Paranormal activities

Even if you subscribe to the belief that once a person reaches the age of 18, his masquerading days should be behind him, Halloween is not without its appeal. Parties proliferate, pumpkin-flavored beer reappears in stores and SweeTarts can be consumed by the shovelful without shame. But those people who insist on dressing up as their favorite supernatural creature or dead celebrity—note: if you plan to don Michael Jackson's white glove, burnt scalp and plastic nose this week, stay far, far away from children—will find many opportunities to show off their costuming skills throughout South Florida this Saturday. Also note: There is nothing original about dressing up as Balloon Boy. Nothing. Yet we guarantee that at more than one of the events included in the following list of Halloween parties, street festivals and concerts, someone will have ignored our sage advice. As usual. Show times and ticket prices, as always, are subject to change.

Asylum

Since 1995, the human-rights group Save Dade has hosted a Halloween fundraiser to combat discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people. Called Asylum, this year's party will take place in Miami's Design District at the two-story, 12,000-square-foot 4141 Building. Attendees will, to borrow from the great Public Enemy, party for their right to fight with interactive performances, a light show, a costume contest and music by DJs Charlmix and Ivan D. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday at 4141 N.E. Second Ave. in Miami. Call 305-751-7283 or visit Savedade.org. Tickets cost $35-$90.

Boo Bash

If the idea of filling your treat bag with seaweed, raw fish and rice instead of candy corn and chocolate doesn't repulse you, you may want to visit RA Sushi's Halloween party, which will offer sushi with a spooky theme, ghoulish drink specials and a costume contest. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday at 201 S.W. 145th Terrace in Pembroke Pines. Call 954-342-5454 or visit Rasushi.com.

Boogie Monster and Devil's Disciple Afterparty

Electric Pickle, the name of the venue hosting these two parties, is scary enough, but fans of house music shouldn't be intimidated by Boogie Monster, which on Friday will present three of the genre's top DJs: Finland's Robert Rodriguez, New York's Nickodemus and Britain's Quantic. On Saturday, the long-running party series Poplife will host the Devil's Disciple Afterparty with performances by Busy P, the Goat and Simon Curtis. 10 p.m.-5 a.m. Friday and Saturday at the Electric Pickle, 2826 N. Miami Ave. in Miami. Call 305-456-5613 or visit Epoplife.com. Admission to Boogie Monster is free from 10 p.m. to midnight and $10 with a costume and $15 without after midnight. Tickets to the Devil's Disciple party cost $17.50.

Fright Nights

Guaranteed to turn you into a quivering bowl of jelly, this annual event features several haunted houses, Monster Midway rides, food, a "sick flicks" cinema, the Brothers Grim Sideshow and games. 6-11 p.m. Thursday and 6 p.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday at the South Florida Fairgrounds, seven miles west of I-95 off Southern Boulevard in West Palm Beach. Call 561-793-0333 or visit Frightnights.net. Tickets cost $15-$25.

Ghosts of Miami Cemetery Night Walking Tour

Visit the final resting place of some early Miami residents and learn about those who suffered mysterious and violent deaths. 8-10 p.m. Friday. Meet at the front gate of the Miami City cemetery, 1800 N.E. Second Ave. in Miami. Call 305-375-1492. The tour costs $30.

Halloween Bash

Because the streets of nearby Himmarshee Village likely will be taken over by drunken fools in Joker costumes, you may want to head to this more-serene event instead. Sponsored by Young Professionals for Covenant House, the party will include a costume contest, live music, drinks and food. 7 p.m.-midnight Saturday at Yolo, 333 E. Las Olas Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-525-7661. Admission costs $25.

Hallow Farm

Indie, emo, punk and rock bands will play the Talent Farm as all-ages patrons participate in a costume contest. 5 p.m. Saturday at 20911 Johnson St. in Hollywood. Call 954-438-3488 or visit Thetalentfarm.com. Tickets cost $7-$12.

Halloween Fetish Ball

Have the fear spanked out of you during this naughty annual event, which will boast erotic horror performances and more than enough vinyl, latex and rubber to clog a landfill for generations. A fetish dress code will be enforced. 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Saturday at Revolution Live, 200 W. Broward Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-727-0950 or visit Jointherevolution.net. Tickets cost $20-$25.

History of Mystery Tour

Join this walking tour led by a ghoulish gal as she tells tales of West Palm Beach's weird and wild early days. The tour will begin at O'Shea's Irish Pub, 531 Clematis St., and end at E.R. Bradley's, 104 S. Clematis St. Both locations will serve Halloween-themed cocktails. 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Call 561-833-8873. Tickets cost $5.

Marvin Dixon's '70s Costume and Playa's Ball Comedy Show

Hosted by local comedian Dixon, this event will feature raunchy standup by Nema Williams, Cocoa Brown and Big Rome and a post-show afterparty. Wear your best pimp or ho attire. 9 p.m. Friday at the Miramar Cultural Center, 2400 Civic Center Place. Call 954-602-4500 or visit Miramarculturalcenter.org. Tickets cost $20.

Masquerade Mayhem

Two nights of madness will take over Seminole Paradise this weekend, with contests, drink specials, dancing and DJs. On Friday, scare the crap out of everyone by coming dressed as Courtney Love, Amy Winehouse or — worse — Cher during a Scary Rock Star Costume Contest near the Center Fountain at 9 p.m. Later, try not to stare at the babes during Pangaea's Penthouse Naughty Halloween party at 10 p.m. Saturday will boast even more contests, a pirate show, DJ Jonathan Peters spinning at Gryphon, the Vivid Porn Star Ball at Opium, and the annual Spooktacular Party at Passion. The overall event will start at 8 each night, but will really get cranking after 10 at Seminole Paradise at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood. Call 954-327-7625 or visit Seminolehardrockhollywood.com. Cover prices vary on venue.

MiMoWeen

This is a bash for souls who love to haunt the hip Miami neighborhood MiMo. People who show up in costume can sip free Halloween drinks at Soyka, Uva 69 and Le Café French Bistro. A haunted house will be erected at Red Light Little River, and a costume party and fashion show will take place at Uva 69. Another dozen or so businesses also will participate. 9 p.m. Saturday in the MiMo District, from 55th Street Station to N.E. 77th Street. Visit Mimoboulevard.org.

Monster Block Party

Himmarshee Village can be scary on a regular night, so you know it will be gut-wrenchingly horrific on Halloween. The historic district will host a massive street party as the area's bars, restaurants and nightclubs join forces for a night of drink specials, live music and a costume contest offering $2,000 in cash and prizes. 8 p.m-4 a.m. Saturday along Southwest Second Street from Southwest Second to Fourth avenues in Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-294-3777.

Moonfest

One of the biggest Halloween extravaganzas in South Florida, this annual party features alternative bands, unbelievable costumes and tens of thousands — that's right, tens of thousands — of people packed into downtown West Palm Beach. Festivities include a costume contest, games, wall projections of horror flicks, street performers, a haunted house, rides, food, drinks and DJs. 6 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday, from the 100 to 500 blocks of Clematis Street. Call 561-667-1030 or visit Moonfest.org. Free, but VIP tickets are available for $30-$35.

A Nightmare on J Street

Zombies may be all the rage right now, but Boca Raton indie-hip-hop act Zombies! Organize!! was tearing through Zombieland long before Woody Harrelson. With songs that warn of the global threat posed by the undead, the group has stretched what initially seemed to be little more than a novelty to a stint as one of South Florida's most-enduring acts. On Saturday at Propaganda, Zombies! Organize!! will share a bill with fellow scene veterans the Freakin' Hott and Timb along with relative newcomers Bonnie Riot and Stonefox. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday at 6 S. J. St. in Lake Worth. Call 561-547-7273 or visit Propagandalw.com.

The Other Hollywood

This Saturday, the Awarehouse will be recast as the set of a 1970s porn film, with actors portraying the fictional movie's cast and crew. Miami musician José el Rey will portray the director, and music will be provided by Son of Sound, Drrty Haze and Afrobeta. An open bar will be available throughout this Gen Art-sponsored event. 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Oct. 31 at 550 N.W. 29th St. (Wynwood), in Miami. Call 305-3749922 or visit Theotherhollywood1972.com. Tickets cost $20.

Playboy Halloween Party

A host of Playboy Playmates — Christine Smith, Cara Zavaleta, Kimberly Philips, Raquel Gibson, Amanda Paige, Hiromi Oshima, Kimberly Holland and Stacy Fuson — will be the featured guests at this sure-to-be-sexy event. An open bar will be available 9-11 p.m. and the party will take place 8 p.m.-4 a.m. Saturday at the Shore Club, 1901 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach. Call 888-313-8499 or visit Playboyhalloweenparty.com. Tickets cost $75.

Possessed University

Those college girls and their demonic possessions. When a group of witchy students tried to decipher a wicked book of spells, they found that hell has a special fury for their school, and now bloodthirsty students roam the halls looking for fresh meat. This huge haunted house will deliver an A grade for scaring the F out of you. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, through Oct. 31, 4450 N. University Drive, Lauderhill. Call 954-240-5531 or visit Scarebroward.com. Tickets cost $10.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Throw on some funky glasses and a corset and slather on the red lipstick for a screening of this camp classic. Follow along as live performers mimic the onscreen action. 11:55 p.m. Saturday at Cinema Paridiso, 503 S.E. Sixth St. in Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-525-3456 or visit Fliff.com. Tickets cost $5.

Round Up Halloween

Round Up Country Western Club gives the traditional Halloween celebration the boot with its two-day bash. Dress the part on Friday and Saturday for a costume contest with a $1,000 grand prize. On Saturday, partygoers can play Crack the Crypt for $25,000 in cash. 8 p.m. at 9020 State Road 84, in Davie. Call 954-423-1990 or visit Roundupcountry.com.

Shooters Costume Contest and Street Party

This mega-bash is known for its huge costume contest, which will award $10,000 in prizes to those who answer Shooters' call to outfreak Key West's Fantasy Fest. The first-place winner will receive $5,000. Expect headless waiters, upside-down bat men, giant robots and even a few Barbie dolls. Live bands, a street party, food and drink will be featured beginning at dusk Saturday at Shooters Waterfront Café U.S.A., 3033 N.E. 32nd Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-566-2855 or visit Shooterscafe.com.

Soul Parade

When a city has a musician for a mayor and an anarchist for a city commissioner, you know it will have one helluva Halloween bash. This two-day party will turn historic downtown Lake Worth into Zombieland with a "New York village-style" parade on Friday and costume contests, psychic readings, live music, street performers, sideshow entertainment and a "Thriller" dance performance Saturday. On Lake and Lucerne avenues. Call 561-951-4915 or visit Halloweenstreetscene.com. Admission is free.

Stranahan House Ghost Tour

Frank and Ivy are waiting for you, even though they've been dead for almost a century. Take a tour of the historic Stranahan House and experience otherworldly ephemera that have been detected and documented by those most familiar with the building. Tours will begin 7 and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, at 335 S.E. Sixth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-524-4736 or visit Stranahanhouse.org. Tickets cost $20, and reservations are required.

Tequila Ranch O-Ween

Everyone's favorite shots-pourin', mechanical-bull-ridin' Seminole hot spot will get even crazier during this Halloween bash. Win big during the costume contest, grab the bull by the horns during the bull-riding contest and be happy you don't have to work the next day, because the drink specials will have you ordering mas tequilas. 9 p.m.-close Saturday at Tequila Ranch, at Seminole Paradise at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, 5760 Seminole Way in Hollywood. Call 954-556-7430 or visit Tequilaranch.com.

Tera-ween

Few things may be scarier this Halloween than the misguided, oversexed men who attend this event hoping to score with "mistress of ceremonies" Tera Patrick, the porn star who recently announced her impending divorce from musician Evan Seinfeld. Patrick, who reportedly has performed in more than 100 hardcore films, including this year's Sex in Dangerous Places, will spin music while turning heads and shattering the dreams of goofballs who should immediately call their mothers and apologize. 11 p.m.-5 a.m. at Cameo, 1445 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach. Call 305-531-5535 or visit Cameomiami.com. Tickets cost $22.98.

Thriller Night in the Grove

The creepy ghost of Michael Jackson will hover over Coconut Grove when impersonators attempt to channel the self-appointed King of Pop while re-creating Wacko Jacko's "Thriller" dance. The event also will feature a costume contest, live music, a set by DJ Felix Sama and drink and food specials. 8:30 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Saturday at the Mayfair Promenade, 2911 Grand Ave. Call 786-355-4800 or visit Bestofsouthfl.net. Tickets cost $30.

Twitter Tweet Halloween Party

Facebook, Twitter and MySpace junkies will congregate at this event featuring live music, drink and food specials, costumes and very little verbal communication. 6-9 p.m. Friday at Crane's BeachHouse and Tiki Bar, 82 Gleason St. in Delray Beach. Call 561-278-1700 or follow on Twitter via @Cbhotel or @Cbhtkibar, or on Facebook at Facebook.com/cbhhotel. Admission is $5 for nonfollowers, free to everyone else.

Uglyween

The lovely ladies of Coyote Ugly will help you down some spooky libations, a costume contest will keep you entertained and the search for your car keys after it's all over will keep you out until the sun comes up. 8 p.m.-4 a.m. Saturday at Coyote Ugly, 220 S.W. Second St. in Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-764-8459 or visit Coyoteuglysaloon.com/lauderdale.

Universal Horror Movie Weekend

Enjoy a retro-cool Halloween weekend with screenings of classic horror flicks and a display of horror classics posters. The 1931 version of Frankenstein will be shown Saturday and 1933's The Invisible Man will screen Sunday. Showtimes are 8:30 p.m. at Miami Beach Cinematheque, 512 Española Way. Call 305-673-4567 or visit Mbcinema.com. Tickets cost $10.

Wicked Manors Block Party

They tried to keep it in the closet, but the powers that be in Wilton Manors had to let the black cat out of the bag for this mother of all block parties. This year's theme is "A Trip Down the Rabbit Hole," in honor of Alice in Wonderland. Mad Hatters, Queen of Hearts and Cheshire Cats will roam the streets as female impersonators strut their stuff. 6 p.m.-midnight Saturday along Wilton Drive, between Sixth Avenue and Dixie Highway. Call 954-564-8707 or visit Wickedmanors.com. Admission is free.

X-Scream Halloween

Enjoy six scares for the price of one at an event that has been featured on the Travel Channel. In addition to the haunts, a graveyard of activities will include games and live music. 8 p.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday at G-Star School, 2030 S. Congress Ave. in Lake Worth. Call 561-386-6275. Admission is $13.