Eeek! Halloween is on a Saturday this year: 9 reasons why you’re not ready for it

This year, Halloween goes prime time.

A Saturday celebration means monstrously good conditions for parties, parades, pumpkin carving and a tsunami of zombies and Jedi Knights trick-or-treating their way to your door.

It also means the Saturday spookfest will be anything but ordinary. Here are nine frightfully important things to consider for executing a wicked good time.

1. Do you even know when Witching Hour begins?

The early ghoul gets the gummy worm. This year, expect the fun to start earlier. Trick or treating "usually starts the minute it gets dark," says Saugus resident Candy Johnson, who usually gets a steady run of candy seekers at her home. On a Saturday, however, Johnson expects it to start "earlier than normal because people don't have to wait until they get off of work to bring the kids around – especially the younger ones." (And yes, Candy is her real name.)

2. Do you have enough loot?

In one Long Beach neighborhood that draws big crowds each Halloween, residents such as Christy Whitney are stocking up: "We get between 300 and 500 [kids]," says Whitney, "and we're anticipating more because it’s Saturday."

Fear of running out inspired many shoppers to add an extra bag of candy to the cart. At Costco in Signal Hill on Thursday, Karen Nixon wondered whether she should go back for even more. She said that decorating her house with lights, tombstones and scary stuff definitely encourages trick or treaters, so if your front lawn is decked out for Halloween, you might want to make sure you're stocked up on goodies. (But if you do run out, turn the porch lights off and close up shop – the universal sign for no more candy.)

3. Have you considered parking? Or a DD?

Halloween on a Saturday night just screams for a good party – and there will be many. Whether it’s a block party, pizza with friends or more upscale affair, remember parking may be tight. Consider using a service like Uber or Lyft – especially if there will be spirits of an alcoholic nature. (If you’re the host, consider hiring a sober college kid or two to shuttle friends home.)

4. Wait ... you don't have your costume yet?

If the racks aren’t empty yet ... it won’t be long. More than a few folks will be shopping Saturday. For cool last-minute costumes consider braving the stores, or try DIY. For inspiration, go to Pinterest.com and search keywords: easy Halloween costumes; or ask your favorite Internet search engine (Google, Ask, Bing, DuckDuckGo). According to Google’s Frightgeist website, the most popular costumes in the Los Angeles area for 2015 include "Star Wars" characters, pirates, Harley Quinn, Batman and Minnie Mouse.

5. If you hate crowds, you're in trouble

Cue the psycho music. The crowds on a Halloween Saturday promise to be as scary as it gets. Most malls and southland shopping areas offer trick-or-treating opportunities and special events. So, consider yourself warned. If you’re visiting retail hubs to join the festivities, check event start times and arrive on the early side for first crack at the treats! Heading to the mall for a regular Saturday shopping excursion? Plan to go well before the candy hunters arrive –and may the odds be ever in your favor.

6. You're also in trouble if you're planning on a last-minute party

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are expected to spend $6.9 billion this Halloween on costumes, candy, decorations, pumpkins and party supplies –which works out to about $74.34 each. If you’ve waited until Saturday to do your shopping you may face evil looking lines – regular folks getting Saturday errands done versus Halloweeners prepping for their spookapaloozas.

7. Oh, the horror ... sold-out tickets

Magic Mountain has Fright Fest, Knotts is a Scary Farm and Disneyland closes to regular park goers and requires special admission for Mickey’s Halloween Party on Halloween night. Full-to-bursting on an average Saturday, our favorite Southland attractions quickly fill to capacity on Halloween and often sell out in advance. Try to purchase admission tickets online before you go or check event services like Stubhub for last-minute buys.

8. Are you ready to get crafty?

Halloween turtle spiders

(Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

(Los Angeles Times)

With Halloween on a Saturday, this could finally be the year you spend a little extra time decorating that pumpkin. You’ve got the day off and the perfect excuse for creepy crafting. The Los Angeles Times Test Kitchen can get you started with these 24 spooky Halloween treats for kids, including turtle spider. So go ahead, work your magic – then bewitch us with your creativity on Twitter @LATimesHome.

9. Are you forgetting to be wicked nice?

There's a good chance it's going to get crazy out there on this Halloween Saturday. And forgetting manners, simple goodwill and common sense is something that can come back to haunt you.

So here are a few parting words we all need to keep in mind: If you’re invited to a costume party, dress up and join the fun. Consider special treat bags for neighborhood kids. Encourage your own children to say trick or treat – and thank you at each house. Be a good neighbor, respect property and don’t trample the succulents! Send an adult to walk with the kids and consider installing a tracking app (like Find My Friends or Locate My Friends) on mobile phones for teens and tweens. Drive very, very safely. As always, be kind.

Home@latimes.com

ALSO:

Read more Halloween stories on our Holiday section

How to trick your kids into having a healthy Halloween