Toronto Halloween: 5 Fantastic Festivals

As the days become shorter and the cold wind creates a hollow sound from the northwest, it can only mean that autumn is upon us. The transition from autumn to winter becomes more prevalent. The leaves are changing or have changed colour. The greyness of the sky can only mean that with are in the grips of Toronto Halloween: 5 Fantastic Festivals. 

To some, this means conjuring up the spirits from long past to others, it is the campy notion of Horror and Thriller movies that are still persistent in their psyches-in fact I am watching one now. No matter how deep these have been suppressed, there are still those scenes that make one wish for a blanket to place over their heads. Of course, there are the fond memories of dressing up and going out with your parents as a child and asking strangers for treats…or tricks

Here are a few notorious environments that may trick or treat you. “Are you ready, Kiddies.”

Shades of Islington

Do you enjoy the macabre tales of yesterday? Then you should make your way to the Montgomery Inn. Here the atmosphere is ideal for recounting some of the chilling tales connected with the Inn. You can learn about the Inn, and the 19th century funeral and mourning traditions, in a dedicated environment that is sure to make even the most skeptical turn their heads. You can then follow the guide into the burial grounds where Thomas Montgomery and family are interned to experience even more tales of the time not too forgotten. https://www.todocanada.ca/city/toronto/event/shades-old-islington/

October 24, 25, 26, 27, 2019

Montgomery’s Inn 

4709 Dundas St W, Etobicoke         

$25

Haunted High Park

Are you ready for chilling legends, and the ghostly tales? If yes, then Haunted High Park after dark will genuinely make you stayed home from freight. Haunted High Park is not to be missed. Within the candlelit rooms of Colborne Lodge, there lay secrets and realities of the 19th- century funeral and mourning traditions.

Combined with a theatrical séance, guests witness a recreation of a Victorian ritual and a candlelit tour of the 19th-century home in mourning. As if that were not enough haunting tours recount ghost sightings and paranormal activities around the museum.  

https://www.toronto.com/events/haunted-high-park/

October 18 to 30, 2019

Colborne Lodge,

11 Colborne Lodge Drive, Toronto

$32.50

The Funhouse Toronto: A Haunted Experience

The adventure begins in a 1920s interdimensional hotel. As you descend down the rabbit hole. Once inhabited by a secret society, a ritual gone awry has unleashed dark forces into the hotel, leaving it abandoned, save for a few unwanted guests… Explore the Funhousese haunted rooms left behind by this mystical order, beware of the sinister surprises that await you there. The Funhouse is an immersive, experiential art maze.

The Funhouse: A Haunted Experience will be offered every evening from October 9- November 2. An eerie twist, featuring several new experiences.

.http://funhousetoronto.com/

October 9 to November 2, 2019

The Funhouse Toronto, 101 Lisgar Street, Toronto

$15-$40

Spirit Walks Mackenzie House

Show your imagination no boundaries as you are lead through some of the most notorious and frightening downtown alleys and laneways to discover Toronto’s reputedly haunted buildings. Stops include the antiquity of Toronto architecture such as Massy Hall, Old City Hall, Osgoode Hall and a mystery stop located on Queen Street.

Soothe your goosebumps as you return to gas-lit Mackenzie House. Be regaled with ghost stories associated with the house as you enjoy mulled cider and biscuits.

https://hauntedwalk.com/toronto-tours/

https://www.todocanada.ca/city/toronto/event/spirit-walks/

October 25 & 26, 2019 | 07:00 PM & 07:30 PM

Mackenzie House,

82 Bind St, Toronto

$15 plus tax.

Hallowe’en on Church

Canada’s biggest and best Halloween block party is BACK! The Village happily presents ‘Halloween on Church Street.’

The pedestrian-only boulevard opens up at 6pm as The Village transforms into the city’s most wicked street party on Halloween night. While the sun goes down, almost instantly, the street comes to life as the Halloween festivities begin. Thousands of people filling up six blocks along Church Street (Wood Street to Gloucester Street).

Join all the action, dawn your costume and meet and bring a friend. The Village’s shops, cafés and bars will be bumping all night long. Be tricked by the costumes and treated by the characters. A night of ghoulish magic that will be sure to inspire. 

CIUT 89.5 FM will be pumping out the tunes north of Wellesley, with special guest DJs.

The cost is Free.

https://www.todocanada.ca/city/toronto/event/halloween-church-street/

Trick or Treat

As you can undoubtedly tell, “All Hallows Eve” is not for the children and nor was it ever intended to be. Many cultures celebrate this occasion differently, often a pyre is involved. In Canada, over the years, we have made it a little “family friendly,” and this is a good thing. Children knocking at your door in there best “Little Mermaid” costume is adorable. You, the candy distributor, can try to place a mild scare into them that will hopefully make their hearts beat a little faster. I did say, “mild.” Their reward for my folly and their bravery, a few pieces of candy. Halloween should never stop when you are old enough to vote, it should be a lifelong passion and commitment for those of us that seek the untold stories from bygone generations.

So please get out to one of the events mentioned above and in the immortal words of Count Floyd “Is that scary Kids?”. Embrace the spirits amongst us, and most importantly, have a great time dressing up as your favourite Character. 

If you intend to enjoy some of these festivities, please let us know how it went in the comments section below so that we can share your experiences. Happy Halloween and stay safe.

https://vacationtimeescapes.com/15-wonderful-waterfront-wateringholes/

A Dream within a Dream- EAP

Although this location did not make our list as it is not actually a place where guides will take you down a dark corridor and entice you with stories of the supernatural. In Toronto, there is a neighbourhood called Old Cabbagetown. Here you will find an old Church on Winchester street. At this location, I can verify paranormal experiences, as they happened to me when I was employed there many years ago. The tenant will not like me mentioning this; I only have conveyed this to those that are close to me. If you would like to find out more, please drop a line in the comments area, and I will try to add a “spine Chilling” tale of my own.

If you happen to know someone that may have worked there, ask them about it and then watch as the colour leaves there face as convey the experiences that they have tried to forget the instant it raised into their conscious mind.

Sounds scary, doesn’t it? 

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