Ever since that first zombie emerged out of a rural Western Pennsylvania cemetery in George Romero's 1968 pioneering cult classic, Night of the Living Dead, Pittsburgh has had a love affair with the horror film genre. This city seems to harbor such a devoted fondness for the Halloween creatures, that we sometimes wonder why zombies cannot be our sports' teams mascots.

Whether you've already sewn your spooky ensemble or are planning an 11th-hour run to Costume World in the Strip, you better not be caught dead staying in.

So what haunts should you hit this Halloween season? Here's Pop Filter's Top 10 Calendar of Creepy:

1. The Hollywood Theater: Halloween Party & Fundraiser

If you're in need of a fright fix, the best place to get spooked is at The Hollywood Theater in Dormont. Keeping the art of movie going alive, the single-screen theater is the ideal place to host a Halloween happening, with its beautiful lobby and concession stand, balcony and lower gallery. Help keep the theater operating by attending its Halloween Party and Fundraiser on Oct. 27th from 8 to 11 p.m.

On the big screen will be the classic silent horror film, Nosferatu. Starring Max Schreck vampire Count Orlok, the German Expressionist masterpiece was directed by F. W. Murnau. Sure to freak you out will be Casey T. Malone's Blood of the Witch Trilogy, consisting of three spooky silent shorts. Come dressed as your favorite film character and vie for prizes, discover your future during a Tarot card reading enjoy refreshments and libations. Feeling extra ghoulish? Have a makeup artist turn your face into a terrain of bruises and scars so you can sport that trendy undead look! Purchse tickets.

2. Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre: Giselle

Ready to join the dance of the undead?

With its season opener Giselle, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) presents timely eerie themes and a haunting story of undying love, featuring the corps de ballet costumed completely in white as zombie-like maidens called Wilis who are doomed to roam, seeking vengeance from the grave by luring young men to their deaths. One of the most famous story ballets of all time,Wicked Costumes Giselle features choreography by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot and the music of Adolphe Adam—the first original score ever composed for a ballet—and explores supernatural themes of the Romantic era and Eastern European folklore. Check out PBT's zombie video series.

Running Oct. 26-28 at the Benedum, the production also invites teens to attend a pre-show event on Oct. 26,www.onbridals.com at 5:30 p.m. at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP). Teens will experiment with the unearthly effects of stage makeup, join the walking undead in a procession to the Benedum and enjoy the production from special tweet seats. Youth will document the undead experience along the way with apps, photos and video using equipment from The Labs @ CLP. Registration is required.

3. Bricolage Production Company: Midnight Radio Ghost Stories

Ready for some freaky frequencies. Head Downtown to Bricolages's Pittsburgh Ghost Stories, running Oct. 25th through Nov. 3rd, to celebrate Halloween with the company's macabre installment of its signature Midnight Radio series. Find out what it means to be haunted, as Thomas Brinkman--a data analyst at a local university who's being pressured to set a wedding date with his fiancee to set a date for their wedding--takes an unusual field trip and discovers he may possess a special ability that will alter the course of his life forever. An original radio play written by Jeffrey Carpenter and Matthew Adams, The Haunted is based on true Pittsburgh accounts and features enchanting musical accompaniment by retro jazz songstress Phat Man Dee. Purchase tickets.

4. Toonseum: Drawn of the Dead Outdoor Animated Horror Film Fest and Kid's Monster Engine Costume Party

We can imagine no better place to dress up as your favorite ghoul than, Downtown's Toonseum, which is hosting two spooktacular events this weekend for kids and adults alike. From Tim Burton and Scooby Doo, to Casper and Charlie Brown, Halloween brings out the spookiest of cartoon characters, so there's better place to celebrate the haunted holiday.

Kick off the wicked weekend at Toonseum's Drawn of the Dead Outdoor Animated Horror Film Fest and Costume Party on Oct. 26th at 7:30pm, taking place in the unique museum's Sprout Fund Comics Courtyard. Enjoy the crisp autumn evening air during a terrifying night of cartoons that kicks off with Night of the Living Dead Reanimated, and will be followed by the museum's signature Halloween Party. Party-goers will also enjoy vintage previews of Casper and Milton the Monster and will vie for costume prizes. On the menu is pumpkin spiked hot chocolate, popcorn, beer, and wine. 21+. Purchase tickets.

Looking for some under 21 fun? Head back to Toonseum on Oct. 27th at 1 p.m. for their Kid's Monster Engine Costume Party. Children will participate in craft projects, button making, face painting, and caricatures. A special appearance will be made by Monster Engine creator David Devries, whose 3-D renderings of monster drawings of children are currently on view. Purchase tickets.

5. Silk Scream: Remington and the Curse of the Zombading

Ready to scream your head off? Also Downtown is the 3rd annual Silk SCREAM horror film event on Oct. 25th and 26th at Point Park University's GRW Auditorium (414 Wood St.), featuring the indie flick Remington and the Curse of the Zombadings. A surprise indie hit in the Philippines, the 2011 flick combines camp, satire and horror complete with an over-the-top séance, zombies in drag, a string of serial killings, and a curse on the protagonist Remington.

6. Children's Museum of Pittsburgh: Spook-tacular, Monster Pet Sewing and Experimental Costume Design

The Children's Museum will be happily haunted this weekend, during a Member Spook-tacular Halloween Event on Oct. 26th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. At the family-friendly festivities, museum members will create black and orange art, meet a feathered friend from the National Aviary, trick-or-treat throughout the museum and vie prizes, and join a costume parade. RSVP: 412-322-5058 ext.274 or members@pittsburghkids.org. Head back to the museum on Oct. 27th and 28th for a variety of Halloween happenings, such as Monster Pet Sewing and Experimental Costume Design in the hands-on MAKESHOP.

7. 12 Peers Theater: Poe’s Last Night

Ideal for Halloween season is the story of Edgar Allan Poe’s final hours roaming the streets of Baltimore, which is part of 12 Peers Theater's Cultivating Culture Series at ModernFormations. The final hours of the renowned writer's life is the focal point of Poe’s Last Night on Oct. 27th at 8 p.m. Disoriented, feverish and desperate, Poe fights for life and for insight into his tumultuous years, as he performs some of his most compelling works, including Alone, The Raven and The Cask of Amontillado. Starring as Poe is veteran actor David Crawford, known for his role as Dr. James Foster in George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead. Purchase tickets.

8. Down & Derby: Dead Disco

Take that costume up a notch and strap on some skates at Down & Derby's special Dead Disco event on Oct. 27th at Belveder's. So many party options this week, but seriously, how many involve roller skating? Skate, dance, drink, dance, and maybe even eat brains at the Dead Disco Roller Jam, along to tunes by Cutups and Keeb$ and visuals by NeiL. Bring your own skates or choose from more than 250 pairs to rent. 9 p.m.School Girl Costume -2 a.m., 21+. RSVP for a reduced admission.

9. Eljay's Used Books: Creepy Little Bastards Release Party

For a literary take on the revelry, swing by Eljay's Used Books in Dormont on Oct. 27th at 2 p.m. to attend a book release party for Creepy Little Bastards. A graphic novel written by Sean Elliot Martin, with illustrations by by Elizabeth Pallack, and cover design and layout by Nick Wagner, the playful publication features themes of the sick, twisted and often highly humorous kind. Any fan of Edward Gorey's classic Gashlycrumb Tinies or those with a similarly macabre sensibility, won't want to miss this event. The event includes a book signing, refreshments and a special 20% off sale on graphic novels all day!

10. Round Corner Cantina: Devil's Night 4

Prefer Devil's Night to trick or treating? Descend into trendy Lawrenceville haunt Round Corner Cantina on Oct. 26th for Devil's Night 4, where Detroit phenom Frankie Bank$ and the Burgh's own Edgar Um will bleed you out with dance tunes galore--and gore. Dubbed "a new dance phenomenon,Vintage Wedding Dresses" Frankie will serve up his eclectic genre-bashing blend of house, ghettotech, bass, and Baltimore club, along with a distinctly Detroit flair. A sought after national DJ, Frankie has appeared at the Detroit Electronic Music Festival and Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, been named "Best Detroit DJ" by Real Detroit Weekly, and has worked with a range of acclaimed musicians, artists and companies, including from M.I.A, Diplo, DJ AM, Shepard Fairey, The Cool Kids, Disney, Barney's, and Adidas. Free before 9 p.m.; $5 with costume ($10 without); 21+.