What to do in Vancouver this Halloween
Thanksgiving 2014 is over and done and in the books. And while some of us may still be eating a whole lot of leftover turkey, you can’t miss the increasingly spooky decor popping up around the city. If you’re wondering what to do in Vancouver this Halloween, look no further, because we’ve got the skinny on what’s cooking.
What to do in Vancouver: Halloween 2014 Edition
Flyover Canada
Halloween at FlyOver Canada is back for its second year. The event offers fun-for-the-whole-family haunted spectacle to get you in the Halloween spirit. Broomelda, the headmistress of the Haunted Witch Academy, will take aspiring witches and ghouls through a spook-tacular adventure to test their bravery and see if they have what it takes to graduate from the World Famous Witch Academy. This year it all starts with the Witch Academy Pre-Show and Haunted Hallway, and then concludes with the eight minute ultimate broomstick ride at FlyOver Canada. Upon landing, you will be granted your very own Official Witch Academy Diploma – that is, if you survive. Show run every 15 to 20 minutes daily between 10:00am and 9:00pm until November 2, 2014. Note that if you add this event to your list of what to do in Vancouver that children must be at least 102cm (40″) tall to enter.
More info: www.flyovercanada.com
Fright Nights
If you’re a thrill-seeker, or you have older kids, Fright Nights at Playland likely tops your list of what to do in Vancouver every Halloween. We shared our experience with you last year. It opened for its 11th year on October 10, 2014, with a promise to be more gruesome and terrifying than ever. Fright Nights dares thrill seekers to face their worst nightmares. Throughout Fright Nights, 13 Playland rides will go dark by turning off their lights, and seven Haunted Houses will be bursting with blood-curdling screams. As if that’s not enough ghastly ‘scarers’ will be stalking guests throughout the park, the Kinshira Performance Troupe will be startling viewers with their daring fire show, and the Monsters of Schlock will be shocking visitors. It’s open nightly until November 1, 2014, from 7:00pm until late. Tickets are cheaper online, so buy yours before you go.
More info: frightnights.ca
Stanley Park Ghost Train
The Stanley Park Ghost Train is a local favourite when it comes to deciding what to do in Vancouver on Halloween. It offers a journey through a mystical and magical world, themed by Halloween and other creepy tales. The train is covered, but dress warmly. For 2014, experience Mother Goose’s Ghastly Garden, featuring nursery rhyme themes like bridge collapses, a little girl eating cheese terrorized by spider, a hysterical mother found living in shoe and more. The Ghost Train is more than a train ride, though. Check out the pooky Barn, visit the pumpkin patch and pumpkin-carving tent, dress up for the costume contest, and go on a lantern-lit nature walk. The train runs nightly until November 1, 2014 starting at 5:30pm on Monday through Thursday, and 5:00pm on Friday through Sunday. There are also matinee rides starting at 11:00am Friday through Sunday including the train ride and displays, but no live performances. You can get your tickets online in advance, or in person on the day of. At least half of the tickets for each night are reserved for on-site purchase starting at 3:00pm, but they can sell out quickly.
More info: vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/ghost-train.aspx
Vancouver Halloween Parade and Expo
Get spooky downtown by adding the Vancouver Halloween Parade and Expo to your list of what to do in Vancouver. The Halloween Expo runs from 10:00am to 9:00pm on October 18 and 19, 2014 in the Grand Ballroom of the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre. Meet the Alien, the Predator and celebrities from X-Files, Dragon Ball and Pokemon. From 12:00 to 3:00pm on Sunday, October 19, 2014 take in the Halloween Parade, featuring over 30 groups and 2000 participants and Cosplayers, plus the BC Regiment Band, BC Motorcycle Drill Team, StarWars 501st Legion and Ghostbuster BC. It starts from Granville and Davie, goes North along Ganville, turns West on Smithe, continues on Howe and finishes at Howe and Davie. The event’s goal is to bring back a family-friendly and healthy Halloween and to reduce hateful costumes, especially blood and gore body parts.
More info: vanhalloween.com
Haunted Village
Burnaby Village Museum will be adorned in a ghoulish, spooky yet fanciful fashion on October 23 to 26, 2014 from 6:00 to 9:00pm. If you like a side of history with your Halloween, add this event to your list of what to do in Vancouver. This year the decorations play with the theme of crows and Victorian steam punk. A seasonal pastry chef will display Lady Fingers, the friendly crow DJ will have you dancing on Hill Street and mummies will be pressed into action at the Burnaby Post print shop. Visitors can also enjoy the Circus Sideshow and ride the carousel. This is a ticketed event – get yours at the door. Admission includes trick-or-treating for the children, entertainment and carousel rides for all. The Ice Cream Parlour will be open for ghoulish snacks and light meals.
More info: burnabyvillagemuseum.ca/EN/main/visit/events/events/haunted-village.html
Halloween Party and Open House
Looking for a lower-key event to add to your list of what to do in Vancouver this Halloween? Skills 4 Kids presents a FREE Children’s Halloween Party and Open House. Kids and parents welcome! Light snacks and refreshments will be served. There will be trick or treating plus a costume contest, scavenger hunt, scary crafts and more. It’s happening on October 26, 2014 from 1:00 to 4:00pm at 250 Smithe Street in Vancouver.
More info: www.skills4kids.ca
The Pirate House
We filled you in on the inaugural run of this kid-friendly event last year. In 2013 the Pirate House in Burnaby raised $2500 for a new roof for the St. Stephen Children’s Centre in Uganda, and now it’s back for another run. This year their goal is gathering enough booty to provide much-needed electricity for the school. Everyone invited to add the pirate-themed yard display to their list of what to do in Vancouver this Halloween. It will be open on Friday, October 31, 2014 from 5:00 to 8:00pm at 5970 Portland Street in Burnaby. The organizers will accept any doubloons you have to offer or even just share a hearty YAARGHH with you.
More info: piratehouse.ca
Wesbrook Village
Prepare yourself for a spook-tacular Halloween by adding a visit to Wesbrook Village to your list of what to do in Vancouver. You’ll find the best trick-or-treating experience from 4:00 to 6:00pm on October 31, 2014 as participating retail stores give out loot. There are spooky decorations, too, and if you tell them which one you think is best you could win a shopping spree.
More info: discoverwesbrook.com
Hey Vancouver Mom, I LOVE your blog. Don’t forget to inform your followers about the fun new Halloween event taking place at the new Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish, Saturday, Oct 25th from 1-4. Family fun for all ages and fitness levels. Only 45 minute drive from Vancouver. Perfect day or half day trip. Be sure that your kids will sleep well that night:)
Check the events section on the site: seatoskygondola.com