Spooky delights for all

"There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin." — Linus, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"

Got costume? Let your fire burn (and your cauldron bubble) with a huge range of local Halloween activities, from the silly to the sedate to the scandalous. The suggestions below are arranged by age group.

*

For all ages

KISS tribute band Gods of Thunder will play at noon and 2 p.m. Saturday at the Orange County Market Place, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Admission is free with a can of food for the Second Harvest Food Bank and a flier available at ocmarketplace.com.

The Mesa Verde Center, 2701 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa will hold an all-ages Halloween Festival from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, including trick or treating, $2 face painting, and arts and crafts from noon to 3 p.m.; a balloon artist onstage from noon to 2 p.m.; a magician onstage from 2 to 3 p.m.; and a costume contest for $25 Toys R' Us gift certificates at 3 p.m. Other offerings include a raffle and a pumpkin patch filled with rides and activities. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Costa Mesa. Visit mesaverdecenter.com.

One of the most cherished local traditions is Sonora Elementary School's Trunk or Treat, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at 966 Sonora Road, Costa Mesa. Savory treats including hot dogs, soda, and chili and/or cheese nachos will be $1. Families have decorated the trunks of their cars Halloween-style for a contest, which will be followed by trick or treating from car to car. Sonora students get in free; the general public is invited for $3 per person.

Take the kids trick-or-treating at Costa Mesa Courtyards, where Newport Boulevard, 19th Street and Harbor Avenue meet, from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Participating stores will have a "Trick or Treat Here" sign in their window. Free Halloween bags will be given to the first 500 kids at Cold Stone Creamery. Call (714) 259-1046 or visit costamesacourtyards.com.

Country-style craft store Piecemakers, 1720 Adams Ave., Costa Mesa, holds an annual pumpkin patch and holiday barn. Open all month, including from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Call (714) 641-3112.