Vegas Weekender: Fabulous Vegas and freakish finds

There is no shortage of fabulously freaky finds this weekend in Vegas. From nightclub contests to family-friendly trick-or-treating, Las Vegas has something for everyone.

Halloween

Vegas invaded with haunted happenings

This Halloween, Fangoria presents Trinity of Terrors at the Palms – Oct. 30 – Nov. 1. Sponsored by Fangoria Entertainment, publisher of the world’s best-selling horror magazine, this macabre event will feature horror film screenings and an exhibition hall with the latest and greatest in dark entertainment. Tickets start at $20 for a day pass.

For more frights, the Brooklyn Bridge at New York-New York casino is being transformed into a haunted Zombie Precinct filled with ghoulish creatures and horrifying inhabitants. The attraction runs Oct. 29 – 31 at 10:30 p.m. and tickets are priced from $20.

If you think a life-size wax figure of a celebrity is scary in the daytime, imagine it at night! Madame Tussauds After Dark gives you a chance to weave your way through wax figures of Jennifer Lopez, Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie in the dark, with a few frightening real figures in between, certain to give you a big scare. Visit the After Dark adventure from 10 p.m. – 1 p.m. on Oct. 27 – 31.

Circus Circus’ Adventuredome turns into Fright Dome at night. From Oct. 28 – 31, enter the “SAW” themed dome—if you dare. Fright Dome is open 7 p.m. – midnight.

Complete with haunted hayrides, trick-or-treating and lots of creepy characters, Springs Preserve presents a very Haunted Harvest Oct. 29 – 31 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Dracula’s Castle, Midway of Madness Carnival, and the Mad Scientist will be fun for the whole family. Admission is only $8 for adults; $4 for children ages 5 – 12 and children four and under are free.

Beer, brats and more take over for “OktoberFrightFest” at the Fremont Street Experience. The event features free entertainment, Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel as a haunted casino and various food and drink specials throughout the Halloween weekend.

Tricks and Treats at the Village is a family affair for all ages. BMX athletes will perform their best tricks for the crowd, starting at 5 p.m. on Oct. 31. Then, walk through the shops with your children at MonteLago Village at Lake Las Vegas for safe trick-or-treating.

Nightlife

Costume contests and naughty nightlife

If you think you have the sexiest costume head to Pure nightclub at Caesars Palace. With prizes totaling $5,000 on Oct. 30 and $10,000 on Oct. 31, you’d better come dressed to impress. Nicky Hilton is judging on Saturday and contests start at 10 p.m. both nights. Admission is $30 for men and $20 for women.

Luxor celebrates Halloween at 10 p.m. Oct. 31 with Se7en Sexy Sins, a party featuring specialty Halloween cocktails, Red Bull’s team of DJs and go-go dancers portraying the seven sins with a sexy twist. Price is $20 and up.

You might “make it rain” if you have a good costume at Rain  Nightclub. Cash prizes totaling around $38,000 will be awarded for costume categories like the funniest, the scariest and the most shocking. Admission is $30.

At Ghostbar, the top three ghoulish costumes will walk away with cash and prizes totaling approximately $8,000. Trekkies unite at Moon Nightclub – they are looking for the best Sci-Fi costume.

If you think you look like a girl next door or even Hef himself, head to the Playboy Club this Halloween. Approximately $43,000 in cash and prizes will be distributed for people dressed in the best Playboy- inspired costume.

Shows

Vegas a barrel of laughs this weekend

Howie Mandel will be at the MGM Grand Oct. 29 – Nov. 9.

Jay Leno will be cracking his jokes at the Mirage on Oct. 30 and 31 and Kathy Griffin will be taking her fellow D-listers to Mandalay Bay for a great show Oct. 30.

Vicki Lawrence will entertain audiences at South Point Oct. 30 – Nov. 1.

Music, mayhem and spooky shows

Rob Zombie returns to the stage after working on his movie “Halloween 2″ for an explosive performance Halloween weekend. The show, Oct. 30 at the Palms, starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are priced from $54.

Not for the faint of heart, Slipknot rocks out complete with year-round Halloween masks at the Pearl. For a truly scary experience, enjoy the concert at 8 p.m. on Oct. 31. Tickets start at $44.

Let the vampires of “Bite” seduce you. The show’s provocative singers, dancers and risqué storyline are a perfect fit for Halloween. “Bite” is playing Oct. 30 – 31 and show time is 10:30 p.m.

Puscifer, the creation of Maynard James Keenan, the front man for Tool and A Perfect Circle, plays Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. at the Palms.

If country is more your style, catch LeAnn Rimes at Treasure Island Oct. 29 – 30.

Mr. Las Vegas himself brings show to Vegas

Wayne Newton is back!

The all-new, limited engagement production, Wayne Newton’s “Once Before I Go,” is performed Tuesday – Saturday at 8:30 pm in the Tiffany Theatre at Tropicana Las Vegas.

A celebration of 50 storied years as told by the man who shaped them, “Once Before I Go” is a rare opportunity to experience an iconic career through the entertainer’s own lens: From a shy 15-year-old just off the bus, to his place as one of America’s most celebrated entertainment icons.

Tickets are $79.99 and up, plus tax and a surcharge. Schedule is subject to change without notice.