It’s the season when friendly ghosts and grinning skeletons walk the streets of Richmond searching for a pumpkin-pleasing good time. And this year, the city is serving up a brimming cauldron of spook-tacular happenings. Plan your perfect outfit, gather your ghoulish cohorts and dive right into these cobweb-covered slices of late-October fun. Trick or treat? Why not both?!
The Haunted Sea
Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site; September 28 to November 3 (10:00am to 5:00pm)
Admission: adults $13.25, seniors (65+) $11.25, youth (17 and under) free
This unique all-ages Halloween happening at Steveston’s creaky-floored Cannery site serves up a creepy variety of sea creatures and ocean-themed exhibits that have been cleverly created from upcycled materials. Profiling the problem of plastic pollution and showing what we can all do to help, it’s an event that’s both entertaining and educational.
The Pumpkin Patch
Richmond Country Farms; Daily until October 31 (weekdays 9:00am to 4:00pm; weekends 10:00am to 4:30pm)
Admission: weekdays $15; weekends and holidays $18
This beloved annual event includes farm animals and hay wagon rides (plus weekend live music, food trucks and train trundles) as well as dahlia displays, corn mazes and old-fashioned wooden buildings. Your admission ticket also comes with an apple and your chosen pumpkin. Save time for a visit to the farm’s onsite winery and produce market, where you’ll also find a huge array of diverse pumpkin varieties for purchase. Check out our exclusive Insider’s Guide for more information.
MINORU HALLOWEEN FIREWORKS FESTIVAL
Minoru Park; October 31 (6:30pm to 8:45pm)
Admission: free
The region’s biggest Halloween fireworks extravaganza isn’t just about watching cascading colours in the night sky, although that’s certainly the evening’s breathtaking finale. Bring the family early––costumes are fully encouraged––and you’ll also discover a warm party atmosphere brimming with live music, roving performers (including magicians and jugglers) and trick-or-treating. This year, you’ll also find a 2,000-pound pumpkin on display plus a professional pumpkin carver working his magic.
Trick or Treating in Steveston
Steveston Village; October 31 (3:00pm to 5:00pm)
Admission: free
Bring your costumed kids to Steveston Village where designated merchants will be handing out candies during their annual Halloween afternoon. While you’re here, explore the Scarecrow Crawl of cleverly created figures at stores and businesses around the area––look out for a cool dragon, an amazing octopus and more this year.
HALLOWEEN TRAIN AT LANSDOWNE CENTRE
Lansdowne Centre; October 2 to November 1 (Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00am to 6:00pm)
Admission: train tickets $5 (6 tickets for $20)
An annual Halloween-season highlight for in-the-know locals and visitors, kids love hopping aboard the themed indoor train ride at this city centre mall. Just a short stroll from the Lansdowne Canada Line station, the looped locomotive attraction runs Wednesday to Sunday throughout October and features a backdrop of pumpkins, scarecrows and other fall and Halloween decorations. Don’t forget to bring the kids back for trick-or-treating around the mall on October 31 (4:00pm to 6:00pm).
SPOOK-TACULAR FROSTY FUN
Aberdeen Centre, October 27 (1:00pm to 4:00pm).
Admission: free to enter; activities extra
Point your broomstick towards Aberdeen Centre’s Central Atrium for a cauldron-full of family-friendly merriment. Kids will love Elsa’s Enchanted Halloween, a free performance of songs and stories from Frozen. The Gateway Theatre team will also be here hosting a pop-up performance of characters from the whimsical world of Hallows’ Eve. Show your store receipts and your kids can also dive into some extra fun, including face-painting and balloon-twisting. Return on October 31 for trick-or-treating around the mall (between 3:00pm and 5:00pm).
NIGHTMARE BEFORE XMAS AT LULU ISLAND WINERY
Lulu Island Winery; October 26 (11:00am to 5:00pm)
Admission: free
Dress up in your spookiest Halloween finery for a spine-tingling afternoon of family-friendly excitement at this popular destination winery. Hosted by the Vines Art Market, you’ll find lots of sparkling creative products to browse (it’s never too early to start your Christmas shopping!) plus trick-or-treating for junior costumed visitors. Join in the fun from 5:00pm to 8:00pm for the winery’s Saturday Night Karaoke—where Halloween classics such as ‘Thriller’ and ‘Ghostbusters’ should definitely be on your personal performance setlist.
HAUNTED HARVEST HALLOWEEN
Kassa Farm; October 26 and October 27 (10:00am to 7:00pm)
Admission: Tickets $10 to $15; family tickets (two adults and two children) $35 to $40
Head to this popular Richmond farm for a two-day Halloween happening aimed at all the family. Activities range from a scavenger hunt to a haunted horse barn and from storytelling to kid-friendly arts and crafts. Own-grown produce will also be available throughout the weekend––including eggplant, garlic and kale––as well as delicious farm-made treats to take home and enjoy, such as juice, pickles and jams.
HALLOWEEN HOOT
Richmond Nature Park; October 19 to October 27 (10:00am to 4:00pm)
Admission: by donation
Bring the family to Richmond Nature Park for this perfectly magical drop-in Halloween happening. The accessible Pond Trail will be adorned with 30 spook-tacular inflatable installations along with 10 additional nature-themed art creations and a unique “tickle tunnel.” And if you haven’t picked-up a pumpkin this year, you can also purchase one to take home. Wrap up warmly for this outdoor event, but when you need a break from the chilly weather, head inside to the Nature House for kid-friendly exhibits on local flora and fauna.
YAGA
Gateway Theatre; October 24 to November 2
Admission: tickets from $35
Book ahead for this spine-tingling, limited-run Main Stage show at the city’s beloved Gateway Theatre. Part thriller, part comedy and part noir-like fairy tale, Yaga tells the gripping story of the suspected murder of a college bad boy––and the small town sheriff, young private detective and university professor who become inextricably bound up in uncovering (or concealing) the truth. A dark Halloween tale of trickery and revenge, prepare yourself for a brilliantly chilling night out.
Last Updated on October 9, 2024 by Tourism Richmond