Edmonton's weekend calendar (Oct. 16-18) is stacked with Halloween scares, film festivals and markets — enough to fill a trip on its own if you're in Alberta this month.

Horror fans have two film events to choose from. Northwest Fearfest runs until Oct. 18 at Metro Cinema on 109th Street, with five days of genre films, retro classics, restorations and shorts; all-access passes are $129 plus fees, with individual tickets also available. The Edmonton Short Film Festival lands at Landmark Cinemas 9 City Centre on Oct. 17-18, screening a slate of shorts, music videos and web series from Alberta and abroad — doors at 6 p.m. Saturday and 12:30 p.m. Sunday, tickets from $15.

On the scare front, there are three big options. DARK takes over Fort Edmonton Park until Oct. 31 with four haunted attractions (three returning, one brand new), roving performers, food trucks and a live DJ; gates open 6:30 p.m., haunts run 7-11 p.m., entry from $50. Deadmonton, on 47th Street, is widely considered the city's scariest haunted house and runs until Nov. 7 with three new haunts. For something more family-oriented, Pumpkins After Dark at Borden Park rebuilds its glowing pumpkin walkthrough this year and runs 6:30-11 p.m. nightly until Oct. 31.

Prefer daytime and low-key? The Edmonton Corn Maze in Spruce Grove, west of the city, runs until Oct. 25 with farm animals, mini golf, spud guns and a pumpkin patch ($15+, closed Mondays). Callingwood Farmers' Market — the city's largest and longest-running outdoor market with over 200 vendors — trades Sunday mornings, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., free entry.

Shoppers get two free events. The Witchery Market, a seasonal pop-up with artisans, tarot readers and jewellery, runs Oct. 16-18 on 83rd Avenue in Old Strathcona. The Boo-tique Hotel Market at Kingsway Mall brings 35-plus local vendors plus mini tattoos, tooth gems and a bracelet bar on Oct. 17-18 — first 20 shoppers through the door get a free tote.

There's also a charitable option outside the city: Screams for Dreams in Fort Saskatchewan on Oct. 17 (noon to midnight) raises money for Alberta Dreams, which grants wishes to seriously ill children. It's $10 plus a food donation and includes an adults-oriented Haunted Shop alongside live music and games.

Why it matters: Edmonton in mid-October is arguably at its liveliest, and most of these events cost under $20 or are free. It's a strong pick for a quick autumn city break — pair a scare night with a farmers' market morning and you've got a full weekend.