Looking for a Halloween treat? Check out the best things to do for Halloween in Reading on Thursday 31 October 2019 and over the November weekend. Look out for fancy dress parties, gigs and spooky film screenings and theatre. Look out for Reading’s Halloween pub quizzes, celebrations of dark beer, a disco time warp, costume parties and a charity ball.
Rocky Horror Halloween
Wednesday 30 October – Sunday 3 November, Caffeine & Cocktails, free, read more
Every year, indie cocktail bar Caffeine & Cocktails go big for Halloween, with a whole week themed around a spooky movie. This year it’s The Rocky Horror Picture Show and there’s a whole cocktail menu inspired by the Creatures of the Night. On Halloween night itself there’s a Rocky Horror viewing party, with singing encouraged. and free shots for fancy dress costumes.
Meanwhile on Friday there’s a Time Warp Disco and a Rocky Horror Tipsy Tea on Saturday 2 November, with Halloween Teapot Cocktails along with sandwiches, cakes and scones served by local Nibsy’s cafe.
Dark Beer Celebration
Thursday 31 October, 5-10pm, Double-Barrelled Brewery, free entry, read more
Double-Barrelled Brewery turns to the dark side as all 12 keg lines will be pouring a selection of dark beer, from both DB and some of their favourite guest pours. The fridges will be brimming with porters, stouts and maybe even a few Black IPAs too. The Grumpy Goat will also be sharing cheese boards to pair with the beers.
Market House of Horrors
Thursday 31 October, from 5pm, Market House, free entry, read more
Have a night of Halloween fun at Market House with free toffee apples, horror films on the big screen and two for one cocktails. There’s also a fancy dress competition with a £100 bar tab prize.
Macbeth
Thursday 31 October – Saturday 9th November, 2pm matinees and 7pm evening shows, Reading Minster, £22, book tickets.
Want something that truly scares you this Halloween? Reading Between the Line’s modern adaptation of Macbeth is like an immersive horror-movie on the stage. In my theatre review I described it as: “filled with terror, uncertainty and confusion. RBL’s Macbeth is original, thought-provoking, emotional and immersive.” Go spook yourself out. Read Macbeth review.
Sweeney Todd
Thursday 31 October – Sunday 2 November, Leighton Park Theatre, £17, buy tickets.
The Sainsbury Singers present another gloriously gruesome production that’s perfect for Halloween weekend. Tuck into Steven Sondheim’s dark and witty tale of love, murder and revenge and pies at Leighton Park theatre. Maybe even risk a visit to the Reading pie shop afterwards.
Craft Theory’s Halloween Charity Ball
Friday 1 November, from 5pm, South Street Arts Centre, £2 donation to RRSG
Join the Grumpy Goat for dark and dangerous craft beers and scary beats at a Halloween special of their beer Fridays. South Street Arts Centre will get an ‘80s ‘Stranger Things’ makeover and there will be a ‘scary’ pie shop from vegan food pop up We are Friends.
Harry Potter pub quiz
Sunday 2 November, from 3.30pm, Castle Tap, £1 entry per team
The Castle Tap becomes the Three Broomsticks for the day with a pub quizzich on the eight Harry Potter films, with games, prizes and wizard surprises. After the quiz a party kicks off at 7.30pm, with potions shaken and stirred.
