Sophia, Jess and the Best Events, Oct. 27-Nov. 2

It's almost Halloween, and this weekend is packed with parties both Friday and Saturday nights. You can check out our huge list of parties here to help you plan, just be sure to double check the dates — some parties are Friday, some are Saturday, some are both.

Sophia and I visited the beautiful Court District, where the Metromix Costume Contest and Court Avenue District Halloween Party is happening Friday night. We also included a few other suggestions, along with some non-Halloween events. Here are the details. Have a wonderful and safe holiday!

Friday: Enter the Metromix Costume Contest (winners will be awarded $500 for first place, $300 for second and $200 for third) during the Court Avenue District Halloween party. A $5 wristband gets you into Court Avenue Brewing Co., Dos Rios, el Bait Shop, High Life Lounge, Hessen Haus, Heroes, Johnny’s Hall of Fame, Legends, Liars Club, People’s Court, Royal Mile, Shorty’s, Surf Shack, Mickey's Downtown and Vaudeville Mews. Several bars will have live music, all bars will have their own costume contests. Court Avenue District, Between Water and Fifth Streets downtown.

Saturday: Hop on the bus for the Halloween Pub Crawl, which kicks off at 5:30 p.m. at Wellman’s Pub & Rooftop with free pizza and beer. The buses leave at 7:30 p.m. and will stop at Miss Kitty’s, Liars Club, Uncle Buck’s and Cabaret West Glen. You’ll get free admission at each bar, as well as $2 draws and $2.50 bottles of Coors Light and Miller Lite, and $3 calls (includes Absolut vodka, Captain Morgan and Crown Royal). Registration is $20 at desmoinespubcrawl.com before Saturday, or $25 the night of the event. Wellman’s Pub & Rooftop, 597 Market St., West Des Moines.

Saturday: Express your inner punk at the Vaudeville Mews’ Misfits Karaoke Halloween Ball, where you can sing your favorite punk songs with a live backing band. We shouldn’t have to say it, but wearing leather pants, big hair and tight band T-shirts would be a good option for this party. 10 p.m. $10. Vaudeville Mews, 212 Fourth St. 

Friday: Following 17 years as Conan O’Brien’s band leader, Max Weinberg is striking out on his own with the Max Weinberg Big Band, performing at 8 p.m. at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave. Weinberg, who still drums for Bruce Springsteen, underwent open-heart surgery earlier this year, which inspired him to form his own 15-piece ensemble to play the music of Frank Sinatra, Count Basie and others. $37.50 through Ticketmaster.

Saturday: Stock up on your fall produce, homemade goods and gifts, because it's the last Downtown Farmers Market of the season. Boo! But, you can shop the Winter Farmers Markets indoors at the end of November, so not all is lost!

Have a great weekend!