Halloween is this Saturday, which is now less than four days away. There are plenty of activities to still take in or attend before the holiday is over. I’ve compiled a list of fun parties, events and activities for adults and/or kids. Who doesn’t love a good pumpkin patch or a haunted house?
Let’s hope the rain holds off for all the trick or treaters on Saturday. Nothing is worse than having to cover up your costume with rain boots and coats. Be safe and enjoy your Halloween!
What: The ghost train runs in Stanley Park every October. It is enjoyed by both kids and adults for Halloween (they do have a Christmas train too). This year’s theme, Horror Classics, showcases haunting cinema characters like Dracula, Frankenstein and the Phantom of the Opera.
Where: Stanley Park Train – Pipeline Road, Stanley Park
When: October 9 to November 1; Monday to Thursday, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
What: The best Metro Vancouver heritage museum, the Burnaby Village Museum, opens its doors for a haunted jaunt down memory lane each year. Children get to go trick-or-treating in the village and the carousel becomes a spooky ride for all the family.
Where: Burnaby Village Museum – 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
When: October 28 to October 30; 6 to 9 p.m.
What: The Chillwack Corn Maze has a Terry Fox silhouette to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Marathon for Hope.
Where: 41905 Yale Road West, Chilliwack
Hours: Now until October 31: Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
What: Trick-or-treating, mad science shows, face painting, family portraits, pumpkin decorating and crafts take place at City Square Shopping Centre on Halloween.
Where: City Square Shopping Centre – 555 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver
When: October 31; noon to 2:45 p.m.
What: Halloweenie is perfect for young children who don’t like the spooky side of Halloween.
Where: Granville Island Kids Market – 1496 Cartwright Street, Vancouver
When: October 31; noon to 3 p.m.
What: Various Yaletown businesses will be handing out treats for all the neighbourhood kids from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Spidey posters in their windows indicate who is handing out the treats.
Where: Various locations. See map above for participating areas – and keep an eye for spider stickers in the windows of businesses.
When: October 31; 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Richmond Country Farms
What: Richmond Country Farms pumpkin patch includes live entertainment, a wagon ride, a pumpkin (child size), a visit to the animal farm and a Spartan apple to munch upon.
Where: 12900 Steveston Highway, Richmond
When: October 3 to October 31. Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Westham Island Herb Farm
What: Westham Island Herb Farm is a working farm that offers visitors the chance to explore their extensive property.
Where: 2485 Westham Island Road, Delta
When: Open daily until October 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Aldor Acres Pumpkin Patch
What: Aldor Acres Pumpkin Patch hosts a steady pumpkin-seeking crowd year-after-year, thanks to the 15 different varieties of pumpkins grown across the farm’s 20 acres. If you’re visiting with kids there are animals to say hello to and a tractor-pulled hayride.
Where: 8301 252nd Street, Langley
When: Open daily until October 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What: Be prepared to get scared at the largest and spookiest Halloween event for grown-ups in Western Canada. Fright Nights at Playland has seven terrifying haunted houses and 15 rides that will leave you trembling.
What: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is transformed into a horrifying haunted house. Inspired by the stories of Judge Dee, the Sherlock Holmes of the Tang Dynasty, the garden will be haunted by the Seven Tyrants.
What: Now in its 9th Year, the Halloween Costume Ball has become a legendary event in Vancouver, and the spookiest place to party! The year’s party will feature 2 rooms of music on 2 floors, a hell-raising sound and lighting system, 6 DJs and performers, 5 fully licensed bars, and 1,100+ costumed attendees!
What: The Lost Souls of Gastown is a gothic theatre adventure that immerses guests in a Gastown long forgotten, sharing the area’s gruesome little-known secrets, including the little known true story about Blood Alley.
What: The maze has been a halloween attraction for the past 21 years, with over 90,000 victims passing through its winding terror.
What: Hosted by the Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret, the Parade of the Lost Souls is one of the most anticipated events of the Halloween season. Featuring jugglers, actors, singers, musicians, acrobats, and more.
What: Your creepy host will take you around the city and tell you gruesome tales of Castelanni Milkshake Murder, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s Lady in Red and many more.
What: The Student Tours Halloween ‘Howler’ Club Crawl is back for 2015. Priding itself on being the biggest, best, and most notorious Halloween party of the year.
What: Krakit‘s escape rooms are full of tricks subtly hidden right before your eyes. Your game is to find the clues, solve the puzzles and escape before the 45 minute clock runs out.
What: Your worst fears, phobias and nightmares will be experienced at Gravecouver, so come prepared to be scared.
What: Sociopathic carnival clowns, Jack the Ripper and classic monsters are just a few of the truly terrifying characters you might meet inside.