Grinning jack-o-lanterns, scary masks, bags full of candy: The spookiest holiday of the year is almost here, with lots of tricks and treats for boys and ghouls, as well as adults who are celebrating Halloween in greater numbers than ever before. Happy haunting!

FRIDAY, OCT. 27
“¢ The annual Halloween Luncheon & Card Party hosted by Our Lady’s Guild of Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church begins at 10:30 a.m. and runs until 2:30 p.m. in the parish hall, 7727 Girard Ave. Bridge and other games, door prizes, a raffle and lunch are all part of the package, for a donation of $15. For information and reservations, call Alice, (858) 459-5636, or Paddy, (858) 454-6954.

OCT. 27-29
“¢ The Birch Aquarium at Scripps, 2300 Expedition Way, will once again become the Haunted Birch Aquarium for three evenings, Friday through Sunday, Oct. 27-29, from 6 to 9 p.m. Spooky science, haunted maritime tales, trick or treating and carnival games will be part of the fun. Each evening will also have a costume contest, with prizes awarded for scariest, most creative and best marine-themed costumes. Admission is $11 for members, $15 general public. To RSVP, call (858) 534-7336.

SATURDAY, OCT. 28
“¢ Dogs like Halloween, too ” or at least, the dogs that will gather for a Howl-O-Ween Pooch Party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Muttropolis, 7755 Girard Ave. “Barks and crafts,” refreshments, giveaways, an opportunity drawing and a “pup-cake” walk will keep hounds and their human companions busy. Professional pet portraits will also capture canines in their costumes. A 5-by-7 insta-print is $10, or a CD package of three insta-prints is $30, with all proceeds earmarked for the Spay Neuter Action Project (SNAP). For information, visit www.muttropolis.com or call (858) 459-WOOF.
“¢ La Jolla Recreation Center’s annual Halloween Festival runs from 1 to 4 p.m. at 615 Prospect St. Pony rides, face painting, a snack booth and bake sale, Astro jumps, a slide and arts and crafts will all be part of the fun. Tickets are 25 cents each. A free costume contest will also take place, by age, with youngsters 2 and under at 1:30 p.m.; 3- and 4-year-olds at 1:55 p.m.; 5- and 6-year-olds at 2:20 p.m.; 7- and 8-year-olds at 2:45 p.m.; 9- and 10-year-olds at 3:10 p.m., and the “big kids,” 11- and 12-year-olds, at 3:35 p.m. For information, call (858) 552-1658.

SUNDAY, OCT. 29
“¢ Torrey Pines Elementary School, 8350 Cliffridge Ave., hosts its annual Fall Halloween Carnival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A haunted house, games and rides including pony rides, refreshments, an inflatable rock wall, entertainment and a costume contest for all ages offer fun for the whole family. Although admission to the carnival is free, games and attractions require tickets, which are available for purchase at the event. Funds raised go to support art, music and science programs at the school. For information, call (858) 453-2323.

TUESDAY, OCT. 31
“¢ Westfield UTC, 4545 La Jolla Village Drive, has partnered with the Salvation Army for “Scare Away Hunger.” On Halloween, from 5 to 7 p.m., anyone who brings at least one non-perishable food item to the Westfield UTC mall will be eligible for treats and goodies at the concierge center and from participating merchants, while supplies last. The family-friendly and safe trick-or-treating event will take place at all seven San Diego Westfield malls. For information about UTC’s “Scare Away Hunger,” call (858) 546-8858.
“¢ Halloween and scary movies are a match made in “¦ well, probably not heaven. In the spirit of the holiday, the original “Phantom of the Opera” ” the 1925 silent film starring Lon Chaney ” will be screened at 7 p.m. in the Seuss Room at Geisel Library on the UCSD campus, 9500 Gilman Drive. The movie will be accompanied by live music from Scott Paulson’s Teeny-Tiny Pit Orchestra for Silent Films, with arias by a special guest, mezzo-soprano Kristin Behrmann. There will also be sections for audience participation with the “thunder sheet,” exotic wooden bird calls, harp, and coconut shells for horse-drawn carriage scenes. For more information about the free event, call (858) 534-9074.