Even as a kid, a Friday Halloween night was special.
Without school the next day, the case to stay out late was that much easier to make to skeptical parents. Plus, back-to-back unencumbered candy-binge days were almost too good to be true.
For those of us past our trick-or-treat days, a Friday Halloween means finding a good party or concert to show off a new costume or escape reality for a night.
This year, there’s plenty to choose from statewide for those willing to tear themselves away from “The Walking Dead” re-runs.
We’ve gathered 10 Halloween bashes, rock shows and costume parties for your consideration, including Friday’s Trolley Square-less Halloween Loop.
Friday, 6 p.m. Halloween party at 16 Mile Brewing Company (413 S. Bedford St., Georgetown). A Halloween costume contest, live music and the unveiling of a new brew will mark All Hallows’ Eve at 16 Mile. The band 15 String will be pumping out the rock covers and the brewery will premiere Soul Cake, a 9 percent ABV imperial amber ale. What’s in it? You might want to sit down before reading further: nutmeg, allspice and oak that has been soaked in Fireball Cinnamon Whisky. It’s like autumn takes a nap in your mouth. The party runs until 10 p.m. Admission is free.
Friday 8 p.m. The Big Jangle Halloween Show at World Cafe Live at the Queen (500 N. Market St., Wilmington). Led by Delaware native Tony Mowen, The Big Jangle is a Pennsylvania-based Tom Petty cover band known for playing songs from across Petty’s career. Whether you’re into solo Petty, the Heartbreakers, Mudcrutch or The Traveling Wilburys, you’ll hear it at the Queen. Costumes are encouraged for this Heartbreakers Halloween jam. Billy Penn Burger, winner of WSTW 93.7’s 2014 Homey Award for best male solo artist, opens. $10.
Friday, 9 p.m. Halloween Loop at 13 Wilmington bars. In its 35th year, the Halloween Loop is losing its most popular bars. Trolley Square’s pubs are sitting out the loop due to overcrowding in recent years. Even with the Trolley hot spots out of the lineup, there are 13 participating bars on board: Badges, Chelsea Tavern, Dead Presidents, Ernest & Scott, Famous Tim’s, FireStone Roasting House, Gallucio’s, Grotto Pizza, Latin Fusion Restaurant & Lounge, Lavish, Shenanigans, Timothy’s Riverfront and The Wicked Vine, the old home of The Blue Parrot, which has planned to be open by this weekend. Expect the biggest crowds at FireStone thanks to its large porch, outdoor tent, $500 costume contest and music by Burnt Sienna and DJ Noj.
Friday, 9 p.m. Halloween party with Love Seed Mama Jump at The Rusty Rudder (113 Dickinson St., Dewey Beach). It’s a big weekend at the beach with the Rudder hosting a pair of Halloween-themed parties before closing for the season. Longtime Rudder favorites Love Seed Mama Jump will headline Friday night with a $250 costume contest. On Saturday, the venue will host its closing party with The Rockets on the main stage, along with another $250 costume contest to keep Halloween alive for one more night. There’s no cover for the parties.
Friday, 9 p.m. Halloween-themed concert with Weekday Warriors at Oddity Bar (500 Greenhill Ave, Wilmington). Local bands and performers will get into character and perform sets as a hodgepodge of nationally known acts for Halloween night at Oddity. It promises to be weird: Newark acoustic funk rock act Weekday Warriors will perform the songs of Hall & Oates and Wu-Tang Clan, Newark indie rock band Poor Yorick will play Spice Girls songs and Bill Dougherty (The Headies), Erica Jane and Will Donnelly (Scantron) will bang out some Weezer tunes. $5.
Friday 9 p.m. Delaware Live’s “Zom Prom” (3421 Kirkwood Highway, Prices Corner). A new zombie dance party – think “Thriller” mixed with a high school prom – is slated for the old Moodswing nightclub. The 21-and-older event has 10-piece Wilmington funk/R&B band Big Package headlining. WSTW host Spencer Graves will DJ. There will be “zombification stations” throughout the club with professional makeup artists turning club-goers into zombies for undead prom pictures. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door.
Friday 9 p.m. Lower Case Blues at Argilla Brewing Co. at Pietro’s Pizza (2667 Kirkwood Highway, Milltown). Lower Case Blues might as well go by the name Lower Case Boos since the blues trio will provide the soundtrack to Argilla’s Halloween party this year. There will be a costume contest. Free.
Friday 10 p.m. Spokey Speaky at Kelly’s Logan House (1701 Delaware Ave., Wilmington). If you thought our Lower Case Boos name idea was bad, then get ready for Spookey Speaky! Even with the Logan House officially off the Halloween Loop, there should be some costumed Halloweeners in the crowd Friday since there’s a costume contest on the night’s schedule. But the bar should not be swamped like it has been for Halloween Loop nights in recent years. So if you want to avoid much of the loop madness and chill with some of Wilmington-based reggae, upstairs at the Logan House is for you. Free.
Friday 10 p.m. The Bullbuckers at Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats (320 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach). Dogfish’s biggest Halloween event – the sold-out Milton Mischief Night beer tasting and tour at its Milton brewery – happened Thursday night. But the holiday will still be in full swing the following night with Wilmington ska act The Bullbuckers returning to the Dogfish stage for a free show. A Halloween night at Dogfish Head with some of the freshest Punkin Ale you can find is a pumpkin-obsessed beer geek’s dream.
Saturday 9 p.m. Halloween Party with Freshly Squeezed at The Starboard (2009 Del. 1, Dewey Beach). There’s a little taste of Halloween in just about any night at The Starboard. No other bar draws customers more prone to dressing in costume year-round. Whether tied to a holiday or not, you’re always bound to stumble upon a character in a goofy get-up. With that in mind, the bar’s Halloween party and costume contest is the real deal. Freshly Squeezed will be on stage, but the real show might be in the crowd. Free.
IF YOU GO
What: 35th annual Halloween Loop
When: Friday, 8:30 p.m.
Where: Thirteen participating bars across Wilmington, including Badges, Chelsea Tavern, Dead Presidents, Ernest & Scott, Famous Tim’s, FireStone Roasting House, Gallucio’s, Grotto Pizza, Latin Fusion Restaurant & Lounge, Lavish, Shenanigans, Timothy’s Riverfront, The Wicked Vine (formerly The Blue Parrot).
Specials: Discounted Bud Light and Jägermeister Spice.
Cost: $10
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