Here's a sneak peek at Halloween fun

Sep. 28—There's a full bag of tricks this October with plenty of ways to get scared or have a family-friendly spooky time. Here are a few to whet your appetite. Keep checking The Californian for more events.

George the Giant's Strange Museum of Oddities & Wonders: Performance artist George the Giant, aka George McArthur, is back again with his limited- engagement pop-up museum, featuring a curated collection of "odd, unusual, haunted, and bizarre items that only he could or would collect."

Inspired by the old "dime museums" and "sideshows" of yesteryear, the event will feature unique treasures collected from around the world, many with stories of their odd, unusual, haunted or bizarre past.

Some objects are said to be haunted or have unique origins such as matchstick carvings, portraits done with dryer lint and jewelry made with human hair.

Launching his museum in 2018, McArthur continued to draw growing crowds in 2019 and 2022. Over the past five years, the performer has developed new batch of exhibits to share. Even if you have attended in the past, the performer promises "new wonders to explore, and new stories to hear."

Opening night is on Friday the 13th offering a special "Night Market" with "vendors of the strange and odd" Along with discounted admission ($13 for two people), there will be specials on gift shop items and some odd things from the Giant.

The event kicks off Oct. 13 and will run Fridays from 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturdays 2 to 10 p.m. through Oct. 28 at 5630 District Blvd., Suite 122.

Private guided tours are available by appointment.

Admission is $7 for self-guided tours with tickets available at georgethegiant.ticketleap.com or at the door.

Bakersfield Halloween Benefit Ride: This is the first year for this motorcycle event organized by Bakersfield Women Riders.

The Oct. 29 ride aims to raise funds for student scholarships for the Bakersfield College CalWORKs program, which is dedicated to providing education, employment training and support services for parents so they can pursue higher education.

Riders of all skill levels are welcome to join and all bike styles are welcome.

"Whether you're a seasoned rider or new to the motorcycle community, we encourage you to be a part of this meaningful journey that isn't just about the open road — it's about opening doors to education," Olly López Beltrán, educational adviser at Bakersfield College and a member of the Bakersfield Women Riders Group, said in a news release. "We're riding to raise funds for student scholarships, particularly aimed at parents who aspire to return to school. By supporting their educational journey, we're creating a ripple effect that positively impacts the students and their families."

The ride will begin at 12:45 p.m. Oct. 29 at the park and ride on McKee Road. It will take the scenic route through downtown Bakersfield then to Hart Park, and end at Bakersfield College.

The event costs $20 per person. Register at bakersfieldhalloweenride.com.

Horror Fest: After shopping at the mall, head to Reading Cinemas Valley Plaza with IMAX through October for the weekly series of scary flics. The schedule consists of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984) on Oct. 4, "Scream" (1996) on Oct. 11, "Child's Play" (1988) on Oct. 18, "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" (1974) on Oct. 25 and "Halloween" (1978) on Oct. 31.

Shows are at 7 p.m. at the theater, 2000 Wible Road. Tickets are $10 and available at readingcinemasus.com/valleyplaza.

Frights at the Fox: The Fox Theater's Cults & Classics movie series will have a couple of Halloween-worthy picks. "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barker of Fleet Street," the musical starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, will be screened Oct. 9 and the 1935 horror classic "Bride of Frankenstein" will play Oct. 23.

Doors open at 6 p.m., films start at 7 p.m. at the theater, 2001 H St. Tickets are $5. Students and military members (with ID) can receive a buy one, get one free deal on the night of the show.

Then "let's do the time warp again" on Oct. 28 with the return of "Rocky Horror Picture Show." Doors open at 11 p.m., the show starts at 11:59 p.m. with an accompanying live performance by The Velvet Darkness.

Tickets, ranging from $10 to $25, are available at axs.com. Prop bags (if you know you know) and a custom T-shirt designed by Chris Borbon are available by preorder until Oct. 13 with pickup the night of the show.

No one under age 17 will be admitted without a parent or guardian and no outside props will be allowed.

NOR sixth annual Fall Festival: The North of the River Recreation and Park District will celebrate fall and Halloween with its event on Oct. 14.

Costumes are encouraged for the event at Almondale Park that will include bounce houses, carnival games, vendors and lots of candy,

Around sunset, a movie will be screened.

The free event will run from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 14 at the park, 5501 Verdugo Lane.

On Halloween day, NOR will treat seniors to an event with a costume contest and free lunch at the Rasmussen Senior Center.

People 60 or older can eat free at the party. Attendees should call the center at 661-392-2030 before 2 p.m. Oct. 30 to reserve a seat. Companions can attend and purchase lunch for $6 fee.

The event, which will include music, card playing and billiards, begins at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 31 at the center, 115 E. Roberts Lane.

October Fun Fest: Get ready for a day on the farm with this annual fall celebration at Murray Family Farms.

This year marks the debut of the first-ever digital corn maze game in which guests will be able to learn about spiders as they find their way through the maze with the help of various spider-themed movie posters and the companion cellphone quiz game.

Despite the spookier arachnids, the corn maze will still be appropriate for all ages organizers say.

There will also be the "most diverse and Instagram-ready Sunflower Maze yet," a display of more than 50,000 pumpkins and twice the fall decor including real dried cornstalks and giant 8-foot hay bales.

Enjoy treats from the Cal Okie Orchard Kitchen including the farm's signature Okie pies and blueberry pulled pork sandwiches, apple cider ice cream floats and kettle corn.

Those who plan ahead and preorder a Murray Family Farms T-shirt and wear it to the event will be in the running for a daily prize. The contest extends beyond the farm to social media where people can share a photo of themselves wearing a shirt and tag the farm online for a chance to win from home.

The fest begins Saturday and runs daily through Oct. 31 at the Big Red Barn on Highway 58, 6700 General Beale Road. Hours are 1 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 8 p.m. on weekends (no one admitted after 7 p.m. daily).

Admission is $14.99, $9.99 for Lil Sprouts (up to 3 years old) on weekdays from Sept. 30 to Oct. 12 and $16.99 and $10.99 for lil sprouts on weekends during those weeks. Admission increases to $16.99 on weekdays and $18.99 on weekends for those age 4 and older from Oct. 13 to 19 and up to $19.99 on weekends from Oct. 20 to 31. (Lil' Sprouts pricing does not change.)

Tickets are available at MurrayFamilyFarms.Org. If you buy your tickets before Saturday for any date up until Oct. 12, you will receive a $3 discount.

Boo at the Zoo/Boo at the Zoo After Dark: All the events at California Living Museum are for all ages but the new Boo at the Zoo After Dark adds movies into the mix.

Boo at the Zoo returns Oct. 18 to 22 with its carnival with attendees encouraged to dress up, pick pumpkins and play games for candy.

The zoo grounds will be decorated with big inflatable Halloweenish creatures. There will be more toddler-oriented games on Oct. 18 and 19, according to CALM's volunteer and community engagement facilitator, Elizabeth Graff.

The train will also run daily, as opposed to only running on the weekends. Tickets are $2.

Admission to Boo at the Zoo is $10 for adults, $4 for children (ages 3 to 12), $7 for seniors, free for military and CALM members (with proof of membership).

Boo at the Zoo After Dark will take place Oct. 20 with screenings of "Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest" at 5:30 p.m. and the original 1995 "Casper" at 7:30 p.m.

Admission for After Dark is $15 for adults, $12 for children, ages 3-12. CALM members pay $12 for adults and $8 for children. Admission includes a bag of popcorn, hot cocoa or apple cider, a train ride and a pumpkin.

Visit calmzoo.org/events for tickets.

Haunted Tavern: The Padre Hotel is hosting a four-part interactive cocktail journey in one of the city's most reportedly haunted venues.

Attendees must be 21 or older to take part in the experience that will include stories of "the ghost of Bakersfield" and dark, chilling tales from the descendants of Ichabod Crane.

Tickets are still available for noon, 2 and 4 p.m. slots on Saturday at the hotel, 1702 18th St.

Admission is $55 per person, which includes four specialty cocktails. Visit hauntedtavern.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

All Hallow's Weave: Attendees will learn how to transform yarns and embroidery hoops into spellbinding spider webs and spooktacular pieces of art in the two-hour intro to weaving class.

This event is open to complete beginners ages 13 and older, and participants of all levels are invited. There will also be a raffle, refreshments and deals for fiber enthusiasts.

All Hallow's Weave runs from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 8 at The Twisted Skein, 4609 New Horizon Blvd., Suite 3.

Tickets are $40, which includes all supplies and refreshments, available at esonline.org/specialevents. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Empty Space.

Stefani Dias can be reached at 661-395-7488. Follow her on Twitter at @realstefanidias.