By Lorena Jordan

This weekend starts the holiday feeling with Halloween parties celebrating tricks and treats, ghosts and legends.

If there is anything all residents of Charleston can agree upon, it is that after a year of staying indoors, The Holy City is ready for the season of holidays and parties. This weekend starts the holiday feeling with Halloween parties celebrating tricks and treats, ghosts and legends.

Downtown Charleston is the established party spot, with numerous events held inside its historical structures. Need ideas on last-minute celebrations? Without further ado, here are this author’s picks for the best Halloween experiences the Holy City has to offer. Look for me at these events if you dare!

1.  Friday, 10/29, 9 p.m. - 1 a.m., Studio 300: 70's Halloween at The Alley, 131 Columbus St.

The Alley’s anniversary party remains an annual nomination for Best Party of The Year by the Charleston City Paper for one reason: this all-inclusive event cannot be missed!

Admission to Studio 300 grants access to cocktails and wine, appetizers, free arcade games, bowling, and additional Halloween-oriented tricks and treats.

To celebrate its ninth anniversary, this year’s Studio 300 party encourages guests to dress in their best 70's gear or Halloween costume and enjoy an extravaganza equipped with haunted houses, scare actors and more surprises. Partygoers will have the chance to avoid legendary villains such as Freddy and Michael Myers while they escape the horrors of a Texas Chainsaw Massacre, all while the music sets the tone to get down and boogie.

Admission to Studio 300 grants access to cocktails and wine, appetizers, free arcade games, bowling, and additional Halloween-oriented tricks and treats. It is brought to you byWhite Claw Hard Seltzer,New Amsterdam Vodka,The Law Offices of David Aylor,The Becket AgencyandLawson Roberts Design.Designed and produced by Lawson Roberts Events. Information and pricing atthealleycharleston.com.

2.  Saturday, 10/30, 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at INK Charleston, 565 King St.

Always wondered what life is like after you learn the magical news, “We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?” Experience it first-hand this weekend with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at INK Charleston on King Street.

Every aspect of the Harry Potter world will be on display during this spook-tacular event.

Every aspect of the Harry Potter world will be on display during this spook-tacular event. Levitating candles from Hogwarts? Check. A haunted enchanted forest complete with bats and wretched tree branches? Check. A special greeting from the big man himself -Dumbledore! - upon entry? Check!

Use your quills to jot down this magical adventure in your diary for October 30th. Information and pricing atinkcharleston.com.Event designed and produced byLawson Roberts Events.

3. Friday, 10/29 & Saturday, 10/30, 9 p.m. - 1 a.m., The Haunted Circus at Deco Nightclub, 28 Ann St.

Want all eyes on you, in the center of the ring, just like a circus? Then plan for a weekend-long extravaganza at The Traveling Haunted Circus event held behind nightclub Deco’s doors.

As with the legend, expect to mix eerie with mystery, adventure with horror.

Based on the Legend of the Haunted Circus, this haunted event will drop within Charleston’s borders for a legendary weekend party to remember. Take part in solving the mystery of the vanished fire-breathing lady, former lover of the circus’ ringmaster, while trying to stay alive amidst haunted souls including clowns, freaks, and circus performers. As with the legend, expect to mix eerie with mystery, adventure with horror. Just one question remains: do you dare enter?

General admission free. Deco event information can be found atdecocharleston.com.Event designed and produced byLawson Roberts Events.