Destination Halloween celebrations & events around the U.S.

Key West, Fla., is holding its annual Fantasy Fest 2007 Oct. 19-28 with a “Gnomes, Toads & White Rabbit Tea Parties” theme. The event includes costume contests and balls, street fairs and a parade. Organizers are encouraging participants to get inspiration for their costumes from fairy tales, myths and “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” The 10-day program kicks off with a coronation ball, Oct. 19, 6-10 p.m., while the Captain Morgan Fantasy Fest Parade through Key West’s historic downtown takes place Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. Details at 800-527-8539 or www.fla-keys.com..

In New Orleans, you’ll find Haunted History Tours, chronicling ghosts, vampires, voodoos and cemeteries, day or night, $20, 504-861-2727. The Witching Hour Ball, celebrated by Anne Rice’s Vampire Lestat Fan Club, takes place Oct. 26 at The Howlin’ Wolf, 907 S. Peters St. And, of course, the Voodoo Music Experience will draw fans from around the country to hear music from a variety of genres, Oct. 26-28. Details for these and other events at www.nola.com/haunted/..

New York City’s annual Halloween parade is not the place to be if you hate crowds. The massive event unfolds beginning at 7 p.m. on Oct. 31, on Sixth Avenue from Spring Street to 21st Street, and lasts until around 11 p.m. Hundreds of giant puppets, 53 bands and thousands of New Yorkers in costume take part while an estimated 2 million watch from the avenue. Details at www.halloween-nyc.com/index.php.