Halloween 2024-style luck: the 31st falls on a Saturday, and the plushest members' clubs in London and New York are treating it as a full two-night Hallo-weekend. If you've ever wanted an excuse to pack an elaborate costume for an autumn city break, this is it — though fair warning, most of these doors only open to members (and their guests).

London is doing the heavy lifting. Annabel's on Berkeley Square is staging two back-to-back parties with tequila partner Don Julio 1942: night one turns the townhouse into an 'upside-down wonderland' populated by creatures of the night, while night two pairs Halloween-themed dining with a special edition of its After Dark nightclub session. The club's famous façade — already a fixture of its Christmas displays — will get its own Halloween makeover, details of which are being kept secret until the night.

A short walk away, Home House is rummaging through the toybox with a 1980s-toy-themed evening: giant teddy bears, marching toy soldiers, acrobats and, inevitably, sinister dolls, each room of the house themed around a forgotten plaything, with matching food, drink and live performance. And Mayfair's George is promising a fully immersive 'wild nightmare' headlined by Grammy-winning New York DJ David Morales, with Casamigos pouring.

The Ned is the one to watch for anyone splitting the weekend across cities, since it's throwing simultaneous parties at its clubs in London, New York and Washington DC. Friday in the City of London is 'Dead Famous' — come as the celebrity you were always meant to be — with Bacardi cocktails and a feast. Saturday belongs to the Americans: Ned's Club NoMad in New York goes gothic-romantic for a 'Dead Poets Society' night (velvet, lace, Victorian drama) soundtracked by Austin Millz and TOKiMONSTA, while Ned's Club Washington DC descends a sinister Alice in Wonderland rabbit hole, complete with a Mad Hatter's tea party, the Queen of Hearts' red room, and two rooms playing distinct soundtracks — one familiar, one psychedelic house.

One option skips the membership card entirely. Faena New York, the hotel rather than a private club, transforms its Living Room into a theatrical Halloween playground on both the 30th and 31st under a 'dress for fantasy' brief. For groups, its El Secreto: Afterlife package buys a private party room with its own DJ, live entertainment, canapés, caviar and a seafood display, plus two nights in a Faena suite.

Why it matters for travellers: Halloween-on-a-Saturday only comes around every few years, and late October is a great value window for a London or New York city break — fewer crowds, moody autumn atmosphere and a calendar of one-night events you can't repeat. Non-members should focus on Faena, or check guest policies at the clubs; several allow accompanied guests, and hotel guests at The Ned can often access its clubs. Either way, start the costume now — 'creepy doll' and 'Victorian poet' won't plan themselves. Keep an eye on membership waitlists if this becomes an annual pilgrimage: the best of these parties sell out to regulars long before the 31st.