GTA residents planning an October outing have options stretching from Pumpkins After Dark in Markham to film festivals, concerts and Halloween attractions in Toronto. Several seasonal events are already underway, with more performances and festivals scheduled through the end of the month.

According to an October events roundup from Streets Of Toronto, the Markham edition of Pumpkins After Dark runs from Oct. 2 to 31. The calendar also includes Halloween events continuing into November and a range of music, comedy and stage performances.

Halloween dates

Halloween Nights of Lights runs through Nov. 1. In Etobicoke, Martino Manor Haunted House also continues through Nov. 1, while The Elmvale Ward Séance with Jaymes White is listed through Nov. 30.

Screemers Halloween Haunted House begins Oct. 9 and continues through Oct. 31. Halloween at the Village is scheduled for two pairs of dates: Oct. 24–25 and Oct. 30–31.

Film, dance and art

The Toronto After Dark Film Festival runs Oct. 14–18, followed by an overlapping stretch of dance programming: the Fall for Dance North Festival takes place Oct. 15–25.

For audiences interested in film accompanied by live music, How to Train Your Dragon 2 in Concert is scheduled at Meridian Hall on Oct. 16–17. The TSO lists Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert Live-to-Film on Oct. 17–18.

Art Toronto’s annual art fair runs Oct. 29–Nov. 1, placing it among the events that extend beyond the October calendar.

Concerts throughout the month

Scotiabank Arena has the Signed to God World Tour listed for Oct. 8 and Olivia Rodrigo scheduled for Oct. 26–27.

Monsta X performs at The Theatre at Great Canadian Casino Resort on Oct. 10. The Linda Lindas follow at The Danforth Music Hall on Oct. 12, with Rebecca Black appearing at the same venue on Oct. 21.

Other music dates include The Music of Bond… James Bond at the TSO on Oct. 14–15, Carley Pearce at The Opera House on Oct. 15–16, and Eros Ramazzotti at Coca-Cola Coliseum on Oct. 16.

Comedy, books and opera

Chelsea Handler is scheduled at Meridian Hall on Oct. 10. Later in the month, Jonathan Van Ness appears at The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres on Oct. 23, and Darryl Vega is listed at Meridian Arts Centre on Oct. 31.

An Evening with Zadie Smith takes place at Massey Hall on Oct. 18. The Canadian Opera Company’s Cosi fan tutte continues through Oct. 18, with its Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition & Gala scheduled for Oct. 22.