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No tricks, only treats: Swedish Halloween fun

The Local Sweden
The Local Sweden - [email protected]
No tricks, only treats: Swedish Halloween fun
Stockholm's Globe arena turned into a pumpkin last Halloween. Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT

It's Halloween season! The Local lists the six most spooky, ghastly and above all entertaining festivities, alongside our interactive guide to the best events in Sweden that don't require fancy dress.

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1. Latin Vibes Halloween Party

Sometimes called the Mexican version of Halloween, the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) can be traced back to ancient Aztec traditions. Originally a day to honour the dead, it has taken on an almost carnival-like feel in more urban environments.

If there is one place in Sweden where you won't be able to feel the autumn chill this weekend, it's in Gothenburg where the festival will be celebrated at a club night of Latin rhythms and dancing, including salsa, merengue, bachata and reggaeton.

When: 10pm-5am, October 31st

Where: Valand Festvåning, Vasagatan 43, Gothenburg

Tickets: 150-200 kronor ($17-24)

2. Heads Will Roll – Dance the Darkness Away

If you remember how to be steady on your feet while sliding around on the floor in a pair of roller skates, Crime City Rollers, one of Malmö's top roller derby teams, are inviting you to a Halloween-themed night full of burlesque dancing, 'danceoke' and DJs.

Come dressed up in your best Halloween outfit. The theme of the evening is 'My Own Superhero', although traditional gory and spooky fancy dress is also allowed. In the words of the organizers, get ready to dance until you're undead.

When: 10pm-3am, October 31st

Where: Grand Öl & Mat, Monbijougatan 17, Malmö

Tickets: Free before 11pm, 100 kronor thereafter ($12)

3. Shockholm Parade

One of the biggest Halloween events in Scandinavia, Shockholm is now in its fifth year and is preparing to celebrate in style. The day will start with a pre-parade party at the Kungsträdgården park in the heart of the capital, where participants can win prizes for their ghoulish outfits. The zombies, witches and ghosts will then parade through Stockholm's Old Town (perhaps running into a few of the real ghosts lurking in its narrow alleys) to the delight of spectators lining the streets.

"There's so much going on in the world which is unpleasant, which is why we don't focus on the horror aspect of Halloween – we focus on happy horror and extreme creativity," its founder told The Local last year. So when you think up your costumes, remember that 'fun' is more entertaining than 'scary'.

When: 3pm-7pm, October 31st

Where: Kungsträdgården, Stockholm

Tickets: Nope, it's completely free


Welcome, Great Pumpkin! Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT

4. Halloween Masquerade Ball

Celebrate your Halloween with a touch of glitz and glamour at the 1920s speakeasy-inspired MELT Bar and Restaurant in the Swedish capital. "Forget monsters, zombies and terror and think elegance, class and beauty," write the organizers.

Remember to dress to impress and get ready to meet some of Sweden's best burlesque stars, sip luxurious cocktails, listen to great music and mingle with Stockholm's bright young things. The dress code is Venetian Ball with a traditional mask.

When: 9pm-1am (with a 7pm start for a pre-party dinner), October 31st

Where: MELT Bar and Restaurant, Malmskillnadsgatan 45, Stockholm

Tickets: 100 kronor (395 kronor [$47] to book a pre-party dinner table)

5. Halloween 2015: Best-Dressed Competition

Platens night club in Linköping, southern Sweden, is organizing its annual Halloween party with ghostly decorations, spooky music, and DJs on two dance floors. Most popular among visitors, however, will likely be the club's prize for the party animal dressed up in the flashiest, most imaginative Halloween costume: $1,000 (yes, in US dollars).

When: 10pm-3am, October 31st

Where: Platens Bar, Platensgatan 5, Linköping

Tickets: 180 kronor ($21, pre-booked) or 200 kronor ($24, at the door)

6. Halloween Masquerade 2015

This is another great Halloween event in Stockholm. And best of all, it takes place on Friday 30th October, so you can go after work and still be able to catch all the other Halloween happenings the next day.

The line-up includes both Swedish and international DJs, helping guests get into the groove on several dance floors playing techno, trance, house, progressive and much more at the trendy Slakthuset venue. The event is almost sold out, but last time we checked there were still some tickets left.

When: 10pm-3am, October 30th

Where: Slakthuset, Slakthusgatan 6, Johanneshov, Stockholm

Tickets: 220 kronor ($26)

Not feeling in a Halloween spirit? There's plenty of other things happening across Sweden. Check out our interactive list below

 

 
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