You might be a bit too old for trick or treating but that shouldn’t stop you from going out and meeting friends this Halloween. October 31st is right around the corner and as part of our special Halloween Survival Guide, we’ve put together this list of things to do for all you guys who really want to get into the spirit of things.

Hospitality Halloween

What is it: A monster line-up of some of the best live music acts and DJ’s, at one of the city’s biggest venues.

Where is it: The O2 Academy, Crookridge Street, Leeds.

When is it: Friday October 31st from 10pm to 6am.

What to expect: Acts include the likes of drum & bass duo Camo & Krooked, Mia Dora and DJ Pete Graham. So you can expect to be up long after the dead have returned to their graves and a little worse for ware than any remaining zombies stumbling through the streets. If you want to secure entrance then book your tickets here.

The Sin Lounge, Halloween Special

What is it: A night of raving, dancing and scarily good music from House Nation. They’ll also be serving up some special Halloween-themed drinks, so you know you’re going to be in for a really good time!

Where is it: The Sun Lounge, Derby City Centre.

When is it: Saturday November 1st from 7pm to 3am.

What to expect: Banging tunes, great atmosphere and plenty of party revellers. An all-round epic night out for anybody who fancies a good time!

Halloween Story Walks

What is it: A lantern-lit stroll through Allestree with folklore storyteller, Sophie Snell. You’ll stop by some of the area’s creepiest, most haunted locations and hear all about their bloody history.

Where is it: Groups meet at Allestree Hall and progress through the gardens and grounds.

When is it: There’s two variations of this event. One taking place from 5pm and again at 6:30pm for families. And a later walk for adults at 8pm. All walks take place on Thursday October 30th.

What to expect: If you’ve never been on a ghost walk, they can be as entertaining as they are informative. Perfect if you and your friends are interested in folklore and scary goings on. Should make for interesting talk over a few drinks later that night!

Dancers Halloween Jam

What is it: A fancy dress party for everyone of all ages, so even you responsible parents out there can go out and have some fun while the kids are kept entertained. There’ll be karaoke, games, prizes for best costumes and even a photo room for spooky selfies.

Where is it: A little bit out of Derby, this one. The QMX Academy, Nottingham City Centre.

When is it: Friday October 31st from 7pm to 11pm. Bookings must be made before October 28th, so get on it here.

What to expect: Fun, friendly and easygoing. If you’re coming from Derby, with or without the kids in-tow, you’ll need to arrange transport. So don’t expect to be up all hours at this event.

The end of October is probably best known for one of three things: beer gardens closing down, wearing shorts outdoors becoming less acceptable, and only 54 shopping days left until Christmas. However, for those of us with a child-like taste for the theatrics it’s also time for dusting off those pumpkins (ooh-err) and getting out your best fancy dress. Because October for most people under eleven means Halloween time!

Love it or loath it, October 31st is creeping up like a deranged psychopath with a bloody knife. And that means you’ll either be standing outside in the cold, daubed in makeup and drinking with your mates… or inside, not daubed in makeup and drinking with your mates. So in the sprit of things – no pun intended – we’ve decided to put together this Halloween Survival Guide for all our MixingOut members who want to embrace the frightening festivities or shy away from them.

Don’t fancy dressing up? No Worries!

If dressing up like a “Zombie Nurse/Celebrity” really isn’t your idea of a good time, there’s still plenty of things you can do with friends this Halloween.

1. Drinking Games, Horror Movie Style

The premise of this activity is quite simple. Sit down with a bunch of friends in front of a classic horror movie and every time somebody onscreen does something stupid (i.e. goes back into the scary house, leaves an attacker supposedly unconscious without taking said attacker’s disarmed weapon, or splitting up into search parties) you take a drink. You’ll get hammered very quickly.

2. Ouija Board Monopoly

Ordinarily, we wouldn’t advocate the use of an Ouija board. But when you’re playing Monopoly, we can’t imagine any unexplainable mishaps, except maybe the odd hotel going missing. The same rules of traditional Monopoly apply except you get to rename all the locales, such as “Elm Street” and “Leicester Scare” – only not as lame as that.

3. Friday Night Out

The best thing about Halloween this year? October 31st falls on a Friday, so there’s no need to stay in! Even though there’ll be Halloween themed events going on near you, there’ll also be plenty of venues putting on alternative events if you’re not into that sort of thing. Perfect!

You’re probably sitting there thinking that Halloween probably isn’t for you, that it’s  something to celebrate only when you’re 12, but you’d be wrong. Dead wrong.

There are plenty of fun and exciting things to do on the spookiest night of the year, whatever your idea of a great time might be. That’s why more and more people are getting together to meet friends every October, embracing the Halloween spirit, and having a devilishly good time while they’re at it.

So don’t get stuck indoors handing out the treats all night. Take a look at some our MixingOut ideas on making this Halloween a night to remember and try them for yourself.

Find out what your local clubs and bars are putting together

Halloween is perhaps the one night of the year you can stagger home like the walking dead and not look out of place – so if you and your friends are up for a really hectic night out, we’d definitely recommend it. There’s always an event going on that draws a lively crowd to the local cub scene, usually with plenty of  drink offers and other fun stuff to take part in. Here’s a few that have caught out attention:

Where: The Victoria Inn, Derby

What’s going on: Halloween Zombiefication

What to expect: The Victoria Inn is famed for their live music and lively crowds, so this October 31^st they’re hosting a big night of spectacular DJ sets, ranging from French House to Garage. Entry is Free and everyone who dresses up receives a Free ‘blood’ shot at the door. They’ll also be massive bottle of Moet Champagne for the best Halloween costume, horror movies being screened at the bar area and other really fun spooky goings on.

Where: Havana Bar, Wakefield

What’s going on: Monster Mash Up

What to expect: Monday 28^th October is going to be a night packed with ghoulish entertainment, live Dj sets and queue jump for everyone in fancy dress. There’s also going to be some amazing drink offers, including a Jagerbombs for £1 and Vodka mixes for £1.50. There are lots of people already expected to be in attendance, and if you confirm now on their Facebook page you and your friends could be in with a chance of winning a bottle of bubbly.

Where: O2 Academy, Leeds

What’s going on: The Voodoo Halloween Showcase

What to expect: Unprecedented Halloween entertainment, expect huge crowds, great music and a lively atmosphere. It’s going to be a very popular event to meet friends, have a drink with your mates and party till the sun comes up.

Fancy trying something a little different?

For those of you who’d rather leave the clubbing until the weekend and your werewolf costume in the closet, there’s still plenty of activities where you can get together, meet people and take part in the Halloween fun. Here are just a few on offer:

Where: Stockeld Park, Leeds

What’s going on: The Magic of Fright Night

What to expect: A mile long ghost walk through the haunted forest at Stockeld Park, full of spooky goings on, interesting facts and tons of other scary surprises along the way. If you and you and your friends are up for something very out there this Halloween, then it’s definitely worth checking out. Be prepared to be scared!

Where: Espresso Bar, Leeds

What’s going on: Halloween Film Night

What to expect: Immerse yourself in a spooky screening of Tim Burton’s Edward Scissor hands at the Espresso Bar, which will transformed into a scary, but stylish haunt for the evening. They’ll also be a trick-or-treat welcome drink for everyone who attends and tasty three course dinner included in the ticket price.

Where: Beaver Works, Leeds

What’s going on: Halloween in Space

What to expect: As well as the standard Halloween party rooms, Beaver Works are also hosting an all-night LaserQuest event for those of you who feel like getting together and taking part in a friendly-come-competitive game  of laser tag. Expect fun and mayhem in equal proportions, and plenty of banter too.

Has this inspired you to head out this Halloween and tear things like a monster? Be sure to check with the MixingOut community for more great ideas to try this Halloween and let us know know what you’re doing.