By EMILY JACOB

As the leaves begin to fall and we start to feel a crisp chill in the air, Laurel is gearing up for a month-long celebration of all things eerie and enchanting. October has arrived, and with it comes a bewitching array of Halloween events that promise to send shivers down your spine and ignite the spirit of the season. From pumpkin painting and trick-or-treating events, to family-friendly festivals and even princesses, Laurel has something for everyone this Halloween. Join us for all of the local spooktacular fun!

Round up the whole family for an evening of fun atHope Baptist Church’s Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 3 to 5 p.m. The festival includes games, hayrides, crafts, a cake walk and food, including cotton candy and popcorn. This event is free but requires registration ahead of time at  hopeoflaurel.org/form/10800. Hope Baptist Church, 8801 Stephens Road. 

Dress in costume and bring the whole family to The Laurel Board of Trade’s trick or treat on Main Street. Oct. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m.. Children 12 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult, and there are no pets allowed except service dogs. For more information, call 301.483.0838

Dress in costume, bring a bucket for candy and walk down a decked-out Halloween hall during the Take-Away Treat Spooktacular sponsored by the city and the Laurel Lions Club on Oct. 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Suitable for all ages and free, with no registration required. Robert J. DiPietro Community Center, 7901 Cypress St. cityoflaurel.org

Have some Halloween fun at the Maryland City Library on Saturday, Oct. 28,  from 2 to 3 p.m. Dress up in costume, listen to stories, sing songs, make crafts and join a parade through the library. The free event is for ages 10 and younger and does not require registration. Maryland City Library, 3501 Russett Common. 410.222.1070

Calling all princesses! Meet in Hammond Park on Sunday, Oct. 29 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. for the Not So Spooky Princesses in the Park Halloween Party. Dress up in your favorite princess dress or Halloween costume and come meet other princesses. Get your face painted, make crafts, enjoy sing-alongs and dancing, and use the photo booth. This event is appropriate for the whole family. $10 per person with registration, and $15 for walk-ups. Hammond Park, 10700 Glen Hannah Dr. allevents.in/laurel/not-so-spooky-princesses-in-the-park-halloween-party 

Looking for an alternative to (or a warm-up for) trick or treating? Attend the Trunk or Treat at Our Savior Lutheran Church from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 31. As a safe alternative to traditional trick-or-treating, people decorate their vehicles’ trunks (which they also fill with treats!) to represent a story or a person from the Bible. Collect treats and learn more about the Bible as you tour the trunks. 13611 Laurel-Bowie Road. 301.776,7670

Laurel Department of  Parks and Recreation will host a Harvest Moon Hayride on Nov. 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. Enjoy a hayride along the Patuxent River followed by drinks, snacks and entertainment around a bonfire. $4 in advance, $5 for walk-ups. Riverfront Park, Avondale Road. 301.725.7800