Party Radar: 23 hot fright fests for Halloween

PARTY RADAR Three perfect things you should do right now to get into the mood for Halloween:

*** Go see a scary film at the always gore-rific Another Hole in the Head Film Fest! (Through Nov. 8). Like, say, Dead Ant playing Sat/28:

*** Leap into haunting psycho-jazz act Wolf Eyes, playing in town at various unexpected venues through Mon/29:

*** Get into this bewitching video of runway legend Isla Chanel vogueing while pregnant in the video for her group Purple Crush‘s “Witch Stunt”:

OK here are some parties now, please don’t go as sexy Ryan Zinke. Oh! And if you love humongous Hallo-raves featuring the mega-ghosts of dance floors past (guilty), don’t forget to check out this year’s LoveBoat Halloween, formerly Ghost Ship, at Pier 70, hosted by Miss Juanita More! 

Thu/26: CREATURES OF THE NIGHTLIFE Best of the Bay 2017 Best Drag Queen winner Peaches Christ hosts this boo-tiful installment of the Cal Academy’s essential Nightlife parties, with a Stranger Queens drag show, Phantom Lab, Upside Down Arcade, Haunted Hall, and all kinds of mad science. 6pm-9pm, $20. California Academy of Sciences, SF. More info here. 

Fri/27: GREEN GORILLA LOUNGE HALLOWEEN The classic SF party crew brings in delightful UK bassist duo Dusky for a 5-hour set in the Monarch basement, plus some legends playing house for you upstairs. 9pm-3am, $10-$25. Monarch SF. More info here. 

Fri/27: HELLA WIGS ON HALLOWEEN What goes together better than wigs and rhumba? What about wigs and reggae? Or how about wigs and flamenco? You will get all of this and also flip your wig when live acts Makru and La Mandanga Band plus DJ Izzy Wise brew up this effusive global treat. 10pm-1am, $10. Elbo Room, SF. More info here.    

Fri/27: SURFACE TENSION HELLOWEEN Our most far-sighted techno party goes farther out with the SF debut of Antenes, the New York-based DJ, producer and electronics artist “who operates a laboratory of self-made sequencers and synthesizers using vintage telephone equipment built in the name of sonic and spatial exploration.” Also there will be 400 PPM and HOM so get there, get scared. 10pm-4am, $20. F8, SF. More info here. 

Fri/27: BLACK FRIDAYS: HALLOQUEEN Ms. Honey Mahogany and her coven of frightfully talented performers summon you to a high-flying night of drag shenanigans and live performances. All are welcome! 10pm-4am, $10. the Stud, SF. More info here. 

Sat/28: A SEA OF BUBBLES Beloved club presence Bubbles tragically left us this year, but his effervescent spirit reigns supreme! This awesome party pays tribute by asking everyone to come dressed as Bubbles, in one of his many infamous guises! A fundraiser for the LGBT Community Center! Go to this! 10pm-2am, free but donation requested. terra Gallery, SF. More info here. 

Sat/28: HORROR STORY: DANCE OF THE DEAD Flamboyant burners Mystopia team with fab party crew Polyglamorous for this spooooooky rave. SF legend DJ Dan will headline, b2bing with DivaDanielle. plus: Harry Cross from Mens Room in Chicago, another legend David Harness, and so much more. 10pm-5am, $15-$55. 550 Barneveld, SF. More info here.  

Sat/28: SCREAMWORKS It has always been my dream to hear the bewitching goth-techno sounds of Mozhgan on All Hallow’s Eve. Welp, wish granted, as the Pound Puppy crew “Call all bloody Marys!” out for a night with her and ace vinylologist from the crypt, Carlos Souffront.  9pm-4am, $15. The Stud, SF. More info here. 

Sat/28: CREATURE: NIGHTMARE The polymorphously perverse party crew stuns whenever they throw a party, with thrilling decor and fucked-up musical performances. This time they INVADE YOUR DREAMS. Music by Club Chai’s 8ulentina and tons more. 9pm-2am, $10-$15. El Rio, SF. More info here.  

Sat/28: AZAELIA BANKS The infamous rapper who burnt a hole through the world with “212” several years ago is pretty scary! She’ll rap to a packed, enraptured crowd for the Mezzanine x Swagger Like Us Halloween shindig. With amazing DJ Total Freedom. 9pm-2am, $35. Mezzanine, SF. More info here.   

Sat/28: SMITHSFITS HALLOWEEN Yes, in a coup of nightlife punnery that actually manifests as an awesome party, Smithsfits is a night that celebrates both the Smiths and the Misfits. Don’t ask me why, I just work here. This 7th annual Halloween edition features a costume party and DJs Josh Ghoul Omartyr Perez, & Nakobre. 9pm-2am, $5. The Knockout, SF. More info here. 

Sat/28: MOTHER-HALLOWEEN: A PARTY A creepy drag tradition! Peaches Christ joins Heklina at her weekly show for a fright night that will murder your wig. With about a zillion performers. 10pm-1am, $20. Oasis, SF. More info here. 

Sat/28: HARD 2 SWALLOW A pre-Halloween evening of immersive performance presented by HUSH-HUSH and R/SF projects’ MASQ (wear a mask!). “It has come to our attention that many of us are haunted I by our guts. The stomach is a no man’s land of emotions, experiences, and other indigestible matter. HARD 2 SWALLOW is a new take on immersive performance: for one night only, find yourself swallowed whole. A journey down the digestive tract. Let’s see what you’re really made of.” 8pm-11pm, $32. R/SF Projects, SF. More info here. 

Sun/29: DISCO DADDY HALLOWEEN EDITION Watch out for daddy! He’s like the Soul Dracula, but gayer! DJ Bus Station John haunts the decks at the Eagle, with the soundtrack of gay liberation — and a fistful of spooky surprises! This is a fundraiser for the Tipping Point Relief Fund, helping disadvantaged victims of the fires up north. 7pm-2am, $5-$7. Eagle, SF. More info here. 

Sun/29: SUNSET HALLOWEEN CRUISE I adore the idea of ace Polish house duo Catz and Dogz on a boat, especially joined by Jake the Rapper, DJ Three, and a ton more, plus the cutest rave crowd you’ll ever see on the high seas, high seas indeed. 5pm-11pm, $80. Pier 3, SF. More info here.  

Sun/29: HALLOWEEN HANGOVER BRUNCH It’s Bloody Mary time! Plus some serious eats and banging techno from Frankfurt DJ Lauer. Come hang with the ghouls outdoors at the Midway and air out your filthy costume. Noon-4pm, $5. The Midway, SF. More info here. 

Sun/29: GLOW IN THE STREETS BLOCK PARTY Queer Burning Man camp Comfort and Joy is bringing back the spirit of the now-buried Halloween in the Castro, which was one banished by a lack of imaginative leaders and political will. Get freaky in the streets near Cafe Flore with techno and house DJs Justime, Robin Malone Simmons, Elaine Denham, and many more. Wear something fun duh. 4pm-10pm, $10-$12. Noe between Market and Beaver. More info here. 

SUN/29: CRAMPS/SUICIDE TRIBUTE Gone are the days when the Cramps would play the Fillmore every Halloween — although we get the B-52s! — so what better way to pay tribute than this cover band show! “Featuring The Smell of Female with Lower Self (formerly The Beat-Offs) as the Cramps. Also Featuring High Priestess as Suicide, and performances by Lady Piranha and Veruca Bathsalts!” 9pm, $5. the Stud, SF. More info here. 

Tue/31: PARANOID LONDON Mythical monsters rise from the acid house deep! UK duo Paranoid London will bring plenty of live anxious boom and killer electronic splatter to this special As You Like It party. 9pm, $16-$20. The Independent, SF. More info here. 

Tue/31: ALL HALLOW’S EVE A huge Halloween blowout tradition at DNA Lounge (recently voted best Nightclub in our Best of the Bay 2017). Aerialists, acrobats, a ton of DJs and live acts, plus decor from out of this underworld. Oh, and burlesque from another Best of the Bay winner, Hubba Hubba Revue! Not to be missed for a great hometown Halloween vibe. 9pm-3am, $18. DNA Lounge, SF. More info here.  

Tue/31: STEREO ARGENTO HALLOWEEN Splatter drag extravaganza! High heels and buckets of blood are the order of the night here, as high priestess Meredeath and her all-star queens bathe in the wet horror of the evening. They’re showing movies Evil Dead 2 and Tourist Trap from 5pm-9pm and then unleashing their drag (and dancing powers) onstage for some full-throated screams. Plus a costume contest! 5pm-2am, $5 before 9, $10 after. The Stud, SF. More info here. 

Tue/31: TECHNO HALLOWEEN Bang out the ghost with Danish DJ Kolsch — he always wears such fetching hats! — at Audio, and dress in a costume, too. 9:30pm-2am, $10-$15. Audio, SF. More info here. 

Tue/31: GOOD4U HALLOWEEN Cool and spooky shindig at Madrone from the awesome Good4U party kids! Special guest Das Jimmy B and Woo in a fun, intimate setting. 9pm-2am, free! Madrone, SF. More info here.