Happy haunting at these San Diego Halloween parties and events

These top Halloween parties and activities will have even the nicest of angels feeling a little wicked.

10.23: Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest

Celebrate Halloween in retro style at this carving contest, where contestants compete for prizes like a stay at The Pearl Hotel while watching a Halloween-themed movie projected on the hotel’s poolside big screen. — Michael Benninger

The Pearl Hotel, Point Loma, thepearlsd.com

10.26, 27 + 31: A Nightmare on Sixth Street

Head to Omnia Nightclub for three nights of haunts with top DJs including Sikdope (Fri.), Dada Life (Sat.) and Shaun Frank (Wed.).

454 Sixth Ave., downtown, omniaclubs.com/san-diego/events

10.26: Halloween Pub Crawl

Knock back free shots and specialty cocktails at more than 10 select venues during this costumed pub crawl followed by several epic after-parties. — Michael Benninger

Throughout downtown, clubcrawlsandiego.com/halloween

10.26: Boo Ball

Celebrating horror films like House of 1,000 Corpses, The Shining, Nightmare on Elm Street and The Conjuring, this frightening party will rage throughout the House of Blues and feature costume contests with cash prizes and even a trip to see Weezer and Pixies in Las Vegas.

1055 Fifth Ave., downtown, rock1053.iheart.com

10.26, 27 + 31: Zombie Crawl

Shamble throughout the streets of downtown alongside thousands of other undead drinkers during this creepy bar crawl that includes access to more than 20 of the city’s hottest parties, nearly all of which include complimentary shots and devilish drink specials. — Michael Benninger

Throughout the Gaslamp Quarter and East Village, sandiegozombiecrawl.com

10.27: Eighth annual Hallo-Wine & Spirits

Coronado’s famously haunted hotel welcomes you to wear a killer costume for this adults-only affair full of drinking, dancing and decadent desserts, all abiding by this year’s theme: Legendary Screams from the Silver Screen. — Michael Benninger

Hotel del Coronado, Coronado, hoteldel.com

10.27: The Haunted Circus

Because clowns really are the scariest things out there, this Big Top event will span five rooms of music and experiences between Parq and Lair Nightclub.

615 Broadway, downtown, eventbrite.com

10.27: Boos and Brews

This beer festival featuring 10 local brewers will also feature food specials perfect for an afternoon occassion or as a stop on the way to one of downtown’s many other nighttime Halloween affairs.

Upper East Bar, 616 J St., downtown, hotelsolamar.com/rooftop-bars-san-diego

10.27: Nightmare on Normal Street

Hillcrest’s annual happenin’ Halloween street party is back, with outdoor dance floors, an American Idol-style costume competition, local DJs and food trucks. — Michael Benninger

Normal St., Hillcrest, fabuloushillcrest.com

10.27: Halloween Yacht Party

Don your costume and board this decked out three-hour Halloween cruise offering tray-passed hors d’oeuvres, two floors of dancing and cash prizes for best costumes. — Michael Benninger

Spirit of San Diego, San Diego Harbor, annualyachtparties.com

10.27: WCKD Village

The evolution of the long-standing Monster Bash, this new event spans six blocks, boasts four concert stages, and includes a glitter bar, gypsy lounges and drink specials at more than two dozen of downtown’s hottest venues. — Michael Benninger

Throughout East Village and the Gaslamp, wckdvillage.com

10.27: 2018: A Halloween Odyssey

A downtown reenactment of Stanley Kubrick’s most infamous films filled with three floors, five Kubrick-inspired rooms, 15 DJs and Oliver Heldens, and Juvenile and Jadakiss as the main attractions. Editor’s note: Fetty Wap was the original headlining performer of this event.

Hard Rock San Diego, Gaslamp, hardrockhotelsd.com

10.27: Spooktoberfest

San Diego band Pinback will headline this dual Halloween/Oktoberfest event featuring a beer garden, food demonstrations, live zombies, and costume contests. — Michael Benninger

The Lafayette Hotel, Swin Club & Bungalows, 2223 El Cajon Blvd., North Park, lafayettehotelsd.com/events

Fetty Wap.

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

10.27: Oxford Horror Story

Ludacris will be bringing the beats at this American Horror Story-themed bash.

Oxford Social Club, 435 Fifth Ave., downtown, theoxfordsd.com

10.28: Halloween at the Station

All ages are encouraged to attend this free, family-friendly Halloween celebration that includes daytime trick-or-treating throughout the district, along with live entertainment and several spooky surprises little ones are sure to love. — Michael Benninger

Liberty Station, Point Loma, libertystation.com

10.29: Paw-loween Party

Because the only thing more adorable than kids in costumes are pets in costumes, Mavericks Beach Club is hosting humans and their four-legged friends for extended Yappy Hour specials, a costume contest (for the pups), $1 burgers and prizes, plus an off-leash dog park.

Mavericks Beach Club, 860 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, maverickssd.com

10.31: Scary Movie Trivia

If going big on a weeknight is too rough, head out to Bootlegger in East Village for a night of scary movie trivia complete with Whiskey Wednesday drink specials.

Bootlegger, 804 Market St., East Village, bootleggersd.com

10.31: Alternative Endings

What would have happened if your favorite childhood fairy tale didn’t end the same way? Head downtown to find out when barleymash creates some alternative endings along with music from DJ Ramsey, entertainers and dancing all night long.

barleymash, 600 Fifth Ave., downtown, barleymash.com

10.31: Mystic Mixings at Rendezvous: Halloween Grand Opening Party

Say cheers on All Hallows Eve when The US Grant unveils its new standalone bar that gives a nod back to scarier times: prohibition — oh, the horrors. The night will be filled with fortune telling, live music, French cocktails and VIP punchbowls.

The US Grant, 326 Broadway, downtown, eventbrite.com

Haunted thrills

Through 10.31: Haunted Hotel

Hop on the Hellevator and venture into the depths of horror as the latest inn-carnation of San Diego’s long-running haunted house dares you to endure a shuddering mutant mineshaft, a sickening swamp and an atrocious zombie-infested alley. — Michael Benninger

424 Market St., Gaslamp, hauntedhotel.com

Through 10.31: Haunted Trail

The faint of heart shouldn’t attempt this mile-long amusement that starts with a spine-tingling traipse through a 3,500-square-foot maze, then continues past Balboa Park’s contorted trees while putting you face-to-face with some of cinema’s most insidious icons. — Michael Benninger

Balboa Park, downtown, hauntedtrail.net

Through 10.31: Scream Zone

The county’s largest haunted experience returns with three hair-raising attractions: the House of Horror, the Haunted Hayride and the KarnEvil freak show, all complemented by food trucks, fun photo opportunities and a ghastly Spirit Lounge bar. — Michael Benninger

Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, thescreamzone.com

Through 10.31: Backwoods by Savage House Haunted Attraction

Scare yourself silly at San Diego’s only themed haunted attraction, where brave souls will dodge cannibalistic hillbillies at the Gray family farmhouse. — Michael Benninger

Westfield Mission Valley, savageproductions.org