Christmas is a magical time of the year for the under 10s. For anyone with more than a decade under their belt, however, the holiday is a terrible headache of bad present choices, gift guilt, and awkward family interactions.

It’s common knowledge that the greatest calendar date for adults is, in reality, Halloween—a fact that hasn’t been wasted on the good folks at the Tim Burton Ball. Recognizing that the final hours of October are so fun they should absolutely be relived two months later, the Ball is set to revive the holiday’s spooky revelry in December.

The event aims to turn the spotlight on its attendees: the “creepy cast of creative chameleons” that make up the dark, alternative scene in Vancouver’s nightlife. Calling for costumes that fit the Gothic motif—including vintage clothing, Victorian or ballroom dress, undead brides and grooms, zombies, vampires, ghosts, monsters, top hats, stripes, and, weirdly enough, the ‘50s—the Tim Burton Ball is set to be one of the most imaginative and cohesively-themed parties in the city.

Run by Madhäus—a regular monthly Saturday-night event dedicated to alternative fashion, culture, and music—the evening will feature two rooms of different DJs. The main floor is slated to offer the best rock, electro, industrial, new wave, and Burton-movie soundtrack gems, while the basement performers will play out some big-room psychedelic trance.

Still not convinced? Here’s a Facebook video roundup of the event from 2011. We’re not sure if there’s going to be as many nipple tassels this time around, but we can dream.

The Tim Burton Ball is at the Hindenberg (23 W Cordova) on Saturday (December 3).

Follow Kate Wilson on Twitter @KateWilsonSays