Mount Pleasant

ClayZone Ceramics Gallery wants the public to help judge its annual creative clay pumpkin contest.

The pumpkins were created by children ages five to 16 and the judging runs now through Oct. 27. The public is invited to drop by and vote in three categories, ages five to seven, eight to 11 and 12 to 16.

ClayZone is located at 661 East 15th Ave. For more information, visit clayzoneceramics.blogspot.ca.

UBC

Registration is open for Lace Up For Kids 2012, a student-driven charity event benefitting B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Rare Disease Foundation.

The event is a kind of skate-a-thon with games and fun activities for kids organized annually by students from UBC’s REC Program who raise funds for vital research at BCChildren’s Hospital and are working to expand the parents support group. The event takes place Nov. 22 from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre at UBC. Registration deadline is Nov. 16. For more information visit laceup.ca.

• From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Thursday and Friday, the theatre at UBC’s costume shop is clearing some inventory just in time for Halloween. All proceeds will contribute to the costume shop’s equipment upgrades.

Everything is priced to clear. Prices start at free and go up to $20. Along with vintage men’s and women’s clothing, you’ll find jewellery, furs, hats purses, ties, belts, shoes, lingerie and more. Cash, Visa and Master Card accepted.

The sale is at the Frederic Wood Theatre lobby, 6354 Crescent Rd., UBC. Go to http://bit.ly/8g4Y for a map to Frederic Wood Theatre. Parking is available in the UBC Rose Garden Parkade.

Marpole

The ninth annual Great Marpole Trick-or-Treat event, hosted by the Marpole Business Association, takes place Wednesday, Oct. 31 from 4 to 5 p.m.

This family-friendly community event takes place along Granville Street between West 63rd and 71st avenues in the Marpole commercial district. Children of all ages are encouraged to dress up in their best Halloween costumes, spot the orange pumpkin decal and trick-or-treat at the nearly 50 participating Marpole merchants who’ll be giving away free Halloween candy.

This is a great opportunity for safe trick-or-treating along Granville Street before continuing the festivities in the greater Marpole neighbourhood. Spot the pumpkin and have a safe and happy Halloween. For more details visit marpoleonline.com.

West End

The Barclay Manor Haunted House opens Friday, Oct. 26 for children aged eight and older, with parent’s discretion.

A walk through this spooky haunted heritage house is guaranteed to scare even the bravest of souls. Meet the ghouls and have your picture taken Sunday only.

The Barclay Manor Haunted House, located at 1447 Barclay St., is open Oct. 26 from 7 to 9 p.m., Oct. 27 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Oct. 28 from noon to 2 p.m.

False Creek

• The False Creek Halloween Thriller Dance for kids ages nine to 12 takes place Nov. 2 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the False Creek Community Centre.

Shuffle to the Creek in your most horrid costumes and ask DJ Josh to get your song on the VIP playlist.

Tear up the dance floor to find out who has the scariest skills in the Thriller dance off. There will be prizes.

Kitsilano

The Kitsilano Halloween Howl Lunch Celebration for ages 55 and older takes place Oct. 26 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Register now for this potluck Halloween celebration. Bring a salad, dessert or vegetable dish to share and enjoy Halloween-themed games and prizes. Ham will be provided. Registration for the potluck is $5.

Strathcona

The Pumpkin Patch Party at Maclean Park takes place Oct. 27 from noon to 3 p.m. and is open to all ages.

Enjoy face painting, arts and crafts, free pumpkins and refreshments. Open rain or shine until 3 p.m. or until all the pumpkins are gone. Contact Strathcona Community Centre for more information about this event and other Halloween activities taking place in the community by calling 713-1838 or dropping by the centre at 601 Keefer St.

• The 20th annual Samhain Ritual and Spiral dance takes place Oct. 28 at the Maritime Labour Centre, 1880 Triumph St. Samhain (pronounced Sow-en) is the Witches New Year and falls on Halloween (a.k.a. All Hallows, Day of the Dead, All Souls Days plus other traditions) and is the time, in the Wiccan earth-based tradition, to nurture a new world being born.

It’s a time to remember and honour those in our life who have died during the past year and welcome in the new born. All are welcome. Ticket proceeds will benefit the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. Go to vancouverreclaiming.org for more information..org for more information.