There's nothing wrong with spending Halloween in, passing out candy to trick-or-treaters and watching Hocus Pocus for the millionth time. But if you're craving a little more excitement, we've compiled Halloween events for every ghouly and sexy maid's taste. (If you're more of a movie buff, you may prefer our round-up of scary movie events, including several with live scores.)

For Thrill seekers

Fright Town→
Thru Nov 1, Sun-Thu 7–10pm, Fri-Sat 7–11pm, Memorial Coliseum, $20
This is not your average haunted house. This 40,000 square-foot hall of horrors contains three haunted houses to appeal to everyone's favorite horror genres: a zombie house, a circus side-show house of horrors, and a brand-new, Lovecraft-themed house called the Madness. It's the best time you can have while being terrified out of your mind.

Four Horsemen Haunted Attractions
Thru Nov 2, Sun-Thu 7–10pm, Fri–Sat 7–11pm, 1223 N Hayden Meadows Dr, $20
If you're always yelling advice at characters in horror movies ("Don't go in the basement! Don't answer the phone!"), then maybe it's time you starred in a movie of your own. Four Horsemen Haunted Attractions offers 18,000 square-feet of cinematic costumes, sets and effects for a double feature of two haunted houses. 

FOR PARTY MONSTERS

Zombie Ball
Oct 31 at 7pm, Crystal Ballroom, $15-20, 21+ 
If you just want to hear some rock music on Halloween, head down to the Crystal Ballroom for the Zombie Ball, with live music from Satan's Pilgrims, Satin Chaps, and Hong Kong Banana, plus the sweet beats of DJ FlightRisk and (of course) a costume contest.

Come As You Art Halloween Costume Party
Oct 31 at 8pm, Portland Art Museum, $20
If you want something a little more, shall we say, reserved, head to the art museum, because what are costumes if not art written on the body? With music provided by 5 Guys Named Moe, the museum transforms the Kridell Ballroom into Club Incognito. We hope some of the costumes will take their inspiration from works in the museum. Just make sure those sculptures of Greek lads wrestling naked really are sculptures, or you might get tagged in.

Dia de los Muertos
Nov 1 at 5:30pm, Crystal Ballroom, $10-12 
The festivities don't end when October does! This celebration will begin at SW Clay and Park, where a candlelit procession will honor the deceased. When the procession arrives at the Crystal Ballroom, a grand party awaits, with face paint, food and drink, and live music (and dance) from Tiburones, Edna Vazques with Mariachi Los Palmeros, and Orquestra Pacifico Tropical.

The Transylvania Voodoo Ball→
Nov 1 at 9pm, Star Theater, $16–20, 21+
Let's admit it, for Portland's old-timey, gypsy, neo-cabaret band Vagabond Opera, every day is Halloween. Which means they're in tip top shape for their annual bash (now in its 10th year). They'll be joined by Russian punk ensemble Chervona, as well as bellydancers, butoh dancers, a fortune teller, and more.

FOR LOST SOULS

The Original MAiZE
Thru Oct 31, 10am-10pm, 16511 NW Gillihan Road, $7-10 
Visiting the corn maze at Sauvie Island is kind of like being in a horror movie. By day, it's a mild-mannered maize maze—a chance for the whole family to crab some kettle corn and wander through two miles of corn pathways. But as soon as night falls, it becomes the stuff of nightmares--a monster could be lurking at every twist and turn! 
 

FOR COMEDIANS who kill it

←Twelfth Night of the Living Dead
Thru Oct 31, 7:30pm, The Venetian Theatre, $20-24
Have you ever sat through a Shakespeare play thinking to yourself, “This play is good, but it needs more flesh-eating gore?” Or sat through a horror movie thinking “This movie is okay, but it'd be better with flowery language and mistaken identity?” Perhaps not, but if you have (or now most certainly will) make the trip out to the Venetian Theatre for Bag & Baggage's bard/monster mashup: Twelfth Night of the Living Dead. (Although we have to ask, wouldn't The Merchant of Venice make for the more appropriate crossover...there's already a pound of flesh, after all...)

FOR FAMILY fright

Eek! Week
Thru Oct 31, Portland Children’s Museum
Parents of mini monsters will appreciate Eek! Week at the Portland Children’s Museum. All week long the museum is offering festive but non-frightening events, such as costume parades, pumpkin croquet, and trick-or-treating in the museum.

For Number Lovers:

PoMo's PDX Index: Ghosts, Vampires and Monsters