GHOULIES! Yes big ghoulies. And other spooky things. That’s what it’s all about this weekend as Venueville goes Amityville.

First out of the casket is After Dark at the haunted Bowes Lyon House.

The monthly Stevenage bash is putting on a monster mash (sorry I’ll stop in a minute) for the fresh meat aged 13 to 19 (mummy, I can’t help it).

The suitably-named Scar City, Embers of Angels and Geometric Nightmare are joined on the main stage by Her Paradox and Tin Soldiers, while undead and unplugged are Such Great Heights, Joseph Hanson and Leanne & Sam.

Pay the ferryman �4 on the way in.

On Saturday, the Rogue crew are crawling out of the crypt under Club85 to host a spectacular Day of the Dead festival.

Headliners. bluesy grunge rockers BlackEye, will be releasing their new EP Punch Drunk Blues at the Hitchin venue, with support from The Metatrons, Billy Skins 5th, Battery City and Mike Fallon.

With the club looking like downtown Mexico City for the annual bonkers ancestor fest, come dressed to party in your best Dia De Los Muertos gear – think skeletons in top hats and tails or bonnets and parasols.

Limited edition voodoo doll tickets are a fiver from Dubhe and Harvest Moon in Hitchin as well as at the club. Decorate your doll and the best wins a spooky prize. Otherwise stump up �6 on the door.

Over in Baldock on Saturday, goths will be seen stumbling in, and more likely out, of the Hen and Chickens.

Drummer Dan Bird is putting on an alternative night of live music with his band The Barnacles playing the likes of Bauhaus, Siouxsie And The Banshees, and The Cure. There will also be some classic horror film fare on show too.

Not strictly Halloween, but suitable weird and wonderful – original punk legends Magazine are at The Forum, Hatfield next Thursday, and tomorrow night (Friday) the fabulous Spin Out crew are at The George, Hitchin playing everything from 40s blues to 60s surf garage – with Dolly Rose stripteasing some sleazy live jazz. See the gig list for more.