Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

SANTA BARBARA--Costumes with heavy doses of imagination and creativity are in high supply at the Black & Orange Bash, 8:30 p.m. Oct. 28. The Contemporary Arts Forum’s fifth annual Halloween party features a costume parade and costume competition with vacation prizes. In the Contemporary Arts Forum, second floor of the Paseo Nuevo, 653 State St. $22 in advance; $27 at the door. (805) 966-5373.

TEMECULA--Attention kids: The Howl-O-Ween Spook-Tacular features trick or treating, a haunted house scavenger hunt, games and a costume contest, Oct. 28-29. Festivities are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. both days on Front Street and adjacent streets in Old Town. Free. (909) 699-8138.

LA JOLLA--The eerie depths of the sea are explored at a Halloween lecture, “Monsters of the Deep,” 2 p.m. Oct. 29. A presentation on the strange creatures of the deep is offered by Dr. Robert Hessler at the Stephen Birch Aquarium-Museum at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 2300 Expedition Way. Free with aquarium admission ($6.50, adults; $5.50, seniors; $4.50, students; $3.50, kids 3-12; free for those under 3.) (619) 534-FISH.

SAN FRANCISCO--Celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at the Mexican Museum Family Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Oct. 29. Free. In the Mexican Museum, Building D, Fort Mason Center, Laguna and Marina. (415) 202-9704.

OXNARD--Halloween and history are blended for “Heritage Scare,” a tour through six Victorian houses in Heritage Square offered Oct. 29-31. Local authorities share mysterious legends and ghost stories about the homes, located at Seventh and A streets, downtown. Tours are every quarter hour from 6-9 p.m. nightly. $5. Music and refreshments included. Reservations recommended. (805) 483-7960.

* Call listed phone numbers for directions.