Before we know it, kids will scour the local villages in search of sweet treats on Thursday.

The region has a long tradition of events to celebrate the spooky holiday, and 2024 is no different. Below are some of the events on deck this year.

Trick-or-treat plans — especially in the Adirondacks — can be influenced by the weather. While still a few days away, the current forecast for Halloween calls for scattered rain showers and breezy conditions with afternoon highs in the 60s falling to the 40s by late evening, according to the National Weather Service’s Burlington Office.

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From youngest, Lily, Charles, Lucas and Benjamin Mahany with parents Alice and Erik of Wilmington take part in the Trunk-or-Treat event Sunday at the Wilmington KOA. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Saranac Lake

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The village of Saranac will feature a wide array of Halloween-day events and activities. Participating businesses throughout Saranac Lake will be handing out candy from 2 to 5 p.m. on Thursday. Costumes are encouraged and the event — geared toward children and their families — is free.

The Saranac Lake Police Department will be on hand and will close off a portion of Broadway in the downtown area to traffic during the three hours, adding an extra layer of security — and a sense of relief — for families looking to enjoy the holiday.

The Saranac Lake Baptist Church, located at 460 Broadway, will also host a free trunk-or-treat event from 3 to 6 p.m. in its parking lot. The event promises “candy, decorations, food and fun,” according to the church’s website.

Captain America John Roth of Wilmington and 6-year-old rescue dog Nolan take part in the Trunk-or-Treat event Sunday at the Wilmington KOA. Nolan was rescued through the Joshua Fund in Jay. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Trunk-or-treat events function like kid-friendly tailgate parties, where participants meet at one central location to get and give treats, rather than venturing out onto the streets to trick-or-treat at various residences. The events — which began in the 1990s — have gained in popularity in recent years, as families see them as safer and logistically easier alternatives or additions to trick-or-treating.

Historic Saranac Lake will host “Historic Scare-anac Lake” for kids ages 5 through 12 from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday at the Saranac Laboratory Museum, located at 89 Church St.

The event will combine family fun with the area’s spookier side of its history and will include a variety of hands-on activities. The event is free for participants and their chaperones, according to Historic Saranac Lake’s website.

For those looking to get an early jump on the activities, Historic Saranac Lake will be hosting a spooky-themed game night — also at the Saranac Laboratory Museum — from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Historic Saranac Lake is partnering with Goody Goody’s, of Saranac Lake, to provide Halloween-themed snacks and drinks.

The event is free and open to everyone of all ages. Costumes are encouraged but not required. The museum notes on its website that the halls will be decked out in a spooky decor fit for the occasion.

Historic Saranac also notes on its website that even if people aren’t interested in board games, the event — along with their full suite of museum after-hours events throughout the year — offers a great way to get to know people in the community in a relaxed and stress-free setting.

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Tupper Lake

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Tupper Lake will host a variety of Halloween events The action kicks with Park Street Trick-or-Treat from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday. During that time, Park Street will be closed to vehicle traffic between its High Street and Wawbeek Avenue intersections. Various shops throughout the business district will be handing out sweet treats to trick-or-treaters. The event is free and costumes are encouraged.

The Tupper Lake Recreation Department will host the Tupper Lake Monster Dash, which begins at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Park Street. The event — which features a 1-kilometer run/walk course — is open to people of all ages and ability levels.

The race gives people a chance to move in style. Speed is not the preeminent focus. Rather, the event celebrates the festive nature of Halloween, and costumes are encouraged. Organizers stress that costumes should be safe and not inhibit movement, according to the event’s website. There is no fee to participate in or attend the Monster Dash.

The Tupper Lake Trunk-or-Treat Extravaganza will return to the Tupper Lake Municipal Park Firemen’s Strip, located at 17-19 Demars Blvd., from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The event is free and is sponsored by Family Matters Tupper Lake and the Child Care Coordinating Council of the North Country. Besides candy, the event will include a costume contest — with prizes — and spooky music throughout.

Individuals or organizations interested in being Trunkers — or handing out candy from their vehicles — can sign up at tinyurl.com/4j6dd6zw.

Those thinking about trunking should be prepared to arrive and be ready to dish out the candy by 3:30 p.m. and stay the full two hours, as traffic will not be allowed into or out of the trunk-or-treat zone, for safety purposes, during the event.

Organizers also encourage potential trunkers to prepare for up to 300 trunk-or-treaters, given the event’s past attendance numbers, according to the event’s website.

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Lake Placid

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The Olympic village will host its annual Halloween parade along Main Street on Oct. 31. The event is open to everyone, and costumes for people of all ages are encouraged. The parade kicks off at noon at Saranac Avenue near the intersection of Mirror Lake Drive. Line-up starts at 11:50 a.m.

The parade route goes up Main Street and ends near the Olympic Center. After the parade, Trick-Or-Treating on Main Street begins, where participating businesses will hand out candy through 5 p.m.

The festivities continue with a Halloween Dance for Lake Placid and Wilmington students. The dance is held on the second floor of the Lake Placid Conference Center, with times for different age groups.

– 6 to 8 p.m. for middle school students (grades 6 through 8)

– 8 to 10 p.m. for high school students (grades 9 through 12)

All of the events are free of charge.

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Gabriels

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Tucker Farms’ Great Adirondack Corn Maze will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday. The cornfield maze’s 2024 theme is “4077th M.A.S.H. (the TV show).” Tucker Farms is located at 64 Hobart Road and admission is $10, or $8 for children aged 13 or younger who are accompanied by an adult. The farm accepts cash or check only and children under 4 can get in for free.

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AuSable Forks

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The town of Black Brook’s Halloween at the Riverside Park, located at 2429 state Route 9N in AuSable Forks, returns this year beginning at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 31. The event features candy, hot dogs, popcorn, s’mores and Black Brook Express Train rides. The event is kid-friendly and family-oriented.

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Onchiota

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The Station, an arts and culture center, will host its 5th annual Samhain (pronounced sow-win) celebration from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, with the welcoming address slated for 6:30 p.m., at its 1 Kushaqua Mud Pond Road location. Samhain is a Celtic tradition that celebrates and honors deceased loved ones and ancestors. The holiday — which translates to Hallow’s Eve — is meant to highlight the connection between the living and spiritual worlds.

While the event is reflective and an opportunity to express grief — with participants encouraged to bring a photo or associated object to honor the deceased — it is also meant to celebrate the joys of the harvest season and create light through shared company. Costumes are encouraged but not required.

Food and drinks will be provided, and there will be a bonfire.