Whether you’re into thrash metal or disco cuts, there’s an opportunity for music fans of all genres to get monster mashed this year. Here are our top picks…
Big Sexy Halloween Cave Rave
When? Saturday 26th October, 8pm - 1am
Where? Caves underneath the Old Angel
What? Following a few trial runs with close party mates, the team behind Big Sexy are back and they’re proud to showcase a wild piece of party production that needs to be seen to be believed.
Big Sexy is taking over the recently unearthed caves beneath the Old Angel, which has quickly become one of our favourite spots to groove, and seems the perfect place to get spooked this October. Expect disco, house and techno cuts from Big Sexy residents and Omar Sultani, with the Sex Panther making its first public appearance.
How much? Tickets are physical and they cost £5 each. Message the FB page to get yer hands on one
More info
Detonate Halloween Festival: Chase & Status
When? Saturday 26th October, 11am - 11pm
Where? That’s top secret...
What? Detonate is returning this Halloween in epic proportions, taking us back to its foundations with some of the biggest, old school underground names, hosted across three industrial bunkers. Acts include Chase and Status, DJ Zinc and Notts’ own Transit Mafia, as well as Detonate veteran Shy FX, who has been a regular on the brand’s lineup throughout its 20 years in business.
With the location never to be revealed and the only way of getting there and back being the dedicated shuttle buses, this rather top secret event will no doubt cause even the most hardcore fans to have hairs standing up on the back of their necks with excitement. With 12 hours of music there’s a long day of fun ahead, but food and booze will be available from the street food area to keep you fuelled up, so why not dust off your Halloween rave gear and head to this all day festival of spooky proportions?
How much? £47.50 (including booking fee). Shuttle busses cost £5 each way
More info
Ellie Aindow
DirtyFilthySexy Presents: 'Trick or Treat, Freak' Halloween Special
When? Saturday 26th October, 9pm - 2am
Where? Rough Trade
What? Nothing says Halloween like a good serving of soft latex and hard-core drag acts. Prepare yourselves for the fright of your life with ghoulishly good drag from the amazing DirtyFilthySexy.
Located in the dark halls of Rough Trade, this event promises to bring you the very best Halloween tricks with performances from post human drag act turned pop star, Psycho Fag, who will be performing a live set of electro bippity-bop pop fun. Known for her twisted and macabre looks, local drag act, Melancholy, will also return to the DirtyFilthySexy stage to perform, joined by the legendary Nana Arthole, Glitterhawk and Marilyn Sane. DirtyFilthySexy have a talent for choosing leading underground, alternative drag acts around so if you haven’t been to one of their events before, then get ready for the fright (and night) of your life.
How much? £6.00
More info
Caroline Barry
Hexx - Halloween Monster Genre Mashup!
When? Saturday 26th October, 6pm - 3am
Where? The Old Salutation Inn
What? Dating back to the 15th century, The Old Salutation Inn is perfect for a spot of spooking. The Anglo-Saxon caves that lie beneath are going to be rocked to rubble by some of the hottest up-and-coming hard rock and metal bands as promoter Hexx hosts its Halloween Monster Genre Mashup party at the pub. Though more names are still to be announced for this booze-infused display of musical extremities, the line-up is already more than promising.
Fans of the genre will be sure to remember death/old school thrashers Forgotten Remains, two-piece speed doom outfit Bad Men, and the fantastically named Supersonic Death Monkey. So if the relentless Halloween merchandise lurking in every corner of every shop hasn’t got you in the ghoulish mood, allow the banshee-like cries and juddering chugs of some of metal’s freshest faces to do it for you. You may even end up picking up some new patches for the collection.
How Much? £5 for the bands, £3 wristbands to the clubnight that follows
More info
Alex Mace
Shut The Front Door: Notts Halloween Disco Fiesta: Detroit Swindle & Session Victim
When? Saturday 26th October, 10pm - 5am
Where? The Brickworks
What? With a love of mahoousive disco balls and silver pineapple totems, Shut The Front Door is known for its feel-good, hands in the air, sparkle/smiles attitude. But that doesn’t mean it can’t get freeky when the time is right.
Following a series of successful Halloween disco soirees the brand is back with its Halloween Disco Fiesta at its home, The Brickworks, which will be transformed into the Laserdome for a night of debauchery. Detroit Swindle will be joining German due Session Victim, who will be treating us to a special live show - anyone who has seen their RA Sessions performance knows it’s not to be missed. Grab anything ghoulish that glitters and join them as they invite you to boogie into the afterlife.
How much? £12.50 - £15
More info
Stealth Halloween Festival with Michael Bibi & more (Saturday) + Patrick Topping b2b Denis Sulta (Sunday)
When? Saturday 26th October and Sunday 27th October, 11am - 11:30pm
Where? Wollaton Hall
What? To celebrate its 15th anniversary, Stealth is launching a massive Halloween spooktacular with a two-day festival at Nottingham’s legendary Wollaton Hall. With a selection of house and techno acts split across two days, Saturday’s lineup includes Michael Bibi, Danny Howard and Latmun, with Patrick Topping and Denis Sulta providing a B2B session on Sunday.
Set in the shadows of the famous Wayne Manor (that’s Batman’s house to you ‘n’ me) the decor will ensure it’ll be spooked up to the max, with plenty of tricks and treats in store. Fancy dress is heavily encouraged too, so expect to dance with a crowd made up of zombies, ghosts, vampires, aliens and even a dead celeb or two. There'll be plenty of Notts’ finest street-food vendors & pop-up bars, including some Halloween themed cocktails to wash it all down. If you like to party, you’d be a ghoul to miss out on this one.
How much? Full weekend tickets are £44 (including booking fee). Saturday and Sunday single day tickets between £27.50 and £33
More info here and here
Rachael Halaburda
The Annual Chameleon Halloween Party!
When? Friday 1st November, 8pm - 1am
Where? The Chameleon. Obviously
What? Calling all witches, ghosts and related evil spirits We demand you to get weird and cause a horrific scene with us at the infamous ‘Annual Halloween Party’ from Nottingham’s legendary DIY music venue, The Chameleon.
They’re splicing together an evil monster mash-up of blues, punk, no wave and noise from top class local bands Bloody Head, Witches Mark and headliners, Slumb Party. All attendees are encouraged to ‘dress to distress’ (pretty much the usual dress code for a night at The Chameleon) and can expect the added bonus of trick or treat upon arrival. We’re told it will be, ‘a good old-fashioned booze up’ with the ominous promise that they will be sure to, ‘spike the punch’. Come down and open your ears to enough musical carnage to mek ‘em bleed. It’s all part of the experience, duck…
How much? £5 OTD
More info
Nick Strang
Wigflex 13th Birthday Halloween Special
When? Friday 1st November, 10pm - 6am
Where? The Brickworks
What? Wigflex returns for its 13th birthday party in spooky style, with a classy lineup that celebrates its twisted, dark, ravey ‘rudeboy techno’ sound. As Wigflex reaches its teenage years it’s a reminder of its continuous reign of being a forward-thinking electronic force in the city, spread its grubby mitts throughout the rest of the country too.
Wigflex is bringing the ever-impressive Ben UFO and Bristol’s man-of-the-moment Batu for a mighty b2b set. A haunting live show from American producer Rrose will top the bill, crossing the boundaries of techno and ambient noises, not forgetting support from the geezer organiser and resident, Lukas Wigflex, and Mariiin. Techno heads, this cannot be missed.
How much? Final release are £18 plus £2.20 booking fee
More info
Oliver Payne
DLC's Spooky Halloween
When? Saturday 2nd November, 7pm - 11:30pm
Where? The Chameleon
What? Notts’ own music producing, video making, art curating hip hop movement Different Life Collective have been on our radar for some time now, and for good reason. Known for bringing together creative talent to form shows that offer musical performances, art, exclusive shopping events and even the odd beyblade tournament, this halloween they’re serving up something that’s just as exciting.
DLC will be taking over The Chameleon, encouraging fancy dress to accompany the evening of music from DLC members Jonjo, Banks, Rick Lazy, Just J, EarthKid, Queezy B, big tobes, Oliver rees and Motormouf, accompanied by live drums from DRK ROOM and DJ Flewis. Local artists Bakes and Bermy Boyz will join them, alongside neighbouring Midlands crew, Local Geezers. One for the goths out there.
How much? £5 OTD
More info
Stars In Their Eyes 2019 (Halloween Special)
When? Saturday 2nd November, 12 noon - 11:55pm.
Where? Rough Trade
What? It might not be gory, but there will be lots of fancy dress involved - this Halloween, Rough Trade is bringing together a selection of Nottingham's favourite local bands and music acts for an all-day extravaganza of live spooky covers.
Featuring the likes of The Killer Bees, The Madeline Rust and Sundaze performing their take on the Beach Boys, The Velvet Underground, The Kinks and Jamiroquai to name a few, it's set to be a reet ol’ laugh for music lovers of all ages. No Stars In Your Eyes show would be complete without a compare, so Stanley Mackrel (Arse Full Of Chips) will be bringing his take on Matthew Kelly to proceedings. They’re still accepting entrants, so if you think you look better in hotpants than our Kylie, apply within...
How much? Free
More info
Addie Kenogbon
These are just 10 musical picks but there's loads going on in the city this year. For the motherload of everything else going on this Halloween check out our comprehensive Nottingham events listings.
Promoters: Want your event featured in one of our upcoming listicles? If so then you can start by adding your event details into our magazine and website database.
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