Halloween events taking place in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area – updated for Halloween 2023.
Last updated: October 12, 2023
I can remember when Halloween was a low-key holiday but those days are long gone. Now we pull out the spooky decorations and enjoy the holiday all month long. Leading up to October 31st, there are many celebratory events in Toronto and the GTA that will get everyone into a spooky frame of mind – some that are scary and some not-so-scary that are perfect for little ones.
Here are 21 fun (and scary) Halloween-themed events for families in the Toronto area.
1. Halloween at Black Creek Pioneer Village
There will be a number of ghastly activities taking place this year as part of Halloween at the Village including a Slimy Science Show, some witchcraft and wizardry, puppet shows and fortune telling games. Visitors will also enjoy Halloween crafts and creepy carnival games. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door.
Where: 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto
When: October 21, 22, 28, and 29, 2023. 11 am – 4pm.
2. Camp Spooky at Canada’s Wonderland
Camp Spooky at Canada’s Wonderland is a fun, not-so-scary, daytime event for younger kids held on the weekends beginning late September through to the end of October.
Camp Snoopy is included with parks admission and features trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating, a kids’ Halloween costume parade, live shows with The PEANUTS gang, meet n’ greets with Halloween characters, all your favourite rides, and much more!
Where: 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive, Vaughan
When: Saturdays and Sundays September 23 – October 29, 2023.
3. Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland
Halloween Haunt, on the other hand, is most definitely scary and not intended for children under the age of 13. The theme park is transformed into a scream park for this special ticketed event which takes place after dark (6pm – 11pm) on select nights and is best described as terrifying.
On the agenda are horrifying haunted mazes, scare zones, and live shows including the Day of the Dead Fiesta as well as the standard thrill rides and roller coasters. For teens and adults who want to have the daylights scared out of them, Halloween Haunt is the place to be.
Where: 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive, Vaughan
When: September 22 – October 29, 2023 (select nights)
4. Halloween at the Bata Shoe Museum
This Halloween the Bata Shoe Museum will be hosting a spooktacular weekend of family fun. Youth and kids aged 17 and under who visit in costume will receive free admission. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Adults do not qualify for free entry.
There will be trick-or-treating stations throughout the museum, and hands-on crafts for the whole family! The ever-popular iSpy game cards and try-on station will also be available to add to the family-friendly fun.
Where: 327 Bloor St. West, Toronto
When: Saturday October 28 (10am – 5pm) and Sunday October 29, 2023 (12pm – 5pm)
5. Boo at the Zoo – Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo’s Halloween Spooktacular Boo at the Zoo is back this year with fun weekend activities for families to enjoy including a pumpkin patch and fun Halloween photo opportunities. Special guests will also be visiting the zoo on October 21 and 22 (Star Wars characters) and October 28 and 29 (DC and Marvel superheroes).
Kids in costume (ages 12 and under) receive 50% off admission when accompanied by an adult paying regular admission. Use promo code: boo2023
Where: 2000 Meadowvale Road, Toronto
When: October 21, 22, 28, and 29, 2023
Photo Credit: Toronto Zoo
6. Bump in the Night: Wolf Howl at the Toronto Zoo
If you have always wanted to learn more about wolves then be sure to visit the Toronto Zoo this Halloween season to learn more about these nocturnal creatures. Wear your best costume (there are prizes!), visit with the ambassador animals and take a moonlight hike to experience the zoo after dark.
Recommended for ages 5 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Where: 2000 Meadowvale Road, Toronto
When: Friday October 27 and Sunday October 29, 2023 – 6:30-8pm.
7. Visit a Pumpkin Farm
Many of the pumpkin farms in the Greater Toronto Area also have Halloween-themed activities that are perfect for younger kids. One of our favourites is Springridge Farm in Milton, west of Toronto, where the annual Harvest Festival runs from mid-September through to the weekend before Halloween.
Families can enjoy wagon rides, the Fun Farm Yard, a giant corn trail, meet some animals and pick out the best pumpkin to carve into a scary Jack-o-Lantern.
Where: 7256 Bell School Line, Milton
When: September 16 – October 29, 2023
8. The Haunted Walk of Toronto
Halloween is the perfect time for one of Toronto’s spookiest activities. If your idea of fun is listening to spine-tingling tales then The Haunted Walk of Toronto has a walking tour for you. The company which specializes in historical walking tours that explore the city’s darker side has several tours which will get you in a spooky Halloween mood. These 75+ minute night-time tours are best for families with older school-aged kids and teens.
9. Legends of Horror at Casa Loma
If you have teens that like to be scared at Halloween then you might want to check out Legends of Horror at Casa Loma held on select dates in September and October. Legends of Horror is an immersive theatrical experience known as promenade theatre in which the audience walks at their own pace through a 2 km trail commencing in the lower gardens of Casa Loma and winding its way through the castles tunnels and darkest spaces never before open to the public.
Children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult and parental discretion is advised. This is a separately ticketed event not included with general admission to Casa Loma. Tickets purchased online are date and time specific, tickets purchased onsite are subject to capacity. Tickets are non-refundable.
Where: 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto.
When: Nightly September 29 – October 31, 2023 beginning at 5:00pm.
10. Halloween at the Kortright Centre for Conservation
Creepy Kortright takes place at the Kortright Centre for Conservation in Kleinburg north of Toronto. This is an outdoor event that is intended for kids aged 10 and under who must be accompanied by an adult. Kids can enjoy spooky Halloween activities such as a haunted house, a frightening forest walk, Halloween activities, a bonfire, and scary stories.
Where: 9550 Pine Valley Drive, Vaughan
When: October 21, 22, 26, 27, 28 & 29, 2023 at 6:30-8:30pm.
11. Halloween Spooktacular at Halton’s Mountsberg Conservation Area
During Mountsberg’s Spooktacular Halloween the Play Barn is magically transformed into a spooky haunted barn for kids to explore. The event also features an illuminated fall night walk, visiting farm animals, scavenger hunts for Halloween treats, playing in the natural playground, a guest appearance from the Mountsberg snakes and owls, and campfires. Guests may also pre-register for wagon rides, hot drinks and s’mores.
Wear a Halloween costume and come prepared with flashlights for navigating dark areas. This is a family-friendly event recommended for ages 5 and up. Wagon rides are not included in general admission.
Where: 2259 Milburough Town Line, Campbellville
When: October 6-29, 2023 on Friday to Sunday evenings from 4:30pm to 10:00pm.
12. Brick or Treat at Legoland Discovery Centre Toronto
Legoland Discovery Centre Toronto celebrates Halloween all month long with their Brick or Treat event. During the month of October, the centre is decorated for the holiday and special activities are available throughout the day. All Brick or Treat activities are included in the regular price of admission.
Halloween party activities include amazing LEGO activities, fun Halloween decorations, Monster Party games and a screening of the EXCLUSIVE LEGO® 4D Halloween movie – Monster Party.
Purchase tickets online in advance to guarantee your preferred entry time.
Where: 1 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan
When: October 1-31, 2023
13. The Great Pumpkin Trail at the Royal Botanical Gardens
At the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, The Great Pumpkin Trail returns this year celebrating 10 years of magic!
Visitors can follow the candlelit glow of hundreds of jack-o-lanterns deep within the recesses of the Hendrie Valley, enjoy live entertainment, pumpkin themed activities and fall inspired treats. New to this year’s event, guests will venture down a new pathway and emerge upon a mini midway exhibition, featuring rides and inflatables set upon Cherry Hill Gate.
Costumes are encouraged. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Pre-purchased tickets are required.
Where: 680 Plains Road West, Burlington.
When: October 20-22, 27-29, 2023. Time-ticketed starting at 5:30pm.
14. Fort York After Dark Lantern Tours
Hear chilling tales on a lantern tour of Fort York and its historic surroundings learning about the haunted lighthouse, the bloody Battle of York and other eerie history at this National Historic Site. Explore the military burial ground and 200-year-old buildings of Fort York at night and learn of the fort’s history and its many paranormal mysteries.
Recommended for ages 12 and up. Youth ages 12 to 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available online in advance.
Where: 100 Garrison Road, Toronto.
When: Various nights from October 19-28, 2023. Tours start at 7:30pm and conclude at 9 to 9:30pm.
15. Halloween Train Rides at York-Durham Heritage Railway
Families with kids that love trains won’t want to miss the Pumpkin Patch & Family Halloween Train Ride offered by York-Durham Heritage Railway. Everyone is encouraged to wear costumes and one pumpkin per family is included with booking. Tickets are available online in advance for the theme train which operates from Uxbridge station on select dates in October. The popular train ride sells out quickly so be sure to book early to avoid disappointment.
Additional YDHR Halloween events include the Pumpkin-themed High Tea Train Ride, Hallows Express Family High Tea Train Ride, Hallows Express Wizards Sunset Tea & Train Ride (ages 19+) and Murder at the Haunted Station Murder Mystery Dinner & Train Ride.
Where: 19 Railway Street, Uxbridge
When: Various dates in October, 2023.
16. Oakville Tiny Tots on Parade
In my own town of Oakville, the annual Tiny Tots on Parade event is one of the most popular for families with pre-schoolers. On October 31st, starting at 10:00 am until noon, children in costume gather in Downtown Oakville’s Centennial Square for a morning of trick-or-treating at participating downtown businesses along Lakeshore Road and side streets.
Where: Downtown Oakville
When: October 31, 2023. 10:00am – noon.
17. The Day of the Dead at Evergreen Brick Works
If you’re looking for something a bit different then consider Evergreen Brick Works annual Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration. This celebration of Mexican and Latin American culture takes place at the Sunday Artisan Market and incorporates traditional Mexican and Latin American celebrations, fun family activities and delicious food and drink.
At Day of the Dead, you can enjoy live music and traditional dances, understand the ritual of creating an altar or “Ofrenda”, take part in sugar skull face painting, play in the Children’s Garden and more. The free event takes place at Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto and is a great way to learn about the cultural significance of this day.
Where: 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
When: October 30, 2023, 10am to 3pm.
18. Halloween Night of Lights
Halloween Night of Lights is an immersive, walk-through Halloween experience that will feature more than 2 million LED and RGB lights animated and synchronized to your favourite Halloween tunes.
Continue the fun inside of Pumpkinville, a fun fair located at the end of the Nights of Lights trail featuring larger than life pumpkin sculptures and village. Tickets are available online only – Limited capacity so purchasing in advance is recommended.
Where: Scarborough Town Centre, 500 Progress Avenue, Scarborough.
When: September 30 – October 31, 2023.
19. Pumpkins After Dark
Pumpkins After Dark at Country Heritage Park in Milton is a one-of-a-kind walk-through experience featuring 10,000+ hand-carved pumpkins. The event includes live pumpkin-carving demonstrations, fall treats and sweets, and Instagram photo ops. Tickets must be pre-purchased online for a specific time slot.
New for 2023 – the last three Wednesdays in October are Pet Nights with free treats provided – pet costumes are welcomed!
Where: 8560 Tremaine Road, Milton
When: September 23 until October 31, 2023.
20. Halloweekend Roller Skating
At Celebration Square in Mississauga, you can dress up in your Halloween costume and show off your roller skating skills all Halloween weekend long! There will be a live DJ spinning Halloween classics at the outdoor roller rink, Halloween movie screenings, games for all ages to enjoy and ooey-gooey treats from the Mac & Cheese Festival.
Where: 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga
When: October 28 and 29, 2023, 11am to 10pm.
21. Illumi Mississauga – Halloween Special
Following the overwhelming success of its Halloween special last year, illumi is kicking off its 2nd edition in the GTA with pumpkins, ghouls, witches, giant spiders, monsters, and ghosts for Spooky at illumi all month long. Visitors are invited to experience Halloween in all its colours surrounded by 20 millions lights – a perfect fall outing for the whole family!
Soundtracks taken from iconic horror films will be playing as visitors wander the classic autumn and Halloween scenes including a mesmerizing pumpkin patch filled with thousands of jack-o-lanterns and hundreds of playful neon skeletons.
On Doggie Night (October 17), visitors will be invited to dress up with their pups for a fun fall evening.
Where: 7174 Derrycrest Drive, Mississauga (Derry Road and Hurontario Street).
When: All October (2023).
Does your family have a favourite Halloween event or activity? Let me know in the comments below and have a Happy (and Spooky) Halloween!!
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Drumlessen Den Haag
So much to do!! It’s amazing. Thanks for summing this al up 🙂