Cities and venues throughout the area are having special events for children and the entire family. Here are just some of the many events taking place this weekend.

Port Isabel

Port Isabel will be celebrating Day of the Dead from 1 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 30. There will be special exhibits in the Treasures of the Gulf Museum, hands-on activities, sugar skull making classes, presentations, live entertainment, and more. For a complete schedule of events visit http://portisabelmuseums.com/mopi/2010/10/day-dead-los-colores-muerto/.

The City of Port Isabel will also be holding a community street dance. They will have live music, food, door prizes, and a costume contest. The event will be held 8 to 11 p.m. on Oct. 30 at 317 E. Railroad Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 943-7602.

Mission

The City of Mission Parks and Recreation Department will have a Halloween Festival at the Parks and Rec. gym located at Bryan Rd. and 8th St. in Mission. The event will take place on Oct. 31, 6 to 9 p.m. and is free to the public.

The Devil Wears Prada will be performing at Las Palmas Racepark, 7509 N. Taylor Rd., Mission, on Oct. 30. Doors open at 7 p.m. Special guests will be Upon a Burning Body.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at Melhart Music, Wireless Toyz, and Cavender’s Western Wear.

McAllen

On Oct. 30, at 6 and 8:30 p.m., the Michael Jackson Laser Spectacular will be performed at the McAllen Civic Center Auditorium, 1300 S. 10th St.. For more information, call 681-3800.

IMAS will have some special activities planned for Oct. 31, 1 to 5 p.m. Festivities include music, storytime, art classes, and more. Call 682-1564 for more information. The event is $4.

Fundamentals will do a show on Oct. 30 at Ambrosia Coffee Shop, 6501 N. 10th St., McAllen, at 9 p.m. The event will feature artists Damon Allen, Cyfa, CrunkBot, and SamWise. Music will consist of everything dubstep to tropical beats.

A costume contest will also be held. For more information call 686-2284.

McAllen Parks and Recreation will hold a Halloween Festival on Oct. 31, 6 to 10 p.m., at their community centers - Lark (2601 Lark), Palm View (3401 Jordan Rd.), and Las Palmas (1921 N. 25th St.).

There will be games, food, haunted houses and other events for the entire family.

Downtown McAllen venues will feature costume contests and special entertainment. Call your favored venue for more information.

UTPA

Carnival of the Great Pumpkin will be held at UTPA’s Wellness and Recreational Sports Complex. The event will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. with free admission on Oct. 30. There will be inflatables, wax hands, glitter tattoos, face painting and a photo booth.

DJ Ray will be playing music. There will also be costume contests and a pumpkin pie-eating contest.

For more information call 665-7808. The complex is located at 1201 W. University Drive in Edinburg.

The Evil Dead: The Musical will be performed at UTPA Albert L. Jeffers Theatre on Oct. 29 at 8 p.m., Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. and 12 a.m. and Oct. 31 at 2 p.m. There will be blood, singing and dancing. The event is not recommended for children under 17.

Call 681-3581 for more information.