Isn’t October the most atmospheric time of the year! You feel the darkness settling in and the city lights fill your mind with warm, even christmassy, thoughts. Then it hits you: all hallow’s eve aka Halloween. The best party of the year! To get the best out of your Halloween time in Helsinki, I’ve gathered a list of things to do in this dark corner of the world.

RIVIERA: The Rocky Horror Picture Show

FRIDAY / OCTOBER 28 / 5:30 PM
Riviera Kallio
Tickets: rivierakallio.fi/16051

The ultimate cult film, Rocky Horror Picture Show, is a wild cocktail of b-movie clichés, hedonism and camp humour. The film was destined to flop entirely, but was given a new life in New York’s legendary Waverly Theater’s midnight movie shows, when film-goers started to dress up as the film’s characters and take part in it. This Halloween, Riviera invites movie watchers to do the same in it’s Kallio theater. “A mental mind fuck can be nice.”

Conjuring Tricks

FRIDAY / OCTOBER 28 / 6 PM
Forum Box, Ruoholahdenranta 3A

CONJURING TRICKS presents a selection of stop motion animations that explore the domestic uncanny by Brooklyn-based artist Kate Stone and an experimental, modern-day magic lantern live performance by Turku-based Kultapalmut duo. Followed by a panel discussion between Kate Stone, Pauliina Mäkelä and Tytti Rantanen, editor of niin & näin philosophical magazine.

Altar de Día de Muertos – Family Day

SATURDAY / OCTOBER 29 / 10 AM
Annantalo
Free entry – For all families

Got kids? Check this out! On Día de Muertos, traditionally celebrated between the 1st and 2nd of November, Mexicans and Centro-Americans families set up spectacular Altars in memory of loved ones who have passed away. On Saturday, Annantalo is full of multilingual program for all ages: performances, workshops and storytelling – and of course, a traditional colourful altar.

The Horror – Movie Themes Concert

SATURDAY / OCTOBER 29 / 7 PM – 9 PM
Musiikkitalo
Tickets: ticketmaster.fi/311003

THE HORROR concert will dive into the deep wells of horror movie music scores. The Vantaa Orchestra will offer themes from classics, such as The Omen, The Exorcist, The Shining and Halloween, just to name a few. Internationally well received concert is now playing first time in Helsinki.

Gran Fiesta Cinemaissí – Halloween Special

SATURDAY / OCTOBER 29 / 8 PM – 3 AM
Teurastamo, Työpajankatu 2A
Free entry

Cinemaissí 2022, Latin American Film Festival, is happening on the 26th-30th of October in Helsinki. On Saturday, they’re holding a special día de muertos, with a great bunch of interesting performers: Julio Romero (Puerto Rico), Mr. Robert (Cuba), Las Cristalinas (Finland), Percussion live by Isaac Sacedo (Columbia), DJ Latin Queen (Columbia) and DJ Gus El Pibe (Peru). Expect a proper fiesta and steamy rhythms in the midst of a cold autumn night.

Klub Kalma’s Halloween – The Night Of The Vampires

SATURDAY / OCTOBER 29 / 11 PM – 5 AM
On The Rocks, Mikonkatu 15

If the Latin rhythms don’t squeeze out all your life juice, you can head to the city center to enjoy a rocking Night of the Vampires. I’m sure this will be BYOB: Bring your own blood.