Photo: Vancouver’s Secret Souls Walk. Source: Public Dreams Society.
Halloween may fall on a Monday this year, but there are tons of Halloween activities and events happening all throughout the weekend before. We’ve highlighted just some of the many Halloween festivities taking place his weekend in Vancouver Coast & Mountains:
Parade of Lost Souls Festival – Vancouver
Known by most as simply the Parade of Lost Souls, this festival is by far one of the most enchanting Halloween events in all of Vancouver. Organized by the Public Dreams Society in conjunction with the Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret, the Parade of Lost Souls Festival is a series of community workshops and events – from zombie-walking choreography classes to children’s crafts – which culminates with its famed Secret Souls Walk – an inclusive community stroll through East Vancouver alleys where local artists, musicians, performers and spectators all take part. Expect fire dancing, stilt-walking, drum circles, magical lanterns, and beautiful, mythical costumes. Everyone is welcome to attend.
When: Saturday, October 29, 2011 from 5-9pm.
Website: http://publicdreams.org
Haunted Village – Burnaby
Go back in time to the 1920′s and experience Halloween at the Burnaby Village Museum. This weekend they’re hosting their Haunted Village where you’ll be joined by vampires, monsters, witches and mummies under the cover of darkness. Dance at the Vampire Ball on Main Street, check out the latest styles in vampire coffins, savour tasty toes at the Voodoo Café, and make a withdrawal at the Blood Bank. Enjoy the Circus Sideshow and ride the heritage carousel for free! Children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes.
When: October 28-30, 2011 from 6-9pm.
Website: http://www.tourismburnaby.com/visitors/festivals-events/detail.html?event=641
Ghost Ridge Haunted House – Maple Ridge
If you love being completely freaked out, you’ll want to visit Maple Ridge to experience the Ghost Ridge Haunted House. Located on the Albion Fairgrounds, this year’s theme is “Poison Pen” and it’s so scary, it’s recommended for people 14 years old and older, although there are the less scary family-friendly viewings earlier from 4-5:30pm.Visit on Sunday night at 7pm for fireworks. Admission is $8 or $4 for the family viewing, and proceeds go towards local community organizations.
When: October 27-30, 2011 from 6pm-9pm.
Website: http://www.ghostridge.org
4th Annual Zombie Walk – Gibsons
Here’s your chance to dress like a zombie and mingle with your fellow undead! This Saturday Gibsons hosts their 4th Annual Zombie Walk. Zombies will be gathering at 2:30pm behind the Sunny Crest Mall and will then head out on a 2km circular route at 3pm along Gibsons Way, Seymount Way, Payne Road, and Venture Way. Everyone is welcome to attend. Brrrrrrains!
When: Saturday, October 29 at 3pm.
Website: http://gibsonszombiewalk.com/
Reapers Haunted Attraction – Chilliwack
Want to be scared out of your mind this Halloween? Want to explore an attraction that rivals what you might expect at Disneyland or a professional entertainment park? Come to Chilliwack’s Repears Haunted Attraction and psych yourself up prepared to be freaked right out! Although it’s not recommended for children under 8, they do offer a family-friendly day time attraction for the little ones.
When: October 14-30 from 7-9pm.
Website: http://www.reapers.ca/main.html
Grave Tales – Fort Langley
Fort Langley is one of the oldest colonial settlements in BC and one can only imagine the kind of ghostly stories that must exist! Curious? Then come out to the Fort Langley National Historic Site for a night of Grave Tales. It’s described as “spine-chilling tales of love, mysterious burials and old-school amputations - Fort Langley’s past is depicted at night by our expert storytellers, and will leave you spellbound as you weave through the village from the misty cemetery to the deserted Hudson’s Bay Company fort.”
When: October 28-30, 2011 at 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm.
Website: http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/bc/langley/activ/activ2011.aspx#grave
Halloween Family Fun Night – Sechelt
Bring the kids out to West Sechelt Elementary School this Friday for their Halloween Family Fun Night – a fundraiser for the West Sechelt Elementary Parents Advisory Committee (PAC). There will be a Kids Fun Zone, a pumpkin carving contest ($2 per pumpkin), and a haunted house (3$ entry). Admission is by donation. Thanks to Duane Burnett for putting this event on our radar!
When: Friday, October 28 from 5:30-8:30pm.
Website: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=236755219716243
Dunbar Haunted House – Vancouver
Considered the haunted house in Vancouver, the Dunbar Haunted House‘s theme this year is “Barbaric British Columbia” which combines “elements and characters from traditional horror genres with iconic aspects of B.C. culture and industry.” The Dunbar Haunted House has now moved to a new, bigger location in Shaughnessy and raises thousands of dollars for local charities.
When: October 14-31, 2011 from 7pm-10pm (Sun-Thurs), 7pm-midnight (Fri-Sat), 11am-7pm (Sat-Sun).
Website: http://www.dunbarhauntedhouse.com/
Haunted Forest Scream Train – Surrey
Surrey’s Bear Creek Train Park is hosting their 12th annual Haunted Forest Scream Train – a frightful train ride into the dark forest loaded with nighttime creatures. Designed to scare and startle older folks and mature youngsters, the Haunted Forest Scream Train runs during the night, but they also have a Kid’s Halloween Festival for the youngsters during the day.
When: October 14-31, 2011 from 6:30pm-10pm.
Website: http://www.bctrains.com/Spooky-Details.htm
Fright Nights at Playland – Vancouver
For those seeking a traditional Halloween-themed carnival experience with scary rides and haunted houses, check out Fright Nights at Playland at the PNE. As written on their website, it’s a “Halloween experience for the lovers of freak, horror and terror.” Enjoy performances that wouldn’t be out of place at the Jim Rose Circus, or explore the many rides and haunted houses such as Car-N-Evil, Hollywood Horrors, the Asylum, or Darkness. Not recommended for kids under 12.
When: October 14-31, 2011 from 6pm until late.
Website: http://www.pne.ca/fright-nights/
FrightFest at the Railway Park – Squamish
Squamish’s West Coast Railway Park is hosting FrightFest all weekend. Come in costume, trick-or-treat, ride the Mummy Rail and the Ghoul Express. There will be an arts and crafts room for the creative types, and the Beanery Cafe will be open for evening treats. Recommended for kids of all ages.
When: October 27-30, 2011 from 5:30-8:30pm.
Website: http://www.whatsonsquamish.com/node/6198
Cosmic Boo’ling at the Zone – Coquitlam & Richmond
Love bowling? Bring the whole family down to The Zone in Coquitlam or Richmond this Saturday for some Cosmic Boo’ling! Kids between the ages of 5-12 get a free bag of candy with a glow toy and 2 video game tokens for the arcade. Bring non-perishable food items for the food bank and receive a special gift for your donation. Thanks to The Now for putting this event on our radar!
When: Saturday, October 29 from 5-9pm.
Website: http://www.zbowl.com/zone/promotions/coquitlam-promotions
Judge Dee and the Haunted Garden – Vancouver
Do you enjoy crime mysteries? If so, come explore the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens by night at this inaugural Halloween event. Judge Dee and the Haunted Garden is a traditional Chinese detective story featuring Judge Dee. As described on the website, “This famous Judge, hero of many novels, was based on a real crime solver in 7th century Tang Dynasty. Brave the Garden’s haunted pathways, uncover important clues, then warm your bones with tea, wine & spooky snacks at the old Risky Sip Tea House as you try to piece together the crime”. Due to the scary nature of the event, it’s not recommended for kids under 12.
When: October 26-31, 2011 from 7-10pm.
Website: http://www.vancouverchinesegarden.com/calendar/oct.htm#JudgeD
