I’ve always felt that the day after Halloween should be a national holiday. Not because of Día de los Muertos or All Saints Day but because kids need to recuperate after their candy hunt and adults need some rest after a long night of partying. Instead, when Halloween lands on a Wednesday, it means events get scattered like pellets when shooting a shotgun at a horde a zombies.
So here’s a list of ideas for what to do for Halloween.
Friday, Oct. 26
Quarantine Haunted Maze
Mazes are OK, but if it has a theme it makes it a-maze-ing. This year, C.R.O.W. adds the theme of a virus that has resulted in a zombie outbreak. The maze runs 6 to 9 pm Oct. 26, 27, 30 and 31. A milder, family night version runs 5 to 8 pm Oct. 29. The maze is located at 3120 Hwy. 101, Florence. $6.
Disco Halloween Extravaganza
Disco isn’t dead — it’s undead. This Halloween event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Kind Tree Autism Rocks! You can meet the Great Pumpkin, dance, win costume prizes and more. The event is at Vets Club Memorial Ballroom, located at 1620 Willamette Street and runs 6 to 10 pm. $5 kids, $15 adults.
Frightuary Takes Over Fairgrounds
A few years ago, then-candidate Donald Trump took over the Lane County Fairgrounds for a helluva thriller: a campaign stop. The fairgrounds have never been the same since then. Frightuary takes over where Trump left off. This time it fills the fairgrounds with scary jumps, but I think they’ve left out Steve Bannon. The horror runs 7 pm to midnight today, tomorrow and Halloween and 7 to 11 pm Sunday Oct. 28 and Tuesday, Oct. 30.
Cowfish Costume Themed Halloween Dance Parties
Cowfish has six nights of costume-themed dance parties that go on Friday, Oct. 26 to Wednesday, Oct. 31. Dress up as a sexy pirate today, bust out some cosplay Friday, do the “Time Warp” by celebrating your favorite decade on Sunday, dress as your favorite rockstar and belt out karaoke on Monday, win cash as the best couple for Zombie prom and go all in for the ultimate Halloween bash on Wednesday. Each party runs 9 pm to 2:30 am at Cowfish, located at 62 W. Broadway.
Halloween Salsa Party & Performances
Why do the “Monster Mash” when you can do the “Halloween Salsa”? This weekly dance event adds a spooky twist. A class kicks off the night at 9 pm and the DJ starts spinning at 10 pm until 1 am. The party is at Salseros Dance Studio, 1626 Willamette Street. $8 to $10.
Horror House Halloween Bash!
Now we’re cooking with horror. If cutesy spooky doesn’t work for you, Old Nick’s will have a night of horror. The bar will show the trilogy of Hellraiser with accompanying music. Oh, and best costume will win $50. The magic starts at 9 pm. Old Nicks is located at 211 Washington Street. $5, 21-plus.
Zombie Prom 2018: Apocalypse
What seems like the annual fundraiser for the Emerald City Roller Derby, Blairalley is transforming into prom — for zombies. Now’s the time to adapt your costume into a zombie — because Ariel and Prince Eric need some more spice. Doors open at 9 pm and the party goes on until 2:30 am. Stick around for the costume contest winners to be announced at 12:30 am. Prizes include tickets for upcoming roller derby bouts.
Nosferatu
Look back to the days when vampires were rough and didn’t sparkle. Starting at 9 pm at Bijou Art Cinemas, Nosferatu will feature live music from Mood Area 52. $10.
Rocky Horror Picture Show
It’s not Halloween if you’re not dressed up for Rocky Horror Picture Show. The Bijou Art Cinemas will have two showings — both at 11 pm — on Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27. $10 in advance, $12 at the door.
Saturday, Oct. 27
EUGFun! Coffin Races
Eugene’s inaugural Halloween-themed Soapbox Derby will take over Lincoln Street from the Skinner Butte Columns to the intersection below. Races start at noon and run until 4 pm. Much like Highlander, there can only be one champion. While racers battle for superiority, enjoy live music, food trucks and other vendors (including a trick-or-treat creation table). Event is located at Third Avenue and Lincoln Street. FREE.
SMJ Comes to Life (or Death?)
No one obsesses death like Victorians. The Shelton McMurphey-Johnson House, located at 303 Willamette Street, presents Victorian mourning rituals and customs. Clothing, food, periods of mourning, photos of the dead are available to check out. It’s open noon to 4 pm. FREE.
Hoppy Halloween Festival
Add some hops to your Halloween at Agrarian Ales. The event will feature acrobatics from Revelers Aerial Works — and a dog costume contest at 3 pm! There’s also live music from HipBilly’s and Humble George. All ages noon to 8 pm and 21-plus from 8 to 10 pm.
Howl-o-Ween at Friendly
From 2 to 4 pm, see dogs dressed up for the Great Pumpkin, and it’s a benefit for Northwest Dog Project’s medical fund; $1 will be donated from every pint of Ninkasi sold. It’s a true democracy here — no rigged system — because everyone’s vote counts toward a special pup. Voting ends at 3:15 pm and the winners are announced at 3:45 pm. See the contest at Friendly Street Market, located at 2757 Friendly Street.
1st Annual Halloween Ball
With two dance floors and tons of DJs, this event will be quite the treat for dancers. The ball, which runs 7 pm to 2:30 am at The Lounge, located at 2043 River Road. $8 cover, $5 if in costume.
Rendezvous – a Queer Dance Party
Now this is what I call a party. Organizers say are the weirdest performers in Eugene and some DJs to throw down some spooky beats. Of course, there’s a costume party, too. There’s word from the rumor mill that there will be a Human Centipede Stop-Go Relay. The party starts at 9 pm at Hi-Fi Music Hall, located at 44 E. 7th Avenue. $5, 21-plus.
Hallo – WEEN with Brown Stallion
It’s not ween; it’s Hallo-WEEN (a cover band). Hear some greats by the band at Luckey’s, 933 Olive Street. Show starts 10pm. $5.
Sunday, Oct. 28
Halloween Share Fair Fundraiser
Put that Halloween spirit to good use. It’ll be a night of bingo, dancing and costume parading. Proceeds go to community neighbors in need. The fundraiser is located at Sam Bond’s Brewery at E. 8th Avenue and Oak Street. $5.
Halloween Spook-tastic
The candy will flow at the UO’s tradition of low brass and spooky stories. Runs 6 to 9 pm at 961 E. 18th Avenue, Aasen Hall, rm. 190. FREE.
Wednesday, Oct. 31
Halloween Free Open House – downtown
A family-friendly Halloween event in the heart of downtown Eugene. Kids and adults alike will find a fun and spooky time with trick-or-treating to local business, costume contests, pet parade, free family activities and more, 4 to 7 pm at the Jazz Station, 124 W. Broadway. FREE.
Haunted Market
Have a safe trick-or-treating night at 5th Street Market, 6 to 8 pm. FREE.
The Drake’s 2nd Annual Halloween Costume Contest
Got a great costume that you can’t go trick-and-treating in? Too good to be wasted on kids who come to your door? The Drake has $50 for you if you’re voted best costume. The contest starts at 9 pm.
The Devil Makes Three Halloween Concert
The Devil Makes Three brings their Americana sound to Eugene. The band has some appropriate tunes for Halloween — not only lyrically but musically. Check out some of my old favorites: “Old Number Seven,” “Graveyard” and “Beneath the Piano.” The show is at McDonald Theater, running 7 pm to 2 am. $30.
Dead Rockstars Costume Party
Rock ‘n’ Roll isn’t for the weak — or living. Bring to life your favorite dead rockstar through a costume and you could win $100. Old Nick’s, 211 Washington Street. Show starts at 9 pm. $5.
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