Blood-curdling Beijing 2014: The First Round of Halloween Events This Weekend

Halloween in Beijing circa 2014 has gotten so large that it has expanded to two full weekends -- and the excitement begins now. Don your costume for a test run this weekend (what? Don't have one yet? Here's where to get one) before the Real Deal begins next weekend with the premiere events. 

Now down to business:
 

All Month

All month: Halloween Festivities at Beijing's Happy Valley Amusement Park
Happy Valley is getting scary from now through November 16. Perfect for families or anyone who likes to be spooked, the festival will feature a haunted house, a horror experience tour, a family pumpkin farm, a pumpkin parade, and all the candy you can eat.
 

All Month: Halloween Afternoon Tea – Trick or Treat?
Not for the faint of heart (or faint of stomach) the master pasty chefs at Conrad Beijing have been carefully crafting exquisite delicacies so terrifying they would bring a tear of joy to Dr. Lecter. Tread, or perhaps bite, carefully. Throughout October. RMB 110 + 15 percent per set (includes pot of organic tea). Chapter
 

Saturday, October 25

Oct 25: LeRUN Halloween Hunter Game
Ever wanted to perfect your mad dash to safety (blood curling scream optional)? Or would you rather be the hunter and terrorize prey? Hunt or be hunted over a 3km course and hope you get to see the finish line before sundown. 1-6pm. RMB 149. LeRUN
 

Oct 25: Sixth Annual Halloween Jack-o-Lantern Carving Contest
Stab, cut, slice and dice your pumpkin for the chance to score a free children’s birthday party, rambunctious teenage sleepover, or for adults a nice getaway package! All pumpkins will go on display at the Schoolhouse so get those carving knives nice and sharp. Free. 2pm. The Schoolhouse
 

Oct 25: Beijing Improv Halloween Spooktacular
Get ready for side-splitting humor as the comedy boys and ghouls of Beijing rattle your funny bones till you're gasping for breath. Come in costume for a discount and get amongst the fun! RMB 50. 8pm. Penghao Theatre
 

Oct 25: Masquerade Ball with Alejandro Paz
What’s better than a regular ball? One with a mask! Come join Parnas and DJ Alejandro Paz for a mysteriously mesmerizing Halloween night! RMB 60 (includes one free drink). 9pm. Parnas Restaurant, Bar, and Terrace
 

Sunday, October 26

Oct 26: Third Session Added for beijingkids Halloween Costume Party
It goes without saying that if you've got kids, the only place to be this season is at the beijingkids Halloween Party on Oct 25 & 26 ... the first two parties are sold out completely, and we've just added a third party Sunday morning! Book before Friday.
 

Oct 26: Spooky Bubbalicious
Indulge in costume at Westin's popular weekend brunch, this time with a Halloween theme.

Oct 26: Pints and Pumpkins at the Sinology Institute
Get into the Halloween spirit with the Sinology Institute’s Pints and Pumpkins! Speak Chinese, carve pumpkins, drink beer, and be merry on your Sunday afternoon! Carving materials, a beer and a pumpkin are included in the price.
 

Oct 26: A Chinese Ghost Story: Film Screening and Discussion
A Chinese Ghost Story is one of the best films to come out of Hong Kong in the '80s, serving as a classic example of the go-for-broke filmmaking that marked the city's film industry in its prime. Language: Cantonese with English subs.
 

Monday, October 27

Oct 27: Dada Movie Night: The Spooky Edition
Pre-gaming Halloween this month, Dada are showing a handful of films in which Death or the Grim Reaper or some equivalent hellish being assumes humanoid form to terrorize or render bogus the lives of a few unfortunate souls reluctant to shuttle off this mortal coil, including The Seventh Seal (Oct 27, 9pm). Free. Dada
 

Wednesday, October 29

Oct 29: Halloween Quiz at Paddy O'Shea's
Do you know your Dawn of the Dead from Sean of the Dead? Sip down a Bloody Mary and settle in for another roaring quiz night. Free drink for those in costume (or if you can scare the waitress!). 8pm. Free. Paddy O'Shea's

None of these take your fancy? Don't fret, there are plenty of non-Halloween events still happening around the city.

Photos: Courtesy of the organizers