Across the country, people are preparing to throw on extra layers on and head out to be entertained as Halloween looms closer with Christmas not far off over the horizon. Here we plough through the alphabet to pick out just some of the top events that will keep you and your family amused and enthralled in those days and weeks ahead

After Dark In The Witches' Wood
Was that a strange creature you saw just off that woodland path? Almost certainly as black magic and weirdness stalks you in this silly and scary slice of family fun.
Almond Valley Heritage Centre, Livingston, Friday 29–Sunday 31 October.
Also A Christmas Wish / A Christmas Carol / ABBAMANIA's Christmas Party

Beecraigs Festive Forest
With amazing views across the Lothians and Fife, Beecraigs offers an illuminated trail, street food, a silent disco, carol singers, bungee jumps, and Santa's Grotto.
Beecraigs Country Park, Linlithgow, Friday 3–Friday 24 December.
Also Battle Of Bannockburn Halloween

Castle Of Light: Hidden Treasures
A spotlight is targeted onto the lesser-known stories from Scotland's past with projections including Rex the lovable lion rampant and a look at some of the secrets of St Margaret and her chapel.
Edinburgh Castle, Friday 19 November–Sunday 9 January.
Also Christmas Spectacular / Christmas At The Botanics

Drum & Bass Halloween
Fancy dress a-go-go here at this jungle spectacular featuring AC13, Particle, Anikonik and Electrikal Sound.
The Bongo Club, Edinburgh, Friday 29 October.
Also Dobbies Halloween Spooktacular / Drawing The Christmas Truce

Edinburgh Horror Festival
There's magic, comedy and movies afoot at this year's capital horror fiesta including events with titles such as Tales From The Frighthouse, The Devil's Hour and Sinister Stories.
Various venues and online, Wednesday 27–Sunday 31 October.
Also Edinburgh Halloween Ball / Edinburgh Zoo Spooktacular! / Elfingrove

Funbox: Santa's Pyjama Party
Join Anya, Kevin and Bonzo for a special sleepover as they get the carrots ready for the reindeer and try to nab a small bit of shut-eye before Santa arrives. But who could sleep with all this excitement?
Rothes Halls, Glenrothes, Friday 3–Sunday 5 December.
Also Falkirk Wheel Halloween / Fort Fright Night / Franken-Stiens At Festival Village

GlasGLOW
This year, GlasGLOW isn't just an illuminating light show, but also an eco-mystery as a terrifying toxic gloop engulfs the area. Do your bit in tracking down the cause to help save the city of Glasglopolis.
Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Wednesday 27 October–Sunday 14 November.
Also Glasgow Halloween Ball / Galoshans Halloween Party / Glasgow Phoenix Choir Presents A Christmas Celebration

HMS Unicorn: Stories, Spirits And Scares
Get on board with some scary sailing stories from way back when. Bring a torch so you can explore all of Unicorn's hidden corners and long-lost secrets.
HMS Unicorn, Dundee, Saturday 30 October.
Also Haunted Halloween / Halloween Tales

Improvised Directors Cut: Halloween Special
Created entirely from audience suggestions, Steve Worsley and Charles Hindley from Men With Coconuts bring you a comedy-horror musical in true Hollywood style.
Banshee Labyrinth, Edinburgh, Thursday 28–Sunday 31 October.

Jamie & The Unicorn
Scotland's national animal has been spotted in an Alloway forest with one Gowdie Banadook attempting to steal the creature's mystical powers. Help put off the bad guys by shouting and booing as loud as you can: it's panto time, folks!
Gaiety Theatre, Ayr, Friday 26 November–Friday 24 December.
Also Jim Smart's Freddie Mercury Christmas Party Night

King's Panto: Sleeping Beauty
After the sad passing of Andy Gray, Jordan Young teams up with Allan Stewart and Grant Stott for the legendary King's Panto, this year revolving around the cursed princess who lies in a deep slumber awaiting a courtier's embrace.
King's Theatre, Edinburgh, Saturday 27 November–Sunday 16 January.
Also Kelburn's Haunted Forests Presents CULT

Lost Map's Christmas Humbug!
A live showcase of fine festive cheer featuring Callum Easter and EHFM DJs in Edinburgh, with Herbert Powell and Savage Mansion among those entertaining the folks in Glasgow. Jenny Moore's Mystic Business keeps busy by playing both.
Summerhall, Edinburgh, Friday 3 December; Mono, Glasgow, Saturday 4 December.
Also London Concertante Concert / Love Actually Live In Concert

Muppet Christmas Carol In Concert
Up on the big screen, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and the gang sprinkle a bit of Muppet magic over Charles Dickens' story of redemption as The Novello Orchestra perform the score live.
SEC, Glasgow, Wednesday 1 December; Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Thursday 2 December.
Also Magical Trees: Botanics Halloween Trail

Nightvision Halloween
A frighteningly good night of techno featuring local DJ Stephen Brown and a Berliner with a name that fittingly hints at the darkness of the season: Elli Acula.
Liquid Room, Edinburgh, Saturday 30 October.
Also Nineteen Ninety Four Fun Day Halloween Rave

Out Of This World
An illuminated trail of installations and displays around Paisley Abbey, the Town Hall and River Cart help put Paisley in a brand new light in this event which continues to mark Scotland's Year Of Coasts And Waters.
Paisley Town Centre, Thursday 28 October–Monday 1 November.

Paraffin Pixies Search For Santa
Santa is definitely around here somewhere but only the Paraffin Pixies know exactly where to find him. Let them be your entertaining guides in this treat for all the senses.
Almond Valley Heritage Centre, Livingston, Friday 10–Sunday 12, Friday 17–Sunday 19, Thursday 23 December.

Queen's Hall: Phil Cunningham's Christmas Songbook
OK, yes, we had to cheat here with the lack of seasonal Qs (though 'queues' at this time of year are a different matter). But we'll not apologise for highlighting the annual Christmas Songbook featuring Phil plus Eddi Reader, John McCusker, Karen Matheson and several others.
Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, Monday 20 & Tuesday 21 December.

RSNO: Christmas Concert Featuring The Snowman
Make sure to take an extra hankie as the RSNO perform live to a screening of Raymond Briggs' enchanting classic about one lad and his snowy pal. Hugh Dennis takes on the narrating duties.
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Saturday 18 December.
Also Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Scream / Raising The Dead / Rat Pack At Christmas

Spirits Of Scone
Promising to be 'bigger, darker and scarier' than ever before, the grounds of this famous Perthshire palace are teeming with ghouls, goblins and ghosts. Why not dress up and scare them back?
Scone Palace, until Sunday 31 October.
Also Santa's Postbox / Scottish Ballet's The Nutcracker

Tamfest
Inspired by Burns' iconic and scary 'Tam o' Shanter' narrative verse, this annual Halloween festival features a trail of terror, a film project and some virtual storytelling.
Various venues, Ayr, until Sunday 31 October.
Also The Spooktacular / Twas The Nighshift Before Christmas

Uproar Scotland Halloween Party
From 5pm through to the witching hour comes an EDM and Old Skool spectacular featuring the likes of DJC, DJ Hannah Taylor, Munk Lee, and B2B from Mikey Motion and Johnny D.
The Classic Grand, Glasgow, Friday 29 October.

Vivaldi's Four Seasons At Christmas
The Piccadilly Sinfonietta not only perform Vivaldi's timeless classic but also pieces by Pachelbel, Bach, Corelli and Mozart.
St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh, Saturday 11, Friday 17 December; St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh, Wednesday 15 December.
Also Very Bublé Christmas

We're All Going To Hell
Queer Theory presents their Halloween Queer Sinners club night extravaganza featuring live music from Wuh Oh and entertainment from Shanghai drag king Dorian T Fisk.
Stereo, Glasgow, Friday 29 October.
Also Why Not? Presents Deadinburgh / White Christmas

Xmas Day Out
A fun-packed day centred around a performance by Dionne Hickey who supported The Jacksons in 2018, two years after her festive tune 'Won't You Be Mine For Christmas' was a surprise hit in Lebanon.
Grangemouth Town Hall, Saturday 18 December.

You Might Get Lost
This new movie starring Corrinne Wicks and Colin Baker about a mum who discovers time-altering abilities that might bring her young son back to life. But she might be messing with the wrong spirits.
Banshee Labyrinth, Edinburgh, Saturday 30 October.

Zetland Park Halloween Trail
In this self-guided tour, a variety of spooky spirits (with their own QR code!) will help you discover a scary fact about the park. Dress for the season and you might even win a voucher to a local baker.
Zetland Park, Grangemouth, until Saturday 30 October.