Are you ready for a big Halloween party? Chinese people and expats living in Shanghai are not just satisfied with trick-or-treat for kids.

With Halloween markets, parties and carnival events, there are many options to spend the special day with friends or just enjoy the atmosphere of the spooky but happy ghost day.

Shanghai native Zhang Xiaojing, a 30-year-old Shanghai Airlines staffer with a 2-year-old son, started to collect Halloween event information a couple weeks ago. She finally decided to join in a demonic Halloween market in Pudong.

The 3-day event starting tomorrow will begin in late morning and go into the night. The venues cover all the shops in Hongjie (Weifang Road W.) in Lujiazui. Pumpkin-carving, free Halloween face painting, candies in all shops for kids and special happy hours for adults attract the young mother.

"I will take my son to join in the party with my friends," says Zhang. "Those events which can provide activities for both adults and kids are perfect to people like us."

Zhang, who has studied and lived in Sydney for many years, is no stranger to Halloween parties. She is happy with more and more events like this in Shanghai in recent years. Rather than clubbing with friends and being hung over, Zhang's party style changed when she had a baby.

"We hope to bring the festive atmosphere to this mega city, a place fused with Eastern and Western charms," says Natalie Hong, owner of the Hongjie and one of the organizers of the event.

Although one of the initial aims in holding Halloween parties like this is to promote the business in this area where Hong's family runs a boutique hotel, all the effects will make the Halloween atmosphere there more attractive, Hong says.

Jinjiang Amusement Park, one of Shanghai's biggest entertaining parks that can hold 25,000 daily visitors, has kicked off its Halloween-themed activities last Saturday.

The events, running through Sunday, provide fun-lovers various Halloween options, such as a live cartoon show, park tour, fireworks performance, Halloween market with candies, food and beverages.

"As a nostalgic family-friendly entertainment venue, we have never stopped organizing interesting events," says general manager surnamed Ding. "For this Halloween, we'll try to bring more fun to the revelers and promise better service to every visitor."

Happy Valley in Sheshan Hill area of suburban Songjiang District is holding its 6th Halloween Party until November 11, complete with multiple haunted houses, as well as many shopping malls in the city.

For Shanghai's night owls, there are fancy party venues. One such not-to-miss option is Lost Heaven on the Bund, where you can spend the night drinking straight from the Devil's Cellar.

Lost Heaven is throwing a HallowWine extravaganza complete with costume contests and lucky draws, live performances, devils, magicians, "eerie" cocktails, and of course rivers of the legendary Devil's Cellar Wine Casillero del Diablo. All of this will be on display at the stunning terrace of Lost Heaven on the Bund.

• Hongjie's Halloween Market

Date: October 31-November 2, 11am-8pm

Address: 82 Weifang Rd W.

Entrance: Free

• "Devils on Fire" Halloween Party at Lost Heaven

Date: October 31, 8:30 till late night

Address: 17 Yan'an Rd E.

Entrance: Free

• "The World of Tim Burton" Halloween Party at M1NT

Date: October 31, 8:30 till late night

Address: 24/F, 318 Fuzhou Rd

Entrance: Free

• Jinjiang Amusement Park Halloween Party

Date: Through November 2, 9am-5:30pm

Address: 201 Hongmei Rd

Entrance: 10-100 yuan

• Happy Valley Halloween Party

Date: Through November 11, 9am-10pm

Address: 888 Linhu Rd, Songjiang District

Entrance: 60-200 yuan

        (From China Tourism News)