With Halloween fast approaching, it’s time to soak in all the spooky and haunted things you can before the season is over! For your goblin- and ghost- loving kids, here are 10 bewitching and spine-tingling things to do in Toronto, plus a few Halloween costume ideas.
(WITCH)CRAFTS
LITTLIZE YOURSELF
Visit Little Canada this month in your favourite costume and be immortalized — that is, littlized — in it forever! The attraction is also hosting a haunted scavenger hunt, a ghostly tour of little Canada and other fun Halloween drop-in activities all month long. 10 Dundas St. E.
GET SPOOKED AT THE FARM
At Halloween Boo Barn, there will be spooky sounds, sinister sights — oh, and some pretty cute farm animals! Visit Riverdale Farm from Oct. 21 to 22 for family fun that includes on-site pumpkin carving, crafts, face painting and more! 201 Winchester St.
HOWL AT HIGH PARK
For the nature-lovers at home, on Oct. 28 and 29, High Park’s Halloween Howl will take you through the woods to learn all about the animals that go bump in the night. Then get cosy around the campfire and make some hair-raising art! 375 Colborne Lodge Dr.
SCARE-O-METER
LEVEL 1: HAUNTED HISTORY
The historic Markham Museum is getting a ghostly transformation from Oct. 28 to 29! At Scaryfest, walk the plank at pirate paradise, witness a mad scientist show, find out your fortune in a crystal ball and enjoy the monster mash bash! 9350 Markham Rd., Markham
LEVEL 2: FRIGHT LIGHTS
At Halloween Night of Lights, you’ll enjoy a stunning themed light show. But from 10 to 11 p.m. every night in October, things get eerie with Fright Hour — a twisted, spine-chilling version of the light show with roaming monsters and ghouls. Scarborough Town Centre, 500 Progress Ave.
LEVEL 3: HARBOUR OF HORROR
An immersive storytelling boat cruise that takes you through the Toronto Islands, past the Gibraltar Point lighthouse and through the city’s creepiest buildings, Haunted Harbour will tell you spooky stories of phantom ghost ships, lost lighthouse keepers and more! 1 Queens Quay E. @ TDot Water Taxi
THRILLING THEATRE
MAD SCIENTIST IN THE BARN
For lovers of magic and science, head to Artscape Wychwood Barns on Oct. 28 and 29 for Mad Magic! Kids will ooh and ahh as they witness a mad scientist magician perform chilling and thrilling tricks. Make sure to wear your Halloween costume! 601 Christie St.
MYSTICAL MAGIC
On Oct. 25, Toronto Public Library is hosting a legendary Halloween magic show with The Amazing Magic Mel! Come in costume and prepare for an interactive (and comedic!) spectacular. 765 Queen St. E.
HAVE A HAPPY HOWL-O-WEEN
MAY THE BEST PUP WIN
There’s a Halloween party on Oct. 28 — but it’s just for dogs! At Doggie Fest Howl-O-Ween, enter your pet in a costume contest, take them trick-or-treating (emphasis on treat) and, of course, snap a pic together at the pet photo booth. 421 Bentley St., Markham
BARK-ET IN THE PARK
On Oct. 29, Dogsview Park will transform into Howl-O-Ween Unleashed: a fun-filled vendor market where your pup can unleash the inner beast (or pumpkin). Show off your pet’s costume, shop the market by Toronto Dog Moms and snag some treats!
KILLER COSTUME INSPO
A TORONTO RACCOON
Raccoons are essentially this city’s unofficial mascot, and with most of us having a few who live in our backyards, we know they’re also pretty cute. Grab a black mask, fuzzy ears and a striped tail — oh, and a bow tie in honour of the City of Toronto’s hilarious “Don’t feed the wildlife” ads.
MARIO AND LUIGI
For kids who like to dress up with their friends for Halloween, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which opened in 2023, might be the perfect inspiration. Don overalls and red and green, the signature Mario and Luigi colours, plus their monogrammed hats, for the full look.
THE LITTLE MERMAID’S ARIEL
This year’s The Little Mermaid remake was a fresh take on the classic fairytale, and kids (and adults!) flocked to theatres to see Halle Bailey step into the role of Ariel with aplomb. She was compelling enough to convince plenty of kids to switch their favourite Disney princess to Ariel, making it an ideal Halloween costume. Go for a (walkable) mermaid tail and plenty of purples and pinks; red wig optional.
TAYLOR SWIFT IN TORONTO
Taylor Swift recently announced another North American leg of her Eras tour, featuring six Toronto shows! With the shows happening in November, fans have joked about their outfits needing some major Canadian weather-proofing. Dress in an iconic tour outfit of your choosing — and then throw on a parka to top it off! Perfect for trick-or-treating.
