Stuck on how to celebrate this spooky season? Worry no more
By: Hannah Mercanti
(Sama Nemat Allah/CanCulture)
Having trouble figuring out what to do for Halloween? You’re not alone. It can get old doing the same thing year after year, and the repetition makes the season lose some of what makes it so much fun. No matter what your perfect Halloween looks like, we’ve got you covered this spooky season with the scariest number (13, of course) of different fun activities all around the city guaranteed to get you in the spirit.
If you’re looking to relax:
D.I.Y. Pumpkin Spice
Halloween is the perfect time for a D.I.Y. project. Gather some friends and ingredients to make your very own pumpkin spice base for endless PSL’s in any season.
Spooky Baking
Got a sweet tooth? It’s time to do some Halloween baking! A simple sugar cookie recipe can go a long way into creating the spooky cookie graveyard of your dreams.
Have a Themed Movie Night
There's no better time for a movie marathon than Halloween. Pick a series – Scream, Twilight, Halloween – whatever puts you in a spooky mood and have a themed movie night! Make some themed-snacks, dim the lights and get cozy.
Pick Fresh Pumpkins
Classics are classic for a reason — nothing puts you more in the Halloween spirit than a pumpkin patch. Sweet Ridge Farms in Scarborough allows visitors to pick their own fresh pumpkins straight from the patch.
If you’re looking to go out in Toronto:
Black Lagoon Pop-up Bar
For the month of October, Black Lagoon is hosting a pop-up bar on Bloor Street. Aside from spooky drinks and eats, they have tarot readings and costume contests. This event is 19+ and admission is free, but activities cost extra.
80’s Dance and Costume Party
On Oct. 29, The Garrison is hosting a dark 1980’s dance party. Goth, post-punk, new wave and more underground ‘80’s hits will be playing all night, and costumes are more than encouraged. This event does not allow minors. Tickets are available online or at the door for $20.
ROM After Dark
On Oct. 28th, The Royal Ontario Museum is opening its doors for a Halloween spectacular. Tickets include curated music, food and access to the Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature exhibit. This event is 19+. Tickets are priced at $30 and are available online.
Halloween Punk Rock Show
For all the concert junkies out there, Angoria productions is showcasing four spook-tacular bands on Oct. 28 at their Halloween punk rock show at The Baby G.This event is 19+ and tickets are priced between $15-17 dollars.
SCENES Interactive Halloween Experience
For the month of October, SCENES Studio on Queen Street West is hosting the ultimate interactive Halloween photo booth experience. With eight different eerie scenes ranging from blood spattered living rooms to old Victorian mansions, visitors are invited to express themselves through photo and video and make some truly horrifying seasonal memories to last far beyond October. Tickets are $25 at the door.
If you’re looking to get spooked:
The Great Canadian Horror Film Festival
Calling all film buffs! The Great Canadian Horror Film Festival is screening 12 new terrifying films encompassing all genres of horror on Oct. 29 at the Royal Theatre. Films include the animated French psychological horror film Contretemps and The Man Who Loves Flowers, a short film adapted from a Stephen King novel of the same name. Tickets are priced at $20 and can be purchased online or in-person at the box office.
Casa Loma Legends of Horror
Casa Loma’s interactive theatrical experience, the Legends of Horror, is now running until Halloween. Guests are invited to tour the grounds, which have been transformed into a haunted castle infested with ghouls at their own pace and explore never before seen areas of the historic site. Tickets are available online and are priced at $48.
Alone in the Dark Ghost Tours
For all the theatre kids out there, The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre has your Phantom of the Opera dreams covered with ghost tours of the haunted theatre. Tickets include access to the lobby and theatres after dark for investigative purposes. Visitors also get to attempt to contact one of the theatre's many alleged ghosts through different communicative techniques. The event runs until Oct. 27. Tickets are priced at $84.99 and are available online.
Rocky Horror TO
Oh, Rocky! Rocky Horror TO is hosting live performances of the cult classic from Oct. 28 - 31 at The Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema on 506 Bloor Street West. Tickets are priced at $15 dollars and can be bought online.
Now you’ve got a whole bunch of awesome ways to get spooky all around Toronto, regardless of how you choose to celebrate. Now it’s time to put your costume on and have the best Halloween of your life!