Witches and Warlocks are gathering for Halloween in Lebanon

BEIRUT: Witches and warlocks have begun to swirl throughout the recesses of Lebanon as the evening of Halloween approaches.

Even in its modern incarnations, Halloween is still possessed of much of its old ancient self. The long-ago Celts, particularly the Irish, thought this was the one night a year when magical and real worlds mixed.

For the Celts, this night was the "time outside of time." The old Irish considered the Halloween period as the demarcation between the change of seasons. It is right before winter starts to set in, the "dark half of the year." Also, it is when the realms of humans and fairies collide.

And though the observance of Halloween has gotten a decidedly contemporary and American veneer in the past 100 years, there is still something comfortably old and pagan about children dressing up for "trick or treat" and grown-ups going to costume parties. 

The original holiday largely comes from the old-Irish observance of Samhain ("sow-in") or Summer's End, when magical creatures were said to wonder about causing mischief if not given food (trick or treat). And Celts would carve lantern-gourds in the shape of faces, which might sound familiar (Pumpkins anyone!) This was also a time used for predicting the future, especially concerning matters of romance and marriage.

The festival of Samhain came to be known as either All Hallowtide or All Hallows Eve in Christian times.

But let us not tarry longer in the moldy library stacks of history.

BEIRUT

Locally, there’s numerous apartment and house parties going on, each looking for a different level of the extravaganza.

Rami Abu Chakra, a graphic design student told Annahar: “We are going to a costume house party” when asked about why the group wouldn’t rather celebrate Halloween at a nightclub instead, he noted, “there’s never a costume club party that seems appealing and we end up preparing costumes for nothing.”

While Peter Karam, a recent university graduate noted: "I’m attending a cosplay, being an avid anime fan myself, I want to see and experience other people’s hard work creating their costumes from either their imagination, or with inspiration of their favorite fictional characters in the respective theme that is Halloween!”

Karim Yammine, owner of Yammine Halloween, could only speak quickly Wednesday as he was very busy in his Damascus Highway shop. On the phone, Annahar could hear crowd noises coming from shoppers. It’s his big time of the year. “Most costume being sold are Daenerys and John Snow and the dragons from Game of Thrones," Yammine said. "There’s also Power Rangers, Moana, and more."

He added: "We have costumes for both children young adults and adults."

Yammine said that sales have been increasing in the past week, noting "We expect them to rise even more since many people come in at the last minute -- but we are always ready for last-minute orders.”

LET THE WILD RUMPUS COMMENCE

LE FETES FOR BIG MONSTERS

The spookiest, naughtiest, and most outrageous Halloween night on Friday, October 26 at Rikky'z, Faraya. Dancers, Entertainment, gadgets, and many more surprises.We've got what you need to have an out of this world "Halloween Experience."

The University of Balamand is organizing an "Escape the Room" themed event. A haunted classroom filled with obstacles in a maze and actors dressed in scary customs to spook participants. Participants have 40 minutes to complete the challenge. Prizes differ according to ranks, the first rank wins a trip for four people to Cyprus, lower ranks win an invite to lunch or dinner, gym membership and other similar awards.

AHM x Halloween: The Lost Ship

On the night of Oc. 27, 10: p.m., The Lost Ship carrying the hope of humanity, returns to Beirut Shores, to the tides of a new solar revolution with its mighty captains who are known DJs in AHM, Beirut Waterfront.

Halloween Adoption Event!

Meowloween. No Kittens Left Behind! It is Meowloween time! What better way to celebrate a fun night than with a furry friend by your side! How can you do that - ADOPT! This year, Trick or Treat for a Paw at Animals Lebanon. Oct. 27, 4:00-10:00 p.m.

Dead and Famous: Bardo's Halloween Party

The night of witchcraft is arriving early this year! It's time to bring back the dead! Take the divas, dictators, club 27, and whoever celebrity has awoken for this special night. Thurs, Oct. 25, 8 pm to 3 am.

Twist It: Halloween at Francesca

Join us this Saturday at Francesca's for a Topsy-Turvy night!

Dress-code: Brag in Drag! an outfit to spill the tea and snatch that wig! *Too lazy to dress up? We got you covered!. "Best Outfit" will be announced at 12:00 a.m. (Yes,...They shall be rewarded!) Oct. 27, 8 pm-3

BGC Halloween Special with Justin Barwick

On Friday, Oct. 26, the Beirut Groove Collective presents a Halloween special at Zoukak Theatre featuring British Innsbruck-based DJ, digger, record collector and record store founder Justin Barwick. Join us for our first ever ALL NIGHT DANCING PARTY at Zoukak warehouse, an old Beiruti vinegar factory! Zombies, Punks, Vampires and Werewolves welcome... if they can dance. Barwick will be spinning a set of obscure '60s garage fuzz stompers and heavy soul groovers. Get Down All Night Long, 9:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.

The Pirates Halloween at Colonel Beer

Colonel Beer Brewery, Colonel Beer, Batroûn, We will be hosting a Best Costume competition, so put your best costume on and join us at Colonel Beer for some good tunes with DJ Mimar. And if you don't win the Best Costume Competition, you can always try your luck in our Beer Competition. Saturday, Oct 27, 10 pm-2 pm.

LITTLE MONSTERS AND FAMILIES

Halloween Halloween

Windmill Playground, Jounieh Searoad, Joünié, Family & Kids Halloween Party. It's the annual Pumpkin Smash, so get ready for the Halloween party! And don’t forget to dress up with your favorite character! Halloween games, Crafting, Face painting and makeup and best costume election. Wed, Nov. 1, 4 p.m. - 6: p.m. Entry fees: 10$/kid.

Wonderland

A wonderland of Fun is landing in Beirut for the little ones’ "Halloween in Wonderland" with many activities to do such as crafting imaginary creature, baking a monster eye, dancing, and laughing on Sun. Oct. 27, 11 am, 2:00-5:00 p.m., at Zaytuna Bay.

   Unscary, Friendly, Halloween Party

Kids come disguised with their BFF; Spooky Friendly games; DJ & Lovely Music; Magical Faces; Dancing; Costumes, starts 2pm-2:30pm/3:00pm-3:30pm/4:00-4:30 pm; kids can have plenty of pictures and selfies Also Kids have access to soft play; Lego zone constructions; kids can have a cool face or hand painting. Sun. Oct. 28. Talent Square.

 Halloween at CityMall

Trick or Treats in the shops, Costume Competition, Pumpkin Crafts, Face Painting and much more Date: Oct. 27 & 28 From 3:00 pm to 7:00

Escape Game: The Witch's Lair

Enigma Lebanon presents the spooky escape room experience: You and your team will be locked inside a room, and have 60 minutes to solve a series of puzzles and riddles in order to escape. Family friendly. To book visit: www.enigmalebanon.com

A few culinary suggestions

For an extra-tasty Halloween celebration, there is the Ben and Jerry's off the hook Halloween Ice Cream Cake,

Dunkin Donuts' has unleashed a Halloween-themed pastry party that's sure to add some buzz to a party or better yet, Friday at work. The collection brings the fun-filled spirit and delicious flavors of Halloween, including pumpkin! Other flavors include: Scary Strawberry, Spooky Sprinkles, Purple Potion, Full Moon, Witch’s Brew-Berry, Ghoulish, Glazed, Vampire’s Delight.

And nearly every Beirut patisserie will be featuring black cats, scary witches, and pumpkin themed cookies, along with Halloween gateaux.

CONCERT – SCORPIONS

Halloween Heavy Metal – Scorpions

This famous German Hard Rock/Heavy Metal band has thrilled generations of concert goers including several age-groups of Lebanese, with many family groups going the Beirut Waterfront venue together, dads, moms, daughters, and sons! Described by Rolling Stone magazine as “The Heroes of Heavy Metal” this band’s albums have included “Blackout” “Love at First Sting” and “Animal Magnetism.” Sat. Oct. 27, Seaside Arena, 7:00-10:00 p.m.

INTERNATIONAL

On the international front, as Lebanese are great travelers and will want to note the biggest, best, craziest, parades, one of the most famous of the myriad of Halloween celebration is the New York annual Halloween parade in Greenwich Village. Attended by thousands of costumed revelers, and boasting giant puppets, and floats, it is a marvel to behold: halloween-nyc.com/.

And for this most witchlike time of the year, what Netsurfer could pass up a visit to the Salem Witch Museum on Halloween: salemwitchmuseum.com/.

Other Net spots good for Halloween:

The Edgar Allan Poe Society -- eapoe.org/.

Horror Writers Association -- horror.org/.

"Dracula" by Bram Stoker -- literatureproject.com/dracula/index.htm

SPOOKY MOVIES TO WATCH

- With Danah Kaouri, Chiri Choukeir, Tala Ramadan.