Thrills and chills in MontrĂ©al this Halloween! đ
MontrĂ©alâs darkened corners and cobblestone streets are home to ghouls and goblins all year long (proven by the ghostly projections of MontrĂ©al en HistoiresâCitĂ© MĂ©moire in Old MontrĂ©al nightly after the sun goes down), but spooky sightings reach their height across the city every Halloween season. Thereâs freaky fun for every member of the whole family, from kid-friendly adventures (not to mention loads of treats to be hand) to R-rated thrills and chills just for grown-ups. Donât say we didnât warn you ⊠đ±
For kids of all ages
Halloween Shivers (running September 27 to October 31, 2024) at the Espace pour la vie MontrĂ©al Botanical Garden offers family friendly programming including the all-new show MĂȘme pas peur ! featuring Blandine, a small pattypan squash facing her fears with bravery and laughs. Meanwhile inside the Main Greenhouse, sorcerers Kalbacius and Petiole debate the ins and outs of magic, and back outside the newly-constructed outdoor maze is sure to delight. Thereâs also workshops on magic wands and potion-making, Japanese paper theatre performances presenting scary traditional folk tales and presentations on the special powers of gourds. The eye-popping Gardens of Light lantern installations are also brightly lit until October 31, 2024!
Over 20,000 Mexicans call MontrĂ©al home, and this yearâs Festival Dia de muertos MTL (or Day of the Dead) celebrations are bigger than ever with a focus on the concept of Roots. Check the full programme, including skull decorating workshops, art installations and performances in the Verdun, Notre-Dame-de-GrĂące and Lachine quartiers, a parade (with Mexican candies!) and the closing traditional altar exhibition Manalli on November 2, 2024.
Get the kids costumed up and take the quick jaunt to Lachine for La grande chasse aux bonbons des commerçants on rue Notre-Dame between 6th and 18th avenues on October 25, 2024 from 6 pm onwards when friendly storefronts will be handing out treats to all. And a costumed run through the Jardin de sculptures de Lachine makes for a fun and spooky adventure after sundown.
The island oasis of Parc Jean-Drapeau turns spooky with Lune Noire on October 25-27, 2024. During the day, thereâs family-friendly activities at the Lune Noire village at HĂ©lĂšne-de-Champlain Pavilion, while once the sun goes down only the truly brave at heart will want to explore the nighttime grounds of the Mount BoullĂ© ecological corridorâbetter known as Mount BoooooooooullĂ©! đ»
Concierge Pawsome and LâAssociation du Parc canin dâOutremont (APCO) co-host the first edition of the Costumed Dog Halloween Parade as part of their PAWLLOWEEN PAWTY on October 26, 2024. Join dogs bedecked in their ghastly best on a happy march from Place Alice-Girard to Mali Parkâs dogplay space for extra spooky playtime.
Ecomuseum Zoo presents Halloween-themed special events including a skill and trivia game to save the Wood Turtle from the disappeared species graveyard (in family and adults-only versions) and the escape game Rescue Mission running October 19-27, 2024. Thereâs additional Halloween-themed presentations on the weekends of October 19-20 and 26-27, 2024 too.
Amusement park La Ronde hosts their annual Kids Pumpkin Festival on open dates from October 5 to 27, 2024 (and Monday, October 14, 2024), including corn mazes, special performances, autumn-themed rides and story times. The family fun continues until 5:30 PM, when itâs time to get the kids safely back home. But more on that below âŠ
Promenade Masson cuts through the heart of the RosemontâPetite-Patrie neighbourhood, and on October 26, 2024, this friendly shopping street transforms into Massonloween. Expect Halloween characters, fun costumes, candy for the kids and some thrilling installationsâsome for all audiences, and somewhat more gory alternates just for adults.
Bewitching and terrifying in equal measure!
MontrĂ©alâs archaeology and history complex the Pointe-Ă -CalliĂšre unveils its large-scale exhibition WitchesâOut of the Shadows just in time for Halloween. Running October 25, 2024-April 6, 2025, the exhibition offers a deep dive into the witch throughout history. Better yet, the Witchesâ Night Out event on October 31, 2024 includes tarot card readings, rituals, dances and DJs. đ§
With over 2km of myriad twists and turns, the SOS Labyrinthe is about to get even scarier with its Witchesâ Ball running October 5-27, 2024. Who knows whoâs waiting around that next corner? And those thirsty for another thrill right next door wonât want to miss the MTL Zipline, flying at high speed over the Old Port of MontrĂ©al. If youâve ever wanted to feel like a ghost zipping across the sky, nowâs your chance! Just follow the screams âŠ
'Tis the season to scare the bejeezus out of yourself and your loved ones, and the MontrĂ©al Ghosts guided walks and ghost hunts through Old MontrĂ©al are the perfect way to share the creeps together. Haunted MontrĂ©al also offers ghost walks, paranormal investigations, walks focused on the Old MontrĂ©al and Griffintown quartiers and highly recommended Haunted Pub Crawls with ample opportunity to stock up on liquid courage! We, uh, might just wait for you in the pub. đŹ
"It was a dark and stormy night âŠ!â
Theyâve thrilled audiences on TV on the silver screen and now theyâre taking over the theatrical stage! Things go from ooky to spooky when everyoneâs favourite kooky family La Famille Addams runs from October 24-November 3, 2024 at ThĂ©Ăątre St-Denis. Donât miss this en français update of the Broadway hit, now an annual MontrĂ©al family favourite.
The Pointe-Ă -CalliĂšre historical museum hosts The Irish Cemetery lecture digging deep into the history of the Irish burial grounds in Pointe-Sainte-Charles by bioarchaeology specialist Marine Puech on October 17, 2024. The recent construction of the REM light rail system has unveiled even more of the siteâand surely some of its ghosts too.
The Montréal Intercultural Storytelling Festival (which runs from October 16-26, 2024) is sure to also feature its fair share of chills throughout its programming. Check their full programming for details here. Bring a flashlight for the full campfire ghost story experience!
Ghouls and goblins take over the Exporail / The Canadian Railway Museum as part of Railway Ghosts, some Halloween fun. Back from the dead for one last ride through the haunted station and train cars, these terrifying trains run from October 11-31, 2024. Donât look now, but I think thatâs a skeleton in the driverâs seat!
Robert Wiseâs legendary masterpiece The Haunting gets a free screening at Victoria Hall in Westmount on October 30, 2024 with popcorn and special treats on hand. That walk home after dark is going to be hella creepy though, just sayinâ.
Cuddle up close for safety for Candlelight Musicâs Halloween programmingâHalloween Classics, Horror Movie Soundtracks (both at Christ Church Cathedral) and Haunted Compositions (at ThĂ©Ăątre Rialto) all by twinkling candlelight. Find ticketing and scheduling details here.
Those with a cinematic bloodlust will flip their lids (with gore flying everywhere, obviously) for the SPASM Festival at ThĂ©Ăątre Plaza running October 23 to November 2, 2024. Donât miss the opening party Les insolites quĂ©bĂ©cois (The Unusual Quebeckers) on October 23, 2024 and the Grande soirĂ©e horreur SPASM on October 31, 2024! And if you donât want everyone to see you scream, you can also partake in the festivalâs programming online from the comfort (and safety) of your own home.
Learn to read the cards at Halloween Tea & Tarot Workshop on October 13, 2024, and interpret the leaves at the Halloween tea cup fortune telling workshop on October 25, 2024 both at Bar Ă beurre Vieux Mtl. Both a good option to check if youâll survive whatever other Halloween events youâve got on your calendar.
Zone Z hosts A Night of Terror You Wonât Forget on October 29, 2024 featuring ghost stories with a local origin, scary costumes and hot chocolate to soothe the soul at least a little bit. Theyâll also open the doors of the Z HAUNTED HOUSE on October 31, 2024 with spooky surprises lurking in the shadows.
SLASHERâImprovised Comedic Horror is sure to make you chuckle and choke in equal measure at Theatre VME/Mile End Improv on October 4, 2024. Not even the actors know who the killer is or where the story will take themâŠ
Rated-R thrills and chills!
La Ronde's annual Fright Fest returns from October 5-27, 2024, for the first time transforming the entire park into nine Scare Zones sure to shock your socks off even more than the epic rides and iconic roller coasters that are even scarier in the dark. The classic opening show The Awakening featuring over 75 monsters and ghouls is also bigger than ever, and more than 100 creatures roam the park waiting to jump out from every dark corner. And trust us, if you hear a chainsaw drop what youâre doing and run. Youâve been warned.
Each year, the twisted minds behind Malefycia transform your goriest horror movie fantasies into an immersive in-person experience with a new performance each year that requires a waiver before entry. Like we do every year, we'd suggest attendees donât wear anything they wonât want to get stained, because the blood and guts are sure to fly. Their 2025 tagline is âGrossness Guaranteed,â so consider yourselves forewarned!
Thereâs a reason why the LGBTQ+ community calls Halloween âgay Christmasâ and MontrĂ©alâs vibrant drag community, including its leading lights Rita Baga, GisĂšle Lullaby, Michel Dorion and Uma Gahd and many others, present Halloween-themed performances all month long. If anyone does Halloween right, itâs the queensâkeep an eye on the QueerMTL Things to Do page for a full listing of drag events throughout October and beyond!
Dammit, Janet, if you havenât experienced Rocky Horror with a rabid audience, you havenât lived! Itâs time to don those fishnets and get ready to dodge those flying hot dogs when the iconic ThĂ©Ăątre Rialto and St. Georgeâs Church host the Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Ball on October 31 to November 2, 2024. As always, crowd participation is encouraged. And those wanting the in-person experience shouldnât pass up the chance to experience Mainline Theatreâs performances of Richard OâBrienâs The Rocky Horror Show from October 19 to November 2, 2024.
Check out one of MontrĂ©alâs coolest arts and party venues when the Society for Arts and Technology [SAT] hosts HALLOWEEN ALLNIGHT on November 1, 2024 with DJs and costumes galore. And when they say all night, they really mean it with bar license extended until 6 AM. That sunlight is gonna hit vampire-style! đ§ââïžâïž
Speaking of vampires, Le Fou Fou hosts đ·đ đđđ đđđ đ„đđđđđđđ đ„ on November 1, 2024, featuring burlesque performance, music, tarot and voodoo. Plus thereâs a prize for the best costume, so itâs finally time to live your Interview with the Vampire fantasies in public!
Time Out Market MontrĂ©al brings the day of the dead to life with FĂȘte des morts (Dia de Los Muertes) with a full dayâs worth of fun, tradition, makeup and mariachi. Thereâs also the Day of the Dead Tunnel for photos, and three signature cocktails created for the event.
November 1-3, 2024, Les Survenants presents MictlĂĄn, a spirited immersive celebration of Mexican culture and cuisine dedicated to the DĂa de Muertos (or Day of the Dead) at Les Eaux Douces. Filled with music and performance, MictlĂĄn also hosts a large-scale altar, to which all who attend are invited to add a photograph of their loved ones.
La VoĂ»te cabaret, housed in a converted bank building, presents their full-on Halloween costume ball on October 31, 2024, modelled after the Instagram-hit soirĂ©es held by model Heidi Klum. Itâs the perfect spot to show off your gory best.
Synth and goth lovers have a busy calendar this Halloween season with SYNTHOWEEN (a synth music and 1980s dance party) at Bar Le Ritz PDB on October 25, 2024, the Cave of Bats GOTHOWEEN Costume Party also at Bar Le Ritz PDB on October 26, 2024 and The Dark Eighties Halloween at Cabaret Berlin on October 31, 2024.
Cirque de Boudoir presents their MONSTROCITY on October 26, 2024 at ThĂ©Ăątre Paradoxe. In their own words, itâs no less than MontrĂ©alâs Kinkiest Halloween event, featuring techno and electronic DJs, circus and fetish performances, and an easy dresscodeâfetish or extreme costumes. đ
Seven Deadly Sins / The Halloween Party takes over Muzique on October 31, 2024. Attendees are asked to pick their vice in advanceâalthough weâre pretty sure revellers will engage in more than just one. Meanwhile, Jet Night Club hosts MontrĂ©al Halloween Thriller 2024 with a costumed crowd dancing the night away to club anthems, top 40, hip-hop, house and mashups along with professional photographers and videographers in attendance to document the shenanigans.
Featuring DJs, burlesque and a karaoke competition, Villains Only: Halloween Edition at Pub Le Sainte-Ălisabeth on October 26, 2024 gives you the chance to costume up as the iconic movie or TV baddie of your choice. The provided mood board includes references from Nosferatu to Miseryâs Annie Wilkes, so expect to see all of your faves.
Come celebrate Halloween at the Casino de Montréal on October 25, 26, 31, and November 1 and 2, with a big costume runway show, DJs, roaming characters, and makeup stations and more. Festive entertainment, popcorn, cotton candy and surprise performances will make it a Halloween like no other!
Sure to be one of the coolest parties of the season, GET YOUR FREAK ONâA Missy Elliott Themed Halloween Costume Party features a load of DJs and an unforgettable parade of Missy Elliotts all putting their thangs down, flipping it and reversing it at Poubelle Magnifique on October 27, 2024.
MontrĂ©alâs Persian community will gather at ۯ۱ Ù ÙÙŰȘŰ±Ű§Ù Halloween ÙŸŰ§Ű±ŰȘÛ ŰšŰČ۱گ (or Big Halloween Party in MontrĂ©al) at Karinaâs Club with music from DJ Plus and a crowd in full costume and at Biggest Persian Halloween Party - ŰšŰČ۱گŰȘ۱ÙÙ ÙŸŰ§Ű±ŰȘÙ ÙۧÙÙÙÙÙ ŰŻŰ± Ù ÙÙŰȘŰ±Ű§Ù at Cave Club with DJ Sam, both on October 26, 2024.
Featuring tattoos, tarot and live art, HALLOWEEN Beneath the Church invades Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes church in the hipster Verdun neighbourhood on October 25, 2024. Performances from Aligo, Welltones and Old Soul fill out the night.
Burlesque fans are well served this Halloween season with Spooky SoirĂ©e on October 17, 2024, PoletergeistâPole Dance, Burlesque & Comedy Halloween Show on October 25, 2024, the all-QTBIPOC sensual performance art troupe Lust Coveâs Pumpkin Pie on October 11, 2024 and the Full Moon Frolic Candyass Cabaret Friday on October 18, 2024, all at the legendary CafĂ© ClĂ©opatra.
Happy Halloween!
Original article in English by Mark Hamilton, adapted into French by Francis Rose.
Mark Hamilton
Mark Hamilton is the community director for QueerMTL, an internationally-touring musician with his projects Woodpigeon and Frontperson and a graduate studies student of history researching LGBTQ+ activism in the city. Heâs lived in MontrĂ©al since 2015, during which time heâs most often spotted atop a BIXI bike usally running a few minutes late.