If you’re feeling too old to trick-or-treat or too uninspired to throw a party, don’t worry. There are other ways to get in the Halloween spirit here in Gainesville.
Whether you’re into concerts, clubbing or just getting dressed up in your costumes, here are five Halloween activities happening this October.
Indie Live Halloween Party at Heartwood Soundstage
Combining a popular holiday and a popular pastime, the Halloween-themed concert presented by “Gainesville’s favorite indie series” features the perfect lineup of bone-chilling bands.
You may know headliners The Jins from their breakout 2019 single “She Said,” which garnered over 14 million streams for the grunge/alternative band. You might also recognize the frontman Ben Larsen; despite the shocking resemblance, no, he’s not Kurt Cobain.
Accompanying The Jins on a third of their North American tour is Cheerleader Roadkill, a gritty punk three-piece that has the perfect flavor for a Halloween concert.
Lastly, the Miami-based Buko Boys are an anime-centric group that blends indie and R&B music. The band, which released its debut EP “float” this past summer, is a fresh South Florida band ready to make some waves at the Halloween Party.
Doors open at 7 p.m. on Halloween night. Don’t forget to come in your finest costume.
Halloween Ball at First Magnitude Brewing Co.
Maybe live music isn’t your vibe, but DJs, dancing and competitions are.
Raising money for the Florida Park Service Ranger Association, First Mag’s Halloween Ball will be held Oct. 31 from 7 to 11 p.m. and will feature DJ Wax Atom spinning some killer tunes, followed by a costume contest and dance party. Categories in the contest include best pop culture costume, best group costume and, of course, best state park-themed costume.
For prizes, discounted drinks and a night of dancing to “raise the dead,” swing by First Mag on Halloween.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Wooly
Back for its fall run, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” shadowcast production is returning to the stage for six nights.
From Oct. 1 to Nov. 4, The Wooly will host the legendary cult classic rock ’n’ roll musical based on the 1975 film.
Featured at the since-closed High Dive for a decade, the show relocated to The Wooly and now runs during the summer and fall seasons. Presented by Glory Days and Best Little Rocky Horror in FL, the musical is sure to put you in the Halloween mood all fall long.
31 Screams on Screen at Regal movies theaters
The Regal movie theater’s run of rereleasing classic films doesn’t end at September’s “Month of Masterpieces.” For the month of October, the “31 Screams on Screen” series will bring the best of the best horror films back to cinemas.
Each day, Regal theaters will screen a new spooky flick with each week’s collection of films belonging to a certain theme, such as “Unholy Forces” and “Fangs, Fur and Fear.” Several titles include “The Exorcist,” “Scream,” “Hereditary,” “IT” and “Dracula.”
Spanning over 80 years of scary movies, “31 Screams on Screen” welcomes all sinister cinephiles. Visit Regal Royal Park or Regal Butler Town Center to get your horror movie fix.
Halloween Bar Crawls
On Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, get ready to partake in the college equivalent of trick-or-treating.
“The Haunted Hop” Gainesville Bar Crawl and Halloween Bar Crawl will each host up to 500 partygoers for two nights of hitting up the many local bars and nightclubs. Though the venues are yet to be determined, costumes, DJs and free cover are guaranteed.
Contact Isabel Kraby at ikraby@alligator.org. Follow her on X @isabelgkraby.
Isabel is a general assignment reporter for The Avenue and is starting her first semester with The Alligator. She is a junior journalism student and transferred to UF from Daytona State College after her freshman year. When she's not writing for Ave, she loves going to concerts, crocheting and designing spreads for Rowdy Magazine.
