Alongside the changing leaves, pumpkin patches, and the ghosts and ghouls of Halloween, this October the Grand Rapids music scene will come alive, too.

The month begins with Rascal Flatts at Van Andel Arena on Oct. 6. The country band has been playing together for 13 years, won more than 40 awards and has had 12 singles hit the No.1 spot on Billboard country music charts. The trio is touring to promote the release of their ninth album, titled “Changed.”

Tickets range from $25-$65 for the 7 p.m. show with supporting acts Little Big Town and Edens Edge.

If country isn’t your genre, the alternative rock band Say Anything will be playing The Intersection Oct. 13 as part of the “Say Anarchy” tour with special guests Murder By Death, The Sidekicks and Tallhart. The tour is in promotion of their new album, “Anarchy, My Dear,” which was released last March. The band is fronted by Max Bemis, who formed Say Anything in 2000. The all-ages show starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $16.50 in advance and $19 at the door.

If you’ve got more rhythm and rhyme than that, look no further than The Intersection’s Oct. 18 performer – hip-hop artist Waka Flocka Flame takes the stage for his “Friends, Fans and Family 2012” tour. Special guests Wooh Da Kid and Reema Major help him wrap up the nationwide tour before heading to Europe. Doors open at 8 p.m. for the ages 17-and-up show. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

Right here in Grand Valley State University’s own back yard, the Allendale Campus’ Fieldhouse Arena will host a double-headliner show on Oct. 19, featuring alternative bands Mayday Parade and The Maine. The show is part of GVSU’s Homecoming 2012 Celebration and with both bands coming off of headlining tours, it’s a show students can’t afford to miss – literally. Tickets are $10 until Oct. 4 and $15 until the day of the show, available at the 20/20 desk inside the Kirkhof Center.

If you’re into a heavier sound, check out the The Orbit Room on Oct. 19 when Seether, Sick Puppies and Kyng will have fans rocking the venue as part of their Triple Threat Tour. Seether has won multiple awards and has had several songs hit the No.1 spot on the Popular Music Charts. Sick Puppies made a name for themselves with the song “All the Same,” which accompanied the “Free Hugs” video that won international attention in 2006. Tickets are $32.50 in advance and $35 the day of the show. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Still wanting more? Dinosaur Jr. hits the Orbit Room Oct. 20 with special guests Shearwater. The classic 80s band has been reunited since 2005 and is back releasing new music together. “I Bet on Sky” was released Sept. 18., and is the band’s 10th studio album. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $25 in advance, $30 the day of the show.

To wrap up October on the spookiest night of the month, Oct. 31, Ultraviolet Hippopotamus will rock The Pyramid Scheme for a Halloween celebration. The show, dubbed “Ultraviolet Hippopotamus Presents: ‘A Nightmare in the Pyramid’ Halloween Party,” doubles as a chance for the rock quintet to release their new EP, “Broomhilda Suite.” A copy of the album comes with every ticket purchase, which can be bought online or at the door for $15. Doors open at 8 p.m. for the ages 18-and-up show.

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