Parade: Dia de Los Muertos
Like New Year's Eve, Halloween can sometimes be a little anticlimactic. Lucky for us, the Mission still goes wild every year with their Day of the Dead parade. Check out the sacred altars in and around Garfield Park and don't miss the procession ritual, which begins promptly at 7 p.m. on the corner of 22nd and Bryant streets. Be sober, be respectful, and be creative—it's your last chance for a spooky costume this year. Free; Tuesday 11/2; 22nd and Bryant streets, dayofthedeadsf.org

Music: Dr. Dog, Mavis Staples and Billy Bragg
I'm a little biased about Dr. Dog, being from Philly and all, but the psych rock group puts on a great live show that definitely worth seeing. Especially since they're sure to play tracks from this year's Shame, Shame. $35; Wednesday 11/3; The Fillmore, 1805 Geary Blvd. If traditional is more your thing, head to the Fillmore on Saturday instead to see R&B and gospel queen Mavis Staples with Billy Bragg. $49; Saturday 11/6; livenation.com

Discussions: Kevin Kelly and Alice Walker
Get intellectual this week. Wired co-founder Kevin Kelly is one of the greatest technology thinkers of our time and he's got a provocative new theory in his latest book What Technology Wants. $20; Wednesday, 11/3; The Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., 2nd floor. Too geeky? Try Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker of The Color Purple fame (did you know she lives in Mendocino?) who will discuss her body of work. $20; Thursday 11/4; The Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., 2nd floor, commonwealthclub.org

Music: Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp
Forget Rock Band. If you're a fan of classic rock, get out of the living room and into the Fillmore this weekend. Come out and meet your idols (Aerosmith producer/songwriter Mark Hudson, Kip Winger of the Alan Parsons Project, and Rudy Sarzo of Quiet Riot and Whitesnake), form a band, and perform in a culminating battle of the bands blowout. Friday 11/5 - Sunday 11/7; The Fillmore, 1805 Geary Blvd., rockcamp.com

Play: Ski and Snowboard Festival
There's nothing like getting a head start on the winter season. Check out the hottest new gear, play in the live snow arena, and check out interactive ski resort exhibits. Buy yourself some goods at the huge, blowout sale and score free lift tickets. And if the lure of the slopes isn't enough to get you out there, the festival will have plenty of beer and wine on offer for you to entertain yourself while your BF geeks out. $20; Saturday 11/6 - Sunday 11/7; Fort Mason Festival Pavillion, Marina Blvd. and Buchanan St., sfskifest.com