It finally seems like Halloween is catching on in Barcelona, being the token American wanting to dress up, bob for apples and put together mystery boxes with peeled grapes for blindfolded friends to dip their hands in and get freaked out thinking they are eyeballs has come to an end, nowadays everyone is getting into the ghoulish spirit.

Personally, Halloween is in my top three for holidays, in great company along with Thanksgiving and Sant Jordi. But, it may just nudge out in front, since I do have an obsession with psychological thrillers and also musicals featuring transvestites from Transylvania, who doesn't?

So, here is a list of the Halloween happenings about town, as well as tips and warnings to have a safe and fun Hallow's Eve.

On Halloween, October 31st:

Foxy Lady Halloween: (Raval) Hideout from all the creepy creatures in the city's funkiest watering hole, where DJ Potato will be spinning tracks to keep everyone dancing. Remember to wear your most terrifying outfit, as there's a free cocktail in it for 'ya.

Polaroid Karate Kid Halloween: (Gotico) Based on the costume party from the hit movie, when Ralph Macchio donned a clever shower costume to hide from the bad, pijo karate crew, this party promises a fun, Halloween flashback to the 80s. Large cocktails at low prices, a free shot for costume wearers and a plethora of 80s tracks coming from the DJ booth.

Shoko's Blood Project Dinner: (Port Olimpic, Oct 30th and 31st) For all those real-life vampires out there, or Sookie Stackhouses/fans of reanimated corpses, Shoko's offering a menu for €37, which includes a starter, salad, two mains, dessert, drink and coffee.

Rocky Horror Picture Show: (Eixample) Catch a showing of the Little Shop of Horrors and Rocky Horror film (with audience participation) at Cines Casablanca-Kaplan for only €12, costume contest and general movie-mayhem expected.

Halloween at Stush & Teng: (Eixample) My personal favorite place for lunch (14.50 euros, for the most amazing Jamaican fare) will be serving special spooky treats for Halloween.

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) route: (around town) A path with themed exhibitions, including Padrisimo at Como Me Ves, Te Veras and shrines celebrating the Mexican holiday honoring the dead.

Zelig Halloween: (Raval) A costume party, drink specials, scary free shot for those that scare them (costumed or non), scary video projections and an all-around ghoulish affair is planned.

Princesa 23 Halloween: (Born) Don a costume of the very person/thing that gives you the heebie jeebies -Chuckie? Freddie? Paris Hilton?- and you might just win top prize in the popular Princesa street's bar/restaurant's Worst Nightmare costume contest. Make-up artists on hand from 11pm to make you even ghoulier.

Zombie Nightmare Halloween Party: (Barceloneta) If zombies and rock 'n' roll are more your thing, check out this party at Sala Monasterio, where the Gangsters of Love will be performing and top prize will go to the best stiff walking spirit.

Hyde's Fiesta Sexy Halloween: (Eixample) A glam party for all those who want to use the holiday to put on their most provocative outfits, enjoy scary surprises and dance to spooky house tracks.

Halloween Weekend at Elephant Club: (Pedralbes) Promising deathly decor that will keep out all the evil spirits, Elephant is celebrating Hallow's Eve with free blood shots and other freaky festivity goods.

Suborn: (Born) Our friends from this Born bar-restaurant tell us they'll be having a spooky party from 11pm.

With a place to go for the night, all that is needed is a costume, you don't have to shell out lots of money at Menkes or Relampago, instead, google the costume you're after, print up a pic and hit the second-hand and thrift shops like Humana for cheap ways to translate that Halloween look. I was Cruella Deville last yr, complete with a fake leopard (no dalmation print) print purse from Humana, purple trench coat with fur trim (again, Humana), and a long cigarette holder made from rolled up magazine paper, to make my hair white and black, since baby powder doesn't exist here, I used minty foot powder from Schlecker and mascara on the other side.....and, voila! So, just be imaginative.

While putting on the outfit, get in the mood with some Halloween-ish tunes, like: Michael Jackson's "Thriller", The Ghostbusters theme, "Monster Mash", "Time Warp" from Rocky Horror, "Halloween" by Japan, "Tubular Bells" from Mike Oldfield, The Addams Family theme, "Day-O" Harry Belafonte and anything, really, from Béla Bartók. Other suggestions?

And while we're on songs, what about some flicks to get you in the spirit? Personally, I like The Exorcist, Carrie, The Omen, any psychological/religious thriller is right up my alley, I only truly stay away from Children of the Corn (as well as corn mazes now, thanks to the freaky flick), Killer Clowns from Outerspace (saw it when I was about 13 and it put me off clowns, for good) and well, I would warn those who live near BCN's laberinto, against watching The Shining as a 'get in the mood to go out for Halloween' flick, since it might be difficult to actually leave the house and contend with passing the labyrinth after watching the horror film. Others?

Whatever your film or music fancy when getting ready this Halloween, enjoy....and have a fun and safe holiday.