1. Howling Hootenany at Black Creek Pioneer Village
Halloween at Black Creek merges their usual educational activities with seasonal fun. See spiders, snakes, rats and more at the "Creepy Creatures Show" and explore The Haunted Maze. Entertainment includes a fortune teller and a fire juggler while activities include pumpkin decorating and taking your turn shooting the apple slingshot. Visit the website for more.
In 2011:
• Saturdays & Sundays, October 22 & 23, 29 and 30
• Free for members, $15 adults, $14 seniors and students, $11 children ages 5-15, ages 4 and under free; parking is $7
2. Boo at the Zoo
Head to the Tundra Trek for a "Pumpkin Trail" with treat or treat stations. You can take part in the twice-daily Critters and Costumes Parade at 12:00pm or 2:00pm. Up to two children 12 and under will be admitted to the zoo for free with a paying adult - IF the kids come in costume!
In 2011:
• Saturdays & Sundays, October 22 & 23, 29 & 30, 10am-4pm
• Learn more about visiting the Toronto Zoo
3. Halloween Hoot Boo Barn at Riverdale Farm
The Friends of Riverdale Farm host this weekend of family fun. Young children can visit the decorated "Boo Barn" with their parents while kids and adults of all ages can purchase a pumpkin to carve and enjoy treats from the wood-fired oven.
In 2011:
• Saturday October 22 & Sunday October 23, 9:30am - 3:30pm
• Learn more about Riverdale Farm
4. Halloween Howl at the Toronto Botanical Garden
For one afternoon only, families can dress up in costume, take part in Halloween-themed activities, and learn about some creepy critters .
In 2011:
• Saturday October 29, 1pm-3pm
• Registration required; $10 for general public, $7 for TBG members
5. Casa Loma's Bootastic Trick or Treat and Ghost Tracking
On Halloween weekend children 4-8 can dress in costume, decorate mini cupcakes, and get a guided "trick or treat tour" of the second floor of Casa Loma. Earlier in the week, kids and adults alike can take part in an evening of ghost tracking with Michelle Desrochers and Patrick Cross (Casa Loma notes: "Although this program is geared to families, some parents may not find the content suitable for young children").
In 2011:
• Ghost Tracking: Wednesday October 26 and Thursday October 27, 7pm
• Bootastic Trick or Treat: Saturday October 29 and Sunday October 30
• Ticket prices vary, pre-registration is required for both programs
6. Halloween at the City's Historical Museums
Many of Toronto's historic museums have spooky events to celebrate Halloween. Visit the Toronto Museums webpage to learn more about the pricing and age suitability for any of the following events:
- Haunted High Park at Colborne Lodge, Family program (not recommended for kids under 8), evenings, October 22 & 29
- Haunted High Park at Colborne Lodge, 18+ program, evenings, October 21, 27, 28 & 30
- Fort York After Dark, October 28 & 29
- City of the Dead: The Necropolis Cemetery Tour, Mackenzie House, October 23
- Spirit Walk at Mackenzie House, October 29
- Halloween Mask Making Workshop at Todmorden Mills, October 23
- Halloween Hauntings at Todmorden Mills, Family program (not recommended for kids under 8) October 28 & 29
- The Skeletons in Montgomery's Pantry and Other Chilling Tales (for Adults) at Montgomery's Inn, October 29
- Masquerade Dance at Montgomery's Inn, October 30
7. Camp Spooky at Canada's Wonderland
Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang will be at Canada's Wonderland in October for Camp Spooky. The family event will have children's rides, spooky mazes, a treasure hunt, and an all-new live show.
In 2011:
• Saturdays and Sundays in October, 10am - 5pm
8. Pumpkin Patches and Harvest Festivals
Marilyn Campbell
