^{Oct 08, 2025}
Halloween Events Vancouver: The Best Things to Do This Spooky Season

Halloween in Vancouver is more than costumes and candy. Every October, the city transforms into a mix of spooky, creative, and community-driven celebrations. You’ll find haunted houses, pumpkin patches, ghost tours, and light shows happening across the Lower Mainland. Whether you’re looking for a night of thrills or a family-friendly outing, Vancouver has something for everyone.

Here’s your complete guide to the best Halloween events in Vancouver for 2025, from classic attractions and local festivals to hidden gems just outside the city.

Haunted Attractions and Ghost Tours

If you enjoy being scared, you’ll love Vancouver’s haunted attractions. The city and surrounding areas host some of the most entertaining and spine-tingling Halloween events in Western Canada.

Fright Nights at Playland

A Vancouver Halloween classic, Fright Nights at Playland is the ultimate experience for thrill-seekers. The amusement park becomes a haunted zone with multiple scare houses, roaming monsters, live shows, and night rides. Themes range from eerie clowns to twisted fairy tales, each designed to test your nerves. Rides like The Beast and Hellevator feel even wilder after dark.

Tip: Tickets often sell out, especially close to Halloween weekend, so book early and arrive right when gates open.

Gastown Ghost Tour

If you prefer real history with your scares, try the Gastown Ghost Tour. Local storytellers guide you through cobblestone streets while sharing chilling tales of the city’s past — from unsolved crimes to haunted heritage buildings. It’s atmospheric and educational, perfect for adults or older teens who enjoy spooky stories with substance.

Stanley Park Ghost Train (Not Running in 2025)

The Stanley Park Ghost Train has long been one of Vancouver’s most beloved family-friendly Halloween events. While the train will not be running in 2025, it remains a cherished local tradition that many hope will return in future years.

This year, families can still enjoy some spooky fun at the Stanley Park Community Centre Halloween Party. The event is designed for kids to dress up, play games, collect candy, and take pictures in a themed photo booth. There’s even a mini haunted house inside the gym, making it a safe and exciting way for children to celebrate Halloween in Stanley Park.

Family-Friendly Halloween Events and Pumpkin Patches

For families, the Lower Mainland offers plenty of ways to enjoy the season without the jump scares. Pumpkin patches, hayrides, and outdoor light displays make for perfect weekend outings.

Harvest Days at VanDusen Botanical Garden

Celebrate the fall season at Harvest Days at VanDusen Botanical Garden. On weekends from September 27 to October 19, including Thanksgiving Day (October 13), visitors can enjoy autumn-themed activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The veggie garden and maze area are transformed with colourful seasonal decorations, photo areas, and fun activities for all ages. Guests can explore the gardens, enjoy live entertainment, and sample tasty fall treats surrounded by vibrant foliage. Harvest Days is included with regular Garden admission or membership and offers a relaxed, family-friendly way to experience Vancouver’s fall charm.

Laity Pumpkin Patch (Maple Ridge)

Families love the Laity Pumpkin Patch, which has been running for over 30 years. The farm features farm animals, a corn maze, obstacle courses, and endless pumpkins to choose from. It’s divided into two sections — one for younger children and another for older kids and teens — so everyone can find something fun to do.

Rondriso Farms Pumpkin Patch (Surrey)

At Rondriso Farms, a tractor ride takes you out to the fields to pick your pumpkin straight from the vine. The farm store sells homemade preserves, soup mixes, and seasonal produce. It’s a great place for families looking to spend a quiet afternoon in nature.

Southlands Heritage Farm (Vancouver)

For an easy option within the city, Southlands Heritage Farm offers pony rides, pumpkin picking, and hands-on farm activities. It’s a small but charming destination that feels rural despite being in Vancouver’s southwest corner.

Aldor Acres (Langley)

A bit further out, Aldor Acres Farm is another great fall destination. Families can meet goats, sheep, and chickens, explore the corn maze, and enjoy baked treats from the farm stand. The drive from Vancouver is scenic and well worth the trip.

Community Festivals and Local Celebrations

Neighbourhoods across Metro Vancouver celebrate Halloween with creative, family-friendly community events. These gatherings highlight the region’s friendly, inclusive atmosphere.

Halloween at the Shipyards (North Vancouver)

Celebrate Halloween at The Shipyards District on October 31 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Families can enjoy safe, community trick-or-treating as over 60 local businesses hand out candy to costumed kids. Look for black and orange signs to spot participating shops. With its lively atmosphere and waterfront views, it’s a fun and family-friendly way to spend Halloween afternoon on the North Shore.

Trick-or-Treat on Main Street and Commercial Drive

Local businesses join in the Halloween fun with special hours for trick-or-treaters. Families can stroll along the streets, stop for candy at participating shops, and enjoy decorated storefronts. It’s a relaxed, safe way for younger children to experience Halloween.

Burnaby Village Museum Halloween

Burnaby Village Museum brings the early 1900s back to life with costumed interpreters and vintage Halloween décor. Visitors can explore the heritage buildings, enjoy crafts and storytelling, and experience what Halloween looked like a century ago. It’s a unique, educational event that fits perfectly with the fall atmosphere.

Adult Halloween Parties and Nightlife

Once the kids are home from trick-or-treating, Vancouver’s nightlife scene kicks into high gear. The city hosts countless costume parties, themed bar nights, and live entertainment events for adults.

Science World After Dark

Science World’s annual Halloween Event is back with a spooky science twist, and it’s strictly for adults 19 and over. This year’s theme, A Bloody Good Time for Curious Minds, transforms the iconic dome into a thrilling after-hours event where science gets sinister.

Guests can enjoy themed cocktails while exploring eerie exhibits and live performances. The night features the daring Neil E. Dee Danger Thrill Show, complete with sword swallowing and sideshow science, plus interactive forensic experiments and blood-based criminology displays inspired by vampire legends.

Granville Street Parties

Granville Street becomes a lively hub during Halloween weekend. Clubs and bars host themed nights with prizes for the best costumes, while the street fills with music and lights. If you’re looking for a true Vancouver party experience, this is the place to be.

Halloween Boat Cruise

For a unique celebration, hop aboard a Halloween boat cruise around False Creek or Burrard Inlet. These ticketed events include DJs, dance floors, and Halloween décor — all set against Vancouver’s sparkling night skyline.

Outdoor Adventures with a Spooky Twist

Vancouver’s natural setting adds a special backdrop to the Halloween season. For those who prefer scenic adventures over scares, these outdoor activities blend nature and mystery.

Canyon Frights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

This is one of the most breathtaking Halloween events in Vancouver. The Capilano Suspension Bridge and surrounding rainforest are lit with pumpkins and lanterns, creating a glowing canopy of light. It’s a stunning way to experience fall colours and Halloween ambience all at once.

Pumpkin Train at Bear Creek Park (Surrey)

Bear Creek Park hosts two popular Halloween train rides each October. During the day, the Halloween Pumpkin Express offers a cheerful ride through decorated forest scenes, complete with inflatable characters, friendly skeletons, and a mini pumpkin for each child. In the evening, the Haunted Forest Scream Train takes over: a darker, spookier experience filled with eerie sounds, creepy characters, and jump scares. Both are family favourites that make Bear Creek Park one of the best spots in Surrey for Halloween fun.

Haunted Corn Mazes

For something more adventurous, visit one of the region’s haunted corn mazes.

Chilliwack Corn Maze: Offers both daytime and nighttime experiences with live actors for extra scares.

Richmond Country Farms Maze: A local favourite with themed nights and food stands.

Both are about an hour’s drive from downtown Vancouver and worth visiting for an evening outside the city.

Halloween for a Good Cause

Many local Halloween attractions raise money or collect donations for charity. Some haunted houses and pumpkin patches partner with community groups or food banks, turning the holiday into an opportunity to give back. Check local listings for events that support causes like children’s hospitals or animal rescues. Participating helps spread the Halloween spirit in a meaningful way.

Tips for Enjoying Halloween in Vancouver

• Book early. Popular events like Fright Nights and Glow in the Garden often sell out.
• Prepare for rain. Vancouver’s October weather can be wet — wear layers and waterproof shoes.
• Use transit. SkyTrain and bus routes make it easy to reach most major attractions without parking stress.
• Bring snacks. Some outdoor venues have limited food options.
• Check age ratings. Some haunted houses are not suitable for young children.
• Support local farms and artisans. Buying pumpkins, crafts, or treats locally keeps these community traditions alive.

Final Thoughts

Halloween in Vancouver is a one-of-a-kind experience. From the glowing gardens and pumpkin patches to haunted mazes and boat parties, the city knows how to celebrate the season. With its mix of urban energy and natural beauty, there’s no better place to enjoy spooky nights and crisp fall days.

So grab your costume, carve your pumpkin, and plan your itinerary, Vancouver’s Halloween season is waiting for you.

Looking for a place to stay while you explore these Halloween events in Vancouver? Contact Highstreet Accommodations today to find your ideal fully furnished suite close to the action.