A Haunting Calendar of Halloween Events

Ghosts, goblins and other ectoplasmic creatures from the Other Side will spook Valley children and their families at Halloween festivities that began this week. Activities listed here are free unless otherwise indicated.

* The Spooky House, featuring computerized special effects, animatronics, live actors, the “Torture Room,” “Exorcist Room,” “Poltergeist Room” and a haunted cemetery, will run from 3 p.m. to midnight Fridays, 2 p.m. to midnight Saturdays, 2 to 10 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 3 in the parking lot of the Valley Indoor Swap Meet, 6701 Variel Ave., Woodland Hills. Admission is $5.50. Information: (818) 888-8570.

* The Glendale Public Library will hold the annual Halloween Haunt for kids featuring spooky stories, a haunted cemetery and a “mysterious morgue” from 2 to 3 p.m. today at the library, 222 E. Harvard Ave. Information: (818) 548-2035.

* Valley College will host the Great Pumpkin Fest, featuring a carnival, haunted house, arts and crafts exhibits, and live entertainment, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday at the college, 5800 Fulton Ave., Van Nuys. Admission is $2 for adults and 50 cents for children ages 5 to 12. Information: (818) 989-0300.

* The Sunland-Tujunga Branch Library will hold Halloween activities for children age newborn to 14, including a costume contest, costume making, and games, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, at 7771 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga. Information: (818) 352-4481.

* Halloween Horrors VII will feature a “Maze of Terror,” the “Enchanted Forest Maze” and carnival games from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight, and Wednesday and Halloween night at the First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood, 4832 Tujunga Blvd. Admission is $5 for the “Maze of Terror” and $2 for the “Enchanted Forest Maze.” Information: (818) 763-8231.

* The Hillmans’ fifth annual Halloween Haunting will feature a giant maze and haunted cemetery from 6:30 to 10 tonight and 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday and Halloween at 19215 Calla Way, Canyon Country. Information: (805) 252-2879.

* An annual Halloween Party, with carnival games, face painting, prizes and a costume parade will be held from noon to 4 today at the Northridge Recreation Center, 18300 Lemarsh St. Admission is $2 per child. No charge for adults accompanied by a child. The center will also feature a haunted house at 6 p.m. today and Sunday, and 7 p.m. Monday and Halloween night. Admission is $3. Information: (818) 349-7341.

* The Burbank Halloween Teen Dance, for Burbank students in sixth to eighth grades, will be held from 7:30 to 10:30 tonight at the Verdugo Recreation Center Gym, 3201 W. Verdugo Ave., Burbank. Admission is $4. Information: (818) 238-5390.

* The annual Halloween Costume Contest will feature a costume contest for children age newborn to 14 years old, and trick or treating activities among 400 booths, at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Valley Indoor Swap Meet, 14650 Parthenia St., Panorama City. Information: (818) 884-6430.

* Spirits of those from the Old West will spook kids age 6 and over on the Haunted Trail, which will run from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight till Tuesday at William S. Hart Regional Park, 24151 N. San Fernando Road, Newhall. The cost is $4 per person. Information: (805) 222-7657.

* The eighth annual Haunted Jailhouse will include tours, games, and live music from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, 23740 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia. Admission is $1. Information: (805) 255-1121, Ext. 358.

* Free pumpkins will be given to each family at a Halloween party held during the Encino Farmers’ Market, from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday at 17400 Victory Blvd. Information: (818) 708-6611.

* A traditional Dia De Los Muertos Ofrenda (Day of the Dead Altar), created by folk artist Olga Ponce Furginson, will be on display from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Nov. 3 at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles. Information: (213) 667-2000.

* A Haunted House featuring the “Haunted Bedroom,” “The Haunted Bureau” and “The Flying Dutchman” will be featured from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Halloween night at 14009 Candlewood Drive, Sylmar. The cost is $1. Information: (818) 362-5573.

* A 1996 Halloween Carnival, hosted by the Agoura Hills Department of Community Services and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, will feature game booths, a magic show, parade and a costume contest from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Halloween at Mae Boyar Park, 130 N. Kanan Road, Oak Park. Admission is $2 per person. Information: (818) 597-7361.

* The fourth annual Halloween Carnival will include game booths, a costume contest and food from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Halloween at Grape Arbor Park, Canwood Street and Parkvine Road, Calabasas. Information: (818) 880-6461.

* Fallbrook Mall will hold a Halloween celebration including a costume contest and trick or treating throughout the mall. Free photographs of children in their costumes will be given to those who donate two cans of food to the West Valley Food Pantry booth. Activities will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Halloween at 6633 Fallbrook Ave., West Hills. Information: (818) 716-7111.

* Fashion Square will hold “Trick or Treating” activities from 6 to 8 p.m. Halloween at 14006 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks. Participants are asked to bring one can of food to donate to the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank. Information: (818) 783-0550.

* Mason Recreation Park will hold its annual Halloween Carnival with a parade and games from 5 to 8 p.m. Halloween at 10500 Mason Ave., Chatsworth. Admission is $2. Information: (818) 998-6377.

* The city of Burbank Park and Recreation Department will present Halloween parties for elementary school children from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Halloween at several locations: Emerson Elementary School, 720 E. Cypress Ave.; Olive Recreation Center, 1111 W. Olive Ave.; Verdugo Recreation Center, 3201 W. Verdugo Ave., and Vickroy Park, 2300 Monterey Place. Parties for preschool-age children will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 31 at McCambridge Recreation Center, 1515 N. Glenoaks Blvd.; Olive Recreation Center, 1111 W. Olive Ave., and Verdugo Recreation Center, 3201 W. Verdugo Ave. Information: (818) 238-5300.

* Whole Foods Market will offer natural foods “goody bags” and activities to customers shopping in costumes during store hours Halloween at several Valley sites: 826 N. Glendale Ave., Glendale; 9350 Reseda Blvd., Northridge, and 12905 Riverside Drive, Northridge. Information: (818) 501-8484.

* The Tarzana Recreation Center will hold a free Halloween Carnival for kids featuring food, games, and a costume contest, from 5 to 8 p.m. Halloween at 5655 Vanalden St.

Information: (818) 343-5946.

* Winnetka Recreation Center will hold a Halloween Carnival with a costume parade, game booths and food from 5 to 8 p.m. Halloween at 8401 Winnetka Ave. Admission is $2 per person.

Information: (818) 341-1430.