthusiasts on wheels. Keep in mind the skate is weather permitting and at your own risk, so design your costume accordingly.