Halloween 2011 in Portland

Buffalo Exchange has become less about vintage and more about well-maintained name brands, but when it comes to Halloween, it's a reliable resource. In October, the store stocks classic, pre-packaged costumes--sexy nurse, pirate, etc.--in a variety of sizes. There's also plenty of accessories, should you find yourself in need of Harry Potter glasses or a cheap tiara.

The eccentric and eclectic Hollywood Costumers has been a Portland institution for more than 50 years, and if you're looking for an impressive Halloween getup, this should be your first stop. Shop early and reserve a one-of-a-kind, show-stopping costume for the evening--an authentic flapper dress, perhaps, or a Princess Leia outfit? Hollywood also carries the widest selection of fright wigs, stage makeup and masks in town.

Like Buffalo Exchange, Red Light stocks a few rows of pre-packaged costumes, but the store also houses an enormous collection of too-wacky-to-wear vintage, which is unleashed upon the store every October. Sifting through the offerings can be overwhelming, but it's also an inspiration--if you haven't decided on a costume, this would be a great place to start.

Halloween in Portland is incomplete without the Someday Lounge's Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) procession. This free event at 3pm on Oct. 30 starting at Pioneer Square is fun to watch, but even more fun to join--dress up as a skeleton, build an altar, decorate a sugar skull, and walk with the parade as it makes its way through Old Town. The party is capped off with musical performances by Los Gallos Rumba, Puertotierra Soundsystem, DJ Rhienna, and more.

Holocene's Fin De Cinema nights--wherein popular local bands compose and perform scores to avant-garde films--are always a treat, and this Halloween-themed event (on actual Halloween!) promises to be no exception. The film is "Alice," Jan Svankmajer's 1988 stop-motion adaptation of "Alice in Wonderland." The bands are local synth darlings Wampire, Litanic Mask, and Bruxa. The Oct. 31 show ($5) opens doors at 8:30pm, with the film at 9pm. It's a 21-and-up show.

Curious about creatures of the night? Each October, the Audubon Society of Portland celebrates Halloween with its Night Flight--a spooky tour of nocturnal birds such as owls and ravens. The Oct. 22 event is recommended for kids, but just as good for grown-ups. It runs from 4pm to 7pm for $12.50. Register at Audubon Portland's website.

Make your way to Bossanova Ballroom on Oct. 28 at 8pm for "ghoulish," 21-plus burlesque by Portland's top performers, all-night music by the Portland's own Soundstage Rhythm Orchestra, a costume contest, and, much, much more. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 day of.