(Photo Jignesh Mistry)
“I’ll be spending about ₹800-1,000 just for my looks, but it’ll be worth it. With a budget of around ₹1,000 he’s planning a vampire-inspired look.
“It just sounded like a fun excuse to dress up and do something different on a weekend!” she says. “The response has been so crazy that we couldn’t even respond to all the requests,” she says. “Halloween gives everyone the freedom to experiment and have fun without worrying too much about looking conventional,” he says.
This weekend Halloween is giving Punekars another reason to step out and celebrate the weekend in the quirkiest way possible. From vampire-inspired makeups and all-black outfits to eerie decor and themes menus followed by buzzing dance sessions, halloween parties are taking over the weekend vibe. With venues also considering it as a part of experience, the Punekars are showing growing interest in celebrating the spooky festival of the west. (Photo Jignesh Mistry) Dressing up without cultural boundaries For Pune’s GenZ partygoers, Halloween offers the freedom to experiment with their appearances and step into characters they might otherwise only admire on screen. Instagram and Pinterest are helping with makeup tutorials, costume inspirations and photographs that are turning the day into an excitement. (Photo Jignesh Mistry) Management trainee Isha Kirad sees the occasion as an opportunity to break away from routine. Keeping her look budget-friendly, she plans to combine a few accessories bought online with clothes from her wardrobe. One of the Party organisers, Aditi Saraf noticed a growing enthusiasm. Media student Kiran Kulthe, meanwhile, is drawn to the visual storytelling behind the celebrations.
Entry is restricted to those above 18. The cost of participating varies according to the venue and experience on offer, with charges ranging from ₹800 to ₹3,000 and above. Halloween party cover charges range from ₹800 to ₹5,000, depending on the experience and target audience.
The appeal increasingly lies in the freedom to dress up, irrespective of cultural background, according to the organisers. Masks at Partyology, Koregaon Park (Photo Jignesh Mistry) (Photo Jignesh Mistry) Another organiser Yukta Shah says her event is designed to offer more than a regular night out. “Themed parties add an element of surprise, and it’s fun to see people get creative tha just playing with numbers all over weekdays,” he says. “I weighed in on a couple of parties and their offerings before finalising my den,” he shares.
Rather than the festival’s cultural significance, it is the opportunity to explore different looks, express individuality and participate in a shared experience. (Photo Jignesh Mistry) Immersive parties, exciting activities and flexible budgets Beyond costumes, the atmosphere is a major draw. Venues are bringing together themed decors, immersive lighting, music gigs, costume contests and specially curated menus. Some celebrations are also introducing fun games and unique prizes to make the experience more engaging. “With limited seats, we aim to ensure a better experience for attendees than just making it just another party. others are willing to spend more on premium experiences While some partygoers prefer affordable options. Financial consultant Anuj Kokane sees Halloween as a welcome change after a demanding workweek. For him it is a fun getaway. People want to dress up irrespective of anything. Freewill to dress up is getting popularity rather than the cultural aspect of it. They’re open to exploring cultures by means of celebrations- Aditi Saraf, organiser Kiran believes affordability matters to students, but so does the quality of the experience. How much does it cost? And what’s in it? others wrap up with themed games, quizzes, photoshoots and spooky food While some events feature cocktail-fuelled afterparties. Halloween trends to watch out for Gothic Glam: Smoky eyes, deep burgundy lips and sculpted cheekbones for a dramatic, vampire-inspired look Spider-Web Look: Intricate webs throughout the face, complimented by glitter, eyeliner and ofcourse, rhinestones! Clown and Joker : Classic look with bold colours, exaggerated lips and loud eye makeup for a creepy transformation Siren and Mermaid: Another classic fantasy look that comes with shimmering eyeshadows, metallic pigments and glossy lips Pop-culture characters: Looks inspired by popular films and television characters that you love, be it a superhero or villain You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.
