A vampire vs. zombie showdown

Halloween is just a day away, but the holiday’s spook-tastic events have already begun. And this year, more than ever before, the battle royal to be the holiday’s MVP is brewing between zombies and vampires -- whether in pop culture or at celebrations throughout Southern California.

Both creatures have taken turns neck-sucking and brain-munching their way up the social hierarchy among monsters. For the last few years, our fang-toothed friends have been the “It” monster. “Twilight” reigns supreme; “True Blood” is a hit on HBO; and “Vampire Diaries” has sunk its fangs in the TV lineup. Heck, even horror novelist Stephen King has jumped on the bandwagon in helping to pen a vampire comic book for Vertigo.

But flesh-hungry zombies are just as popular. Woody Harrelson is starring in the zom-com “Zombieland.” Diablo Cody is producing a film called “Breathers: A Zombie’s Lament.” Marc Forster is filming Max Brooks’ zombie-inspired novel “World War Z.”

Likewise, there’s no shortage of blood-sucking and flesh rotting-themed events filling the Halloween circuit here.

Stirred by the pale folks on “True Blood,” El Bar in Hollywood is hosting “Fangbanger’s Ball,” with a vampire costume party and $5 martinis. In Long Beach, the Queen Mary is hosting its annual “Halloween Shipwreck,” which features a Vampire Village. And F.W. Murnau’s classic vampire film “Nosferatu” will screen at two venues: at Disney Hall, with accompaniment by Clark Wilson’s pipe organ, and at the Downtown Independent theater, in an event called “Noise-feratu” featuring a live score by acts with such intriguing names as KILLKILLKILL, WMX and Organ Music.

If the living dead are more your style, consider attending the official “Thriller” Halloween party at Dakota Live Music in Santa Monica. Or zombies with an affinity for running can take part in the Zombiethon in Silver Lake.

There are plenty of other events; just check out the list below or go to latimes.com/halloweenlist.

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yvonne.villarreal@latimes.com

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Theme parks

Halloween Horror Nights Universal Studios keeps the spirit alive with attractions including mazes based on “Saw,” “Halloween” and “My Bloody Valentine.” 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. $41-$149. 7 p.m.-1 a.m. today; 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Sat. (818) 622-3711, www.halloween horrornights.com.

Knott’s Scary Farm Halloween Haunt Berry turns to Scary as fast as Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde. Not recommended for children under 13; no costumes. 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. 7 p.m.-2 a.m. today-Sat., 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Sun. $39.99-$49.99. (714) 220-5200, haunt.knotts.com.

Shipwreck Halloween The Queen Mary hosts its 15th annual Halloween Shipwreck. 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach. 7 p.m.-midnight today-Sun. $29. (562) 435-3511, www.queenmary shipwreck.com.

Six Flags Fright Fest Roller coasters in the dark aren’t the only things that will keep you screaming. Stroll through four haunted mazes. 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia. 10:30 a.m.-midnight today-Sat. $54.99, adults; $27.50, children under 48 inches; free, children 2 and younger. (661) 255-4100, www.sixflags.com.

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Events

Anaheim Spooktacular Halloween Parade and Fall Festival A decades-old tradition continues with a costume contest, games and haunted house. Center Street Promenade and Lemon Street, Anaheim. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat. Free. (714) 956-3586. www.anaheimfallfestival.org.

Boo and Goo Tour the La Brea Tar Pits by flashlight, make gooey crafts and trick-or-treat amid mammoths, mastodons and saber-toothed cats during this family-friendly overnight adventure. 5801 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 6:30 p.m. today; sleepover ends at 9 a.m. Sat. $50, general; $45, members. Advance registration required. (323) 934-7243, www.tarpits.org.

Enchanted Hallow’s Eve The Star Eco Station transforms into a family-friendly fairy tale palace of trickery, treats and spooky storytelling. 10101 W. Jefferson Blvd., Culver City. 3-8 p.m. today, noon-6 p.m. Sat. $8, adults; one child free per paying adult. $6, each additional child. (310) 842-8060, www.ecostation.org.

Halloween Party for Downtown LA Kids This family Halloween carnival thrills youngsters and adults alike with activities, costume contests and more. FIDM Museum and Galleries, 919 S. Grand Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Sat. Free. (213) 624-1200.

Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade More than 600 costumed dogs will parade along six blocks. Livingston Drive at Park Avenue, Long Beach. 2:30 p.m. Sat. $15-$35. www.hautedogs.org.

LACMA MUSE Costume Ball The fifth annual installment takes its inspiration from the museum’s show “Heroes and Villains: The Battle for Good in India’s Comics.” LACMA West, 6067 Wilshire Blvd. 8 p.m. Sat. $25-$30, MUSE members; $50, nonmembers. (323) 857-6000, www.lacma.org.

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride An East Coast tradition comes to L.A. As you ride in a hay-filled wagon through the forest, scenes of horror await; ghost stories too (reservations required). King Gillette Ranch, Mulholland Drive at Las Virgenes, Calabasas. 6:30 p.m.-midnight today-Sat. $25, hayride; $35, hayride and stories. (877)342-6618, www.losangeles hauntedhayride.com.

MC Chris’s Big Time Los Angeles Halloween Party MC Chris, best known for his voice work on “Aqua Teen Hunger Force,” hosts a comedy shindig. Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, 5919 Franklin Ave., L.A. Midnight today. $5. (323) 908-8702, losangeles.ucbtheatre.com.

West Hollywood Halloween Costume Carnival Like zombies in a horror film, nearly half a million people will descend on Santa Monica Boulevard for the 22nd annual event -- billed as the largest Halloween celebration anywhere. Santa Monica Boulevard at La Cienega Boulevard, West Hollywood. 6 p.m. Sat. Free.

Zombiethon: Run for Brains Suit up in your most moth-eaten zombie attire and run -- or stagger -- around the Silver Lake Reservoir to raise money for brain cancer research. 1850 W. Silver Lake Drive, L.A. 4-6 p.m. Sat. $10. (323) 644-3946, silverlakezombiethon. blogspot.com.

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Screenings

Cinefamily Bollyween Party & Fundraiser They’ll screen “Bollyweird: The Movie,” a feature-length video mash-up celebrating the most horrifying and outlandish moments of vintage Indian musicals. Later, the theater turns into a dance floor. Silent Movie Theatre, 611 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Sat. $20. (323) 655-2520, www.cinefamily.org.

“Golem” Celebrate with one of the earliest horror films in cinema history, accompanied by a live score under the direction of Brian LeBarton. REDCAT at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 631 W. 2nd St., L.A. 8:30 p.m. today-Sat. $20. (213) 237-2800. www.redcat.org.

John Carpenter’s “Halloween” Cinespia screens the horror classic in an appropriate outdoor setting. Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Gates, 5:30 p.m.; movie, 7 p.m. Sat. No reservation necessary. (323) 469-1181, www.cinespia.org.

Noise-feratu F.W. Murnau’s classic 1922 vampire film gets a live score by acts such as KILLKILLKILL. Downtown Independent, 251 S. Main St., L.A. 9:30 p.m. today. $10. (213) 617-1033, www.downtown independent.com.

“Nosferatu” The movie is accompanied by Clark Wilson’s pipe organ. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Sat. (323) 850-2000.

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Nightlife/concerts

Beacher’s Madhouse Costume Ball The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel will transform into an adult circus. 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 9 p.m. Sat. $60. www.myspace .com/beachersmadhouse.

Fangbanger’s Ball A vampire costume party inspired by HBO’s “True Blood.” El Bar, 3256 Cahuenga Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. Sat. Free. (323) 851-5111.

Halloweenabaloo This musical benefit for Silver Lake’s Conservatory of Music will feature live performances from the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea and Dean Keith Barry. Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St., L.A. 6 p.m. Sat. (323) 665-3363, www.silverlake conservatory.com.

Halloween Monster Massive The Sports Arena and Exposition Park become an electro rave starring superstar DJs including Armin Van Buuren, Pete Tong, Felix da Housecat et al. 3939 S. Figueroa Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Sat. $80, $150 VIP. www.monstermassive.com.

KCRW Masquerade: A Halloween Costume Ball & Dance Party Five rooms with live music and performances from DJ Shadow , Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Little Dragon and Sea Wolf. Park Plaza Hotel, 607 S. Park View St. 9 p.m. Sat. $75, advance; $85, door. L.A. (213) 381-6300, www.kcrw.com/ masquerade.

Pandora pop-up nightclub The promoters behind Pandora created a nightclub inside the former St. Vibiana Cathedral. “Vampire Masquerade” today with a ‘20s-style big band; Asher “I Love College” Roth takes center stage Saturday. 210 S. Main St., downtown L.A. 9 p.m. today-Sat. $75. (323) 512-8400.

Thriller Night: The Official “Thriller” Halloween Party Get ready to do your best Michael Jackson zombie strut. Dakota Live Music Lounge, 1026 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. 9 p.m. Sat. $10 with costume, $15 without. (310) 393-8200.

Compiled by Elina Shatkin and Alexandra Le Tellier