Halloween activities for toddlers through adults and even canines are being offered in West County. Here's a roundup of events.

Family-oriented

ALBANY: Children can go trick-or-treating in costume at businesses on Solano and San Pablo avenues from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 31, then go to Ray's Pumpkin Patch at 1245 Solano at Masonic Avenue for Halloween On Solano from 5 to 8 p.m. for a costume contest, entertainment by magician Ty the Magic Guy, pizza, drinks and activities. The costume contest has adult and child categories and prizes. Bring a nonperishable food item for the Alameda County Food Bank and get a free portrait compliments of Waldman Photography.

  • The Halloween Carnival at the Albany YMCA, 921 Kains Ave., is from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday and will features games, prizes and treats. Costumes are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

    EL CERRITO: Halloween at the Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane, includes a haunted house, bounce houses and an indoor carnival from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30. The haunted house in the Skylight Room (admission $4) will have a lights-on nonscary version from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and a lights-out scary version from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The carnival is free and open to children with their parent/guardian to play carnival games and win prizes.

  • Bring your canine to the Halloween Dog Parade & Costume Contest from 3 to 4 p.m. Oct. 30 at Cerrito Vista Park, Moeser Lane at Pomona Ave. Registration is free and starts at 3:30 p.m. or in advance
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    at the Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane. Costumes are encouraged for both humans and dogs, with judging at 3:45 p.m. and prizes given for the best costumes. Donation to support a dog park in El Cerrito is welcomed.

  • All ages are welcome at Princesses, Pirates and Super Heroes weekend from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach, 10979 San Pablo Ave. Pumpkin carving, apple bobbing and costume contest along with unlimited access to more than 20 interactive exhibits, old-fashioned arcade and pinball games. Admission: $10 children and seniors, $15 general. Details: 510-592-3002.

    EL SOBRANTE: The seventh annual haunted house and carnival at the El Sobrante Boys and Girls Club, 4660 Appian Way, is from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31. The haunted house is upstairs and known as one of the scariest in the area, club President Tom Mason said. The carnival in the gym will include a bounce house, games and activities and free popcorn, cotton candy, punch. Admission is free for younger than 10 or $2 10 and older. Details: 510-223-5253

    HERCULES: Come to the Swim Center, 2001 Refugio Valley Road, from 1 to 10 p.m. Oct. 31 for games, arts and crafts, candy, activities and the 10th annual Halloween Haunted House. The Haunted House is presented by the Teen/Youth Council in a nonscary tour for ages 7 and younger from 1 to 4 p.m. and the House of Horrors version from 7 to 10 p.m. Haunted House admission is $5 residents ($16 for a family of four), $6 nonresidents ($18 for a family of four). Details: 510-799-8289.

    PINOLE: Halloween Carnival, sponsored by the Pinole Youth Foundation, returns from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 31 at Fernandez Park, 595 Tennent Ave. The free event for all ages includes a costume parade for children and adults at 3 p.m., music, jumpers and slides, face painting and activities. The popular haunted house (admission $3 adults, $2 youths, younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult) this year has a theme of Good Fairy Tales Gone Evil. Details: 510-724-9004 or jaltman@ci.pinole.ca.us.

    RICHMOND: Evil clowns and other frights will haunt the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza, at "Pop goes da Evil" from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31. The main floor of the auditorium will be turned into the "ClownAutorium," a scary attraction for ages 10 and up. The Recreation Department also will have "Clown Carnival," a nonscary area for all ages with bounce houses, carnival and video games, activities and concessions. Admission is $5 for both haunted house and carnival, $2 carnival only 510-620-6793.

  • The Hilltop YMCA, 4300 Lakeside Drive, starts Halloween off early with a free carnival and haunted house from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday. All ages are welcome. Details: 510-222-9622

  • The Puppet Company will present the free show "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" at 6:15 p.m. Thursday in the children's room at the Richmond Public Library, Address: 325 Civic Center Plaza. The puppet show based on Washington Irving's spooky tale of ghosts and local superstitions is suitable for all ages. Details: 510-620-6557.

  • Make skeleton masks using paper and recycled materials at a free workshop from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave. Children's author Bom Barner will read from his books and lead a drawing activity. Costumes are encouraged. Children must be accompanied by adult. Details: 510-620-6772.

  • Manzanita Charter Middle School is holding its first "Day of the Dead Festival & Holiday Bazaar" fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 31. The campus at 1615 Carlson Blvd. in the Richmond Annex will have craft-making, sugar skull decorating, face painting, food (tamales, horchata, cookies), crafts, jewelry, artwork, Day of the Dead Altars, a special raffle and live music. Carnival games and a haunted house are being coordinated by the school's Ghost Academy students. Details: 510-524-5500.

  • Hilltop Mall, 2200 Hilltop Mall Road, will offer a children's Halloween event with its Simon Kidgits Club in the center courtyard from noon to 2 p.m. and trick-or-treating at mall merchants from 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31.

    SAN PABLO: Davis Park, 1665 Folsom St., hosts a free Haunted House and pumpkin patch from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31 that includes games, arts and crafts, activities and face painting. Details: 510-215-3204.

    TILDEN PARK: The historic carousel at Tilden Park has again been converted into the Scary-Go-Round and is open from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday and Oct. 30 and 31.

    Grown-up events

  • The Rotary Club of Richmond presents "Ghosts of Shipyard III" a benefit for the club's Peace Project, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at the historic General Warehouse at the former Kaiser Shipyard No. 3 in the Port of Richmond. The luncheon, a follow-up to last year's sold-out Ghosts of Winehaven gala, will include a "shipyard lunch" and cash bar, live entertainment, costume contest and silent auction of featured wines and one-of-a-kind collectibles. Tickets are $35 each or $50 at the door if available. Proceeds benefit the Richmond Rotary Peace Project, which provides Saturday staffing at the Nevin Community Center and computer-based math and language training for elementary school children in the Iron Triangle. Tickets: richmondcarotary.org/ghosts.

  • The Richmond Police Activities League is holding its inaugural Masquerade Ball from 6 to 11 p.m. Oct. 30 in the RPAL Hal Holt Memorial Gymnasium, 2200 Macdonald Ave. in Richmond. The evening includes live music, casino tables, a costume contest, drinks and food. Come in costume or black tie and mask and compete for best male, female or couple costume award. Performers will include the GTS Band and the East Bay Center for Performing Arts Jazz Ensemble, Steppers Only and popular local comedian Shea Suga. All proceeds benefit the RPAL Youth One-Stop Center. Tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com, 510-621-1226 or twalker@rpal.org.

    Reach Chris Treadway at 510-262-2784.