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October 31st
Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition.
Typical festive Halloween activities include trick-or-treating (also known as "guising"), attending costume parties, decorating, carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns, lighting bonfires, apple bobbing, visiting haunted attractions, playing pranks, telling scary stories, and watching horror films.
Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition.
Typical festive Halloween activities include trick-or-treating (also known as "guising"), attending costume parties, decorating, carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns, lighting bonfires, apple bobbing, visiting haunted attractions, playing pranks, telling scary stories, and watching horror films.
According to www.askmen.com , here are the top 10 destinations:
Number 10
Great Halloween Grave Dig Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania
Billed as the world's only vampire hunt, this is a four-hour "treasure hunt/car rally" through the woods with the ultimate goal of unearthing the host, Count Miniescule. Each winning team (there are two) gets $200 and receives honors at the Grave Digger's Ball, which tops off the night. And once you're crowned top grave digger, life is all downhill from there.
What not to miss: The look on participants' faces as they troll the foggy graveyard at night. For an extra kick, sneak up behind them or grab their ankles.
Number 9
Festival of the Dead Salem, Massachusetts
Organized by genuine "witch elders" on the site of the legendary witch hunts, the Festival of the Dead takes guests on Celtic voyages to the "Underworld" and to a voodoo ceremony, teaches them the art of necromancy, and hosts a gothic fetish dance. The Festival culminates in the Official Salem Witches Halloween Ball, complete with a sorcerer performance.
What not to miss: A bona fide sance, during which a medium channels the spirits of loved ones for those present. As well, the myriad workshops on Ouija boards and how to use Wiccan philosophy for self-improvement will give you plenty to talk about with the female attendees.
Number 8
Guavaween Tampa, Florida
Tampa's historic Latin district, Ybor City, lends 29 of its city blocks to a Halloween bash with flavor. It starts with the GuavaEve Masquerade Ball, but the real fun takes place the next day. Over 100,000 costumed freaks delight in a costume parade contest, live music (Creed, Destiny's Child and Mandy Moore have been past performers) and a salivating cook-off.
What not to miss: Pleasure Zone, the over-21 costume ball where oral fixations are taken quite literally.
From Hugh Hefner's house to the Parade of Lost Souls, join in the fun...
Number 7
Playboy Mansion Beverly Hills, California
Okay, so it's not exactly open to the public — only those with Play..boy Mansion credentials (celebrities or obscenely beautiful women) are on the guest list. Should you happen to be either, or have the right connections, then there's no better place to slip on your fireman gigolo costume... and slip it off again. Hef is known for going over the top with the dcor, which usually features gravestones, gargoyles and mutant alien robots. It's a party made in guy heaven, as you get a personal tour of the Mansion courtesy of a Play..mate and take a picture with the team by the end of the night. If you play your cards right, it'll take place in the pool and grotto.
What not to miss: It's Play..boy , dammit. There's nothing you should miss.
Number 6
Parade of Lost Souls Vancouver, British Columbia
While fun and festive like other Halloween parties, Vancouver's parade tries to maintain a more traditional outlook on Halloween — as the Day of the Dead and All Saints Day — where the deceased are honored (and the living are scared out of their minds) in a neighborhood flame procession. In fact, fire is a chief honoree, venerated with bonfires, fireball acrobats and conjuring candles. Houses are converted into dens of "evil," and welcome the necro-fanatics and party hunters who roam the streets in full-on ghost and goblin regalia.
What not to miss: The fireworks display that caps off the somber procession and kicks off an entire night of reckless partying.
Number 5
Vampire Ball Houston, Texas
This is trick or treating for the BDSM crew. Not only does the best costume get a prize, but the craziest tattoo or body piercing/modification is also rewarded. Those of the dark arts persuasion whoop it up with a masquerade, concerts, a haunted house, and abnormal food vendors. This ain't your neighborhood Halloween bash. Be prepared to feel your blood curdle.
What not to miss: The musical show by kinky goth industrial bands like the Bozo Porno Circus.
Head to the Big Easy and Sin City...
Number 4
Freaks, Follies & Sideshows New Orleans, Louisiana
Thought the Cajuns only got their freak on during Mardi Gras? Spanning four days, the Big Easy's Halloween bash is one of the biggest and wildest. There are several events offered here: vampires gather at the Anne Rice fan club party, the Hotel Monteleone hosts the Ghoulish Gala, and goths kick it up at the Endless Night Festival. Shows, dancing and cavorting ensue.
What not to miss: Vampire Stripper Sluts from Outer Space, a raucous techno costume party.
Number 3
West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval Los Angeles, California
It started as a gay and lesbian bash, but grew to include celebrants from all walks of life. They take to Santa Monica Boulevard to swagger in outrageously creative costumes and poke fun at contemporary pop culture figures. The crowd swells to half a million, with many private parties happening after the bash, making it one of the largest Halloween street festivals and one of the biggest costume parties in the United States.
What not to miss: The established celebrity performances, which have included Pink, Debbie Allen and Christina Aguilera. Sometimes they're even crowned Honorary Mayor.
Number 2
New York's Village Halloween Parade Greenwich Village, New York
It's no surprise that the enclave of New York's trendy crowd throws the biggest, most visually dazzling public Halloween celebration on the planet. No less than 42 bands belt out the soundtracks to dancing puppets, wild floats, and 35,000 parade participants. Featured in the book 100 Things to Do Before You Die and voted "The Greatest Event on Earth for October 31" by Festivals International, you'll see why two million revelers flock there each year.
What not to miss: The Ministry of Silly Walks' Cakewalk, where in typical Monty Python fashion, contestants show off their silly walks while wearing a multi-layered cake hat.
Number 1
Fetish & Fantasy Halloween Ball Las Vegas, Nevada
Vegas takes parties so seriously that anyone who shows up at this famed erotic ball without a costume is fined $40 (the top winner takes home about $1,200). But don't be fooled; a costume can be as simple as a feather over one's privates. Indeed, exhibitionism is encouraged. Named "One of the Top Ten Events In The World" by the Travel Channel, this party sweats with erotic stage shows, laser cannons, two haunted houses, a porn slide show, stilt walkers, and all kinds of freakazoids on a massive dance floor. And why not go home with some of the naughty knickknacks sold in the foyer?
What not to miss: The fire breathers and belly dancers, who wear practically nothing.
Honorable Mention
Dracula's Castle Transylvania, Romania
If money is no object and you're seeking more exotic Halloween venues, look no further than the birthplace of the legend himself, the primordial pool of bloodsucking, howling and crypt-crawling: Transylvania in Romania. The full package includes the recital of a medieval witch trial, a party at a Transylvanian hotel, and lunch at Vlad Dracula's house. See where the myth was born and entertain yourself .
What not to miss: The bonfire and visit to Dracula's tomb late at night.
Dracula's Castle Transylvania, Romania
If money is no object and you're seeking more exotic Halloween venues, look no further than the birthplace of the legend himself, the primordial pool of bloodsucking, howling and crypt-crawling: Transylvania in Romania. The full package includes the recital of a medieval witch trial, a party at a Transylvanian hotel, and lunch at Vlad Dracula's house. See where the myth was born and entertain yourself .
What not to miss: The bonfire and visit to Dracula's tomb late at night.
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