Cheap Halloween Events

Celebrate Halloween on the Cheap at Events Across the Country

Posted on 10/5/2012 10:30 EST

The days are getting shorter, the weather is getting cooler, and the bulk bins at the grocery store are getting filled with candy corn. It's Halloween month! Yes, what used to be one night of trick-or-treating has become a monthlong celebration of all things spooky. In major cities around the country, Halloween-themed events lure families, couples, and young revelers with tickets that cost less than $20.

If you are in search of Halloween sales on holiday necessities or other items such as appliances and electronics, be sure to read our post. We are updating it regularly.

Photo by flickr.com/iboogaloo

Cheap Halloween Events in New York

For Families:
• Procession of the Ghouls: Follows a screening of the classic Dracula film Nosferatu at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine.
Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. ($20)
• Village Halloween Parade: Watch or participate in the annual spectacle.
Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. (Free)

For Couples:
• Creepshow at the Freakshow: Coney Island's demented twist on presidential history.
Oct. 12-14, 19-20, 24-31 from 6 p.m. to midnight; shows start on the hour. ($10)
• Halloween Critical Mass: Costumed bike ride followed by a dance party.
Oct. 28 Ride starts at 7 p.m., dance party at 8 p.m. (starting at $10; includes valet bike parking)

For Partiers:
• Night of the Living Bar Crawlers: Three parties at Tammany Hall and a bar crawl.
Oct. 26, 27, 31 ($20)
• Joonbug 11th Annual Masquerade Ball: An open bar kicks off a night of costumes and dancing.
Oct. 31 (starting at $10)

Cheap Halloween Events in Philadelphia

For Families:
• Fall Family Day at Laurel Hill Cemetery: An afternoon of pumpkin painting and arts and crafts for children 4 to 12.
Oct. 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. ($5)
• Boo at the Zoo: Halloween games, spooky stories, live music, and a costume parade.
Oct. 20, 21, 27, 28 from 10 to 4 p.m. ($15 age 2-11, $15 for adults)

For Couples:
• Spirits of '76 Ghost Tour: Visit more than 20 of Philly's most frightening sites.
Check the website for an up-to-date schedule. ($17.50 for adults)
• Spooky Mini Golf at Franklin Square: 18 holes of fun with a frightening air.
Friday-Sunday throughout October from 6 to 9 p.m. ($9)

For Partiers:
• Johnny Utah's Halloween: Costumed dance party and unlimited drinks.
Oct. 27 from 9 p.m. to midnight ($5 general admission, $20 for three-hour open bar)
• Night of the Living Barcrawlers: Drink specials and freaky entertainment await.
Oct. 27 from 12 to 9 p.m. ($10)

Cheap Halloween Events in Houston

For Families:
• Scream on the Green: Costume contest and a free screening of Coraline.
  Oct. 27 from 6 to 10 p.m. (Free)
• Halloween Spooktacular: Pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treating, and family-friendly music.
Oct. 31 from 4 to 8 p.m. ($9)

For Couples:
• Houston Haunted House: Walk through one of three haunted houses or dress up and scare others.
Oct. 12-14, 19-21, 26-28, 30-31 and Nov. 2-3 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. ($20)
• Houston Zombie Walk: Bloody up and shamble through Jones Plaza downtown looking for brains.
Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. ($15; proceeds go to charity)

For Partiers:
• Moulin Rouge Halloween Costume Ball: Celebrate Halloween with a French twist.
Oct. 26 at 9 p.m. ($20)
• Halloween Pajama Masquerade Soiree: Dress to impress and enjoy a night of fun
Oct. 31 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. ($15 online, $20 door)

Cheap Halloween Events in Chicago

For Families:
• Franken Plaza: Hayrides, trick-or-treating, and live entertainment for five days leading up to Halloween.
Oct. 26-30 (Free)
• Boo-Palooza: A canine-friendly Halloween party with costume contests for children and dogs.
Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Free)

For Couples:
• Classic Horror Double Feature: The Portage Theater screens XTRO and Trick or Treat.
Oct. 25 ($5)
• Monster Mash-Up: Indie horror movie competition, music, food, drink, and horror/art/oddities vendors.M
Oct. 26-27 ($5)

For Partiers:
• Walking Dead Premiere Party: Start the Halloween party early at this zombie-themed celebration.
Oct. 14 from 8 to 11 p.m. (Free)
Halloween Trolley Crawl: 10 bars and eight beer-filled trolleys to take you around.

Oct. 27 from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. ($20)

Cheap Halloween Events in LA

For Families:
• Howl-O-Ween Doggy Costume Contest: Dress up the family pet for this extravagant affair.
Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. (Free)
• Hollywood Halloween Street Fair: The officially unofficial family-friendly event.
Oct. 31 from dusk to 10 p.m. (Free)

For Couples:
• The Empty Grave Haunted House: 50,000 square feet of scares.
Oct. 5-7, 12-14, 18-12, 25-31 from 7 to 10 p.m. ($13 or 2 for $20)
• Long Beach Zombie Walk: Zombies take over the Shoreline Village for this daylong festival.
Oct. 27 from 3 to 11 p.m. ($15)

For Partiers:
• West Hollywood Costume Carnival: Bring a camera, because you're sure to see something crazy.
Oct. 31 from 6 to 11 p.m. (Free)
• Haunted House Halloween: Lure nightclub's Halloween party features DJs Scotty Boy and Five Star.
Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. ($20 for early bird tickets)

by Louis DeNicola (Google+ Profile)