What a horror!

Halloween's almost here, and so's the time to cast an unending spell on 'em. here's a cut-n-keep guide to all you wanted to know and do on the fear fest

Halloween's almost here, and so's the time to cast an unending spell on 'em. here's a cut-n-keep guide to all you wanted to know and do on the fear fest

Spells and stories
Find out all about the scare affair and listen to tales of spooky and ghoulish spirits at the book reading session at Mocha. Discuss your fav dark characters, meet up like like-minded readers and dress up in your scariest costumes. For those who're not the party types, no potion's better than print!
When: Tomorrow
Venue: Mocha, 1000, DLF Phase IV, Opposite Regency Park II, near Galleria Market, Gurgaon
Timings: 6 pm onwards



Li'l Ghosts can rock, too!
Hard rock Cafe will host a Kids Halloween for little rockers. There will be special Halloween menu for the kids, live entertainment, interesting decorations, costume contest, trick or treat dancing and plenty of surprises for the little ones. The afternoon bonanza will be followed by a Halloween-themed night for the adults; the main draw for the party will be a teaser of Michael Jackson's movie This Is It. Hard Rock Cafe will be done up in the Halloween style, replete with cobwebs and coffins, with jack-o-lanterns, masks, skeletons, devil horns and dracula teeth.
When: Tomorrow
Venue: Hard Rock Cafe, DLF Place, Saket
Timings: 2 - 4 pm

Vampire's empire
F Bar and Lounge brings the The Vampires' Ball. The lounge will be turned into a gothic castle ruled by the dead with cobwebs, spiders, graves, witches, dragons, vampires, old candle bars and all that spook. An eerie unease await the adventurous here. People will be dressed in Halloween costumes; and so that you don't feel left out, there will be a stall selling Halloween merchandise, too. Great gifts will be given to the best-dressed. F Bar will have female bartenders to serve, international painters, and exciting giveaways such as free trips, air tickets and others.
Where: F bar and lounge, The Ashoka, Chanakyapuri
Timings: 9 pm onwards

Smokin' scary
Forget the regular creepy crawlies, and give into your nasty side with a wicked set of deep, dirty house music and positively ghoulish sounds to bend your mind and leave you tingling with goose bumps.
When: Tomorrow,
Where: Smoke House Grill, Masjid Moth, GK II
Timings: 9 pm onwards

To hell and back
Tabula Rasa brings you the Annual Halloween Bash. Dress to kill and haunt as a fortuneteller looks into her crystal ball to predict your future. There will be special Halloween drinks for ladies and the DJ will spin some commercial music.
When: Tomorrow
Where: Fourth floor, Square One Designer Arcade, C-2, Saket.
Timings: 9:30 pm onwards

Haunt jaunt
Explore the grounds and ghost-filled red wood forests echoing with screams and scares. You will also come across a haunted house that isn't for the faint- hearted.
When: Today and Tomorrow
Where: Centre stage mall, sec 18, Noida
Timings 9 pm - 5 am

Urban unease
Watch Urban Pind transform into a Halloween haven with pumpkin decorations, mummies, fortuneteller, crazy games, Halloween candies and much more. There are prizes for the wildest costumes, and if you need help on that front, check out the special bazaar set-up for this occasion. It will sell everything you need, from masks to make-up to crazy outfits at reasonable rates. Let the witches cast a spell as the hostesses pour one shot after another.
When: Tomorrow
Venue: Urban Pind-The Urban Bar, N-4, N block market, GK-I
Timings: 8:30 p.m. onwards

Friday fear
TG.I.Friday is organising a two-day Halloween party with fun and games, great food and a their bar open till late. Guests ordering Halloween cocktails would either be tricked into having one extra cocktail or treated to two extra cocktails all for the price of one.
When: Today and Tomorrow
Where: TGIF outlets

Olive or dead
The crazy and imaginative decor at Olive, with its skeletons, skulls, beheaded mannequins with bloody necks, pumpkins, cemetery and haunted house, create the perfect halloween atmosphere.
When: Tomorrow
Where: OQ Courtyard and bar, The Qutub
Timings: 10 pm onwards

Cobweb calling
Cobwebs and writings on the mirrors with blood/paint and flickering lights for a stormy night effect, bell pepper candles on the tables and jack-o-lanterns await you here. Witness the staff dressed as scary characters from famous horror movies.u00a0
When: Tomorrow
Where: Tapas Lounge at The Lodhi Restaurant, Aman
Timings: 9 pm onwards

Snakes on a stick and pumpkin points
With interesting art and craft activities like pumpkin carving, scary cookie decorations, mask- making, Halloween coloured T-shirts and much more, the experience at The Yum Yum Tree promises a lot. The extensive food menu also features great beverages like beer, swamp sangria and an an off-the-belt section with innovative sushi, specially designed for Halloween. Expect spooky spider rolls, angry prawns, ghoulish sticky ribs and snakes on a stick!
When: Tomorrow
Where: Yum Yum Tree, First Floor, Community Centre, New Friends Colony

Dos and don'ts
>> Make sure you tell your kids that it is merely a fun festival, and there aren't any real ghosts out there
>> Explain to them the relevance of the festival. It's important that they look at it from a right perspective
>> Don't involve those who don't believe in it. Remember, it is more of a Western concept, and many might not be too comfortable with it
>> Involve adventurous oldies, too
>> However hideous, make sure your garb doesn't hamper breathing
>> Go in a group. Avoid unknown crowds
>> Don't get too close to fire

How it started
Halloween has origins in the ancient festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in), which is derived from Old Irish and means roughly 'summer's end'. This was a Gaelic festival celebrated mainly in Ireland and Scotland. However, similar festivals were held by other Celts for example the festival of Calan Gaeaf (pronounced kalan-geyf) which was held by the ancient Britons.

The festival of Samhain celebrates the end of the "lighter half" of the year and beginning of the "darker half", and is sometimes regarded as the Celtic New Year.u00a0 Halloween is short for 'All Hallows' Even'.