Halloween haunts

Halloween is the best holiday. You get free candy and scary movies, you don't have to buy anyone a gift, and there are no stress-inducing family dinners. Which leaves you free to quit haunting your own house and find some tricks, or treats, out on the town.

For dependable creepiness, there's Spooky World at the Bayside Expo Center (spooky world.com) and a full roster of events in Salem (hauntedhappen ingssalem.com). For something a little different, try the Witch's Woods Halloween Screampark & Haunted Hayride in Westford (Nashoba Valley Ski Area, Powers Road, Westford. 978-692-3033. witchswoods.com) or Barrett's Haunted Mansion in Abington (1235 Bedford St., Abington. 781-871-4573. bhmansion.com).

Halloween starts early at Boston Medical Center's Halloween Town, on Saturday and Sunday at the Seaport World Trade Center. Highlights include laser tag, costumed characters, and a concert by Girl Authority. 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. $18 for adults, $15 for kids, $2 off for advance purchase, children under 3 free. 200 Seaport Blvd., 617-638-0150. halloweentownboston.com

For arts, crafts, and animals, there's the Zoo Howl at the Franklin Park Zoo featuring costume and howling contests, a trick-or-treat trail, and a haunted maze. Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free with zoo admission, $8 for adults, $5 for ages 2-12. 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston. 617-541-5466. franklinparkzoo.org

If you've always wanted to be part of the Guinness World Records for the Largest Gathering of Halloween Witches Reciting Poetry, Saturday's event in Davis Square may be your best bet. McIntyre & Moore Booksellers is holding a book launch of Lesley Bannatyne's "Witches' Night Before Halloween" with a costume parade and a group reading of the kids' poetry book. 7 p.m. Free. 255 Elm St., Somerville. 617-629-4840. mcintyreandmoore.com

Scary movies are essential to the Halloween experience, and you can get your fill at the Coolidge Corner Theatre's All-Night Halloween Horror Movie Marathon starting Saturday at midnight. The theater is showing 35mm prints of "The Monster Squad," "Near Dark," "Evil Dead II," "Halloween," "The Thing," and "The Fly." Double-feature admission is $10, the whole night is $20; an all-night parking pass is $6. 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 617-734-2501. coolidge.org

The "Dress up and Dance Party" on Sunday at the Joanne Langione Dance Center has two separate costumed dance parties for kids 4-7, one for boys and one for girls. 1-2:30 p.m. Free. 35 Border St., West Newton. 617-969-8724. JLDancecenter.com/events_workshops.html

Later on Sunday, you can take the kids to a Haunted Historical House at the Needham Historical Society. 3-5 p.m. for pre-K through sixth grade, 5-7:30 for third to sixth. $5. Matthias Mills House, 1147 Central Ave., Needham. 781-453-9799. needhamwomensclub.com

If you're looking for something to do downtown without the kids, Felt is holding a Vamps & Tramps Halloween Costume Party, complete with "spooky cocktails" and a freak show with Turbo Tom, on Saturday. 9 p.m. $10 cover. 533 Washington St., Boston. 617-350-5555. feltboston.com

Halloween night

Since Halloween falls on a school night this year, there are more events aimed at adults on Wednesday. You can start early with "Beacon Hill With a Boo!" a 90-minute walking tour highlighting the neighborhood's creepy history, including the spot on the Common where capital criminals were once hanged and the regular haunt of a sleepwalking murderer. Starts at 5:30 at the State House, which is scary all on its own. $15. Beacon and Park streets. 617-367-2345. bostonbyfoot.org

T.T. the Bear's takes the costume party one step further with four bands dressing up as four other bands - the Luxury does Def Leppard, the Motion Sick does Poison, Sidewalk Driver does Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders From Mars, and Red Red Rockit does Jimi Hendrix. 9 p.m. $8 with a costume, $10 without. 10 Brookline St., Cambridge. 617-492-2327. ttthebears.com

If you prefer the DJ scene, check out Felix Da Housecat's CD-release party, also starring G2, Soul Clap, and Heartthrob, at the Estate. 10 p.m. $20-$30 cover. 1 Boylston Place, Boston. 617-351-7000. futureclassic.net

For an upscale but casual Halloween night, try the Nightmare on Beacon Street at the Fireplace Restaurant, which is holding a costume contest and gourmet treats; no reservations needed. 8 p.m. No cover. 1634 Beacon St., Brookline. 617-975-1900. fireplacerest.com

If tea is more your speed, pick up your little one from school and take in the Spooky Tea service at the Boston Harbor Hotel's Intrigue Café, featuring Halloween treats, spiced apple cider, and champagne (for the adults, of course). 2:30-4:30 p.m. $20 kids, $30 adults. 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston. 617-856-7744. bhh.com/intrigue.htm

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