The spookiest month of the year has finally arrived and autumn is in full swing. Here’s a list of 18 spooky and cozy things to do this October in Toronto from food, to movie festivals, to parties, and more.
1. Enjoy these chilling Candlelight Concerts
These atmospheric candlelit concerts have taken over some of the most beautiful venues in Toronto this October, from classic concerts dedicated to the experimental bands, Radiohead and Pink Floyd, a tribute to Taylor Swift’s best songs, and a special Haunted Halloween concert that will play some of the spookiest songs from your favorite horror soundtracks.
2. Spooktacular will illuminate your Halloween
There’s a special October activity that you can enjoy in Toronto that will illuminate you all month long and especially during Halloween. Spooktacular is a drive-through light show is a 2km Halloween adventure with 2D and 3D displays, eerie tunes, and 2 million lights. This dazzling attraction will only be in town through October 31st, so don’t miss out!
3. Go try pumpkin-spice everything
The PSL craze is real, so if you want to get in on it, we’d recommend grabbing some Pumpkin Spice Muffin or Pumpkin Spice Ice Capp from Tim Hortons or a Pumpkin Spice Chimey from Eva’s Original Chimneys. Glory Hole Doughnuts is doing Pumpkin Chai doughnuts until October 31st as well, and that’s not all, so get out into the city this October and discover as much as you can.
4. Watch a scary movie or attend a film fest
Fan of horror films can enjoy a trip to the movie theater to see an iconic horror film like the Nun 2 or A Haunting in Venice. Did you also know that films like Saw and Carrie were filmed in Toronto? If you want to get even deeper into the genre, visit Toronto’s After Dark Film Festival from Oct 18-22.
5. Go see a spooky exhibit about life + death
The Royal Ontario Museum has created an interesting exhibit just in time for October. On the 28th, visit the ROM for Death: Life’s Greatest Mystery where you can learn about the life cycle through a mixed-media installation.
6. Go trick or treating at the Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo is doing their annual Boo at the Zoo this October so grab your little monsters and head over for some trick or treating before coming face-to-face with some of the world’s coolest and creepiest critters.
7. Cheer at a zombie wrestling show
Superkick’d will be putting on their zombie wrestling for another Halloween in a row, and dates are to be announced soon. Expect to see zombies and other spooky creatures battling it out for the title in the Zombie Championship in late October.
8. Attend All Hallows Ball at Toronto Botanical Gardens
Dance among the dead and plans as you celebrate the Gaelic celebration, Samhain called All Hallows Ball where you can enjoy food, live entertainment, and more. The in-person Halloween event is on Fri Oct 27 at 7pm and is 18+.
9. See sharks 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. The doors open at 8pm that costs $60 plus HST or $42 if you’re a member.
10. Scream all night long at the Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland
This Halloween season from September 22nd to October 29th, a sinister transformation will take over Canada’s Wonderland. There will be scare zones and spooky monsters there to give you the season’s greatest scares, so if that sounds thrilling then head to their website to get your tickets.
11. Go on a road trip to see the fall foliage
Soon enough, Ontario’s trees will be in full-swing, and we couldn’t think of a better way to spend a beautiful October weekend than taking in all the fall foliage. Take a trip to Dundas Peak or stay local at High Park for beautiful fall sights this October in Toronto
12. Go apple picking until Mid-October
There’s still some time to go apple-picking until mid-October and pumpkin patches take over. For now, you can head over to Pingle’s Farm, Applewood Farm, or Brooks (all with varied levels of prices per lb bag) for the last apples of the fall season.
13. Try out a seasonal menu at a locally-sourced restaurant
Restaurants like Edulis, a delicious Michelin star restaurant does a locally-sourced and seasonal menu. November bookings open October 15th at 6pm so you can try their new fall menu full of delicious fall flavors which we know will be amazing. Or, dine at Auberge de Pommier for Executive Chef Solomon Mason’s debut tasting menu that’s filled with seasonal ingredients and flavors.
Just an FYI, you can also head to Synder’s Family Farm for locally-made cinnamon buns with thick dollops of cream cheese for another version of locally-made goodness. Yum.
14. Take on this 6.5-acre corn maze
Pingle’s Farm is hosting their beloved Harvest Festival again and their annual 6.5-acre corn maze is back, this time with a new theme full of epic twists and turns. Grab a pumpkin from their epic pumpkin patch and try a delicious Maple Brûlée doughnut.
15. See the fall leaves changing from above at this mountain coaster
Blue Mountain Resort has an awesome mountain coaster that you can hop on this October. Twist and turns will take you through the fall foliage high up in the mountains. Once the thrills are over, you can enjoy a relaxing stroll through the resort or dine at one of their fantastic restaurants or if you want more adventure, zip-line and hike your way through the wilderness.
16. Experience the theatrical experience, 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 where 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.
17. Visit a pumpkin patch
From September 23rd to October 31st, enjoy this family friendly fall bucket list activity at Downey’s Pumpkin Fest. One of the biggest in Ontario, the PumpkinFest play area includes wagon rides, pumpkin and fall-flavored food, and more.
18. Sample steins at Oktoberfest
This epic fall festival is back and better than ever. Returning to Toronto on October 6th and 7th is Oktoberfest, a nod to the Bavarian festival in Germany that’s since spanned across the world. Celebrate the start of the fall season in Toronto with all things steins, German food and beers, leiderhoses, and more. GA tickets start at $40 and can be purchased on their website.