On a dark autumn night, when the barrier between this world and Otherworld – between life and death – is thinnest, people would adorn costumes and masks to ward off harmful spirits. Today, Halloween has become synonymous with miniature chocolate bars, haunted ghost walks and French maid costumes.

Whether you’re celebrating the summer’s end of Samhain or commemorating saints, Toronto is filled with events and parties for Halloween.

This is the final weekend for theme parks Halloween Haunt and Screemers. Both events are open from 7 p.m. until midnight Friday and Saturday, while Halloween Haunt remains open Sunday evening as well. As an added bonus, Screemers will feature hip-hop goth band So Sick Social Club on Thursday evening.

Do you like to be spooked, but don’t want rotting corpses jumping out at you in a haunted house? Muddy York Walking Tours is one of many guided tours through (allegedly) haunted Toronto locations. Colborne Lodge’s Haunted High Park runs Friday and Saturday for adults. For younger crowds, the Toronto Zoo and Canada’s Wonderland both offer family-oriented events — Boo at the Zoo wraps up on Saturday.

For party-seekers, the weekend is filled with frightening fiestas at most city bars and nightclubs. Those who can’t wait until Saturday can catch the spooky sounds of Johnny Hollow at the El Mocambo on Friday evening. Saturday night, Pride Toronto finishes up Halloweek with a costume contest and block party, and The Drake Lounge is the place to see some Dead Celebrities. Toronto’s largest party – The Monsters Ball - happens at the Ontario Science Centre and boasted over 4,500 guests last year.

If you’ve been looking for a place to wear that costume from your favourite obscure horror film, Rue Morgue Magazine’s Frankenstein Formal is the place to be. Even if you don’t win a best costume award, it’s probably the only place you’ll see Pom Pom Blood Wrestlers.

Finally, if you’re a homebody who’d rather hand out candy to the kiddies, you can curl up with some seasonal DVDs – the recently-released Trick ‘r Treat is sure to be a holiday favourite. The anthology ties together Halloween folklore, urban legends and ghoulish monsters for a bloody entertaining time. Should you muster up the courage to venture outside, Paranormal Activity, Saw VI and Jennifer’s Body are just a few of the horror movies playing at a theatre near you.

And don’t forget – Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend, giving the souls of the dearly departed an extra hour to reach out and grab you.