Not only is this week half term, but the scariest night followed by what could be the noisiest night of the year is almost upon us.

Yes, that's right, Halloween is only ten days away, and less than a week later, Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes Night if you will, takes place.

It's a time of year that has many a small child (and slightly larger adult) getting stupidly excited about trick or treating, sugary treats, spooky stories, fancy dress, loud bangs and sparklers. But if you haven't had time to even consider what you're doing this Halloween and Bonfire Night, don't worry because help is at hand.

Here at thebestof Basildon, we have been scouring the local papers and events listings to bring you the best that the area has to offer:

Halloween in Basildon 2012

Langdon Visitor Centre is planning a whole host of half term Halloween activities between Saturday 20th October and Sunday 28th October (excluding Monday 22nd October). These include a Magical Drop-in Trail and Crafts between 10am and 4pm. 

Alternatively, why not come along to a Family Halloween Park on October 31st at Festival Leisure Park between 3pm and 7pm, complete with free face painting, craft workshops, trick or treating, plus the chance to meet spooky spiders, snakes and other creepy animals?

All donations received will be going to Children in Need; just don't forget your fancy dress!

Perhaps not strictly Halloween, but Jack the Ripper's gruesome murders were certainly pretty horrific! The Towngate Theatre on St Martin's Square, Basildon, is hosting An Audience with Jack the Ripper on Thursday November 1st from 7:30pm. The performance is based on retired British Police murder squad detective Trevor Marriott's cold case investigation into the Whitechapel Murders of 1888. Tickets cost £12. 

Bonfire Night in Basildon 2012

Rotary Club of Wickford is holding a Firework Display at Wick Country Park, less than four miles away from Basildon. Gates open at 6pm, the bonfire will be lit at 6:30 and fireworks at 7pm. 

Admission prices are available in advance from Sutton Stores for £5 per adult, £4 per child or £15 for a family of four, or on the night itself, priced at £6 per adult, £5 per child or £20 per family. All proceeds from the Bonfire Night will be donated to Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, as well as other Rotary charities.

Alternatively, from 5:30pm until 9pm on November 5th 2012, a Fireworks Display will be taking place at Gloucester Park, Basildon – a spectacular annual Bonfire Night fiesta that has been organised by Basildon Round Table. Tickets are available from a Basildon Town Centre, adjacent to Barclay's Bank, online and on the night itself. Advance tickets are priced at £5; £7 on the gate. The bonfire will be lit at 6:45pm and the fireworks display will start at 7:45pm.