Halloween celebrations are taking over communities across Campbell River and the Comox Valley this weekend, with dances, trick-or-treating, costume parades and family activities planned throughout the region.

The festivities begin tonight in Campbell River with the Monster Mash dance for students in Grades Six through Eight.

The dance runs from 6 until 8:30 p.m. at the Willow Point Sportsplex and includes music, snacks, a costume contest and prizes.

Tomorrow, participating downtown Campbell River businesses will welcome trick-or-treaters from 3 until 5:30 p.m.

Families are also encouraged to visit the Campbell River Library, where the library and Altrusa Club will hand out free books to children.

In Courtenay, downtown trick-or-treating and the Lewis Centre Halloween Party run from 1 until 3:30 p.m.

The party will feature games and other activities for children, while participating downtown businesses will distribute treats.

The LINC Haunted House will follow from 5 until 7 p.m. with its Halloween-night “Half the Fright” experience—a gentler version intended for younger children and visitors who prefer fewer scares.

Downtown Comox will hold its annual Halloween Costume Parade and celebration from 3:30 until 5:30 p.m., featuring trick-or-treating, games and entertainment.

Several traffic and parking restrictions will be required for the event.

Comox Avenue will be closed between Church and Nordin streets, along with Port Augusta Street, from 2 until 6 p.m. Parking will be prohibited within the closure area from noon until 6.

Cumberland’s All Hallow’s Eve Street Party begins at 4 p.m. with a costumed procession, followed by a community dance-off at 5.

Dunsmuir Avenue will be closed between First and Fourth streets from 3:30 until 5:30 p.m. A portion of First Street between Dunsmuir Avenue and the nearby alley will also be closed.

Campbell River’s Halloween weekend will conclude Sunday with the Fire Department’s annual Pumpkin Smash.

Residents can bring their cleaned jack-o’-lanterns to the lower parking lot at the Willow Point Sportsplex between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Firefighters will drop the pumpkins from their 101-foot tower truck before the remains are collected for composting.

Proceeds from the event will support the B.C. Professional Firefighters Burn Fund and other local charities.

Drivers throughout the region should expect heavier pedestrian activity near downtown celebrations, allow additional travel time and watch carefully for costumed children who may be difficult to see.