Buffalo Halloween events offer more than one way to embrace October, from elaborate costumes to stories told after dark.

This year’s lineup stretches from downtown dance floors to neighborhood streets and a haunted house south of the city.

For many locals, the main event is the Witches Ball Buffalo crowd has come to expect at Hotel Lafayette.

The October 31 party returns with a Disco Sinferno theme, giving costume planners a glittery starting point.

It is the kind of night that rewards going all in, whether that means sequins, spooky makeup or both.

Those who prefer a quieter thrill can explore Buffalo ghost walks led by storyteller Mason Winfield.

His outings include routes through Allentown and the Theatre District, where familiar streets can feel different after sunset.

The shift from party noise to neighborhood folklore is part of what makes the local Halloween calendar appealing.

Outside the city, Everhaunt Haunted House in Angola is set to bring back its walk-through scares in October.

For a more comfortable seat, Ghostbusters in Concert pairs the familiar film with a live orchestral performance at UB’s Center for the Arts.

The stage offers another offbeat option as Bat Boy: The Musical runs at Shea’s Smith Theater.

Western New York Horror Con adds another gathering place for people whose fall traditions lean toward the macabre.

Not every October outing needs a fright, though, and that is good news for mixed-age groups.

Buffalo State welcomes comedian JB Smoove, while Kleinhans Music Hall hosts the premiere of Francis: An Oratorio in Nine Scenes.

Hike for Health in Orchard Park offers families a chance to spend part of the season outdoors.

A stop for cider at Mayer Brothers can make even a simple afternoon feel like a fall ritual.

The hardest part may be choosing just one plan when October weekends fill up so quickly.

Check event details before heading out, especially for ticketed performances, haunted attractions and guided walks.

Whether your ideal night ends on a dance floor or a dark sidewalk, Buffalo has room for both.