It’s that time of year again; time to pull together the best costume a student budget allows and hit the town as an alter ego. The question is: where can we cruise around this year as superheroes, vampires and freaks of nature?

There’s plenty of opportunity to get wear out of those cowboy boots or fake eyelashes this year. The parties and events begin Friday and do not stop until the witching hours of Halloween. Here is the breakdown:

Friday Oct. 29: Empire Events Center hosts a $500 costume contest with free physic readings and “freak shows” throughout the evening. Doors open at 8 p.m. and cover is $10 or $5 in costume before 11 p.m. 21 and over only, for more info call 448-3300.

Club Typhoon, (1517 Broadway, Sacramento) presents Erotica, Naughty & Nice Halloween costume ball. Doors open at 9 p.m., prizes for best costume, dancing to 80’s, house and hip hop. This is a 21+ event and cover is $10.

Saturday Oct. 30: The 8th annual Exotic Zone Ball is a 21+ event held at Cal Expo. General admission is $27, but for $100 there’s a VIP package that includes no waiting in line and special lounge area. The Exotic Zone Ball bills itself as the “sexiest, most outrageous party of the year.” The human petting zoo is sure to be of interest.

Know before you go: most area hotels offer special rates and shuttles to the Ball. Also, you can avoid the Tickets.com surcharge by picking up your tickets at Video Clearance Center (2225 Hurley way). For more info visit www.KZZO.com.

Folsom Lake Bowl Sports Bar and Casino and Southern Comfort are joining forces to throw a Halloween Costume party with no cover charge. The sports bar area will be transformed into a spooky DJ dance party while the bar offers discounted Southern Comfort concoctions. Blackjack and 7 card stud tables will be open for the players as well as eight pool tables. Party starts at 9 p.m. and the DJ’s welcome requests. For more info call 983-4411.

Napa Active 20-30 club is hosting their 29th annual Halloween Extravaganza. A $45 ticket gets live entertainment from Wonderbread 5, dinner, dancing and open bar from 7 p.m. to midnight. Napa Active 20-30 is a group for young professionals in northern California. All proceeds from the event are donated to local charitable youth organizations. This event is 21+ and being held at Napa Valley Expo. For more info visit the organization’s web site at www.napaactive2030.com.

Sunday Oct. 31: Old Ironsides presents “Dead Rock Stars.” Popular local bands play their favorite songs by dead rockers. Show starts at 8:30, cover is $7, 21+. For more info call 442-8832.

Empire Events Center will have a $1,000 prize for best costume at their event, “Monsters Ball.” As of press time, the entertainment director for Empire had not released any other details of this event. Go to www.Empireeventcenter.com for updated info.

After Halloween: If you haven’t worn your costume enough, Marilyn Manson will be performing Monday, November 1 at the Warfield in San Francisco. Show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $36.Tickets are on sale now at www.tickets.com.

On-going events for all ages: Gyro’s 3-D Fear Factory has opened in the Downtown Plaza. The Fear Factory consists of two haunted houses and a pirate’s museum. Ticket price is $17.95 and all ages are welcome. Gyro’s is open Friday the 22 through Halloween. Hours are 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. during the week and 7 p.m. to midnight on Friday’s, Saturday’s and on Halloween night. For more info call 1-800-939-GYRO.

The Sacramento Ballet Company presents “Dracula.” Playing Oct. 29 – 31. Shows start at 8 p.m. at the Sacramento Community Theater and tickets range from $20 to $65. Tickets are available online at www.tickets.com.

The famous Winchester Mystery House located in San Jose is offering flash light tours on Oct. 30 and 31. Tours of Sarah Winchester’s creepy house start every half hour from 6:07 p.m. until 12:28 a.m. Ticket price is $28 and includes a souvenir flashlight, for more info visit www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/events.

Six Flags Fright Fest is open every weekend in October. Enjoy all the attractions at Six Flags Marine World with a horror show twist. Trick or Treating, costume contests, two Haunted houses, a creepy maze, hey rides and monsters roaming the park are all included in the $29 (when you buy your ticket on-line) admission. The Park is open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays, and until 11 p.m. on Halloween night. For more information go to www.sixflags.com.