When it comes to holidays, Halloween might be among the most popular. Even in Ukraine, where the holiday isn’t a traditional one, it attracts more and more people every year.
And the reason is simple — Halloween is all about dressing up and having fun.
This year Halloween falls on a Thursday, so the majority of celebrations will take place the weekends before and after the holiday. It’s the perfect time to carve a pumpkin, pick up a costume or get a scary makeup and join one of the numerous events happening around Kyiv.
Zombie Parade
Don’t be surprised if you see a crowd of spooky zombies walking along Kyiv’s streets this weekend. It’s just a zombie parade that traditionally takes place in the capital ahead of Halloween. The parade, as usual, will start near Zoloti Vorota metro station and proceed towards Sofiiska Ploshcha, then to Andriivski Uzviz, Kontraktova and Poshtova Square And coming to an end at the Parkovy Pedestrian Bridge.
However, not only zombies are welcome to join the parade. People dressed up as monsters, vampires, ghosts, witches and other scary characters can take part as well. And those who forgot to put on a costume can find some makeup artists providing their services for Hr 100–300 during the parade. This service is available with prior registration, so contact the event’s organizers via Facebook to get Halloween makeup — https://www.facebook.com/events/524171488160062/
Zombie Parade. Yaroslav the Wise monument next to Zoloti Vorota metro station. Oct. 26. 1:30 p. m. Free
Kurazh Bazar
Kyiv’s charity flea market Kurazh Bazar has its birthday in October, right before Halloween. So this year, Kurazh Bazar will celebrate both at the same time with a two-day Halloween-themed birthday celebration.
The event features live music shows, games, a food court and, of course, a clothes market.
The entrance to the event is free for people who are wearing Helloween costumes. So dress up, wish Kurazh Bazar a happy, scary birthday and celebrate to the fullest.
Kurazh Bazar. VDNH (1 Akademika Hlushkova St.) Oct. 26–27. 12–11 p. m. Hr 150. Free for children under 12, people with disabilities, Ukrainian war veterans, pregnant women, people in Halloween costumes.
Haunted Carnival
Looking for a real haunted house in the capital? The Kyiv-based America House, a U.S. education and information center, will be turned into one on Oct. 30 for Halloween.
The center organizes its annual Halloween-themed event called Haunted Carnival and invites all to put on costumes and join the celebration. This year, the carnival is dedicated to scary clowns, and America House encourages all visitors to take part in its annual costume contest.
The center promises to hold a really spooky event, so children under 14 are not allowed to participate. Additionally, visitors should remember to bring a passport or driver’s license to enter the venue. Register at www.americahousekyiv.org
Haunted Carnival. America House (6 Mykoly Pymonenka St.) Oct. 30. 6:30–8:30 p. m. Free. Bring ID
Masquerade
For those who are not in the mood to put on scary costumes but are still looking for some Halloween parties, Masquerade might be a perfect choice. Arranged by Kyiv’s Dom Music Bar, Masquerade is a Halloween-themed party with the mysterious atmosphere of a medieval ball.
Despite the atmosphere, DJ’s will be playing modern electronic music all night long.
Additionally, all visitors are encouraged to wear masks and be ready to take part in a loud celebration. Those who do not have a mask can purchase one inside the venue for Hr 100.
Dom Music Bar also offers a wide variety of cocktails and snacks.
Masquerade. Dom Music Bar (10/5 Sahaidachnoho St. Kyiv, Ukraine). Nov. 1. 9 p. m. — 6 a. m. Hr 200–400
Night of Halloween
On Nov. 2, Kyiv’s nightclub River Port will become a perfect place to celebrate Halloween with some frightening, Halloween-themed decorations and a mysterious atmosphere.
Come if you’re looking to dance your heart out — the nightclub will throw an electronic music party featuring three DJs from France: Habb, Bassam and Corbeau, as well as three local DJs, who will perform their best house tracks during the Night of Halloween.
Visitors are also encouraged to dress up as vampires, magicians, witches and other party animals, the organizers say.
Night Of Halloween. River Port (67 Nyzhnii Val St.) Nov. 2. 10 p. m. — 8 a. m. Free
Scary Food
For those looking for the perfect place to have a family getaway on Halloween, Platforma Art Factory is arranging its traditional Scary Food event.
The two-day festival, which includes food courts and a clothes and souvenirs market, will kick off on Nov. 2. Visitors will get a chance to get some spooky makeup and participate in fun games and costume contests. And those who think the holiday is not an excuse to skip a workout can take part in the traditional zombie run.
Apart from that, visitors can also spend some time in the “Room of Fear” and then savor some gummy worms or other Halloween-themed food at the festival’s food court.
Scary Food. Platforma Art Factory (1 Bilomorska St.) Nov. 2–3. 11 a. m. — 10 p. m. Hr 150–250. Free for children under 15, people with disabilities, Ukrainian war veterans
