Happy Halloween, San Diego!

From playmates, to live art, to eco-friendly, parties abound for every preference during one of the most highly-anticipated holidays of the year: Halloween 2009!!!

The weekend kicks off today, October 30th. Benny Benassi, world renowned DJ best known for his 2002 hit “Satisfaction” will be spinning until 4 a.m. at the Heaven and Hell party at 4th & B. Tickets are $25. Also on Friday, Encore Entertainment is hosting a pre-halloween party at Stingaree Nightclub with live sets by DJs Timbuck2 and Jack La Fleur, complete with a not-to-be-missed live art exhibit by Tou Vue. And like any good Halloween party, expect a costume contest with prizes valued at over $1,000. The Ivy rooftop will also be going off thanks to the turntable talent of DJ Paul Martinez along with Este, Theron and Buzzard. Still got pre-Halloween party left in you? Check out the Vampires Ball at SPIN from 2 a.m. -12 p.m. featuring DJs Pornscore and Stillwell.

Then on the grand night of Halloween itself, Hard Rock Hotel, W Hotel, and the Prado at Balboa Park will be hosts to a few of San Diego’s biggest and most anticipated parties this year.

The Hard Rock Hotel will be throwing the Official Playboy Halloween Party with three floors, four venues, countless playmates straight from the Hollywood mansion, an all-star DJ line-up, and over 3,800 people in attendance. All who wish to partake in the madness must purchase an all-access ticket at www.encorepresents.net, or contact Daniel Krieg for tickets and/or bottle service at (619) 384-2755.

The next biggest party will take place at the Prado in Balboa Park hosted by Starry Eyed Music with over 2,000 costumed party-goers expected to dance the night away to the beats of featured mega DJ Scotty Boy, who has also entranced LA, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Chicago, and New York with his catchy beats. A costume party will be taking place with a $500 cash give away for the following best costumes: most creative, best group, and best overall. Tickets are currently priced at $50. In order to purchase or for more please e-mail the following address: djkurch@starryeyedmusic.com.

The third largest Halloween party hosted by Fortune, TK Presents, and 944 Magazine will be at the W Hotel with five areas of music, 15 DJs, including headlining DJ Scotty Boy from the Prado Party, 1400 people in attendance, and after hours until 4:30 a.m. Pre-sale tickets are $50. For more information or to purchase bottle service contact Jason at (619) 413-1729.

Other honorable mentions for the night’s array of events include: the Monster Mash at On Broadway with five rooms of music, notable DJs, and a naughty costume contest for cash and prize; Fangtasia at Stingaree for a sinful and sinister night, including a best vampire costume contest; Gotham Halloween at the Ivy featuring DJ Reach and DJ Ross One with costume contests for the sexiest and most original, with generous prize give-aways such as bottle service, a Vegas trip, and complimentary rooms at the hotel; Halloween of the Black Pearl and the intimate and sexy Side Bar featuring DJ Who and a $1,000 cash prize giveaway; and finally the Exotic Erotic Ball at SIN nightclub with special guest dancers from Chippendales and a $250 cash prize costume contest.

For those interested in traversing off the beaten path and partying for a cause, San Diego is hosting its first ever privately-sponsored Green Halloween. The event is 18+ as well as 21+ , and admission proceeds will benefit the organizations Green Wave as well as It’s All About Kids/Partying for a Purpose. Party hosts will be serving eco-friendly drinks and snacks, hold a Green Costume Contest, in addition to putting on a spectacular visual effects show complete with green go-go dancers to the live soundtrack of the talents of over 13 DJs spinning the best in house, trance, and progressive music, including a mystery guest DJ past midnight that party hosts promise is guaranteed to make you scream. Admission for 18+ is $10 and $50 for 21+, which includes a hosted bar. For more info call (619) 550-2197. Being that this will be a private event, the location will be provided only upon ticket purchase.

For the party animals who simply cannot satiate their Halloween cravings with a normal hours party, fear not, several after parties will allow Halloween to rage on into the wee hours of the morning. Aside from the aforementioned after hours event at W Hotel, a Halloween After Hours Ball hosted by FM Presents and Walden Keyes will be taking place at 1676 Main Street from 12-7 a.m featuring DJs Beej and Myron. Proceeds will benefit the Cancer Research Association of Southern California. For more information and tickets, send e-mails to thahouzzzproductions@gmail.com. In addition, 4th & B will play host to another event this weekend called Overtime, an after hours party taking place from 4 a.m.- 2 p.m. featuring a surprise guest DJ.

As if a weekend long celebration weren’t enough, the Halloween fun will continue into Sunday when the House of Blues will wrap up the weekend’s festivities by hosting Deadmau5, one of the biggest trance and electro house award-winning DJs in the world, most known for compilation album tracks “Aguru,” “Not Exactly” and “Faxing Berlin.” The all-ages show starts at 9 p.m. and rages on until 2 a.m. Ticket prices range from $17.50-$32.50. Purchase pre-sale tickets here.

Whatever your choice of entertainment for the fun-filled weekend, all we ask is that you play safely, kindly, and responsibly. Oh and that you have tons of fun!!! It’s bound to be a scream.