THE DISCOVERY MUSEUM presents its annual “Batty Ball” costume carnival featuring a costume parade and contest, face painting, games, crafts, and food on Oct. 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum, 705 S. McClelland, Santa Maria. Info: 928-8414.
THE SANTA BARBARA CONTEMPORARY ARTS FORUM holds a pumpkin carving contest and fall-themed wine tasting event on Oct. 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Contemporary Arts Forum, 653 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara. Info: 966-5373, Ext. 104.
LOMPOC CIVIC THEATRE presents Cirque du Mort at the Calvert Theater on H Street in Lompoc on Oct. 30 and 31 from 7 to 10 p.m. Guests are recommended to be at least 14 years old. Cost of entry is $5, or $4 with a canned food item to donate.
A FALL FUN FESTIVAL featuring dinner, games, and fun for kids with no scary costumes is Oct. 31 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Bethany Church, 4890 Bethany Lane, Santa Maria. Info: 268-3424.
A FAMILY FALL FESTIVAL is a safe, fun, and small-child-appropriate event on Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. at First Christian Church in Santa Maria. Info: 922-8479.
THE LOMPOC FOURSQUARE CHURCH holds a harvest block party featuring games for all ages on Oct. 31 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the 100 block of North C Street, Lompoc. Info: 736-2772.
THE HAUNTED HISTORIC SANTA MARIA INN holds a Halloween party featuring costumes and prizes on Oct. 31 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Tap Room. Info: 928-7777.
THE MARRIED AND BURIED HALLOWEEN DISPLAY by Wayne and Wendy Steller features a ghoulish marriage scene, eerie music, and fantastic frights through Oct. 31 at 513 E. Mariposa Way, Santa Maria. Free. Info: 349-6795.
THE STUDIO OF PERFORMING ARTS presents a haunted house titled “A Nightmare on Branch Street” for ages 8 and up on Oct. 30 and 31 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the studio, 116 W. Branch St., Arroyo Grande. Cost is $5. Info: 473-0377.
THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH Recreation Division’s Community Development Department presents “Pumpkins on the Pier” with a shipwrecked theme on Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pismo Beach Pier. Info: 773-7063.
MOROVINO WINERY presents the “Tasting Room of Terror!” featuring Dr. Vinostein’s mad laboratory, wine, and food pairings on Oct. 31 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the tasting room, 550 1st St., Avila Beach. Cost is $5, free for guests in Halloween costumes. Info: 627-1443.
This article appears in Oct 29 – Nov 4, 2009.