There’s more to Halloween than trick-or-treat. Here’s how Centre County is celebrating

With Halloween getting closer, there are plenty of chances to show off your costume and embrace spooky happenings even before Oct. 31. Here’s a look at some of the Centre County events to check out during the rest of this month.

Penn State’s Forensic Science Club and Theme Park Engineering Group will open the doors to their “Stranger State” haunted house Oct. 20, 21, 27 and 28. The haunted house will be at Pine and Spruce cottages on campus and is inspired by the TV show “Stranger Things.” Each week covers different seasons of the show, which allows visitors to return for new experiences. Tickets cost $4.99 at the door and proceeds will be donated to charity.

Explore a haunted cave and trail, and head off on a haunted hayride during the Ghosts and Goblins tours at Lincoln Caverns, 7703 William Penn Highway, Huntingdon. “Terror tours” run Friday and Saturday nights while family friendly tours are offered Saturday afternoons. Tickets are available online with limited quantities at the door.

Holt Memorial Library, 17 N. Front St., Philipsburg, will hold Book and Candy Bar Bingo for teens and adults at 11 a.m. Oct. 22. Sign up online or by visiting or calling the library.

The Penn State All-Sports Museum will hold Trick-or-Treat night from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 25. Penn State athletes will be outside the museum on Curtin Road to hand out candy to visitors. The event is free and open to the community, though organizers encourage donations of nonperishable food for the Lion’s Pantry. The museum is partnering with the Penn State Student Athlete Advisory Board and State College Quarterback Club.

The Nittany Valley Fellowship of Churches will hold Light the Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 26, at Walker Township Park. The free family event includes games, treat bags for children and food and beverages.

Get ready to Trunk or Treat

Wasson Farm Market, 2545 Shingletown Road, State College, will host Trunk or Treat from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 23. Local agricultural businesses and groups will be handing out treats.

The YMCA of Centre County and Youth Service Bureau will host a Trunk or Treat from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 28, at the State College YMCA, 677 W. Whitehall Road. There will be games, activities and treats from local groups.

Freedom Life Centre County, 113 Sunset Acres, Bellefonte, will host a Trunk or Treat after 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services Oct. 30. Costumes are encouraged, but not mandatory, for the free event.

Pine Glen Fire Company, 1003 Pine Glen Road, Karthaus will host Trunk or Treat from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 30 at the fire hall.

Christ Community Church, 200 Ellis Place, State College, will host a Trunk or Treat from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 30. There will also be food trucks, bounce houses, hayrides and more at the free family event.

Living Hope Alliance Church of Bellefonte, 321 E. Howard St., will hold Trunk or Treat from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Time for a parade

Bellefonte’s Halloween Parade and Talleyrand Fall Fest are set for Oct. 29. The parade will gather at 10 a.m. at Bellefonte Elementary School for judging and will step off at 10:30. The parade route goes down Allegheny and High streets and ends at Talleyrand Park. Awards will be given at the park gazebo. Bellefonte Sunrise Rotary is hosting the festival on the annex side of the park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be craft and food vendors and children’s activities.

The annual Centre Region Parks and Recreation Halloween Costume Parade will be held Oct. 30. Lineup begins at 6:30 p.m. on Fraser Street between College Avenue and MLK Plaza and the parade launches at 7 p.m. Participants will turn right onto College then head down South Allen Street, to Foster Avenue and then to Memorial Field. That’s where costume judging will take place, with cash prizes and candy provided by the State College Lions Foundation.

Parties and festivals

The Howard Fire Company is set to hold its annual Punkin’ Chunkin’ Fall Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct 22 at Bald Eagle State Park in Howard. Along with the chunkin’, the festival, which benefits the fire company, will feature kids activities, hayrides and food and craft vendors.

The Bellefonte branch of the Centre County Library, 200 N. Allegheny St., will hold a Monster Mash Toddler Dance Party at 10 a.m. Oct. 28. Mobile toddlers and kids in pre-K are encouraged to wear costumes. Sign up online.

Tussey Mountain’s Haunted Lodge and Costume Party is set for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 28. Admission to the all-ages event costs $5, and tickets are available online. Food and drinks will be available.

814 Cider Works, 3392 Shingletown Road, State College, will host a Halloween Costume Party from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 28. Prizes will be awarded for best costume, and there will be live music and a food truck.

Pleasant Gap American Legion, 435 S. Main St., will hold a Halloween Party at 8 p.m. Oct. 29 featuring DJ Trevor Barton. The party, sponsored by Auxiliary Unit 867, benefits Rising Hope Therapeutic Center and is open to the public.

State College Alliance Church, 1221 W. Whitehall Road, will host Harvest Fest. The event, from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 30, will feature food trucks, live music, inflatables and bonfires. Costumes are optional.

On the move

The Bellefonte YMCA will partner with Big Spring Spirits for the Trick or Trot 5K on Oct. 29. Registration begins at 8:15 a.m., and the race starts at 9. Participants will receive a T-shirt, and those of drinking age can also receive a Big Spring Spirits cocktail after the race. Participants will start at the YMCA’s main building parking entrance, 125 W. High St., and end at Big Spring Spirits. Register online or at any Centre County YMCA branch.

The State College YMCA will hold a Halloween Zumba class at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 30. Halloween Zumba Gold will be at 10 a.m. Nov. 1 followed by a party. Check in at the front desk. The classes are free and open to the community.