Photo: Costumed kids march in the 2016 Brighton Heights Halloween Parade. Chronicle file photo

By Sean P. Ray | Managing Editor

It’s officially October and the countdown to Halloween has begun. From every dark corner, ghouls and ghosts come out to play and celebrate the spookiest time of year.

For all the fans of the scariest time of year out there, the Chronicle has gathered a list of five fun Halloween activities happening on the Northside this month. So make a creepy costume, break out the candy corn and enjoy the season for all things delightfully horrific.

5. Carnegie Science Center 18+ Night: Heroes and Villains

While the Carnegie Science Center is usually more of a family-friendly venue, its regular 18+ nights break the trend, offering “deeper science content” and “riskier experiments,” according to the Center’s website.

For the October iteration of 18+ Night, the Science Center is getting into the spirit of the Halloween holiday with a costume party. Held on Oct. 28, from 6-10 p.m., attendees are encouraged to dress up as their favorite heroes and villains.

There will also be several regional comic book writers and artists in attendance, and cosplay photographers to take pictures of anyone who dresses up.

Tickets for the event are available at carnegiesciencecenter.org/programs/science-after-hours/. As the name implies, this event is for adults only.

4. Fright Nights at Anderson Manor

Self-described as “the scariest haunted mansion in the City of Pittsburgh,” Anderson Manor in Manchester is once more opening its doors to the public to explore its three floors of terror.

The attraction features more than 20 custom rooms, with costumed actors, digital animations, special effects and other scary secrets to make for a fun night out.

This is the second year for Fright Nights at Anderson Manor and the Iota Phi Foundation, which organizes the haunted house, said there are “significant upgrades and improvements” compared to last year.

Anderson Manor is located at 1423 Liverpool St. The haunted house is open Oct. 27-29, from 7-11 p.m. each night. Tickets can be purchased online at tinyurl.com/frightnights2.

3. Brighton Heights Halloween Parade & Festival

Brighton Heights will celebrate the season on the last weekend of October with a Halloween parade and festival.

While the location of the festivities has yet to be determined, the Brighton Heights Citizen’s Federation (BHCF) is seeking volunteers to help out. Anyone who wants to take an active role in getting a community into the Halloween spirit can do so by emailing BHCFpgh.org.

The BHCF is promising candy bags, craft tables, games and prizes for the event. Further details will be announced on the BHCF social media pages and their website, brightonheights.org, when they become available.

2. Spring Hill Halloween Parade & Fall Festival

Get a chance to show off your Halloween costume early with the Spring Hill Halloween Parade & Fall Festival, which will take place Oct. 22, starting at 11 a.m. and running until 3 p.m.

The parade will begin at Spring Hill Elementary School at 1351 Damas St., a change from previous years. The procession will begin at 11 a.m. and will go down Rockledge Street to the Spring Hill playground/baseball field.

For anyone in need of a costume, the Spring Hill Civic League will be distributing free costumes at the school on Oct. 21, from 3-5 p.m., and on the day of the event at 10 a.m. prior to the parade.

The Fall Festival will then follow at the playground/baseball field, featuring horse-drawn hayrides, face painting, an outdoor obstacle course and more. The first 200 participants will even get a pumpkin.

All food and activities for the parade and festival are provided free of charge. For more information, visit shcl.org or contact Festival Coordinator Karen Lucarelli, at Lucarelli.karen@yahoo.com.

1. Hauntings of Pittsburgh

It wouldn’t be Halloween without some spooky stories, and what better location to hear them than the local library?

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Allegheny Branch has invited professional storyteller Alan Irvine to tell some ghost stories on Oct. 29, from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

The best part? All of Irvine’s spooky tales take place in Pittsburgh.

The event is free and open to the public. The library is located at 1230 Federal St.