10 things to do this weekend including the Columbus Symphony, 'Psycho,' Monica concert

As Halloween nears, so do several events celebrating the haunted holiday!

You can enjoy two programs by the Columbus Symphony - the first of which answers the question, "Who ya gonna call?" Why, "Ghostbusters," of course! The symphony will perform the score to the 1984 blockbuster, while the film is shown on Friday. Then, on Sunday, round up the family for the symphony's "Halloween Spooktacular" which includes, crafts, contests and if you so desire, costumes!

More family fun is in store, with the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens' Trick or Treat program, where kids 2 to 12 can snag a bag of treats on Saturday and Sunday - and costumes are wholeheartedly encouraged.

More candy will be passed out to the first 2,500 kids to show up at Fortress Obetz's Fortress Fright Night on Friday. The event also will feature games, a bounce house, food trucks, a haunted hayride for older kids, and much, much more.

If you're a Hitchcock fan, what better way to usher in Halloween than with a viewing of the 1960 suspense shocker, "Psycho"? The film's run wraps up "Hitchcocktober" at the Gateway Film Center.

These events are just a sampling of the fun offered this weekend in the Greater Columbus area. Read on for more details about what's happening!

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Enjoy the music of Halloween with the symphony

Celebrate Halloween in the company of the Columbus Symphony with two programs this weekend in the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.: At 8 p.m. Friday, the symphony will play the score to the movie “Ghostbusters” while the film is shown, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, the symphony will give its “Halloween Spooktacular” family concert. Ahead of the Sunday event, pre-concert activities, including crafts and contests, start at 2 p.m.; all are encouraged to don Halloween costumes. Tickets for Friday start at $18.70, and tickets for Sunday cost $12.50, or $8.50 for children. (www.columbussymphony.com)

A woman’s madcap journey of redefinition

Ohio Wesleyan University’s Department of Performing Arts will present ““Fill Fill Fill Fill Fill Fill Fill,” Steph Del Rosso’s play about a single woman who must redefine her identity on a madcap journey after her five-year relationship ends. Performances, suggested for adult audiences because of mature themes, are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the Chappelear Drama Center, 45 Rowland Ave., Delaware. Admission is free; reservations required. (740-368-3855, www.owu.edu/PerformingArts)

‘Peter and the Wolf’ to be performed in Dublin

Young music lovers and their families won’t want to miss the Dublin Wind Symphony’s performance of the full-length “Peter and the Wolf” in a concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at Dublin Scioto High School, 4000 Hard Road, Dublin. The free concert will also include music appropriate for Halloween, including a compilation featuring themes from “Night on Bald Mountain” and “Funeral March of a Marionette.” (www.dublinbands.com)

Documentary films set for Wex

Nonfiction films of every stripe and style are spotlighted in the Wexner Center for the Arts’ annual “Unorthodocs” documentary film festival, and this year is no exception. The series gets underway Thursday with events to include a screening of the new documentary “Subject” at 7 p.m. at the Wex, 1871 N. High St. Directed by Jennifer Tiexiera and Camilla Hall, the movie is something of a documentary on documentaries: the film focuses on past subjects of notable nonfiction films, including “Capturing the Friedmans” and “Hoop Dreams.” Co-director Hall and several interviewees will be present for the screening, which costs $9, or $7 for Wexner Center members and senior citizens, $5 for students. The series continues through Nov. 4; festival passes are available. (www.wexarts.org)

See ‘Psycho’ at the Gateway

The Master of Suspense will take his final bows of the season as the Gateway Film Center’s “Hitchcocktober” wraps up this weekend. The film center, 1550 N. High St., will present multiple screenings of Hitchcock’s masterpiece of horror “Psycho,” starring Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins, at 7 p.m. Thursday; 9:30 p.m. Friday; 4:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday; and 7 p.m. on Halloween night. All screenings will present the film on a 35mm print. For tickets, go to www.gatewayfilmcenter.org.

'American Idol' finishers to peform at The Bluestone

The first- and second-place finishers for this season's “American Idol,” both country singers, will appear at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Bluestone, 583 E. Broad St., on the first show of a tour together. Noah Thompson, the Kentucky native who won first place in the competition, is hitting iTunes charts with “One Day Tonight.” Nashville's HunterGirl just released “Hometown Out of Me.” Expect some duets along with solo performances. Tickets: $23.(liveatthebluestone.com)

Halloween fun at Franklin Park Conservatory

Pick up a bag of treats (ages 2 to 12) and wander through the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 E. Broad St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Conservatory's Trick or Treat program. Guests are encouraged to wear costumes, take pictures around the conservatory and post them on social media to enter the costume contest, the winners of which will receive passes for “Conservatory Aglow.” Regular admission required: $22 for 13 to 59, $19 for 60 and older, $15 for ages 3 to 12. (fpconservatory.org)

How about a little Fright Night?

Round up the family for Fortress Fright Night from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at Fortress Obetz, 2015 Recreation Trail, Obetz. The first 2,500 kids to enter will receive a free bag of candy. Kids can enjoy games, a bounce house, an inflatable maze, inflatable ax throwing, face painting, balloons and performances by the Cincinnati Circus Company. Older kids are invited to test their nerves on a haunted hayride. Food trucks will also be on hand. Admission and parking are free. (fortressobetz.com)

Monica to bring R&B to Nationwide Arena

A full lineup of R&B talent hits Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd. at 8 p.m. Saturday. Headlining will be Monica, who has been active on the R&B scene since the '90s. Lending support will be singer and TV personality Tamar Braxton, Dru Hill, singer Tevin Campbell and others. Tickets start at $78. (www.nationwidearena.com)

Wizards & Wands Festival coming to Westerville

Stop outside the Westerville Library, 126 S. State St., Westerville, from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday for the Wizards & Wands Festival during Midnight Madness in Uptown Westerville. Meet birds of prey from Midwest Falconry and a wolf from the Ohio Canid Center, watch a comedy and juggling act by Matt Jergens, check out some “mystical science” experiments by Mad Science of Northeast Ohio, and experience an improv performance by Nest Theatre. Don't miss Hilda the Smoke-breathing Dragon, perched on the library's roof. Admission: free. (westervillelibrary.org)

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 10 things to do this weekend, including symphony, Fright Night, Monica