All dressed up with no place to go? Had your costume planned for months, but sadly neglected to make any plans for the creepiest holiday of the year? Need some place where you can take the kids for their candy fix? Check out these Thursday Halloween events:

At 11:30am, the Sally Griffin Senior Center is sponsoring a Halloween luncheon for those who are "bolder, not older, and know how to celebrate." Costumes are optional, since this event is also to celebrate all the October birthdays of those who frequent the center. Fill your tummy with pumpkin soup, then indulge in harvest cake and groove to the music of Joe Ingram and Friends. 700 Jewell Ave. in Pacific Grove, just past Lovers Point. 375-4454.

The Baja Cantina in Carmel Valley is hosting a Halloween Extravaganza Party for the younger set, featuring a contest for best kid''s costume and trick-or-treating in the Valley Hills Center. They''re throwing a party Friday for the adults (it apparently gets pretty crazy) with a theme of "The Gangster Era." Prizes are given for the best costume, with judging at 11pm. Reservations would be a good idea, as Baja gets packed for even the most minor events. 7166 Carmel Valley Rd, about five miles from Highway One. 625-2252.

Seaside is putting on a Halloween Bonanza>, a community event designed to encourage safety and fun on this wild night. Kids pre-school through fifth-grade are invited to enjoy free glow necklaces, a bounce house, game booths, bags of candy, a costume contest, and more. This event is being held at the Oldemeyer Center at 986 Hilby Street from 6-9pm, and you can pick up your free glow necklace from 3-6pm at the Seaside City Hall at 440 Harcourt Street, along with safety information and treat bags. 899-6805.

Now, this sounds really cool: The Monterey Bay Aquarium is hosting a bash of their own starting at 2pm, with free admission to kids under 12 who arrive in costume. Enter to win a giant plush penguin, or settle for the free goody bag, take part in the "scary animal" scavenger hunt, even see a decorator crab dressed up specially for Halloween. A costume parade starts at the kelp forest exhibit at 4:30, followed by the contest for the aforementioned penguin (sorry, grownups, only kids under 12 can take part in the contest.) Representatives from Whole Foods Market will hand out healthy snacks and recipe ideas, and the American Tin Cannery, within easy walking distance, is gearing up for the day, too. For more information, call 648-4888, or just show up at 886 Cannery Row, Monterey.

Later tonight, from 6pm to midnight, Nepenthe holds its legendary Bal Masque>, a no-holds barred party under the stars in Big Sur with prizes for the best costumes, dancing to the music of Canyon, and (here''s the great part) all the Ambrosia or Veggie burgers you can eat. Donation of $25 (cash or check only) benefits the Big Sur Fire Brigade. 30 miles south of Carmel on Highway One. 667-2345.

Last, but certainly not least, the Black Box Cabaret at CSUMB is hosting their own Ghouls Night Out on Friday at 8pm>. The evening features local bands Ethyl 80, Erham Hall, Figaro and Darvon Complex, so the music ranges from punk to folk. Costumes are encouraged, as is buying a parking permit (campus police can be so pesky!) Bring your dancing shoes, your coolest costume, and six quarters. Other than that, this event is free. Third Street on the CSUMB campus, Seaside. 582-3597.

So there''s no excuse to sit alone on Halloween, cursing these damned commercialized holidays. You can do anything from trick or treat with the young ''uns to getting wild with the folks at the Baja Cantina. You can even spend your day with the jellyfish, if that suits you better. Just go out, have fun, be safe and have a happy Halloween.