Halloween is upon us, and there are plenty of reasons not be caught at home listening to the tapping of barren tree branches on your window. Get into the spooky, sparkling joy of the season and check out the local art and music scene while you're at it. Here are 14 ideas for a hellishly good time.

Haunted Basement at Travail

Through Saturday, Oct. 29

There's more to the Halloween palette than candy corn and pumpkin seeds. Travail Kitchen and Amusements will host an immersive themed dining experience featuring a 10-course menu and frightful interactive cocktail flights. Expert set designers from The Haunted Basement dial up the eeriness at the Robbinsdale joint. $35-$75.

Twin Cities Horror Festival

Through Sunday, Oct. 30

A series of live performance art pieces haunt the Crane Theater's stage for eleven nights this Halloween season. Why horror? "Horror builds a community." Founded in 2012 by Four Humors Theater, the festival aims to unite in support of local theater, and 100% of ticket sales go to participating performers.

Spooky Science: Mysteries of the Deep

Through Sunday, Oct. 30

Nothing spookier than what's lurking at the bottom of the ocean. From glass sponges to cool skulls to unusual deep sea fish and tusks from a Narwhal, the Bell Museum is stacked with exhibits and experiences highlighting the fascinating drama of the natural world.

300 Clifton Candlelight Tours

Wednesday, Oct. 26

The mansion at 300 Clifton Avenue in Minneapolis may or may not be haunted, and it's your job to find out. Tour the main mansion, servants' quarters, and — gasp — basements by candlelight. Guides will orate the storied past of the building and its neighborhood and possibly make contact beyond the veil. $49-$69. 300clifton.com

Gothess Halloween

Friday, Oct. 28

Gothess was made for October. On Halloweekend, the popular LGBTQ+ goth dance night lights up Mortimer's and features queer DJs laying down their scariest mixes, a costume contest, and lots of fog. $15.

The Nightmare Before Christmas with the Minnesota Orchestra

Friday, Oct. 28–Saturday, Oct. 29

In the mellow key of Halloweekend festivities, Tim Burton's stop-motion masterpiece, The Nightmare Before Christmas, will play on the big screen as Minnesota Orchestra members perform Danny Elfman's original score live at Orchestra Hall. $50-$103.

BareBones Extravaganza

Friday, Oct. 28–Monday, Oct. 31

Puppetry and performance arts organization BareBones has a habit of putting on spine-chilling shows grounded in the true spirit of the season. Be prepared to consider your relationship with your ancestors while watching intricate, larger-than-life handmade puppet figures dance in a fiery glow. Formerly held on the banks of the Mississippi in Saint Paul, this year's four performances will take place near the Midtown Greenway. Bring a lawn chair and blankets and bundle up. $50.

Jeremy Messersmith and Friends

Saturday, Oct. 29

Local darling and singer-songwriter Jeremy Messersmith will play at the Fitzgerald Theater on Saturday evening. The Messersmith musical universe is home to many eerie ballads — think "A Girl, a Boy, and a Graveyard" — including his latest single, "666," released earlier this month. Could it be a portent for an oncoming spooky album? $25.

Monster Bash at Lake Monster Brewing Co.

Saturday, Oct. 29

Swing through Saint Paul's Lake Monster Brewing for an afternoon of music, beer (warm Apple Cider Ale, anyone?), and a "100% chance of a great time." Silky funk connoisseur Ellis Cleve kicks off the event at 1 p.m., followed by alt-rockers Run Westy Run and local music champions Lazerbeak and Nur-D. DJ Joshua Berwald of Transmission keeps the tunes coming until 11 p.m.

Second Annual Hallowhiskey Party at O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co.

Saturday, Oct. 29

The Cactus Blossoms will play live, and Jade will spin some ghoulishly good tracks to soundtrack the second annual whiskey-themed celebration at the O'Shaughnessy in Saint Paul. This year, the original Irish and American blend, Keeper's Heart, will star in cocktails complemented by Halloween-themed "finger food." Costumes are celebrated but not required. There will be a photo booth. The cost of admission is a non-perishable food item (peanut butter is best) donated to Second Harvest Heartland.

Vampire Family Reunion Halloween Party

 Saturday, Oct. 29

How many vampires does it take to suck dry Pryes' entire stash of Blood Orange Miraculum? N2N (house), Ruca (French pop and nu-disco), g3ms (house), and MilesPerHour (electronic dance) will take the stage at Pryes Brewing Company's Halloween bash at dusk and play into the wee hours of the morning. Before then, enjoy family-friendly crafts, food, and a vampiric costume contest.

Grrrl Scout Presents: Switchcraft

Saturday, Oct. 29

Join queer dance party Grrrl Scout for a frightful soiree at Icehouse featuring bubbly DJ sets and a gay costume contest — judged at the stroke of Midnight, of course. Gifts and prizes abound courtesy Jackalope Tattoo. $25.

Hausu at the Trylon

Sunday, Oct 30–Tuesday, Nov. 1

For the 21st year running, indie theater Trylon Cinema in south Minneapolis plays Nobuhiko Ôbayashi's surreal 1977 film Hausu. Expect creepy set pieces, wacky special effects, and some dark humor. $8.

Haunted Disco at First Ave

Monday, Oct. 31

Dance, dance, and dance some more at the Mainroom on Monday with help from some of the Twin Cities' most prolific DJs. The Current's Zeke hosts the annual ball featuring a costume contest ($1,000 in cash prizes are at stake) and photo booth via local photographer Darin Kamnetz. $5-$15.

 This feature is part of The Current’s 89 Days series, helping you enjoy the best of the season with weekly guides to events, entertainment, and recreation in the Twin Cities.