Parents are already acting as if they’ve had a bad scare. One look at the calendar has provided the ghastly news: this year, their kids’ favorite holiday, Halloween, falls on a school night, Mon., Oct. 31. And with the clocks turned back an hour, it will be dark earlier for those little trick-or-treaters. This ghoulish situation has been remedied by good-hearted witches and goblins in the community who’ve conjured up a series of family events on the weekend, so children won’t be disappointed and their parents won’t be driven batty. Some attractions are to be found a short drive from home. The following is a sampling of the many activities families may participate in to get in the playful Halloween spirit.

Thurs., Oct. 27

Ventura: Hollywood Set Designers Create a Seaside Haunt

Built by professional Hollywood set designers, Seaside Haunt is built inside a 6,500square-foot building at the main entrance to Seaside Park, Ventura County Fairgrounds. The walkthrough haunted house attraction will twist and turn its guests through a themed abandoned lighthouse, which is patterned after a lighthouse operator who turned the lighthouse off to cause ships to crash in the Ventura/ Santa Barbara area in the 1940s.

The elaborate dark maze includes a swamp, caves, a 3-D section (glasses provided), mausoleum, graveyard, docks, bedrooms and kitchen plus a large variety of unexpected surprises.

Seaside Haunt will be open from 7 to 10 p.m. nightly on weekdays and from 7 p.m. to midnight Fri. and Sat., Oct. 29 and 30 as well as Mon., Oct. 31. Admission ranges from $12.50 to $18.50. A “toned down matinee version” is available from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday and Monday; cost is $7. The attraction is not appropriate for children age 7 or younger. For more information call (805) 275-1033 or visit www.seasidehaunt.com.

Northridge: A Haunted Theme Park Lures Fearless to Spooky House

The Spooky House Haunted Theme Park has been built at an abandoned Northridge megaplex at 19401 Parthenia St. (at Tampa) in Northridge. Four attractions are staffed by 100 professional actors, industry special effects technicians, makeup artists and community volunteers. Scary scenes may be found in the 25-room “Spooky House 16” attraction; “Turbidite Manor,” a haunted mansion illusion-based attraction; “Bloodshed Medical Center,” a hospital where zombies have taken control; and “Death by Mega-Plex,” billed as the world’s first 5-D movie experience.

“We’ve built the attractions inside the old movie theatre rooms that are already creepy,” said Bob Koritzke, owner and operator of the theme park.

A “Monster Midway” will have food, music, games and roaming ghouls in the fog. There will be a nightclub, Club 13, where guests may sample live music from Los Angeles bands.

Mega-scare sessions are available weekdays from 7 to 10 p.m., from 7 p.m. to midnight Fri. and Sat., Oct. 28 and 29 and from 7 to 10 p.m. Sun. and Mon., Oct. 30 and 31. Tickets are $15 for one attraction or $20 for entrance to all four attractions. Parents are advised that the attractions are “very scary,” according to Koritzke and guidance is suggested. The nightclub has a separate admission of $10.

The Spooky House Adventure (a toned-down less scary version for children and families) will be open from noon to 4 p.m. Sat. and Sun., Oct. 29 and 30; cost is $8.50 to visit two operating attractions.

For more information, call (818) 888-8570 or visit www.spookyhouse.com.

Fri., Oct. 28

Thousand Oaks: Devilishly Spooky Event for Heavenly Cause

The Young Artists Ensemble’s “Haunting on the Hill,” described as a thrilling Halloween extravaganza, is a fundraiser for the American Red Cross and the Southern Arts Federation Emergency Relief Fund. The event is at 7 p.m. Fri., Oct. 28 in the Hillcrest Center for the Arts’ Theatre on the Hill, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks.

Admission ranges from $10 to $15. For reservations call (805) 381-1246.

Simi Valley: Dances with Witches and Warlocks

The Council on Aging will host a Halloweenthemed dance from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Fri., Oct. 28 at the Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their scariest costumes. There will be prizes awarded for the best costume and the funniest outfit, too. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $5 per person. The Windsors will perform music for guests’ dancing pleasure. There will be refreshments and door prizes. For more information, call Nancy at (805) 577-0258.

Moorpark: A-Haunting We Will Go on High Street

Rosemary and Michael Moffat will serve as the “ghostly guides” for the second annual Historic Haunts of High Street walking tour that will be offered at 7 p.m. Fri., Oct. 28, at 7:30 p.m. Sat., Oct. 29 and at 8:30 p.m. Sun., Oct. 30, departing from the Theater on High Street, 45 E. High St., Moorpark.

The tour is based on Moorpark’s history, legends and lore, and High Street in particular is said to have a very rich, sometimes mysterious, history. A tour of the recently renovated vintage landmark theater will be included, and refreshments will be available in the theater’s lobby (for a donation).

The cost of the 45-minute tour is $8 adults, $4 children 12 and under. For information call the sponsoring organization, the High Street Theater Foundation, at (805) 529-8700.

Sat., Oct. 29

Thousand Oaks: Canines in Costume on Parade

PawZessions Pet Boutique and Bakery will host its inaugural Halloween canine costume parade from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sat., Oct. 29 at 2989 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Twenty-five to 40 dogs of all shapes and sizes wearing Halloween costumes will participate in the parade, vying for special awards including silliest costume, scariest costume and best matching costumes (dog and owner). Each entrant will receive a prize, and there will also be raffle prizes.

Tickets are $10 per canine entrant. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to Noah’s Wish, a rescue organization that helps pets during times of disaster such as the recent hurricanes. For more information, call Stephanie or Eleanor at (805) 449-1022.

Thousand Oaks: Ghost and Goblins will be Seeing Double

Conejo Valley Mothers of Multiples (CVMOM), a support group that offers education, play groups and activities for mothers of twins, triplets and more, will host their annual Halloween Children’s Social from 2 to 4 p.m. Sat., Oct. 29 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1 W. Avenida de Los Arboles, Thousand Oaks.

After having refreshments and making crafts, the mothers will parade their children outside for their Halloween Trunk or Treat. Participants are invited to get creative by decorating their trunks and/or rears of their SUVs. For very small children, it is recommended they may be carted around in a decorated wagon.

Treats do not have to be candy, CVMOM spokeswoman Cathy Bach-Abril advised. Children like stickers, bouncy balls, crayons and other fun trinkets. An RSVP stating name and the number of children and adults that will be attending should be made to Danielle Talbert at (805) 577-8244.

Thousand Oaks: Get that Haunted Feeling

The Conejo Recreation & Park District (CRPD) will be offering a night full of safe Halloween fun specifically oriented toward families on Sat., Oct. 29 at the Thousand Oaks Community Center, 2525 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. Call CRPD at (805) 381-2793 for more information. The activities include the following and are free unless otherwise noted.

Haunted Trail: This spooky short hike is packed full of Halloween fun. At the end of the trail the hayride will pick you up and take you for a ride. Tickets are $2 in advance or $3 at the gate. The trail is open from 8 to 10 p.m. Call CRPD to purchase advance tickets.

Costume Contest: This is open to ages 2 and under through adults. Prizes will be awarded for various categories. Please call CRPD for age divisions, categories and registration forms. The contest will get underway at 7:30 p.m.

Trick-or-Treat Street: Looking for a safe place for your child to go trick-or-treating? Come out to the Thousand Oaks Community Center’s Trick-or-Treat Street. Local scout troops and other community groups have made these Halloween-themed houses and will be ready for trick-or-treaters to come-a-knockin’ from 7 to 10 p.m.

Live Reptile Show: Halloween is a great time to see these creepy crawly creatures up close. They will be on view at 7 p.m.

Newbury Park: Celebrate

Halloween Hawaiian-Style!

The Pi-R Squares will host a plus level square dance on Sat., Oct. 29 at Borchard Community Center, 190 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park. The theme for the evening event is “Halloween Howl II Luau and Anniversary Dance,” with a sit-down dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. followed by dancing from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Costumes are optional. Advance ticket purchase is $12.50, or $15 at the door. For information, call (805) 492-1442.