The Halloween season officially kicks off this weekend, with the turnstiles creaking open at many local haunted attractions.

Here's a roundup, along with a collection of special Halloween events for all ages and fear tolerance levels:

PHANTOM FRIGHT NIGHTS

New attractions include Voodoo Bayou and Ghostwood Estate. Not recommended for children under 13. Kennywood Park. Sept. 26-Nov. 1. Fri.-Sat. 7 p.m.-1 a.m., plus Oct. 12, 7-11 p.m. $23 at the gate, $20 in advance at Giant Eagle locations. 412-461-0500; www.phantomfrightnights.com.

HUNDRED ACRES MANOR HAUNTED HOUSE

Massacre Mansion, Valleyview Hospital, Fearscapes Factory and The Maze. Proceeds benefit the Homeless Children's Education Fund and Animal Friends. Hundred Acres Drive, off Corrigan Drive, South Park. Sept. 26-28, Oct. 1-5, 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, 29-31, and Nov. 1. Wed., Thurs. and Sun. 7-10 p.m.; Fri. and Sat. 7-11:30 p.m. $13. 412-851-HAUNT; www.hundred acresmanor.org.

THE SCAREHOUSE

Hall of Nightmares, Screamatorium and Delirium 3-D. May be too intense for children under 13. 118 Locust St., Etna. Sept. 26-27 (preview weekend), Oct. 2-5, 9-12, 16-19, 23-26, 30-31, and Nov. 1. Thurs. and Sun. plus Sept. 26-27, 7-10 p.m.; Fri. and Sat. 7 p.m.-midnight. $16 Thurs. and Sun. and Sept. 26-27; $17 Fri. and Sat. 412-781-5885; www.scarehouse.com.

HAUNTED HILLS HAYRIDE AND THE VALLEY OF DARKNESS

Proceeds benefit the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and the Spectrum Charter School. Route 48 (a half-mile north of the intersection with Route 30), North Versailles. Sept. 26-28, Oct. 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 22-26, 29-31, and Nov. 1. Fri.-Sat. 7-11 p.m.; Sun. and weekdays 7-10 p.m. $10 each attraction or $15 for both. 412-824-1214; hauntedhillshayride.com.

DEMON HOUSE

Monongahela, off the 43 Turnpike. Sept. 26-28, Oct. 3-5, 10-12, 16-19, 23-26, 30-31, and Nov. 1. Doors open at 7 p.m. Box office closes at midnight Fri. and Sat. and at 10 p.m. Thurs., Sun. and Halloween. $15. www.demonhouse.com.

CHILLY BILLY CARDILLE'S TEMPLE OF TERROR

Chiller Theatre, Nightmares Haunted House and Vampire's Lair. Benefits Syria Shrine Center. Syria Shrine Center, Harmar. Oct. 3-5, 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, 29-30. Fri.-Sat. 7-11 p.m.; Wed., Thurs. and Sun. 7-10 p.m. $10. 724-274-7000; www.templeofterror.net.

HAUNTED HOUSE

Maze of rooms includes Salem Witch Trials, the Wild West, the Inquisition, the Plague and more. Sewickley United Methodist Church, 337 Broad St., Sewickley. Oct. 24, 25, 31, 7-9:30 p.m. $6. Special lighted tour for kids Oct. 25, noon-2 p.m. $3. 412-741-9430; www.sewickleyumc.org.

CREEPY HOLLOW

Haunted trail through woods. Proceeds benefit Hookstown Volunteer Fire Dept. Hookstown VFD, 102 Silver Slipper Road, Hookstown. Oct. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25. Dusk-11 p.m. $5. 724-573-4111; hookvfd.org.

FRIGHT FARM

Rich Farms, Route 857, Smithfield. Sept. 26-28, Oct. 1-5, 8-12, 15-19, 22-31, and Nov. 1. Wed., Thurs. and Sun., plus Oct. 27 and 28, dusk-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., dusk-midnight. $15. 724-564-7644 or 1-888-564-7644; www.frightfarm.com.

CASTLE BLOOD

2860 Main St. (Route 40), Beallsville, Washington County. Oct. 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-26, 31, and Nov. 1. Ticket booth open 7-10 p.m. $13. Also No-Scare daylight tours Oct. 19 and 26, 1-4 p.m. $5. 724-632-3242; www.castleblood.com.

CHEESEMAN'S FRIGHT FARM

Cheeseman Road, off Route 19, Portersville, Butler County. Sept. 26-28, Oct. 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 23-26, 30-31, and Nov. 1. Dusk to at least 10 p.m. Thurs. and Sun. $10; Fri. and Sat. $12. 724-368-3233; www.cheesemanfarm.com.

HAUNTED VILLAGE

Tours, paranormal presentations, hay ride. Masquerade ball Oct. 25. Presented by West Overton Museums. West Overton Village, Scottdale. Oct. 24-26, 6-10 p.m. $10 adults, $5 children 12 and under. Masquerade dance $15. 724-887-7910.

OTHER HAPPENINGS

ZOMBIE FEST

Annual Zombie event presented by WBGN's "It's Alive" show. Information: www.theitsaliveshow.com/zombiefest2008/home.htm.

• Zombie Fest: Vendors, film screenings, live music and other activities. Monroeville Mall. Oct. 25-26. Free.

• Zombie Masquerade Ball, Churchill Valley Country Club. Oct. 24, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $20 in advance, $22 at the door.

• World Zombie Day Zombie Walk. Monroeville Mall. Oct. 26. Registration at 9 a.m. Walk starts at 10 a.m.

HALLOWBOO!

Family Halloween celebration, with trick-or-treating in Storybook Forest, hay bale maze, hedge maze, haunted train ride and more. Idlewild Park, Ligonier. Sept. 27-28, Oct. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, Sat.-Sun. noon-6 p.m. $19.95. 724-238-3666; www.idlewild.com.

KDKA ZOOBOO FOR KIDS' SAKE

ZooBoo, with Haunted House, not-so-spooky Train Ride, costume parade and contest, animal activities and trick or treating. Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Highland Park. Oct. 18-19, 25-26, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free with zoo admission. 412-665-3640; zoo.pgh.pa.us.

HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS

Kids can come in costume and take part in Halloween activities. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Schenley Park. Free with conservatory admission. Oct. 26, 4-8 p.m. 412-622-6914; www.phipps.conservatory.org.

HOOTIN' OWL-O-WEEN

Treats, crafts and activities. National Aviary, North Side. Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free with Aviary admission. 412-323-7235; www.aviary.org.

BUMP IN THE NIGHT

Non-scary family event. Frick Environmental Center, 2005 Beechwood Blvd., Squirrel Hill. Oct. 17-18, 24-25, 7-9 p.m. $10 ages 12 and up; $8 ages 2-11. Advance registration required. 412-422-6538.

GATEWAY CLIPPER FLEET HALLOWEEN CRUISES

All cruises are $25 and board at 7 p.m. and sail at 8 p.m. from Station Square. 412-355-7980; www.gatewayclipper.com.

• DVE Halloween Bash -- The Clarks and Grapevine (over 21 cruise), Oct. 24.

• 3WS "Boos" Cruise -- Donnie Iris (over 21), Oct. 25.

• KISS 3rd Annual Halloween Party with Mikey & Big Bob (over 21) -- DJ Bonics plus national act TBA, Oct. 31

• STAR 100.7 Very Hairy Halloween Cruise -- With Bon Jovi tribute band Bed of Roses (over 21), Nov. 1.

MADCAP MASQUERADE

Costume or black-tie fundraiser benefits Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. Schenley Plaza. Oct. 25. www.pittsburghparks.org.

PITTSBURGH 250 FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS HOWLOWEEN

Family-friendly Halloween celebration, including free carousel rides. Schenley Plaza, Oakland. Oct. 31, 7:30-9 p.m. www.pittsburghparks.org.

ALAMEDA PARK HAUNTED BONFIRE

Storytelling, bonfire, treasure dig and refreshments. Kids invited to come in costume. Alameda Park, North New Castle Road on Alameda Park Road, two miles west of Butler. Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m. at Masonic Shelter. $7/child. Pre-registration preferred: 724-284-5383.

HALLOWEEN TRAIL

Haunted trail and treats for kids 12 and younger. Kids can come in costume. Hospital Fitness Trail, Canonsburg General Hospital. Oct. 16, 4-5:30 p.m. Free. 724-873-5835.

HALLOWEEN PARTY IN PINE PARK

Kids' activities include costume parade, crafts, rides, storytelling and bonfire. Pine Community Park, Pine. Oct. 18, 2-6 p.m. $3. 724-625-1591.

PUMPKIN PATCH TROLLEY

Trolley rides and pumpkin patch. Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, near Washington County Fairgrounds. Oct. 10-12, 17-19, 24-26. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Adults $8, seniors $7, children 3-13 $5. 724-228-9256; www.pa-trolley.org.

HOBGOBLIN HIKES

Guided walk through haunted woods in two Westmoreland County parks. Twin Lakes Park, Oct. 17; Cedar Creek Park, Oct. 24. 7-9 p.m. Free. 724-830-3959; www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/parks.

NORTHERN NIGHTMARES HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL

www.northernnightmares.com.

• The Nightmare Tour -- Trolley tours of alleged haunted locales in Zelienople and Harmony. Tours leave from gazebo at Main Street and Grandview Avenue, next to Park Presbyterian Church in Zelienople at 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat. Oct. 3-Nov. 1. $12/adults, $7/children under 12.

• The Solid "Mold" Dancers -- Halloween-themed dance performances. Main Street and Grandview Avenue, Zelienople. Fri. and Sat. in Oct. 6:15-9 p.m. Free.

• The Un-Beauty Costume Pageant -- Open to all ages. $5 entry fee. Oct. 18.

• Chiller Theater -- Classic monster movies screen at Herbe's Z-Town Cafe on Main Street. Fri. and Sat. in October. See Web site for movies and times.

EERIE HORROR FILM FESTIVAL

Annual horror film festival with appearances by Sid Haig and a "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" cast reunion. See Web site for complete schedule. Warner Theater, Erie, Oct. 9-12. 1-814-873-4500; www.eeriehorrorfest.com.