Hey Ponies, welcome to the 2016 edition of Gay Best Halloween Bets! We’re putting a spell on you and celebrating 23 years of Hocus Pocus reigning over all other All Hallow’s Eve films. This weekend will be lit (like the Black Flame Candle), and Monday will be no exception. Stay safe, queer, and scary, kids!
- Bentzen Ball Comedy Festival STARTS TODAY! Tickets are on sale! Weird Al! Michael Ian Black! Tig Notaro (sold out)! Amazing and free Halloween-themed show with TJ Miller! Bridget Everett! Baron Vaughn! John Dore! Horror-themed comedy! MORE!
- Then, in November:
- We’re taking over National Geographic Museum for the FotoWeek Opening Party. Prince Paul! Open Bar! Amazing Exhibitions! A Great occasion! Very affordable tickets tickets on sale now! Grab those too! This also always sells out!
- BYT Presents INTO THE BLUE: A National Portrait Gallery After Hours Event! Junior Boys! Nuex! Open Bar! Tickets are on sale and will sell out in advance.
- Some BIG announcements are underway, so stay forever in the loop and follow us on Facebook & Twitter & Instagram & Pinterest. #BYThings
- Halloween is taking over the city, and we’ve got you covered with our annual BYT Halloween Guide.
- Your long must-read for the weekend: The Art of Stillwater Artisanal.
- The annual 17th Street High Heel Race produces some of our favorite photos and memories of the year. Special thanks to David Claypool / Kalorama Photography and Blinkofaneye for capturing the event.
- National Geographic’s Instagram reached 1 billion likes. That’s right — BILLION. They recently published a book featuring some of their Instragam photos, and we interviewed some members of the publishing team.
- Our Bentzen Ball Mandatory Viewing Guide features audio visual presentations designed to make you laugh.
- We ask and answer the question, does 2Pac belong in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
- The month of October is winding down, and winter is officially coming, so  we picked the BEST OF EVERYTHING this month, just for you.
- SOCIAL MEDIA BONUS: tag us in your Instagram posts #BYThings (@brightestyoungthings) and get a chance to shine on OUR Instagram feed as well.
- Magically Medicinal Mocktails! is at the WithLoveDC Community House at 825 11th Street NE.
- ST. LUCIA with Baio sold out 9:30 Club on both Thursday and Friday.
- The Indigo Girls play Rams Head Live.
- RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 2 Reunion is at Number Nine.
- WATCH THIS: DRAG RACE All Stars Reunion! is at UPROAR.
- Twisted Thursday – The Little Merman is at Cobalt.
- Harry Potter IMAX Week in DCÂ starts Friday and runs through Monday at the National Air & Space Museum.
- Join your fellow Hillary supporters for the Pantsuit Party happy hour at Blackfinn (note: pantsuit optional).
- BYOB to Codepink Youth Contingent Halloween Happy Hour! at 1241 Evarts Street NE.
- The adult-only Night of the Living Zoo is at the National Zoo.
- Lucius plays Rams Head Live.
- DC Bëar Crüe presents Bear Happy Hour: ABC Halloween Party! at Town.
- DJ MadScience Presents: Studly and the Beast at Cobalt.
- WhiskHER: uHauloween is at Old Engine 12 Firehouse Restaurant.
- WTF: Missy Elliott & Pharrell Dance Party is at the Rock & Roll Hotel.
- GEMS with DJ Devon Trotter is at UPROAR.
- Stranger DC9 :: halloween is at DC9.
- The Imperial of Washington DC’s Spooktacular is at the DC Eagle.
- SCARY-oke queer karaoke night is at the Attic at Flavor.
- The DC Center is hosting a Free Flu Vaccine Clinic from 12:00 to 3:00 PM.
- The Adams Morgan Apple Festival is at 18th Street & Columbia Road NW.
- Rock the Core Cider Festival is at 1300 First Street SE.
- DC Brunch Club presents Halloween at The Brunch Room featuring Viceroy.
- Spice vs. Street: Backstreet Boys vs. Spice Girls is at the Rock & Roll Hotel.
- Don’t miss UPROAR’s House of Horror – Costume Party! (with DJ Mike Babbitt).
- Eighties Mayhem – ’80s Halloween Dance Party is at Black Cat.
- Ladies 7th Annual Naughty or Nice Halloween Bash is at Aura Lounge.
- Saved by the ’90s Halloween Bash is at Rams Head Live.
- ’80s Dance Party Presents the Thriller at Tropicalia.
- Scream Queens Halloween Party with DJ Chord is at Number Nine.
- Halloween PARTY with BLACK Masala is at DC9.
- ALL HOMO’s EVEÂ is at the Attic at Flavor.
- Wale plays Rams Head Live.
- OverEasy Tea Dance: Scared Straight! is at Dodge City.
- Femme Fatale DC Pedicures & Brunch is at Revo Nails on U Street.
- Nightmare on U Street is at Tropicalia.
- Twisted – Maleficent’s End of the World Party is at Cobalt.
- Coffee & Conversation for Older LGBT Adults is at the DC Center.
- WineDown Yoga presents WineDown with Halloween Treats.
- Mixtape Halloween with SISTR Mid9ight is at the Howard Theatre.
- Aurora with Dan Croll play 9:30 Club. Come in costume for you chance to win tickets to all of 9:30’s November and December Club shows.
- A Halloween Costume Contest! hosted by Ba’NaKa is at Nellie’s.
- Dark & Stormy Halloween with DJ Mike Kangal is at Black Cat.
- Goblins on the Loose – Joe Keyes & blkVampires is at Capital Fringe.
- GRiZÂ plays Echostage.
- Halloween Night – Twisted Mirror, Mirror is at Cobalt.
- Purple Rain Halloween Party is at the Garage.
Get more D.C. queer nightlight info by connecting with us on Twitter at @BYGays.