A week's worth of free and cheap fun

You’ve already emptied your piggy bank just to buy Halloween treats. That big Thanksgiving grocery bill and holiday shopping trip are just over the horizon. And the economy appears to be in a handbasket bound for the underworld.

What to do? Start saving today, of course. Not by bulking up your 401(k), but by saving a few bucks with good times this week that are free and cheap. From music and movies to Halloween haunts to this season’s debut of, yes, Santa Claus, here’s a week’s worth of things to see and do that will keep your wallet fat and happy.

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There are lots of activities this week that won’t break the bank, including a Day of Dead art exhibit.

MONDAY Oct. 27

SPRUCE UP: Want to fashion a better fall garden? Lisa Bartlett, Gardens to Go owner, discusses how to select plants and containers like an expert in “Contain Yourself: Tips and Tricks of the Gardening Trade.” Free. Sponsored by DeKalb Master Gardener Association. 7 p.m. DeKalb County Public Library, 4316 Church St., Tucker. 404-248-1027; www.dmga.org

LISTEN UP: Enjoy a free evening of chamber music, featuring pieces by Mendelssohn and Brahms, by local musicians including members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. A reception follows. 7 p.m. Christ Presbyterian Church, 495 Terrell Mill Rd., Marietta. 770-956-7572; www.christpreschurch.org

LURK ABOUT: Get in the Halloween spirit with a self-guided tour (or just an unguided stroll) through historic Oakland Cemetery. Maps ($3) are available at the Visitors Center/Museum Shop. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 248 Oakland Ave. (off Memorial Drive), Atlanta. 404-658-6019; www.oaklandcemetery.com

TUESDAY Oct. 28

GET FIRED UP: Why wait until December or January? Celebrate the Indian festival of lights, Diwali, including a fireworks show at 8:45 p.m. Free. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, 460 Rockbridge Road N.W., Lilburn. 404-297-0501; www.swaminarayan.org/globalnetwork/america/atlanta.htm

MAKE THE CUT: You won’t believe the things these artists can do with paper. “Cutting Fine, Cutting Deep” showcases silhouettes, dioramas, paper lacework, pop-up drawings and more from the Swiss Scherenschnitt (scissor cutting) tradition. Free. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Robert C. Williams Paper Museum at Georgia Tech, 500 10th St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-894-7840; ipst.gatech.edu/amp

WEDNESDAY Oct. 29

MUNCH TO MUSIC: This week marks the final installment of this year’s Wednesdays in Woodruff series. Atlanta blues singer Larry Griffith is scheduled for the wrap-up lunchtime concert. Free. Noon. Woodruff Park, Peachtree Street at Auburn Avenue, Atlanta. 404-658-1877; www.atlantadowntown.com

PLAY AROUND: The Ultimate Playdate finds Jay Memory, founding member of Atlanta band Memory Dean, doing old favorites for Mom and Dad and leading the children in sing-alongs. Free. 4-7 p.m. East Cobb Park, 3332 Roswell Road, Marietta. 678-500-1787; www.eastcobbpark.org

TIME TRAVEL: Return to 1934 and one of the last collaborations of director Josef von Sternberg and his biggest star, Marlene Dietrich. In “The Scarlet Empress,” Dietrich does an over-the-top Catherine the Great. Free. 8 p.m. White Hall, Emory University, 1380 S. Oxford Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-727-6761; www.filmstudies.emory.edu

THURSDAY Oct. 30

DRESS UP: Kids up to age 12 can try out their trick-or-treat get-ups a day early and maybe win prizes at Discover Mills Halloween Costume Contest. Free. 5:30 p.m. (registration begins at 4 in the food court). 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. 678-847-5000; www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=1241

TRUMP TUT: The Boy King and his entourage hit Atlanta next month, and adult tickets are almost $30. But you can see an impressive collection of mummies and other ancient Egyptian relics now at the Michael C. Carlos Museum for just $7 (suggested donation). 571 S Kilgo St. on the Emory University campus. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 404-727-4282; www.carlos.emory.edu

FRIDAY Oct. 31

GO HAUNTING: You know you want some candy. Well, head on over to Glenwood Park’s Halloween Costume Crawl, where children can trick-or-treat at area retailers from 3-5 p.m. then meet in the bocce ball court where a costume winner will be revealed. Adults can party from 7-9 p.m. Free. 3-9 p.m. Glenwood Park, 924 Garrett St. S.E., Suite E, Atlanta. www.glenwoodpark.com

FIND A FEST: There’s sweet stuff to be had at KidsFest in Woodstock City Park, too. There will also be moonwalks, carnival games, pumpkin bowling, apple bobbing, magicians and face painting. 3-7 p.m. Free. Arnold Mill Road at Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock. 770-926-8852; www.woodstockga.gov

GET GOODIES: Trick-or-Treat at Mall of Georgia. Participating merchants offer goodies and sweets to costume-clad children ages 12 and younger. Masks not allowed. 5:30-8 p.m. Free. Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive, Buford. 678-482-8788; www.mallofgeorgia.com

SATURDAY Nov. 1

GET ARTY: If you live in Fulton County, you can visit the High Museum of Art for free today (or any first Saturday of the month). Fulton County residents who show proof of residency may tour current exhibitions and the permanent collection. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-733-4444; www.high.org

GET SPOOKED: In Mexico, they call it Dia de los Muertos. On the Day of the Dead (which actually takes place over several days), some believe the spirits of the departed are allowed to visit the living. Young Blood Gallery will celebrate the holiday with the opening of a show of decorative miniature coffins by local and national artists. Free. 7-10 p.m. 636 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta. 404-254-4127; www.youngbloodgallery.com

GET READY: Guess who’s here already? While the Halloween candy is still rumbling in your belly, Santa’s on his way to the Mall of Georgia’s “Santabration.” St. Nick arrives at 3 p.m. in the Village Pavilion. Activities include live entertainment and holiday festivities culminating in the annual tree lighting at dusk and a screening of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Free. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 3333 Buford Drive, Buford. 678-482-8788; www.mallofgeorgia.com

Compiled by John Reiter and Shane Harrison