ABC Halloween Party at ABC Amsterdam!

Time to party, witches! The ABC Halloween Party 2026 is coming!

To celebrate the spookiest time of the year, ABC Amsterdam will open after dark for a celebration of everything both spooky and bookish. So come join us... if you dare!

No need to hand over your soul (and data) to Eldritch and Big Tech entities, you can immortalize your Halloween costume in our photo booth with pictures you can take home immediately. And, if you want, sign up during the evening for the costume contest! The winner will take home an ABC Booklover Box worth EUR90. We can't wait to see your stumes!

Watch how three to four ABC booksellers stumble into a horror fantasy world during the Scaretastic RPG Live Show, receive a mocktail in exchange for a truth at the Truth Serum Bar, have your future told by a Tarot Reader and draw a scary picture in the Spooky Drawing Room (scariest drawing wins a prize).

Our special guest of the night is Johanna van Veen. She will join us for a Q&A and book signing. She is the author of three gothic horror novels: My Darling Dreadful Thing, Blood on her Tongue, and her latest novel Bone of My Bone.

And because we know there is nothing scarier than coming home without a new book, everyone who comes to the party in costume will receive a EUR10 gift voucher they can use at the party!

FAQ:

-- Coming in costume is not mandatory, but hey it is a Halloween party, so it is that one time in the year you can go crazy with your outfit. To encourage dressing up, everyone who comes in an outfit receives a EUR10,- scary book voucher they can use at the party. Plus, did we already tell you about the costume contest with a cool prize for the winner?

-- You only get a book voucher if you come in an actual outfit. While we don't expect you to come in a Chewbacca suit (but that would be exciting) a scary t-shirt or your hair sprayed gray does not count as an actual outfit.

-- Sign up for the costume contest during the night itself! Go to the second floor, where you will find our judges. They will pick up to five finalists, who are invited to present themselves during the costume contest finale at the end of the night. The winner will receive an ABC Booklover Box worth EUR90.

-- The EUR10,- scary book voucher can be used together with regular discounts you are eligible for, such as a student or ABC Booklover Card discount. Make sure to bring your valid student / Booklover card. The scary book voucher can only be used during the Halloween party.

-- The Truth Serum Bar will be situated on the First Floor and the bartender will serve soft drinks and other scary drinks. Drinks are free. Alcohol will not be served.

-- You are not allowed to bring your own food and/or drinks. Alcohol is strictly prohibited.

-- The restroom will be open during the party for all customers. Enter at your own risk (just kidding, we haven't seen any monsters creeping out of the toilet for ages).

-- Leaving and coming back to the bookshop during the party is allowed. Our doorman will remember your face (or recognize the ABC stamp on your hand).