There’s still time to pick up a Halloween costume and join one of numerous parties in Kyiv celebrating the spookiest day of the year.
And for those who already have plans for Oct. 31, no worries: there are plenty of options on other days. Here are 12 events at which to celebrate Halloween.
Ball of Evil Forces
To see a parade of evil forces, visit the Outlet Village Manufactura, a shopping center on Kyiv’s outskirts designed to look like a village. For Halloween, it will stage a theater show “Dracula,” hold science experiments for adults, put on Hogwarts School-themed events for kids, and sell special themed accessories at its market. Visitors will also be able to get zombie make-up, and visit a ball of evil forces afterwards. Everyone wearing a Halloween costume gets a sweet present too.
Outlet Village Manufactura. 2 Obukhivsky Highway, Hodosivka village, Kyiv Oblast. Oct. 28-29. 12– 6 p.m. Free
Halloween Bike Ride
Biking enthusiasts are invited to dress up in a scary costume and join the Halloween Bike Ride, which is to ride through the central streets of Kyiv and scare people. Those who don’t have a bike can rent one at 35 Petra Sahaidachnoho St. Call +38063 639 9377 for more details.
Meeting at Kontraktova Square, near Skovoroda Monument. Oct. 28. 12 – 6 p.m. Free
Halloween Motorcycle Ride
If bicycles are too slow and too much effort, get on a motorcycle and join the “Halloween Ride Out.” There will be a speed limit for the participants for safety reasons though, but not to worry – the slower the riders go, the more passersby will be able to examine their scary outfits.
Meeting at 2 Peremohy Sq., near the National Circus of Ukraine. Oct. 28. 2 – 6 p.m. Free
Photo Day in the Library
The Scientific and Technical Library in Kyiv, an Instagram-worthy space with endless corridors, long stairs and floor-to-ceiling book shelves, invites people to a Halloween photoshoot on Oct. 28. Anyone can stop by and join in, as a photographer or a model.
KPI Library, 37 Peremohy Sq. Oct. 28. 1:13 – 5 p.m. Free
Zombie Walk
Don’t freak out if there are mutants, zombies, and other evil creatures to be seen in Kyiv’s center on Oct. 28 – a zombie walk will start at the Golden Gate, and march through Taras Shevchenko Park, Khreshchatyk Street, and end up at Poshtova Square. Participants will be offered tea with pumpkin jam and creepy sweets. To get made up as a monster for an additional fee, register beforehand at www.goo.gl/8DMqJH.
Meeting at Golden gate near Yaroslav the Wise Monument. Oct. 28. 1:30 – 6:30 p.m. Free
Festival of Fear
To celebrate Halloween at this event, a mere costume will not be enough. One will need to get a real scare. Try to get out of a horrifying quest room, take a selfie near props from a horror movie, participate in a contest of who can put their hands in a box with unknown contents the longest, cry, scream – and have fun.
Kvartal-M Business Center. 14 Ruslana Luzhevskoho Lane, Oct. 28-31. 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. Free
Mexican Day of Dead
Belgian beer restaurant Brugge in Kyiv will throw a Mexican Halloween party for those who have passion for this country’s traditional Day of the Dead. Guests will enjoy food, a dancing show by the Vatan show-ballet, and music by the cover band Tres Deseos.
Brugge. 8 Marshala Konieva St. Reserve table +38067 992 9191 Oct. 28. 8 p.m. – 3 a.m. Free
Halloween Blood Donation
Those who don’t like to celebrate Halloween can instead use the day to do a good deed. The American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine will hold an event called Halloween Blood Donation, and suggests donating blood for the patients of the Kyiv’s hospitals. To participate, fill in the application form at www.bit.ly/2z8GgV1.
Park Inn Hotel, 55 Velyka Vasylkivska St. Oct. 30. 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Stephen King Theme Party
The Beef meat & wine steakhouse invites fans of U.S. horror story author Stephen King to a Halloween party over a cocktail and a discussion about their favorite writer. Dress up as one of the characters from his books and come to the restaurant to eat a steak, take pictures at a themed Halloween photo zone, and listen to music.
Beef meat & wine steakhouse. 11 Shota Rustaveli St. Reserve a table +38044 384 2804. Oct. 31. 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. Entrance free
Halloween Run
Mere mortals, that is, adults, and little devils, meaning kids, can take part in a 3.4-kilometer and a 66-meter race, respectively. Everyone has to run holding a pumpkin of any size. The aim is to find a character dressed in a Death costume. The one who finds the Grim Reaper will get a tasty present. Registration for adults is already closed. Kids aged 1 to 12 years can still be registered at www.athletic-events.com/events/448.
Meeting at Star Burger, 37 Petra Sahaidachnoho St. Oct. 31. 8– 10 p.m. Hr 13
Celebration in German-Speaking Club
The German-speaking club invites language-learners to spend Halloween night improving their German listening and speaking skills. The one who brings the most creative object related to Halloween to the meeting and those with the best costumes will get prizes.
Business Center Panorama. 20 Velyka Vasylkivska St., entrance 4, 10th floor. For more details, contact +38097 874 0063 (Olesja). Nov. 2. 7:15 – 8 p. m. Entrance free.
‘Ghosts of the Circus’ show
Clowns, marionettes, dolls, actors, and acrobats won’t be making the audience laugh this Halloween during their show “Ghosts of the Circus,” but frightening them. At the show, kids will also be able to buy candy – though not the regular kind, but in form of bloody eyes, for example.
National Circus of Ukraine, 2 Peremohy Sq. To buy tickets contact +38044 223 0283. Oct. 31, Nov. 1. 7 p.m. Hr 250-650
Editor’s Note: This story was produced as part of the Journalism Exchange Program, supported by the National Endowment for Democracy non-profit organization.
