The zombies take Centennial Square on Sunday at 2, the horde moves at 3

The Victoria Zombie Walk returns to downtown this Sunday, October 25th, with participants gathering at Centennial Square at 2pm and the horde shuffling off at 3. People of all ages are welcome in fake blood and torn clothing, though organizers ask you to leave realistic weapons and fireworks at home and keep the fake blood off spectators and storefronts.

It's one stop on a long list. The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea runs its Scare-ium of the Salish Sea on Friday from 4:30 to 8pm, with dimmed lights and sunken jack-o'-lanterns to find. The Old Cemetery Society's popular Ross Bay ghost tour walks Saturday at 2pm, where some historical figures "come to life" to tell their stories. For something with teeth, High Moon: A Werewolf Western plays nightly through October 30th at Heritage Acres, an immersive walking play for ages 12 and up.

If you'd rather stay in, the Vancouver Island-filmed series Yaga lands on Crave this Friday, using the region's misty forests and beaches as backdrop for the Slavic folklore witch Baba Yaga. Families can catch a cheap Hotel Transylvania screening at Cineplex Westshore on Saturday morning, tickets $8.91.

The big day itself, October 31st, brings trick-or-treating on Oak Bay Avenue and Sidney's Beacon Avenue, costume contests at Mayfair, and a bonfire with fireworks at Camp Barnard in Otter Point.