Ghost stories, haunted houses, horror films — what would Halloween be without a good scare? Here’s a wrap-up of some of the spooky events that are planned on Oahu:

Haunted Lagoon

Where: Polynesian Cultural Center, 55-370 Kamehameha Highway, Laie, 293-3333.
When: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday through Oct. 23, Monday through Saturday, Oct. 25-30. Canoes depart periodically beginning at 6:30 each evening.
Website: www.hauntedlagoon.com
Cost: $25 per adult and $20 for children ages 5 through 15 ($19.50 and $14.50 for kamaaina). Kamaaina Annual Pass holders may ride free on weekdays and for a discounted rate of $10 on Fridays and Saturdays. Ask about the Fast Pass upgrade, which guarantees a shorter wait. Bring a Pepsi product on Wednesdays and receive $5 off. Participating 7-Elevens are distributing $3 discount coupons.

What’s the story: The Laie Lady has returned! This mysterious woman in white once again drifts along the center’s lagoon, mourning her murdered husband and searching for her long-lost son. Brave souls who embark on the 30-minute Haunted Lagoon canoe ride will also come face to face with dozens of other creepy, otherworldly apparitions. Families with little ones will prefer the "keiki canoe" tour, which is guided by a warrior who carries a mystical light staff that repels monsters.

Victorian Horrors

Where: Mission Houses Museum, 553 South King St., downtown Honolulu, 447-3914
When: Oct. 22, 7 to 9 p.m.
Website: www.missionhouses.org
Cost: $15 (geared for participants 14 and older); advance reservations are recommended.

What’s the story: Mary Shelley, who wrote "Frankenstein;" Dr. John William Polidori, known for his short story "The Vampyre;" and Edgar Allan Poe, who penned "The Raven," were part of a literary movement in the late 1700s and early 1800s that focused on Gothic themes of death, the macabre and the supernatural. During a lantern-lit walking tour of the museum’s grounds, you’ll meet and interact with these authors (actually, readers in period attire who are portraying them), listen to 30-minute excerpts from their famous works and discuss the inspiration behind them. The evening concludes with theme refreshments.

Haunted Plantation

Where: Hawaii’s Plantation Village. 94-695 Waipahu St., Waipahu, 677-0110
When: Oct. 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31, 7 to 11:30 p.m.
Website: www.hawaiianhauntedplantation.com
Cost: $10 general admission; $15 Fast Pass, which takes you to the front of the line.

Warning: This event is supposedly so frightening that pregnant women, kids under 13 years old and people with heart conditions are not allowed, and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Cool sound and visual effects and more than 45 actors in professional Hollywood makeup boost the terror factor in a village populated by ghosts, goblins and ghouls.

Hallowbaloo Street Fest

Where: Nuuanu Avenue, downtown Honolulu
When: Oct. 30, 5 to 10:30 p.m.
Information: 271-9140
Website: www.hallowbaloo.com
Cost: Free admission; refreshments will be available for purchase.

What’s the story: A dozen bands, five outdoor stages, 15 DJs, 15,000 costumed revelers — this year’s Hallowbaloo Street Fest promises to be as wild and wonderful as ever. Dengue Fever and The Budos Band will be headlining a terrific roster of groups playing blues, indie rock, soul, jazz, Cambodian surf rock, afro-funk soul and more. Even better, you can club-crawl until 2 a.m. Buy a wristband ($10 before 7:30 p.m., $15 after that and $20 if you’re not wearing a costume), and enjoy additional entertainment at Thirty-Nine Hotel, NextDoor, Bar 35, Manifest, Indigo, The Venue at BambuTwo, SoHo Mixed Media Bar and Mercury Bar.

An Edward Gorey Haunted Mystery Family Soiree

Where: Art Gallery, University of Hawaii at Manoa campus, Honolulu, Art Building near Campus Center, 956-6888
When: Oct. 31, 12 to 8:30 p.m.
Website: ww.hawaii.edu/artgallery/events
Cost: Free admission; refreshments will be available for purchase.

What’s the story: Despite its "Gorey" theme, your whole family will enjoy this entertaining and educational Halloween party. It complements the exhibit "Musings of Mystery and Alphabets of Agony: The Work of Edward Gorey," on view through Dec. 10. An American author and artist who died in 2000, Gorey is known for his surrealistic, darkly humorous poetry, prose, and black-and-white illustrations. You’ll be able to participate in scavenger hunts built in and around the exhibit; interact with costumed actors portraying characters from Gorey’s books; enjoy book readings and art activities, including drawing workshops and making a Gorey mask and Halloween bag; enter costume parades and contests; and watch two films: "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert."

Spook-tacular Treat Street

Where: Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice St., Honolulu, 847-3511
When: Oct. 31, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Website: www.bishopmuseum.org
Cost: Free

What’s the story: Now in its 23rd year, Spook-tacular Treat Street features games, pie-eating contests, and trick-or-treating along an avenue filled with whimsical facades and characters. There will be costume contests in five major categories: Most Adorable (ages 1 to 5 and 6 to 12); Most Original (ages 1 to 5, 6 to 12 and 11 to 15); Spookiest (ages 1 to 5, 6 to 10 and 11 to 15); Best Sea Creature (ages 1 to 5, 6 to 10 and 11 to 15); and King and Queen of Halloween (16 years and up). The theme of this year’s festivities revolves around the "Creatures of the Abyss" exhibit, which can be seen in the Castle Memorial Building through Jan. 9.

Boo-Wop and Ol’ Skool Festival

Where: Waikiki Beach Walk, Lewers Street, Waikiki, 931-3591
When: Oct. 31, 5 to 8 p.m.
Website: www.waikikibeachwalk.com
Cost: Free

What’s the story: Get into the Halloween spirit by viewing the results of the employee pumpkin carving/decorating contest at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach on Oct. 29. The pumpkins will be displayed in the hotel’s front lobby from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can vote for your favorite through noon, when the ballots will be tallied and the winning pumpkins named.

Return to Waikiki on Halloween and dance the night away at the Boo-Wop and Ol’ Skool Festival spotlighting The Tradewinds, A Touch of Gold and EightOEight. The groups’ repertoires range from disco, funk and jazz to Sinatra, Motown, and rhythm and blues. Dress in your most creative Halloween costume and linger for a chance to win dinner certificates from Beach Walk restaurants.

Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based freelance writer whose travel features for the Star-Advertiser have won multiple Society of American Travel Writers awards.