The moon will be new, which means it will spread no light on Oct. 31, 2016, Halloween.  That also means plenty of darkness for ghosts and goblins, tricks and treats and fun and games, on the night when young and old get a chance to dress up, dress down, cross dress or wear masks in the ancient Celtic ritual welcoming the darker half of the year. Oh, and we get candy, too.
From Halloween on Arenas Road to Day of the Dead celebrations in Indio, the events surrounding All Hallows Eve will be many, varied and some are down right chilling.

Halloween Palm Springs
Oct. 29 from 6PM – 10PM
Halloween on Arenas Road, (Arenas between Indian Canyon and Calle Encilia), has become the not-to-miss event of the year. Admission is FREE, but a suggested donation of $5 will benefit Desert AIDS Project, Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus, LGBT Community Center of the Desert and Greater Palm Springs Pride.  Kristine W will headline free Halloween show with Keisha D, Marina Mac, DJ Corey D, DJ Baz and the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus. There also will be a costume contest, with registration beginning at 6PM and a contest line at 8PM. Win 1st, 2nd or 3rd place prizes.
Downtown Palm Springs will be awash in the walking dead at Zombie Walk taking place during the Street Fair from 6PM to 8PM. Zombies can begin walking from three starting points on South Palm Canyon at Baristo, South Palm Canyon and Arenas (in front of Lulu), and North Palm Canyon and Amado.
Ketel One Lounge: VIP tickets are $50 and include hosted bar, beer tastings, gift bag courtesy of Party City and Meet & Greet with Kristine W. For more information, call 760-409-1530 or visit www.HalloweenPalmSprings.com
Oct. 31: Costume contests at Chill and Streetbar with cash and prizes valued at over $300 at each contest. 
 
“Jekyll and Hyde,” the musical, at Palm Canyon Theater from Oct. 21 to Oct. 30
538 North Palm Canyon Drive; (760) 323-5123
A devoted man of science, Dr. Henry Jekyll, is driven to find a chemical breakthrough that can solve some of mankind's most challenging medical dilemmas. Rebuffed by the powers that be, he decides to make himself the subject of his own experimental treatments, accidentally unleashing his inner demons on the world in a guise of a man the world would come to know as Mr. Hyde. 
Friday, Oct. 21, 8PM – 10PM
Saturday, Oct. 22, 8PM – 10PM
Friday, Oct. 28, 8PM – 10PM
Saturday, Oct. 29, 8PM – 10PM

Halloween Weekend at Escape Room Palm Springs 
What better place to spend Halloween than in a fully themed Escape Room, with a quest to get out? You'll have a howling good time at the Escape Room Palm Springs. Book your Halloween weekend escape now. We promise you won't get spooked!
560 S. Williams Rd., Palm Springs; (760) 779-8888
Thursday, Oct. 27, 6PM – 10:30PM
 
Jazz in Pink, all-girl grooves at the Westin
The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa
71333 Dinah Shore Dr., Rancho Mirage 
Oct. 29, 2016, 7:00PM
This Halloween weekend performance features all-female jazz super-group Jazz in Pink with Gail Jhonson, Karen Briggs and Selina Albright. As part of breast cancer awareness month, a portion of the proceeds of this show will benefit Desert Cancer Foundation. Guests are invited to attend in costume.
All concerts take place in the outdoor Masters Plaza, weather permitting, and begin at 7PM with doors opening at 6:30PM. 
 
BB’s Halloweekend Bash at the Hard Rock Hotel, Palm Springs
150 S. Indian Canyon Dr.
Oct. 29, 8:30PM to 2AM  
Hailed as “the premier event of the Fall season,” BB’s Bash promises to be an outrageously good time. There are three floors and six rooms for bands, multiple DJs including J RAY, DJ Anwaar Hines, Aaron Cortes, Shasta Sowards, and Tommy O’Connor  and don’t forget the pool.
For information or tickets, visit http://partywithbb.com or call 760-880-1059.
 
The Halloween Playhouse with Jazmyn Simone at Toucan’s Tiki Lounge
2100 N. Palm Canyon Dr.
Thursday, Oct. 27; from 10PM – 2AM
There will be 2-for-1 drink specials until midnight and Go-Go dancers after the show. DJ Judas will rock the house until closing.
 
Idyllwild Ghost Town 
Oct. 31, from 7PM – 9:30PM
Heading up to the mountain into Idyllwild? Well, beware of the zombies. Also, take a frightening walk that will ignite the senses with the sights, sounds, and smells of a tainted village. If you dare, experience the hair-raising moonlit hayride in search of illusive Forest Beasts.
Information and tickets: (951) 659-2638.
 
The inaugural Sinner & Saint Halloween Ball at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa Costas Nightclub in Palm Desert
74855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert
Oct. 31, from 9PM to 2AM
Transform yourself into an angel or embrace your dark side at this first-ever ball. Billed as “the Valley’s biggest Costume Contest” and a Hot and Sexy Halloween fix, this party has circus acts and performances by Hells Belle’s burlesque and the band DumbBlonde featuring alums from MTV’s hit series, “Making The Band.” The Sinner & Saint ball is hosted by Emmy–nominee Sasha Scarlett and features DJ Bella Fiasco.
Information: (760) 341-2211
 
Haunted Carriage Ride through historic Palm Springs
Oct. 31, 8PM to 11:30PM
Make a reservation for a family friendly Haunted Carriage Ride and tour through old historic Palm Springs from 8-11:30 p.m. Oct. 31. The Mad Hatter turns coachman for this tour of the desert city, spiriting the brave on a mysterious venture that includes a brush with the shadows, eerie tales, and photo opps with the Headless Horseman.
Reservations: www.bighorsecc.com; (760) 660-8860 
 
Howl-O-Ween at The Living Desert
Oct. 30, 10AM to 2PM
Oct. 31, 6PM to 8:30PM
Dress up and whoop it up at this Halloween-themed celebration will include more than 20 trick or treat stations, a monster maze, pumpkin bowling and decorating, animal encounters, storytelling, face painters, bounce houses, crafts and more.
Information: www.livingdesert.org/event/howl-o-ween/
 
Dia de los Muertos at Coachella Valley History Museum
82‐616 Miles Ave., in Old Town Indio
Saturday, Nov. 5 starting at 5PM; and Sunday, Nov. 6
Everyone is invited to this unique, cultural tradition featuring authentic Mexican cuisine, tequila tastings, silent auction, music and community altars honoring departed loved ones in the fourth annual Day of the Dead celebration. The event benefits the Coachella Valley History Museum and costs $90 for general admission tickets and $85 for museum members. A table for 10 is $800.
For more information, visit http://www.cvhm.org or call (760) 342-6651.