Celebrate Halloween

Halloween has come a long way from its origins in Christian festivals for the dead and ancient harvest festivals marking the end of summer. These days it's more about looking as silly as possible (no, even that Scream costume is not scary), a custom that was popularised in the US in the early 1900s. In Japan, too, there is none of the doom and gloom of the holiday's historical association with death, which may have something to do with the fact the celebration first made waves at Tokyo Disneyland. If you're not planning an all-nighter this weekend, it's still worth heading down to Shibuya or Shinjuku just to laugh at the outlandish costumes on show. And if you're one of those donning an outlandish costume, check out our party (and family-event) guide...

Friday

Fab Halloween Spooktacular
Where: Tokyo Salon at Las Chicas, Shibuya
The pitch: This is Fab Academy's glitzy glam take on Zombie chic. Read more

Ageha Fever Halloween
Where: AgeHa, Koto-ku
The pitch: Usually the largest-scale Halloween party in town, with four floors featuring different music genres. Read more

Air Halloween Party
Where: Air, Daikanyama
The pitch: A 'Night Safari' theme promises a beastly two-night affair that veers from techno on Friday to party tunes on Saturday. Read more

Saturday

Scream! Halloween Party
Where: Seco, Shibuya
The pitch: For those who prefer something less flashy and a little more underground. Read more

Womb Halloween Party 2013
Where: Womb, Shibuya
The pitch: German house innovator Mathias Kaden and Canadian electro artist Guillaume Coutu Dumont headline a night of experimental DJ sets. Read more

Maharaja Halloween Party
Where: Maharaja, Roppongi
The pitch: Pop music and a costume contest that could see you winning aeroplane tickets, ¥50,000 cash or Disneyland tickets. Read more

Halloween Masquerade Party
Where: Unit, Daikanyama
The pitch: Dress up for discount and look forward to DJs 9117 (aka Shinichi Osawa and Katsura Moshino), De De Mouse and Takashi Yamaguchi. Read more

Sunday

Hello Halloween Pumpkin Parade
Where: Harajuku/Omotesando
The pitch: This annual family event sees around 1,000 under-12s dressing up and parading along the 700m zelkova-tree-lined section of Omotesando. Read more

Shimokita Halloween 2013
Where: Around Shimokitazawa Station
The pitch: An all night festival including a costume parade and contest, dance performances, food and drink stalls, and acoustic gigs. Read more

Halloween Party 2013
Where: Yumenoshima Tropical Greenhouse
The pitch: Bundle up the kids and let them play with giant 100kg pumpkins. Read more

Kawasaki Halloween 2013
Where: La Cittadella, Kawasaki
The pitch: Take part in the parade, enjoy Halloween shopping discounts and watch The Rocky Horror Show plus zombie movies. Read more