The complete Halloween party planner

As if Las Vegans and tourists needed an excuse to shed their own indentities and become somebody else under the cover of night, Halloween has arrived. Of course, the holiday itself doesn’t actually hit until Friday, but in Vegas we celebrate with a week-long line up of parties, costume contests and concerts. Halloween is a holiday that speaks to the essence of Vegas – skin, temptation, escapism and over indulgence.

The Strip nightclubs form the backbone of the festivities, and each tries to top the other with the best costume contest prizes and hottest celebrity hosts. Both Nelly and Tila Tequlia will be celebrating birthdays this Halloweekend.

If a sweaty club packed with sexy everythings isn’t your haunt of choice for Halloween, consider concerts like Cobra Starship at Jillian’s or Black Diamond – the ultimate KISS tribute band performing at the Cannery. All Hallow’s Eve comes just once a year, but you can stretch it out for at least a week by checking out these frighteningly fabulous events.

October 28:

Rick The Ruler spins at Pure: DJs Hollywood and Ikon of The Beat Clan welcome old school hip-hop legend Slick Rick The Ruler to Pure. The trio of DJs will keep the house and hip-hop tunes spinning all night long as you prepare for Halloween weekend.

Influence 2080s presents Thriller night at Studio 54: Influence 2080s presents Thriller with an unforgettable recreation of Michael Jackson’s '80s smash hit throughout the night at Studio 54. Of course, it’ll be hard to compete with the sick moves and effortlessly coordinated attire of that Filipino prison dance camp, but we’ll keep an open mind. Top prize of $2,500 will go to the best '80s character and sexiest '80s pop star. Sounds by DJ Scene; all ladies dressed in '80s gear will receive complimentary drinks until 1 a.m.

Trick ‘Em and Treat ‘Em Halloween bash at Moon: J-Rock’s Trick ‘Em and Treat ‘Em Halloween bash will take place at Moon. The fashionable costume party will be hosted by Bridget and Holly of The Girls Next Door.

Trampoleen II at Blush:Ladies, start Halloween off right. Don your sexiest attire for Blush’s Trampoleen. In its second year, Blush is rewarding the sexiest vixen in the room with $5,000. That’s $200 Modesto pizzas from Metro Pizza, 33 tickets to Cirque du Soleil’s O or two thirds of a Hermes Birkin bag.

October 29:

Halloween at the Wayward Ways Variety Show at the Onyx Theatre: The Onyx Theatre celebrates three nights of Halloween with performances from a motley crew of side show stars. Some of the acts to look forward to include burlesque dancers Roxy Rouge and Lou Lou Roxy, Sugar Puppy, Las Vegas Weekly model Mona Lott of The Gong Show, Stella La Bella, pro westler and comedian Turnbuckle aka the Balloon Master, Hooplime and hypnotist Kelly Karl. It promises to be thrilling, strange and may make you feel a bit funny down there. Additional shows will take place on the 30th and 31st.

Monster's Ball at Studio 54: Experience Nightmare on 54th Street with Monster's Ball at Studio 54 at the MGM. Get in the spirit and wear your scariest Halloween costume. If you want to seriously screw with your complexion try letting oatmeal dry on your face then painting over it with makeup and fake blood. Instant crater face. Creepy.

Daisy de la Hoya casting for her new show Daisy of Love at Rok Vegas: VH1 just won’t get sick of dating shows staring random reality TV alums, not that we are, at least not when they’re starring sexy Rock of Love 2 finalist Daisy de la Hoya. Daisy is looking for love and giving the men of Las Vegas a chance to be a part of her search on the upcoming reality dating show Daisy of Love. (Way to get creative with the name, guys.) Daisy and VH1 are holding an open call at ROK Vegas inside New York-New York. This special edition of Locals ROK! Industry Night will also feature a Halloween costume party and a special set by DJ Cassidy from midnight until 2 a.m. DJ OB-One will spin opening and closing. Check out DJ OB-One in our Local DJ Guide.

October 30:

Mingle-N-Mayhem at Blush: Mingle-N-Mayhem with other costumed guests at Blush as they start Halloween a night early. A Joel Jarvis Halloween annual tradition, this party encourages people to get in costume and get your networking on with tons of other Las Vegans. What better time to make business contacts than dressed as a half-naked pirate wench or the freaky-faced Jigsaw?

Costume Contest at The Rockhouse: DJ Inferno hosts ladies night at Rockhouse where $500 will be given away to the lady with the sexiest costume. Ladies can drink free from 10:30 p.m. until midnight, and everyone can enjoy no cover before 10. Check out DJ Inferno in our Local DJ Guide.

42nd Annual Beaux Arts Ball at Studio 54: 42nd Annual Beaux Arts Ball at Studio 54 will the feature winners of MTV's second season of America's Best Dance Crew, Vegas boys Super Cr3W. The Beaux Arts Ball will also feature performances by the casts of American Superstars, Chippendales, MGM Grand's Crazy Horse Paris, Fantasy, Follies Bergere, Jubilee!, Le Reve, O and Zumanity. Proceeds will benefit the Golden Rainbow's mission to support people with HIV/AIDS.

Win a "Boooooob Job' at Hawaiian Tropic Zone’s Trick or Treats Halloween Celebration: Hawaiian Tropic Zone loves giving away what God doesn’t always grant. Big boobs. Girls participating in the Trick or Treats competition will have 90 minutes to gather as much candy as they can from everyone inside HTZ, then at 12:30 a.m., the five girls who have the most candy will take to the catwalk to vie for the free breast augmentation.

Taolloween 3: Come out and dance the night away at Tao. Go ahead and dress as a celebrity scenester this Halloween then head to Tao where you may even bump into your costuming inspiration.

LAX Live presents Frankie Moreno: LAX Live presents local singer and songwriter Frankie Moreno performing live at LAX the day before Halloween. He is a mainstay at the Rush Lounge at the Golden Nugget and now he gets to light up The Strip with his fun pop rock tunes.

Soundbar Haunted House Edition at ghostbar: Ghostbar presents Soundbar - the Haunted House edition featuring music by Miguel Migs. The San Fran funky house DJ will keep the tunes spinning during the costume party where exhibitionists are always welcome.

October 31st:

Carmen Electra celebrates Halloween at Rok Vegas: Sexy starlet Carmen Electra hosts a Halloween party at Rok Vegas. Head to NY-NY's newest club for some Roktober 31st debauchery with a special performance by Rob Patterson, formerly from the band Korn.

Nightmare Costume Contest at Studio 54: Studio 54 has gained a reputation as a Halloween hot spot, and this year you can expect plenty of creative costumes in the Nightmare Costume Contest. Prizes will go to the most original and the sexiest costumes. Enjoy the sounds of DJ Jose 2 Hype.

Tera Patrick at Tao: Adult superstar Tera Patrick will party at Tao as host of a Halloween night that promises to include the same dancing and debauchery as an Friday at Tao plus costumes that take the sex appeal from hot to simply scalding.

Halloween with Steel Panther at Ovation: It's Rock Gods and Groupies night with Steel Panther at Ovation. Wear your hottest costumes and start the night off right with a Trick or Drink Costume Crawl at Quinn's Irish Pub and the Drop Bar before heading into Ovation for a midnight concert by Steel Panther.

Aubrey O’Day hosts the evening at Tabu: On Halloween, Aubrey O’Day, former member of girl group Danity Kane, will bring a night of haunted seduction to Tabú Ultra Lounge in MGM Grand. O’Day will celebrate a haunting evening in the world’s sexiest city as she hosts a vampire bash at Vegas’ hottest ultra lounge.

Wilmer Valderrama hosts Halloween at Pure: That '70s Show star and notorious party boy Wilmer Valderrama hosts Halloween night at Pure Nightclub. The theme is superheroes and mischievous villains, so dress appropriately. Sounds will be provided by DJ Triple XL and $20,000 will be awarded in cash and prizes for the best costumes.

Halloween at Blush: Step inside Blush as it transforms into one of the scariest haunted mansions on The Strip. Don’t be afraid to go all out in the costume department. You won't be alone, as guests will be competing for $5,000 going to the person with the most original costume.

Cobra Starship at Jillian's: Cobra Starship is a band created by former Midtown bassist/lead vocalist Gabe Saporta. They are best known for their song from the Samuel L. Jackson cult hit Snakes on a Plane, "Bring It (Snakes on a Plane).

Halloween at the Bunkhouse with The Tinglerz: Enjoy Halloween at the Bunkhouse with performances by The Whiskey Dicks, The Tinglerz, The Boothill Gang and Slaves of the Son King. Check out Slaves of the Son King and The Tinglerz in our Local Band Guide.

Pretty in Pink Halloween Party at Revolution Lounge: Halloween at Revolution will be Pretty in Pink! The Pretty in Pink party will feature $5,000 in cash and prizes going to the lady in the sexiest pink Halloween costume. Enjoy free Pink Vodka ‘til midnight.

Halloween at the Beauty Bar with The Mapes: Come downtown to party with The Mapes, H.O.T.S., Yeller Bellies, Murder Majesty and Coffin Cats. Come in costume and make the most of Halloween being on a weekend! Check out The Mapes, Yeller Bellies and Holding onto Sound in our Local Band Guide.

Halloween cocktail party at BJ's: Head to BJ's on the Strip or the southwest location for a Halloween cocktail party. Dress to impress or scare your friends. Enjoy a costume contest with prizes plus great drink specials. Ladies can enjoy complementary cocktails from 9 p.m. -10 p.m.

Second Annual Wicked Costume Contest: Head to any of the 36 area PT's and Sierra Gold locations in your scariest or sexiest costume to compete in the second annual Wicked Costume Contest. Those in costume will get their first drink for free. Also, cash in on Bud, Bud Light and Bacardi drink specials.

Masquerade Ball at Lavo: Lavo is hosting more than a costume contest, they’re throwing down for an actual masquerade ball. If you're over cheesy Halloween costumes and ready to bust out a classier disguise (think Swarovski crystals, not body glitter), this is the party for you. The cast of Phantom will be hosting.

Halloween Bash at Risque: Just because the hotel is Paris doesn’t mean Risque won’t be this particularly American holidy. Make the most of the 2-for-1 Bud Light Lime drink specials, plus a costume contest with cash prizes. Local ladies can enjoy free admission.

PurrfectLv Presents Cream & Penthouse After Party: Enjoy seductive night life as the ultra lounge portion of the venue becomes an exclusive play house just for the Purrrrrrrrfect guest. The opulent bordello décor is an inspired setting for a Halloween bash with elevated platforms throughout the venue featuring sexy performers modeling and dancing in CatHouse's own line of lingerie.

Halloween Party at the Carnaval Court: Carnaval Court, the outdoor bar famous for its flair bartenders, will transform into the Strip's wildest Halloween destination. Carnaval Court will host a costume contest with $5,000 in cash prizes judged in two categories, sexiest costume and most creative costume.

Halloween Wonderland Tricks or Treats at Jet: Sign up at the door for Sexiest Ladies Trick or Treat Contest. Contestants get trick or treat bags in the beginning of the night and have to visit VIP tables to receive candy. The woman who receives the most candy wins $10,000 in cash. Not too shabby, eh?

Dirty Halloween with Jesse Jane at Prive: Join Prive, adult film superstar Jesse Jane and TheDirty.com for a sexy Strip-side bash at the Opium Group’s only Vegas venue, Prive.

Black Diamond (The Ultimate Tribute To Kiss) at the Cannery: Based out of Cincinnati, Ohio and Atlanta, GA, this KISS cover band has been together since 2000. They have seen some personnel changes, over the last eight years, but the current lineup is something to behold: Four true KISS fans making their dreams come true by one iconic rock cover at a time.

Halloween Fright Fest at LAX: Korn lead vocalist, Jonathan Davis, gears up for a scare-fest as he hosts and performs at this hot Halloween party inside LAX Nightclub at Luxor on Friday, October 31. The club will be transformed into a gothic haunt-spot while Davis provides the spine-tingling music to match the costumed revelers. Local ladies can enjoy free admission.

Tila Tequila's birthday bash at Christian Audigier: It seems like reality TV starlet Tila Tequila hosts a Vegas bash nearly every weekend these days, but this weekend’s party is a bit more special than most. Ms. Tequila will be celebrating her birthday at the fashionable Christian Audiger The Nightclub at Treasure Island.

Night of the Killer Costumes 2 at the Palms: The Palms is the place to be this Halloween for the costume-minded crew. Strike a pose in your finest Playboy costume at the Playboy Club or head to Moon for a space-themed best sci-fi costume contest. If you're in the mood to sport a scary costume, creep over to ghostbar to win the best ghouls and goblins contest. End your night at Rain where you can compete for the best costume overall and battle it out for prized like cash, comp dinners, comp bottle service and one night stays in the Sky Villa Suites.

Devils Night 11 at Flamingo: On Halloween enjoy three areas of music including 20+ DJs at the Flamingo. On Stage One enjoy The Haunted House, DJ Irene, Charles Feelgood, Autobots Live, Robert Oleysyck, Jayrod, CJ Allen and Ryan Duff vs. Ryan Donovan. On Stage Two groove to indie Electro Therapy, Computer Club, Le Castle Vania, Teen Wolf, Mestiozosix9, kINEkT, and one Stage Three find DnB Torture Chamber, Evol Intent, Infiltrata w/ MC Dre, Risky Business, Feight, The Specialist, Prime Mover, Chuck B, and King aka Jaye Rue. Come out and dance the night away this Halloween!

Spellbound Soiree at VooDoo Lounge: Spend Halloween at the VooDoo Lounge with one of the most spectacular views in Las Vegas plus a costume contest with $5,000 in cash prizes, Bacardi shotgirls, a Hardcore Watches fashion show and the sounds of DJ L1 and V51. Check out DJ L1 in our Local DJ Guide.

Nov 1:

Fabulous Festival at Orleans Arena: Welcome to the Fabulous side of life! Party all night with the likes of Armin Van Buuren, Bad Boy Bill, Deadmau5, Robbie Rivera, MSTRKRFT, the Ed Banger Crew, Crystal Castles and Felix Cartal and Hearts Revolution as they turn the Orleans Arena into the city's biggest dance party.

Chicks or Treats at Asia: Halloween isn't over yet! Head to Asia for Chicks or Treats where there will be a, you guessed it, $5,000 cash prize for the winner of the go-go dance contest. Enjoy tunes from the sexiest all female DJs featuring Miss Dust in the Dominatrix Room.

Soul'd Out an Erudite at Canyon Club Local rockers Soul'd Out will bring a little alternative rock to the stage at the Canyon Club along with Erudite who will perform some pop-infused alternative rock. Check out Erudite and Soul'd Out in our Local Band Guide.

Paul Oakenfold at Perfecto Vegas: After traveling around the world for the past decade, jet-setter Paul Oakenfold has finally found a home at Rain nightclub in the Palms. Enjoy seeing him perform live at his one and only American residency, Perfecto Vegas, at Rain at the Palms.

Halloween Party at Club Asia with RNR and Killah Priest: Club Asia presents a Halloween Party with Killah Priest from WuTang Clan as well as a performance from local rockers RNR. Wear your costumes one last time for a reduced cover at the door. Check out RNR in our Local Band Guide.

Jeff Beacher hosts the 2nd Annual Insanity Ball and Costume Contest at Tao: Jeff Beacher and his Madhouse Crew will host the 2nd Annual Insanity Ball and Costume Contest at Tao. So, get one more use out of your Halloween costume and strut your stuff at Tao while you enjoy the sounds of DJ Vice.

Nov. 2

Nelly's birthday at Lavo: Come and "Shake Ya Tailfeather" with Nelly at his post-Halloween birthday bash. The St. Louis rapper will turn up the heat at Lavo as he keeps the Halloween weekend going strong.

Sunday School's Halloween Bash at Body English with Dennis Haskins: For Halloween you can bust out your '90s finest and make Mr. Belding feel right at home. Dennis Haskins from Saved by the Bell hosts Sunday School's Halloween Bash at Body English. Free champagne for ladies in costumes plus $10,000 in cash and prizes for the best costume and the naughtiest schoolgirl outfit.