For one night of the year, the specters of the underworld reign supreme. Halloween is that special time when the freaks and ghouls come out, and those with the best costume are celebrated for their creativity and originality.

A Lady Gaga look-a-like parties it up at LACMA's 2010 Muse Ball. (photo courtesy of Pixie Vision Productions)

This year there are several adventures available for residents looking to stray from the beaten path of traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating, house parties and nightclub revelry.

Here’s a roundup of some highlights near and far, something fun whether you’re single or have a family:

Halloween Weekend Carnival — Friday from 5-11 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 1-11 pm at Pan Pacific Park. Get ready for a haunted house, rides, game and food sponsored by the LAPD Wilshire Community Police Station. Admission is free for all ages, tickets for rides are available at LAPD Wilshire Community Police Station at 4861 Venice Blvd., just east of La Brea Ave. For more information call (323) 939-8874.

HalLAween Weekend — Friday at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. General admission tickets for the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center event are $65 through Friday and $75 after (tickets includes open bar); VIP tickets, which include access to an exclusive lounge with private seating and go-go boys, are $125 until Friday and $150 after. Cabanas, which are $1,000, include: admission for six; a cabana near the dance floor; drink service from a private server; preferred parking for two vehicles; and access to the VIP lounge. To learn more about HalLAween Weekend or to buy your weekend pass, go to ypchalloweenie.org.

Theatricum BOO-tanicum — Friday from 4-10 pm at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd. (midway between Pacific Coast Highway and the Ventura Freeway). The Bucolic Theatricum Botanicum transforms into the haunted BOO-tanicum with the theater company’s first annual Halloween extravaganza. You’ll find a haunted house; ghost stories, pumpkin carving, game booths, and things that go bump in the night. Also, live music from Peter　 Alsop, Many Distant Cities, the Matt Van Winkle Band and Tommy Santee Klaws—plus organic chicken and waffles from Bon Melange Catering. Beware of zombie thespians! Tickets start at $5 for kids 5-12, $15 for teens 13-17, and $20 for adults. Children 4 and under are free. Call (310) 455-2322 or visit theatricum.com for tickets.

LACMA – Saturday at 8:30 pm. 5905 Wilshire Boulevard.

Dead Man’s Ball with performances by Killsonic, Jeremiah Red, and Sneaky Nietzsche. Dress for a night of art, music, dancing, and the annual costume contest. Prizes will be awarded to the Best Tim Burton Character, Best Movie Monster, and Most Creative. Tickets: $75 Muse Members; $100 General Admission. Admission includes two free drink tickets and parking. Tickets: (323) 857-6010.

Ruskin Art Club — Sunday at 2 p.m. 800 S Plymouth Blvd (The Ruskin Art Club is on the southeast corner of 8th and Plymouth).

Mostly Dead Poets: A Halloween Poetry Reading at the Ruskin Art Club. Refreshments served. Tickets: $10 per person. For more info call Eric Howard, (323) 420-6954 or the Ruskin Art Club (323) 936-4632.

Angels Gate Cultural Center’s Annual Halloween Event — Sunday from 3–6:00 pm 3601 South Gaffey Street San Pedro, CA

HOWL activities include family-friendly free workshops, contests and musical performances. The day will end with the ninth annual performance of Melanie Jones’ Scary Stories from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. Admission to HOWL is free; Scary Stories is $5.00 per person. For more information please visit www.angelsgateart.org or call 310-519-0936.

Santa Monica Playhouse — Opening 12:30 pm Saturday, playing eight performances only though Sunday, October 30, 20111211 4th Street (between Wilshire & Arizona) one block east of the Third Street Promenade.

Halloween Hullabaloo, a theatrical celebration of all things Halloween with theatre, costumes, face-painting and special treats. Songs! Dances! Prizes! Complimentary Face Painting! Special treats! Tickets are $10.50 for kids 12 and under and $12.50 for adults. Admission includes complimentary face painting offered half-an-hour before every show.

For reservations, please call (310) 394-9779

Park La Brea — Monday from 4-7 p.m. at Curson Square

Annual Kids’ Halloween Event: kids bounce, music, entertainment, arts and crafts, mask-making, candy, pink berry, and the haunted theatre. Please call (323) 549-5458 with questions.