From trick-or-treating at VillageFest to dancing on Arenas Road, here’s where to celebrate Halloween across the desert.

PALM SPRINGS – PALM DESERT

Get the costumes ready: Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and Greater Palm Springs is filling the days leading up to October 31 with candy, costume contests, live entertainment and late-night celebrations.

Whether your ideal outing involves taking the children trick-or-treating, showing off an elaborate costume or dancing into November, here are several events to put on your calendar.

Monsters on Main Street at VillageFest

Downtown Palm Springs gets an early start on Halloween on Thursday, October 29, when Monsters on Main Street brings seasonal activities to VillageFest.

Beginning at 6 p.m., families can enjoy games, candy stations and a haunted bus on Tahquitz Canyon Way between Indian Canyon Drive and Palm Canyon Drive. A costume contest is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Admission is free, and the Halloween activities continue until the candy runs out—giving younger trick-or-treaters a good reason to arrive early.

A Community Carnival and Haunted House

The James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center, at 480 W. Tramview Road in Palm Springs, will host a Halloween Carnival & Haunted House on Friday, October 30, from 4 to 7 p.m.

The free community event features games, candy and activities for a family outing the evening before Halloween. City event information.

Two Nights of Halloween on Arenas Road

For those looking to make a weekend of it, Halloween Palm Springs brings two evenings of music and dancing to the Arenas District on Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, from 4 to 10 p.m.

Admission is free, with a suggested $10 donation supporting local LGBTQ+ organizations. Friday’s lineup includes DJ K-Swift, Meaty Beats by Juan, DJ MODGIRL and DJ Jeffree. Saturday’s entertainment includes KLYMAXX and pop performer MkX.

Saturday also gives costume enthusiasts a chance to compete for more than $2,000 in prizes. Registration opens at 6 p.m. and closes at 7:15 p.m., or earlier if contestant spaces fill. Competitors must be in line at the stage by 7:30 p.m. Event details.

Howl-O-Ween at The Living Desert

Families can spend Halloween morning among the animals at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, where Howl-O-Ween takes place Saturday, October 31, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The celebration includes trick-or-treat stations, animal trading cards, keeper connections, face painting and fall photo opportunities. Activities are included with membership or paid zoo admission.

The zoo, at 47900 Portola Avenue in Palm Desert, encourages visitors to bring reusable trick-or-treat bags. Costumes are welcome, although adult costumes cannot include full-face masks, and costumes with weapons or elements that could disturb visitors or animals are prohibited. Event details.

A Late-Night Trip to Wonderland

For a later celebration, Lola Rose Lounge will host The Mad Hatter’s Halloween Party on Saturday, October 31, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The evening features music by DJ Tina Turntables, tarot readings and crystal ball experiences by Crystal Fantasy, entertainment by FlowBox, specialty cocktails and a costume contest offering the chance to win a future overnight stay.

The venue lists no cover charge and no reservations required. Event details.

With daytime family activities, free community celebrations and evening entertainment, this year’s Halloween calendar offers plenty of reasons to give that costume more than one outing.