Halloween is here! 13 must-not-miss events and treats

Halloween is next week! Aside from giving all of us (yes, adults included) a very good excuse to gorge on candy, the spooky season is also giving us better reasons to get up, dress up, and party. 

Whether you’re looking for some zombie-induced cardio “workout”, delicious Halloween-inspired treats, or kid-friendly parties, here’s a quick rundown of 13 must-not-miss events for (on or before) All Hallows Eve.

1. Kooky Spooky at Uptown Bonifacio

It’s a family-friendly Halloween event at Uptown Mall — Addams Family, that is! Join Kooky Spooky at Uptown Bonifacio for artsy and exciting activities like Pugsley’s Face Art, Wednesday’s Crossbow Class, Lurch’s Art Camp, and Trick or Treat-thing starting this weekend. You can also enjoy fun games and shows like Grandma’s Party Games, Uncle Fester’s Mad Science Show, and Morticia’s Magic Show. Come in your best Addams Family-inspired costume at the Cousin It Costume Contest and get a chance to win big prizes! 2pm. October 26. Present one (1) The Addams Family movie ticket from Uptown Cinema + single or accumulated purchase receipt/s worth P2,000 from any Uptown Mall and/or Uptown Parade establishments (purchases must be made from October 21 - 26, 2019).

2. Boni the Bull brings the Circus to Adventure Zone

On October 26, Boni the Bull is turning Shangri-La at the Fort’s Adventure Zone into a magical circus complete with acrobat shows, magic shows, jugglers, balloon twisters, and stilt dancers. Partygoers will get to enjoy all said attractions plus the dozens of fun activities at one of the biggest indoor theme parks in the metro. Each ticket is inclusive of a lootbag, snacks, and drinks. October 26. P3,500 for 1 kid and 1 adult (P2,500 for Adventure Zone members). +632 88200888. Facebook

3. Monsterrific Camp at Market Café

Kids and kids-at-heart will find their fill at New World Manila Bay Hotel’s Market Café with “Monster Camp: Halloween Fun Fest.” The two-night fest features hauntingly delicious Halloween-inspired fare featured in all its buffet stations, as well as Market Café’s signature dishes. Dine in your best Halloween garb, pose with their in-house monsters roaming the halls, and you might just receive a special surprise! October 30-31. P2,600 (kids aged 12 and below get 50% off). +632 82526888

4. ‘Spooktacular Sunday’ Lunch at Conrad Manila

There’s a monster-sized feast waiting for kids and their families at Conrad Manila’s buffet spot Brasserie on 3 come October 27. Make sure the kids come in their best costume as they go trick or treating around the award-winning hotel. Fun activities like face painting and exciting games await trick-or-treaters of all ages. Tickets include a lavish lunch buffet and all the Halloween-related fun. 12pm-2:30pm. October 27. P1,800 (kids aged 6-12 get 50% off) +632 8683 3990 

5. Party with Pirates and Mermaids at Crimson Hotel

Crimson Hotel is sailing with kids of all ages through a sea full of adventure with their “Pirates and Mermaids Party” on October 31. The party includes a bounty of snacks (it’s a buffet!) with free-flowing iced tea, interactive show in the Crimson Grand Ballroom, a costume contest, Trick or Treating, photo booth, fun games, and more activities to keep the little ones excited. Make sure to dress up (your kids) as the fiercest pirate or the most enthralling mermaid ever for a chance to win prizes. 2pm. October 31. P1,150. +632 8863222

6. Spooktacular Halloween Staycation at Discovery Suites

If you’re staying in Manila for the Halloween long weekend, why not turn it into a family staycation? Take advantage of Discovery Suites’ “Spooktacular Halloween Staycation” offers, where you and your family could score a one-bedroom suite for as low as P5,500. That includes breakfast for two, access to hotel amenities, and two passes to the to the Spooktacular Kids’ Halloween Activities on Halloween weekend. November 1-2. +632 87198888

7. Super Heroes — and villains! — Halloween kiddie bash at Seda BGC

Seda BGC is having a Halloween kiddie bash at no less than its Velvet Ballroom. Kids should come dressed as their favorite super hero — or villain — because best in costume will receive toys from Barbie, Paw Patrol, Hot Wheels, and more. Kids aged 3 and below get in for free. 3pm-6pm. October 27. P1,300. +632 7945 8888

8. Escape a zombie-infested mall at the Breakout Scavenger Haunt

If you’re a fan of escape rooms, Breakout Philippines is taking it to the next, next, next, next level! They’re turning the entire Festival Mall in Alabang into an “escape mall” filled with hungry zombies. Just make sure to use your brains for the scavenger “haunt” before they get to you! According to Breakout Manila, a total of up to P100,000 worth of prizes are up for grabs for the competing teams. “Breakout Scavenger Haunt” is part of the country's first and biggest Halloween party, Haunted Manila Festival. So step up your cardio training and get ready for four hours of intense excitement fueled by your urge to fight for your "survival." 7pm-11pm.
October 27. P1000. Tickets

9. Santelmo Halloween Music Festival

Santelmo Halloween Music Festival is yet another part of Haunted Manila Festival (see above). Named after ghostly image of a ball of fire, this night of music will certainly be lit. They have a rockstar lineup including Up Dharma Down, December Avenue, We Belong To The Zoo, Callalily, and even Aegis! Make your way to the Filinvest City Events Grounds Alabang on Hallow’s Eve. Gates open at 5pm. October 31. P1,500. Tickets.

10. Sing ‘Bella Ciao!’ at the Yes Please! Heist

If you were bitten by the outrageously catchy “Money Heist” (La Casa De Papel) bug, then you should certainly get your red jumpsuit and Salvador Dali mask ready for the Yes Please! Heist on October 31. This bar at Uptown BGC is hosting “the biggest Halloween Heist of the year” but don’t worry, all you’ll be stealing is a night of thrill and excitement fueled by their signature cocktails and brews. October 31. +63 917 140 7777

11. Go ghost-hunting at Intramuros with fellow Trese fans

Are you a fan of Filipino comic book “Trese?” Do you enjoy scaring yourself to death by intentionally looking for ghosts? If your answer is yes to both questions, then good news -- you get to do both this Halloween! Be a part of the Trese Night Tour and Halloween Party on October 31. The event is going to be held in Intramuros, known as one of the most haunted areas in the country. Tour fee includes entrance fees plus food and drinks. Sign up now because the tour only has 50 slots! 5pm-7pm Ghost Tour. 7pm-10pm Fan Meet. 10pm. October 31. Tickets. 

12. Party in the Dark with Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge’s Black Party

Get ready to party even before Halloween strikes with Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge’s annual Halloween bash. This year, the three-time Forbes Travel Guide Five Star awardee is throwing a Black Party and guests are encouraged to come in their best Halloween get-up for a chance to win awesome prizes. Aside from live musical entertainment, party the night away with spellbinding cocktails and bar grub. 8pm. October 25. P499++ . +632 7720 7720 

13. Haunted Halloween at Raffles Makati’s Long Bar

Enjoy Long Bar’s exclusive Mad Lab Cocktails on October 31, like Lethal Injection, Radiation Smash, Poison Sling, and Blood Bag. Indulge in your spooky concoction of choice at Php450 each. Spend Halloween at one of the poshest spots in the metro and the only scary story you’ll be telling the next morning is how you drunk-texted your ex after a couple of cocktails. October 31. +632 77951840

— LA, GMA News