Next Level Nation Masquerade — takes place from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at 15 South, 15 Boulevard of the Presidents. Get in the mood for the season with this pre-Halloween costume party, featuring live house and Latin music by DJ Ryan and hosted by model Mayaa Caceres $10 in advance, or $20 at the door.
For a scare:
Frightmares Haunted House — takes place at 7:30 Thursday, Oct. 30 through Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Sarasota County Fairgrounds. Explore two themed haunted houses in Sarasota's largest haunted-house attraction. $16.
For a party:
Darwin's Haunted House Party — takes place from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31 at Darwin's on 4th. Enjoy $4 craft beers, music by DJ Scotty B. and a costume contest. Free.
Red Carpet Apocalypse— takes place at 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 at Shamrock Pub. Dress as your favorite celebrity (dead or living) and walk the red carpet at this apocalyptic Halloween celebration, featuring live music and lasers by RaeF. Free.
HELLoween Freakfest— takes place at 8 p.m. at Mr. Beery's. Mr. Beery's and Chive Sarasota team up for this Halloween bash, featuring drink specials, raffle prizes and a costume contest.
Gator Club Halloween Block Party — takes place from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31 at The Gator Club. Live music by The Boneshakers and All the Answers, two costume contests with $500 cash and prizes, food vendors, a photo booth and drinks and dancing.
Siesta Key Halloween Block Party — takes place at 10 p.m. in the Siesta Key Village. Each bar has its own costume contest: 11 p.m. at Siesta Key Oyster Bar, midnight at Daiquiri Deck and 1 a.m. at Gilligan's. Enjoy live DJs, contests and drink specials.
HCA Halloween Festival— takes place from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Cock & Bull. ts almost here everyone. This third annual Halloween party will be Halloween Comes Again's 25th anniversary show. Music by HCA, Los Diablos Blancos and Grasping at the Shadow, as well as raffles, costume contests and more. $5. All ages.
Bewitched Burlesque — takes place at 8:30 p.m. at McCurdy's Comedy Theatre. Celebrate Halloween with the dames and dandies of Black Diamond Burlesque with a special performance featuring special guests, tricks and treats, music, sword swallowing and more. $35.
For the family:
SHS Halloween on St. Armands Circle — takes place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. This zombie-themed night starts off safe with trick-or-treating for the kids, continues with a zombie walk and ends with Sarasota High School's annual tribute to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" at 7:30 p.m.
Grave Encounters— takes place at 6:30 p.m. at the Powel Crosley Estate. For a couples' Halloween, try the annual Grave Encounters Masquerade Gala. Learn the legend of the Crosley ghosts and the story of what happened to Gwendolyn, who died upstairs. Night features spiritual guides and a graveyard tour with spirit stalkers. Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Entertainment throughout the evening. After-party at 9 p.m. Cash bar. Costumes welcome. Ages 21 and older. $75.
For the theater-lover:
Little Shop of Horrors — runs through Nov. 16 at 1646 10th Way. Times vary. West Coast Black Theater Troupe presents this classic long-running Off-Broadway show about an extraterrestrial man-eating plant. $29.50. Check for availability.
Rocky Horror Picture Show — takes place through Saturday, Nov. 1 at the Venice Theatre. Times vary. Enjoy Venice Theatre's production of this cult classic, which celebrates ’50s B-movies, rock ’n' roll and the bizarre. $28 for adults. $15 for students. Check for availability.
The Addams Family: A New Musical — takes place from Oct. 30 to Nov. 9 at the Players Theatre. Show times vary. This musical channels the spirit of the classic cartoon with an original story revolving around the iconic family. $25 to $30.
