Horror Show

Would-be goblins and shape-shifters, rejoice — the witching hour is almost upon us. Whether you have a penchant for the macabre or dressing like a southern belle or a pirate, Halloween is your chance to let your inner freak flag fly. The city is replete with parties, concerts, movie screenings, and other events that celebrate All Hallow’s Eve in all of its creepy crawly glory, from the whimsical to the hideously gory. Trick or treat!

Freaky film

OCT 31 ‘‘FRANKENSTEIN’’ & ‘‘NOSFERATU’’

Journey back to the roots of horror with James Whale’s 1931 adaptation of Mary Shelley’s novel, ‘‘Frankenstein,’’ which made Boris Karloff an international star. It screens (with an original musical score performed by Michael Shapiro) at 7:30 p.m. Actor Max Schreck was so creepy in F.W. Marnau’s 1922 German Expressionist horror masterpiece, ‘‘Nosferatu,’’ that rumors persisted that he was really a vampire. See why at 10 p.m., with a live music score by eclectic musical troupe Devil Music Ensemble.

Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 617-734-2501. 7 p.m. $9

(sub) Costumed cover bands

Most musicians first get their feet wet by aping their favorite bands for hours in front of their mirrors, so it makes perfect sense that bands would dress up as their favorite acts for Halloween. To wit, a sample of some of the local acts that are upholding this increasingly popular local tradition.

OCT 31 THE PILL’S THIRD ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARTY

The Pill, the Brit pop dance night held at Great Scott, was an early originator of the Halloween cover show. This year, indie pop songsmiths Emergency Music adopt their own version of downtown cool as The Velvet Underground. The Never Never, featuring guitarist/vocalist Dan Colby — his former band, The Cignal, did a likeably loutish impersonation of Primal Scream last year — gets its fuzzy guitar rock on as Supergrass. Stylish New Wave popsters Protokoll go Goth as spooky art rock innovators Bauhaus, and atmospheric rockers The Chainletter go doom and gloom as Joy Division.

Great Scott, 1222 Commonwealth Ave., Allston. 617-566-9014. 9 p.m. $10. 18+.

OCT 31 FAUX-WAY-SIS

Hooky hard rockers Raymond play songs from Nirvana’s ‘‘In Utero’’ (and celebrate a name change, as they’ll now be known as Hooray for the Earth), the Luxury plays the Oasis album ‘‘Definitely Maybe,’’ and Velvet Morning does Radiohead’s ‘‘OK Computer.’’ The comedy duo the Walsh Brothers also promise to deliver something smartly silly.

Middle East Upstairs, 472-480 Mass. Ave., Central Square, Cambridge. 617-864-3278. 8 p.m. $8. 18+.

(sub) SCARY BODACIOUS

Scary is more fun when it’s sassed up — take the Bride of Frankenstein, for example, with those killer cheekbones and all that hair, or Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Some of Boston’s most gifted and wacky performance troupes are dolling up their burlesque, go-go dancing, and drag acts in preparation for the Halloween extravaganzas.

OCT 31 A VERY SCARY TRANIWRECK HALLOWEEN SPECIAL

Irreverent performance institution TraniWreck offers up Halloween-themed drag, burlesque, and variety show performances, including sad sap host Heywood Wakefield, baton twirler Ms. Dominica K, boy go-go dancer Sir Loins, and the human puppet troupe the Grindhouse Marionettes. The cast of extra special guests includes legendary writer and performance artist Lisa Carver and gothic cartoonist Dame Darcy presenting their performance piece ‘‘My 15-Minute Date with G.G. Allin in 1989.’’ The evening includes a costume contest and dance tracks spun by DJs D’hana and Dali Colorado.

Club Europa (Buzz), 51 Europa St., Boston. 617-288-8145. 8 p.m. $8-10. 19+

OCT 31 DRESDEN DOLLS HALLOWEEN BALL

The king and queen of cabaret punk, the Dresden Dolls, are known for encouraging fans to indulge their decadent, theatrical urges, and the duo’s annual Halloween soiree epitomizes dark glamour. The Dolls’ set will be preceded by the bands Devotchka, Faun Fables, and Via Romen, along with a menagerie of quirky acts including the noirish, neo-cabaret duo What Time Is It Mr. Fox?

Avalon, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston. 617-423-6000. 8 p.m. $22.25. All ages.

(sub) Dressed to kill

The spooky season wouldn’t be complete without a corking good costume party or two, where you can vamp your way through the night as a villain, vixen, or vampire. Here’s a sampling of upcoming events.

OCT 31 NIGHTMARE ON BEACON STREET

Win prizes in the costume contest and hobnob with Shawn Manning of the television show, ‘‘The Real Gilligan’s Island.’’ Skipper!

The Fireplace, 1634 Beacon St., Washington Square, Brookline. 617-975-1900. 9 p.m. Free.