Gulf Shores, Ala. — (GSN) — Once a year along the coast, dedicated sun worshipers temporarily turn goth, pumpkin lattes spill into heavy-duty Yeti tumblers, and locals flock to Lowe’s to buy giant, ugly monsters for their front yards. Spooky season has officially taken over the shoreline, bringing a full lineup of Halloween festivities, costume contests, and community events to the Gulf Coast.

• Baldwin County Heritage Museum — Family Fun Night
  25521 US-98, Elberta, AL 36530

The Baldwin County Heritage Museum is hosting Family Fun Night on Friday, Oct. 23, from 5 to 9 p.m. The evening includes a Halloween costume contest, a haunted museum walk, a trail ride, and a performance by the Salty Stompers dance group. Food trucks Royal Eats and The Lucky Lemon will be on site. Admission is $10 per person. Click here for tickets. Click here to visit the Baldwin County Heritage Museum’s website.

• Zeke's Landing Marina — Trick or Treat on the Docks
  Zeke's Landing Marina / Mo Fishin Bar
  26619 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561

Zeke's Landing Marina is hosting a Halloween event on Friday, Oct. 23, from 5 to 10 p.m. Trick-or-treating will take place on decorated docks, with separate costume contests for kids, adults, and leashed pets. Live music from Ryan Dyer runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Drink and food specials, including a $35 seafood boil, will be available. Click here to visit Zeke’s website. Click here for more information. 

• Orange Beach Public Library — Outdoor Movie Night
  26267 Canal Road, Orange Beach, AL 36561

The Orange Beach Public Library is hosting an outdoor movie night on Friday, Oct. 23. Lawn games begin at 5:30 p.m., and the film starts at 6:30 p.m. at sunset. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs. The library is screening a Halloween musical classic with a sing-along atmosphere. Click here to visit the Orange Beach Public Library’s website. Click here for more information.

• Trek or Treat at the Learning Campus — Gulf State Park
  Gulf State Park Learning Campus
  20249A State Park Road, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

The Learning Campus at Gulf State Park will host its seventh annual Trek or Treat on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The rain-or-shine event features live animals, interactive shows, games, crafts, a sensory station, and family photos. Costumes are encouraged but not required. The event is free and open to all ages. Click here to visit the Learning Center’s website.  Click here for more information. 

• Haunted Hustle — Gulf Shores Recreation & Cultural Affairs
  101 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

The Haunted Hustle moved to Saturday, Oct. 24, after high winds forced it to be postponed from its original date. Gulf Shores Recreation & Cultural Affairs is organizing the event at the Town Green. Activities include the Wicked Walk Costume Parade, Monster Dash Beach Fun Run, a 5K race, and family-friendly festivities. Click here for more information on the City of Gulf Shores’ website. 

• Witches & Werewolves — Paddle for a Purpose
  Galvez Boat Ramp / Hub Stacey's at The Point, Perdido Key, FL

The Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce and Hub Stacey's at The Point are co-hosting a costumed charity paddle on Saturday, Oct. 24. Setup and meet-and-greet begins at noon, with the paddle launching at 1 p.m. The route runs from Galvez Boat Ramp to Spell Island, to Sunset Grill, and back. Proceeds benefit Feeding the Gulf Coast. Paddle tickets are $25; board rentals are $50. Click here to visit the Perdido Key Area Chamber. Click here for more information. 

• T.N.T. Hallow-Trivia Night — Foley Community Library
  319 E Laurel Ave, Foley, AL 36535

The Foley Community Library is hosting a Halloween trivia night for teens and tweens on Tuesday, October 27th. The event features Halloween-themed trivia, a costume contest, free pizza, candy, prizes, and swag bags. Registration is required; sign-up details are available on the library's event page. Click here to visit the Foley Community Library website. Click here for more information. 

• Trunk or Treat at The Wharf
  Main Street / Portside at The Wharf,
  4605 Main St, Orange Beach, AL 36561

The Island Church is presenting Trunk or Treat at The Wharf on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Kids' activities — including a rock wall, bounce house, mechanical bull, face painting, and pony rides — begin at 5 p.m. Trunk or Treat starts at 6 p.m., followed by a showing of "Monsters University" at Portside at 7 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Click here to visit the Wharf’s website. Click here for more information. 

• Hometown Halloween — Downtown Foley
  104 N McKenzie St, Foley, AL 36535

Visit Foley, Alabama, and the City of Foley Municipal Government are sponsoring Hometown Halloween in downtown Foley. The event takes place on Oct. 29 from 5:30 to 8:00 PM.  Local merchants host a costume contest, game booths, hayrides, and trick-or-treating for kids of all ages. The event is described as a safe, family-friendly celebration. Click here to visit the City of Foley’s website. Click here for more information. 

• Halloween Storytime — Erie Meyer Civic Center
  1930 W 2nd St, Gulf Shores, AL 36542 | 251-968-1176

Gulf Shores Public Library and Gulf Shores Recreation & Cultural Affairs are co-hosting a Halloween Storytime on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 10:30 a.m. The event is themed around Winnie the Pooh and the Hundred Acre Wood and will feature trick-or-treating with library staff, city departments, and local businesses. Preschool-age children, homeschool students, and daycares are welcome. Click here to visit the Erie Meyer Civic Center’s website. Click here for more information. 

• Treats on the Trail — Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
  4385 William Silvers Pkwy, Orange Beach, AL 36561

The City of Orange Beach Coastal Resources Department is hosting its annual Treats on the Trail event on Friday, Oct. 30, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. along the Backcountry Trail. Participants can expect trick-or-treating, lawn games, s'mores, and more. The event is free and open to the public. Click here to visit the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail’s website. Click here for more information. 

• The Hangout — Get Spooky
  101 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

The Hangout Gulf Shores is hosting a family Halloween event on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 30 and 31, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day. Courtyard activities include face painting, carnival games, freeze dance, a not-so-scary haunted house, a scavenger hunt, roaming characters, and a live show. Guests are encouraged to wear costumes. Click here to visit The Hangout’s website. Click here for more information. 

• Flora-Bama Halloween Costume Contest
  Flora-Bama Lounge & Package,
  17401 Perdido Key Dr, Pensacola, FL 32507

The Flora-Bama Lounge & Package holds its annual Halloween Costume Contest on Halloween night, Saturday, Oct. 31. Guests who arrive in costume get free admission. Cash prizes of $600, $500, and $400 are awarded to the first-, second-, and third-place winners, respectively. Click here to visit the Flora-Bama website. Click here for more information.