As the 2014 Halloweekend approaches, the Twin Cities will be crawling with shows for every ghoul and boy. Whether you’re seeking spooktacular celebrations or refuge from incessant trick-or-treaters, there are plenty of options to make this a festive Friday night.

Halloween Party & Costume Contest

First Avenue, Minneapolis

8:00 p.m., $5 advance/$10 day of show/$15 doors, 18+

For those with a knack for costume creativity, try your luck at First Ave’s annual getup contest. Over $1,000 in cash prizes will be awarded throughout the night, featuring beats by DJ FooLProoF, MC CLOUD, DJ Espada, Mike 2600, DJ Smitty, Roy Freedom and more. Stop by the Record Room next door for Holla’ween with DJ Verb X.

Tickets available here

Koo Koo Kanga Roo Halloween Party

Nomad World Pub, Minneapolis

9:00 p.m., $5 with costume, $10/$25 without a costume, 21+

Jump around the dance floor with hip-hop crew Koo Koo Kanga Roo. Joined by Gabriel Douglas of the4onthefloor with Super Friends and disco/funk rockers Golden Bubbles, this lineup is sure to keep you on your toes. Bonus: costume-clad attendees receive a pretty discount.

More information here

Martina’s Broadway Horror Cabaret

Bryant-Lake Bowl, Minneapolis

9:30 p.m., $12/$14

For an evening of childhood whimsy, witness Martino Gabriel-Mayoette perform nostalgic classics from The Addams Family, A Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus, and more. Sport your quirkiest apparel for a chance at the “Queerest Costume” award.

Tickets available here

Wookiefoot Halloween

Cabooze, Minneapolis

8:00 p.m., $14/$18

Tap into the mystical magic of the holiday with the psychedelic stylings of Wookiefoot, Dead Larry, and Kinetix.

Tickets available here

Le Cirque Rouge Halloween

Amsterdam Bar and Hall, St. Paul

7:00 p.m., $10/$12/$50/$100, 21+

For a burlesque affair, join Iguano, Kiss or Kill, The Splendid End, and DJ Instigator for the 11th annual Le Cirque Rouge. Immerse yourself in the supernatural with tarot card readers, 3-D live birth, and a monster jazz band.

Tickets available here

HELLOween

7th Street Entry, Minneapolis

8:00 p.m., $10, 18+

For more spunk and less spook, check out the youthful hip-hop, R&B, and soul-inspired clan #MPLS alongside neo-soul group Nooky Jones.

Tickets available here

E.L.nO. Halloween Ball

Lee’s Liquor Lounge, Minneapolis

9:00 p.m., $10

When it comes to the spirit of costumes, few can rival the bodacious white-dude-afros of Jeff Lynne cover band E.L.nO. Join them and Bob-Dylan-tribute-band-for-the-night Joey Ryan and the Inks for a night of impressive impersonations.

More information here

Icehouse Halloween

Icehouse, Minneapolis

9:30 p.m., $8/$10, 21+

A rootsy shindig awaits with natives of the north woods Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank and Jillian Rae.

Tickets available here

Alt-J

Myth, St. Paul

7:00 p.m., $35

Wildly successful British indie-rock band Alt-J will take to the stage with special guests. Their dissonant but catchy sound will create the ideal ambiance for an eerie evening.

Tickets available here

The Hood Internet

Turf Club, St. Paul

8:00 p.m., $15 advance

The Hood Internet, Hologram Kizzie (a.k.a. Rhymesayers’ Psalm One), My Gold Mask, and Fluffy make for a monstrous mash-up of genres.

Tickets available here

Slowdive

Fine Line, Minneapolis

8:00 p.m., $25/$45, 18+

A band rooted in Halloween cheer, English rockers Slowdive originally held the name Pumpkin Fairies.Join them, Duluth natives Low, and DJ Jake Rudh at the Fine Line.

Tickets available here

The Protomen

Triple Rock, Minneapolis

8:00 p.m., $13/$15, 18+

Experience the darker side of All Hallow’s Eve with a dose of doom rock. The Protomen, Phantom Tails, and Vernon Wayne will add the proper amount of distortion to your evening.

Tickets available here

Davina & The Vagabonds

Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis

8:00 p.m., $15

If you’re feeling a bit bah-humbug about the holiday, find sanctuary in the jazz-pop stylings of Davina & The Vagabonds. This snappy quintet will sing your Halloween blues away.

Tickets available here

American Authors

Mill City Nights, Minneapolis

8:30 p.m., $18/$22, 15+

For an upbeat night of indie delight, experience alt-rock American Authors, Cali-folk artists the Mowglis, and harmonious duo Oh Honey. This lineup is sure to be sweeter than your night’s candy collection.

Tickets available here

Austin Lucas

Nether Bar, Minneapolis

9:00 p.m., $10/$12, 18+

The Nether Bar’s folkie lineup of Austin Lucas, Northcote, Jayke Orvis, and Caleb Caudle will give your evening an Americana twist.

Tickets available here

The Last Revel

Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis

11:30 p.m., $5

They’re last, but certainly not least—make the Last Revel> your late-night destination for some raucous, boot-stomping banjo riffs.

Tickets available here

Selena Carlson is currently tackling a double major in journalism and music business at Augsburg College. In addition to writing, she is an avid enthusiast of all things banjo; biking; and breakfast for dinner.