An evening with film-maker John Landis and financier Mike Milken, a tutorial on mobile photography by the Hampstead Photographic Society and Halloween-themed parties and walks are just some of the things featured in our top five this week.

1. Friday - Halloween

A number of spots across Hampstead and Highgate will be transformed for Halloween this Friday, entertaining children and adults alike.

Burgh House in New End Square, Hampstead, hosts its “frightfully fabulous” kids Halloween Party with spooky storytelling, party food, fancy dress competition and museum trail. Suitable for ages 10 and under, it runs from 2pm to 4pm. Tickets £15. Visit burghhouse.org.uk to book.

Lauderdale House in Waterlow Park, Highgate, meanwhile puts on a spooky trail in its historic house and gardens, calling on kids to “dress up, wear your masks and be ready for the unexpected”. Starts at various times between 5pm and 6pm. Tickets £7. Call 020 8348 8716 to book.

If you’re an adult (or big kid) and are looking for your own frightfest, you’re invited to Hampstead’s Haunted Heath walk on Parliament Hill. The scary ramble will see walkers meeting costumed characters and facing frightening happenings along the way. Two walks, each starting at 7pm and 8.30pm. Tickets £5. Call 0207 332 3773 to book.

And finally, if theatre is more up your street, a new performance of Frankenstein by Garden Surburb Theatre is being held at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate Village. Starts 8pm. Tickets £12 (£10 concs). Call 020 8340 3488 or visit upstairsatthegatehouse.com to book.

2. Tuesday - Mobile Photography

A session on mobile phone photography will be run by the Hampstead Photographic Society. The group, established in 1937, welcomes anyone with an interest in photography, from beginners to professionals. It will be hosted by Jay Pierce, of the Photographers’ Academy.

Held at St John’s Church in Church Row, Hampstead. Starts 8pm. Visit rc-soar.com/hps for more information.

3. Wednesday - John Landis and Mike Milken

The JW3 in Finchley Road continues its Speaker Series with a talk by legendary film-maker John Landis and revolutionary financier Mike Milken.

Landis’s movies include An American Werewolf in London, Trading Places, Animal House, and The Blues Brothers. He’s also the creative engine behind a number of successes off the big screen, including Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking Thriller video.

Milken, once described by Fortune magazine as “the man who changed medicine”, has long been at the forefront of a wide range of successful initiatives in medical research, education, public health and access to capital. In addition to their longstanding friendship, both men share an unrelenting passion to innovate and a love of movies.

Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £25 (£12.50 concs). Visit jw3.org.uk to book.

4. Tuesday - Lisa Appignanesi and Sarah Dunant

Celebrated author Lisa Appignanesi and broadcaster, writer and critic Sarah Dunant come to Hampstead to talk about their latest novels.

Appignanesi’s Sacred Ends, launched at the event, is described as “a complex and chilling thriller set in fin-de-siècle France”, while Dunant’s Blood and Beauty takes readers to Renaissance Italy with a “compelling narrative of politics, passion and power”. The pair will be discussing the art of historical fiction.

Held at Waterstones bookshop in Hampstead High Street. Starts 7pm. Tickets £5 (£3 concs), available from the shop.

5. Saturday - Winter Fair

A Winter Fair in support of a mental health charity helping veterans of the armed forces will take place at the Free Church Hall in Northway, Hampstead Garden Suburb. Opened by former BBC war correspondent Martin Bell, stalls will be selling jewellery, crafts, homemade cakes, Christmas cards and more. Money will go to Combat Stress, a charity founded in 1919 to help those who fought in the First World War return to civilian life and which continues today provides outreach programmes for those returning from current theatres of war.

Runs 11am to 4pm. Entry £1 (children free).