Ten ghoulish gatherings on Halloween weekend in Dallas/Fort Worth

Boo!

The Cutting Edge Haunted House in Fort Worth features a wide variety of frightful characters.

There’s a certain extra thrill in going out after dark to do something Halloweeny — that nip in the air, the possibility of things that go bump in the night and maybe even the excitement of wearing a new costume for the first time. We’ve rounded up 10 nighttime excursions that are particularly worthy of your attention.

#1 Cutting Edge

As you walk under the humongous skull over the entrance to the Fort Worth haunt, know that you’re at one of the best of its kind. (Or is it worst? That’s debatable in the haunted-house arena.) It was named one of the Top 13 professional haunted attractions by the HauntWorld directory of the creepy spots, it’s been featured on the Travel Channel, and it has held the Guinness world record for being the longest walk-through haunted house. It’s in a former meatpacking plant and features clowns, skeletons and countless other creepy characters. Plus, on Fridays and Saturdays throughout October, the undead Banshee Brass Band plays.

Through Nov. 3. Call for details. $30, $50 for a speed pass; $25 for kids 10 and under, $45 for a speed pass. 1701 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth. 817-348-8444. cuttingedgehauntedhouse.com

#2 Oak Lawn Halloween Street Party

Some of the most elaborate costumes in Dallas are likely to be on display during the costume promenade at this Oct. 27 bash, presented by Caven Enterprises with a street party and special events at its gay clubs in the area (it’s 21 and up only for the clubs).

Oct. 27 from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the 3900 block of Cedar Springs, Dallas. Street party admission is free. partyattheblock.com

#3 Halloween at the Heard

Go trick-or-treating along a trail lined with animatronic dinosaurs, check out a screening of The Lorax and see indoor and outdoor nature exhibits. There’ll be costume contests for kids 12 and younger. Older attendees might get a kick out of the Haunted Forest attraction that’ll be open after the film screening (it’s not recommended for little ones).

Oct. 20 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. $15 for adults, $10 for ages 3 to 12, free for kids 2 and younger. 972-562-5566. heardmuseum.org

Peter Buffa, left, Brent Wagner, Jason Hillman and Mark Hefner photographed at the Oak Lawn Halloween block party on Oct. 30, 2010.

#4 Haunted Heritage

Hear true stories of murder and mourning at the Dallas Heritage Village living history museum, as well as a few ghost stories.

Oct. 26 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Dallas Heritage Village, 1515 S. Harwood St., Dallas. $8 in advance; limited tickets for $10 on the night of the event. 214-421-5141. dallasheritagevillage.org

#5 KNON Zydeco Halloween Fais VooDoo Party

Zydeco accordionist-singer Rosie Ledet is the headliner at an Oct. 27 bash presented by KNON-FM (89.3). Tickets include dinner from Alligator Cafe and a costume contest for the scariest, funniest and most Cajun outfits. (If you miss this one, KNON’s Blue Lisa is hosting a Halloween-night party at LaGrange featuring the Necro Tonz that also sounds like a blast.)

Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. at Poor David’s Pub, 1313 S. Lamar St., Dallas. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. knon.org

#6 Ghost Tales at the Bath House

Expect goosebump-raising yarns from top local tellers at this Dallas Storytelling Guild event geared toward adults and teens.

Oct. 26-27 at 7 p.m. at the Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E. Lawther, Dallas. $10. dallasstorytelling.org

#7 Bewitched by the Barn

The Tarrant Area Guild of Storytellers presents an evening of family-friendly, but progressively scarier, tales. Take flashlights, blankets and chairs; popcorn and hot cider will be provided.

Oct. 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Nash Farm, 626 Ball St., Grapevine. Free. grapevinetexasusa.com

The Cutting Edge Haunted House in Fort Worth features a wide variety of frightful characters.

#8 Howl-O-Ween 2012

Summitshire Events is presenting this bash for ages 21 and up, which benefits the SPCA of Texas. It features a costume contest with prizes, a DJ, an open bar, a snack buffet and a midnight breakfast-taco buffet.

Oct. 27 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at 2616 Commerce Events Center, 2616 Commerce, Dallas. $60-$75. howloweentexas.com

#9 William Shakespeare's Land of the Dead

It’s time for what they call Shakespeare in the Park(ing Lot). Zombie makeup and attire are encouraged for attendees at this production, billed as “a true and accurate account of the 1599 zombie plague.” The John Heimbuch play, which features the Bard as a character, is being presented by Drag Strip Courage on an outdoor stage.

Oct. 19-20 at 8 p.m. at Arts Fifth Avenue, 1628 Fifth Ave., Fort Worth. Suggested donation is $10. artsfifthavenue.org

#10 All Hallows Eve Train

There’s bound to be a ghost or two on the tracks during this one-hour journey on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. Riders are encouraged to wear their costumes for the excursion, which also features a spooky pre-boarding show in the parking lot beforehand. If you can’t make the nighttime train, there’s also a Halloween Scream Train during the day on Oct. 28.

The All Hallows Eve Train runs on Oct. 31, with the show at 7 p.m. and departure at 7:30 at the Cotton Belt Depot, 705 S. Main St., Grapevine. $20 per person. 817-410-3557. gvrr.com