From immersive experiences to annual scares that have become Toronto tradition to epic parties, here are the 16 best things to do this Halloween 2023 in Toronto.
1. Surround yourself with life-sized dinosaurs
There’s an immersive experience in Mississauga happening this October in Toronto that brings you up close and personal with life-sized dinos from the movie Jurassic World. This is an adventure only for those who are brave enough to come face to face with the intimidating T. Rex and more. There’s only a limited amount of time to experience Isla Nubar, as the exhibit disappears on Oct 15th, so don’t wait.
2. Check out this enchanting spooky light show
Spooktacular Light Show Toronto is hosting their 4th annual drive-through this Halloween in Toronto with spooky melodies and both 2D and 3D lights that you can immerse yourself in. The route is 2km and there are over 2 million lights for a ride that totals around 30 minutes. You’ll have to act fast, however, since the light show will only go until October 31st.
3. Enjoy a chilling candlelit concert
This Halloween in Toronto, there are a few chilling concerts set inside atmospheric venues bathed in flickering candlelight you won’t want to miss. First up, a Haunted Evening of Halloween classics. Listen to classic renditions of your favorite horror theme songs from classics like Halloween, The Exorcist, and more. On Halloween night itself, a stunning tribute to Adele’s greatest songs will take place as well as the best of modern composer, Hans Zimmer who is known for his soundtracks in movies like Sherlock Holmes and The Dark Knight.
4. Go trick or treating at the Toronto Zoo
The #NoTricksJustTreats truck will be at the Toronto Zoo from Friday Oct 29th to Sunday Oct 31st this October where kids can come and pick from a variety of candies. After the kiddos have filled their bag up, they can catch a glimpse of cute furry friends or spooky reptiles on the zoo grounds.
5. Catch a Zombie wrestling show
Superkick’d will be putting on their zombie wrestling for another Halloween in a row with shows from October 26th to 27th. Expect to see zombies and other spooky creatures battling it out for the title in the Zombie Championship.
6. View a museum exhibit all about life and death
Death: Life’s Greatest Mystery, is an exhibit all about the cycle of life and death. The exhibit explors big existential questions through artifacts, specimen, and immersive experiences for an experience that’s perfect for Halloween in Toronto. The exhibit is open from October 28 to April 7.
7. Attend All Hallows Ball at Toronto Botanical Gardens
Dance among the plants as you celebrate the Gaelic Halloween event, Samhain, called All Hallows Ball. There will be live music, food, a henna artist on site and a silent auction to benefit the gardens. The in-person Halloween event will take place from Fri Oct 27 at 7pm and is 18 and over.
8. Get your thrills at Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderand
This Halloween season from September 22nd to October 29th, a sinister transformation will take over Canada’s Wonderland. Thrills and screams abound with thrilling rides and spooky mazes. There will be scare zones and spooky monsters there to give you the season’s greatest scares.
9. Go deep at Dark Waters at Ripley’s Aquarium
Dark Waters returns to Ripley’s Aquarium on October 28th, where you can spend one spooky night among some of the water’s scariest creatures. Among the underwater scares there’s also live music, specialty bars and snacks. The doors open at 8pm that costs $60 plus HST or $42 if you’re a member.
10. Check out this classic, Legends of Horror at Casa Loma
This Halloween head to Casa Loma to see the venue completely transformed for a spooky celebration, an immersive theatre experience called Legends of Horror. Audiences can walk through a 2km trail of the lower gardens through castle tunnels and dark spaces you can’t normally access. New this year there will be a Zombie-themed horror house that takes fear to the next level.
11. Take a spine-tingling ghost tour
Ontario is rich with haunted history and spooky stories you may not have been aware of. Why not let an expert show you what hides behind Toronto’s bustling facade?The Original Haunted Walk of Toronto offers a walking tour through the city, while tours like the one at Kingston Penitentiary gives deep-dives into one of Canada’s most infamous prisons.
12. Attend a wild Halloween party
One of the best things to do in Toronto for Halloween are one of its wild Halloween parties. Rebel will be hosting Mortem, Toronto’s biggest Halloween party. Starting October 28th at 9pm, party to amazing DJs, participate in a costume party for prizes, and forget about the outside world for one spirited night.
13. Check out awesome pumpkin carvings at Pumpkins After Dark
Just under an hour from Toronto, over in Milton, is a family-friend activity in Toronto perfect for Halloween. Country Heritage Park will be putting on Pumpkins After Dark, a grand display of dazzling lights, spooky installations, and more pumpkins than a pumpkin patch. Over 10,000 hand-carved pumpkins will be on display inspired by a myriad of different characters, countries, and more.
14. See this geeky bar’s chilling transformation
Storm Crow Manor, Toronto’s geekiest bar, is undergoing a spooky transformation this Halloween. The restaurant will be throwing a family-friendly Halloween activity with a pumpkin carving activity on the 26th and a Halloween Family Carnival on the 29th from 12-4pm with face-painting, balloon artistry, and carnival games.
15. Visit this chilling museum of haunted dolls
For a chilling Halloween activity in Toronto, might we recommend this small collection of haunted dolls available for view at Theatre on King. Dolls have long been a trope in horror films for their chilling vacant stares and overall creepiness, and Kathryn Bahun has a collection like no other. Old dolls with missing limbs, lost eyes, or broken faces are lined up and ready to be viewed, but don’t worry, even though they may be creepy, they’re likely not haunted.
16. Go trick or treating in one of these neighbourhoods
On the hunt for some candy? These neighborhoods are some of the prime spots to take the kiddos for some Halloween scores. Don your Halloween best and get out there to view some amazing haunted houses and Halloween decorations.
- The Beaches
- Cabbagetown
- Southhill
- Rosedale
- The Kingsway