Fun Ways to Spend Halloween in Shanghai

All Hallows Eve, or Halloween as we now know it, was traditionally believed to be the day when the veil between the physical world and the spiritual world lifts and the dead roam free among us… It’s no secret that Halloween is my favorite holiday. I love it more than Christmas, more than Thanksgiving (Canadian Thanksgiving obviously, American Thanksgiving is lame), and even more than, dare I say it to the horror of Indians everywhere, Holi. To me, Halloween and the days leading up to it are the ultimate cap to the crisp, colorful Autumn season. I love dressing up in and creating my costumes, I love watching scary movies with my friends, I love carving pumpkins, drinking hot cinnamon spiced milk and apple cider, and of course, eating copious amounts of sticky sweet candy. But this is just my experience of Halloween and different cultures celebrate this day of ghouls, ghosts and goblins differently. And luckily, we live in Shanghai, a cosmopolitan city where fortune favors the curious, where those who seek its dark depths and corners are richly rewarded. So if you are ready to get down and dirty, read on for where to find an amalgamation of Halloween celebrations from every corner of the globe, right here in Shanghai.

The Rocky Road to American Horror

When celebrating Halloween in America or with Americans, be prepared to go full force. There’s no room for half-hearted festivities. Halloween in America is a month-long celebration of gore, horror and all the things that go bump in the night. Those aren’t monsters under your bed, they are actually flesh eating zombies, and yes, that old man that lives alone in the house at the end of your street with its shades pulled down all the time is an axe murdering psychopath. During Halloween, Americans let their imaginations run wild. American Halloween traditions include such classics as jack-o-lantern carving and trick or treating, and of course, where would we be if we didn’t gather together and watch the latest-released horror movies in the dark? These are all events leading up to Halloween, and the day itself ends the month with a bang with a good old fashioned party: a chance to show off your costume, be it meticulously created or hastily thrown together last-minute; and a chance to drink something a little stronger than a pumpkin spiced latte… In Shanghai, opportunities abound to celebrate a proper Halloween. Our very own programming committee is planning a Haunted House that is sure to be tons of fun. But if you find yourself with nothing to do as the witching hour approaches and want to experience some real American horror, the Apartment is throwing a Patrick Bateman American Psycho party complete with a live band, DJs, and dancers. And if drinking hellfire isn’t your idea of a good time, pop in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and watch it with your friends, especially if they’re seeing it for the first time. Where to Find It: The Apartment 3/F, 47 Yongfu Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu 永福路47号3楼, 近复兴西路 Starts at 9:30p.m.

Walking with the Dead in Mexico

Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday falling on November 1 and 2 of each year. It is a day for remembering and honoring those who have passed away, and is celebrated as a way of retaining connections with the unseen world and our deceased loved ones. Because the dead would be insulted by mourning or sadness, Día de los Muertos celebrates the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and activities the dead enjoyed in life. My favorite part of this holiday are the beautiful and elaborate skull face paints that people create. The skulls, known as calaveras or calacas, are positive symbols, not only of death but also of rebirth. Face painting is a chance for humans to get in touch with their darker, chaotic side—a chance to overcome fear of death, act recklessly, and get up to the mischief that is forbidden at other times of the year! Flowers such as marigolds are often incorporated into the skull designs, not only as symbols of life but also because of the belief that the strong scent of marigolds helps guide the dead back to this world. For a chance to take part in this colorful and beautiful tradition, check out Cantina Agave, Shanghai’s most famous Tequileria, winner of the prestigious “Award T” and named Shanghai’s Best Restaurant of 2009, for a bite-sized taste of this larger-than-life tradition. Where to Find It: Cantina Agave 291 Fumin Lu, near Changle Le Lu 富民路291号, 近长乐路 Open 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

A Million Indian Lights

Coinciding with the darkest new moon night in the calendar year (falling this year on October 23rd), the Hindu festival of Diwali seems to oppose all that Halloween and Día de los Muertos stand for. While the latter two holidays celebrate death and the dead, Diwali revels in the intensity of life and of our experiences. It is known as the Festival of Lights and is one of the happiest and most colorful holidays in India. Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over dark, good over evil, and life over death. People transform their houses into shining spectacles filled with lamps and candles, set off fireworks, and most importantly, eat a variety of Indian mithai (sweets). If you are excited about Indian culture, beautiful Indian clothing and most of all, delicious, mouthwatering food, don’t worry—the Food and Festivals club has you covered with their Diwali celebration on October 22, with food, music and dancing aplenty. Or, you can pick up a sampler platter of mithai at Bollywood on Hongfeng Lu and then head on over to Bhoomi Market for a crash course in Indian spices, chutneys, snacks, and if you’re lucky, jewelry. Where to Find It:Bollywood 326 Hongfeng Lu, near Biyun Lu 红枫路326号, 近碧云路 Open 10:30 AM - 11:30 PM Bhoomi Market 266 Yaohong Lu 姚虹路266号 Open daily until 8 p.m. This article was written by Rae Dehal. Send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Zhang Zhan