The best things to do in Chiang Mai this Halloween

The masters of throwing a fancy dress party, 1921 Wine Club are taking it one step further in the name of thrills and transforming their sumptuous bar into a scene of vintage intrigue. Join the murder mystery party as a suspect, where every glass of fine wine conceals the truth and every whisper hides a lie. The games begin at 7pm and every ticket includes two hours of free wine and canapes. Be sure to get with the dress code: vintage whodunnit with a touch of noir. Come as a victim, murderer or detective. 

Oct 31. B1,291 per person. Reservation recommended, call 053 253 333. Anantara Chiang Mai Resort. 7pm-11pm.

We love a punk show here at Time Out and there’s no better time to get your leather jacket out of retirement than All Hallow’s Eve. We also love the glam glow-up of Winston’s Pool Bar as the venue for this thrashy shindig. With five anarchic acts playing for just B100, come shoot pool, have a mosh and win prizes for the best costume. The noise kicks off at 8pm with jams from post-punk outfit Apple Jack, followed by hardcore punks Olex at 9pm, noise rock gang Phased Plasma Rifle who’ll be joined by the hip-hop sounds of Takt at 10pm before local heroes Terror Terror undoubtedly bring down the house from 11pm. 

Oct 31. B100. Winstons Pool and Sports Club. 7pm-midnight.

Our favourite charity driven event space is putting on a Day of the Dead weekender that is Halloween-adjacent, so we’re here for it. Rooted in ancient Mexican and Meso-American traditions, this two-day gathering honours the dead – a collective grief space, packed full of workshops and events to remember our ancestors and the bonds that still connect us. Happening Saturday and Sunday, see all that is life-affirming and reflective from Energy Rebirth Breathwork to Meditative Art and Skull Painting workshops. You’re also invited to help decorate the altar with drawings, flowers and offerings. Bring photos or anything meaningful to co-create this communal altar. Local creative Marbella will be offering Catrina día de muertos face-painting.

Nov 1-2. Free, workshop prices vary. Reservation recommended through their Facebook page. Free Bird Cafe. 10am-2pm.

The creative crew at Kindred Studio are taking their weekly comedy improv night and giving it a Halloween twist for this, their second annual Werewolves Murder Mystery. The scene has been set: you, the audience, uncover the mysteries of the cursed village of Miller's Hollow and stop the werewolves before they destroy the village! Bring your cunning, bravery and quick wit for improv like no other. Last year was so popular that the gang have decided to run this terrifyingly hilarious show over two nights – with tricks, treats and a costume contest running alongside the interactive improv show.

Oct 31-Nov 1. B300. Book tickets in advance via Ticketmelon. Kindred Studio, Lansieow. Doors from 7.30pm, show starts at 8pm.

One for the kids, the big kids and the sweet fanged (toothed), Nimman’s best ice cream parlour is back with their Annual Halloween Party. Whether you’re a tiny trick-or-treater or a grown-up ghoul, everyone in costume gets a free ice cream to celebrate the night of the living dead. How devilishly generous. Oh and fret not vegans and the lactose-averse amongst you, 7 Senses dairy-free options are just as mouth watering as their dairy equivalents. You can thank us for the tip-off later.

Oct 31. Free. 7 Senses Gelato. 12pm-10pm.

Our favourite vinyl listening bar is throwing the best Halloween dance-off in town for the fourth year running, with resident DJ Oomboi Lauw spinning haunting tracks, spooky anthems and stirring bangers guaranteed to raise hell. The Deaf Shop team’s art department (Mum Pimolpud) goes all out on the decor and the regulars take the fright night dress code very seriously so for heaven’s sake make an effort and get your best Halloween outfit on. Expect big crowds at this joint – we’re starting our petition for a block party next year.

Oct 31. Free. Deaf Shop. 8.30pm-midnight. 

The angels at the city’s delightfully anarchic lesbian bar are falling this Halloween and throwing a moody goth night that’s guaranteed to turn heads as they plot to ‘mourn the ordinary and resurrect the queer’ – you heard it here first. Summon your inner witches or warlocks and dig all your black garms out the wardrobe for a dance under the moonlight. Live DJs Spellbound and Khajeezus will be blasting twisted pop, indie and hip-hop in the garden and bar, keeping things nasty until the bell tolls midnight.

Oct 31. Free. Sapphic Riot. 8.30pm-12am.

The Jed Yot co-working space formerly known as Coco Kala relaunched last month with a packed out pool party that went ‘til the small hours. So if that is anything to go by, their annual Halloween Pool Party will be another banger. Sultry EDM from the DJs raise spirits (in more ways than one, of course) and the fire show will rival anything you’ve seen on Koh Phangan. For partygoers, a sassy costume contest or, most importantly, free shots all night give all the more reason to go. Just try not to fall in the pool. 

Oct 31. B500 on the door. Reservation recommended via LINE @thecococlub.cnx. The Coco Club. 8.30pm-late.

One of our favourite haunts for live music (haunt, get it?) Paapu House are celebrating all that is ethereal on Saturday with a skull-defying 'Day of the Dead' celebration, aka Dia de los Muertos in Latin America. Thaitinos will play classic Latin American tunes to possess your feet, so come and shake it, in honour of the spirits. Come as you are, or as who you want to be, but don't forget to dress up accordingly. The grub is also delish here, so come early for dinner and dance it off afterwards – music starts at 9pm.

Nov 1. Free. Paapu House. 5pm-11pm.

As if searching out the door to this sprawling bar wasn’t Scooby Doo enough, the legends at Look Inside are throwing a Halloween do again this year that’s absolutely action-packed. The crafty among you prick up your ears: there’s pumpkin carving in town (don’t worry – Eddie and the gang provide the pumpkins), followed by a spritely costume competition and for the brave, mystery trick or treat shots. The kind spirits (get it?) are also hosting a pot luck early doors so bring a plate of something delicious if you want to get involved with the feast. And of course resident tarot card reader Ploy is in the house to read your fortune for a few pieces of silver.

Oct 31. B150, includes a welcome drink and pumpkins. Look Inside. 6pm-midnight.

As a special entry for those who miss this Friday fun, the arty folks at Art Mai? are pulling out all the stops for a post-hallowed eve drink and paint session in November that’ll spook any self respecting 15th-century art critic. Tickets include a canvas and painting set, one signature cocktail and free-flow shots from 8pm-10pm. And while you can come as you are, dress up and you may get a little surprise from their terrifyingly good bartender, and with only 25 seats available, the competition is fierce but very personal. 

Nov 14. B999, includes as listed above. Surr Bar, Art Mai? Gallery Hotel. 8pm-late.