The Boston Public Library might be best known for its architecture, iconic lions and unparalleled collection of books and archives, but once a year, the stately stacks transform into something far less buttoned-up: a dance floor, a cocktail bar and a hub for one of the city’s most anticipated after-hours parties.
Night in the Stacks, now in its fourth year, returns in October with its biggest celebration yet. And, for the first time, it falls right on Halloween night (a.k.a. October 31). That means a literary landmark becomes the setting for Nightmare in the Stacks, a costumed bash complete with spooky revelry, curated cocktails, dancing and a raffle stocked with Boston favorites. Expect the revelry to last from 8pm to midnight.
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The annual event, hosted by the Emerging Leaders of the Boston Public Library, has evolved from a buzzy experiment into a full-fledged Boston tradition for the city’s young professionals and culture seekers. Last year’s gathering sold out at 600 tickets, raising an impressive $280,000 for the library’s free community services, which range from literacy programs to technology access to resources for job seekers. This year, organizers are aiming even higher, expecting more than 1,000 guests and hoping to smash fundraising records while keeping the party spirit alive.
If you’re imagining a polite little cocktail reception, think again. This is a proper night out, in the unlikeliest of places. Guests sip drinks and hit the dance floor inside one of the city’s most storied buildings, surrounded by books, marble staircases and echoes of history. Layer in a Halloween theme and you’ve got an event that practically demands costumes as clever as they are creepy. Expect Boston’s creative crowd to rise to the occasion with outfits that nod to both pop culture and the library’s literary soul.
Tickets are on sale now, but don’t expect them to last long. With the combination of Halloween energy, library magic and a crowd that knows how to keep the dance floor packed, Nightmare in the Stacks is shaping up to be one of the season’s most unmissable events. And honestly, when else are you going to drink, dance and party in the library after dark without breaking in first?