The witching hour is almost upon us, which begs the question: are you ready to party? Because Whistler's clubs and bars sure are.
While almost every watering hole probably has something up their sleeve for All Hallows Eve this year (in case you haven't noticed, Halloween falls on a Saturday night this time around), here are some of the biggest and best parties on offer this coming weekend.
B-Grade HorrorFest - Friday, Oct. 30, doors & art show 6:30 p.m., films at 8 p.m.
Okay, so it's not on Halloween, per se, but this annual event is a great warm up to the real deal the next day and everyone is encouraged to come out in costume.
The folks at Heavy Hitting Films are going big this year with their short-film festival. They've rented out a 1,000-person ballroom at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, which is sure to be packed with those of us who love everything gruesome and creepy, and will be screening an assortment of 10-minute films from within the Sea to Sky corridor, Kamloops, Vancouver and the East Coast of Canada, filled with over-the-top storylines and costumes, loads of ketchup blood and cameos by an assortment of Halloween favourites - monsters, aliens, zombies, vampires etc.
Even before the films are unveiled to the public, the Blind Mute Productions crew will be putting on a horror-themed art show to set the mood for an evening of mayhem.
Tickets are $18.90 at heavyhitting.com.
Monster Massive - Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 p.m.
The Solar Tribe crew is hosting its fifth annual epic Halloween bash and it should be better than ever this year with a lineup of local talent covering the spectrum of electro, breaks, drum 'n' bass and dubstep. Tone, Justy Just, Jimi Ray, Aron, Fareal, Mixmaster Fab, Phroh and Bullet Bill are among the DJs on-board to rock the costumed crowd all night long.
The party starts at Merlin's, but doesn't really wrap up until 8 a.m. the next day, because ticket holders also get access to the top-secret after party, which is hosted at a separate location.
At this sold-out annual event, costumes are an absolute must and prizes will be awarded throughout the night to funniest, scariest and sexiest costumes.
Tickets are $20 in advance at F as in Frank, or $25 at the door (if there are any left.)
Things That Go Bump In The Night - Saturday, Oct. 31, 9 p.m.
The GLC is known for hosting quite the annual shindig for this holiday and this year should be no exception, with none other than Ace MacKay-Smith and Chili Thom helping to organize their Halloween extravaganza.
DJs Mister Fister and Kori K. are on-deck to provide the music, while there are also some spooky "apparitions" in-store courtesy of Technomorph. Expect serious décor and atmosphere, as things that go bump in the night take over the dance floor.
Tickets are $25 in advance at The Hub and Evolution.
Wild Things - Saturday, Oct. 31, 9 p.m.
After hosting quite the epic music festival on the banks of the Squamish River this summer, the Bass Coast crew is back with a special Halloween party.
This one-night-only spooky banger will feature two stages; one, a massive tee pee that will echo with funk, electro, house, fidget and bounce by DJs like Chunky Chornz, Shamik, Just Sheila, Lon Flath and Kori K, and the other stage in the Cookhouse, featuring crunk, dancehall, hip hop, dubstep and techno beats cooked up by Tank Girl, Shamik, The Librarian, Ronin, Michael Red, Max Ulis and Self Evident. On top of the indoor heated spaces, there will also be a bonfire and activities outside.
It all goes down at the Sea to Sky Stables, five minutes outside of Squamish. This is a 19-plus event, with a cash bar on premises (no outside alcohol permitted), and camping is available. Contact bcp@basscoastproject.com for more information. Tickets aren't being sold at the gate, so get them ahead of time!
Boo-gie Night IV - Saturday, Oct. 31, 9 p.m.
The folks at the Savage Beagle and Garfinkel's are again teaming up to present their annual Boo-gie Night party (part IV). So come one, come all party people, and dust off your costumes: one wristband will give you access to this massive party, which draws almost 1,000 people and has to be spread over two clubs, featuring music by DJs Raw Baanks, Fidel Cashflow, Andreas Morel and Animal Nation.
Locals can get a free wristband at the Beagle on Tuesday or Garfinkel's on Thursday if they have proof of local residency. Guests can get their tickets at www.clubzone.com or pay at the door.
Moe Joe's Haunted Whorehouse Halloween Party - Saturday, Oct. 31, 9:30 p.m.
This favourite locals hangout is sure to be packed with vampires, witches, French maids, aliens, zombies and many more unusual characters tonight, so don't slack with the costume, because the person who has the best get-up will walk away with a $500 cash prize. Admission will be between $5 and $10.
