Events to do this Halloween in Calgary
By Taylor Charlebois and Ambar Mikaella, Contributors
Halloween is right around the corner and with it comes an unquenchable thirst for horror and scares. If you’re among the braver souls out there, Calgary has a large amount of offerings to truly test your mettle and see what you’re really made of. There’s also loads of ways to decorate your own space to get into the spooky spirit. Whether you’re looking for scares or family-friendly activities in town, we’ve got you covered.
Tunnel of Terror: Great White Car and Truck Wash
The Great White Car and Truck Wash is hosting a haunted car wash where you can drive through a spooky tunnel with your friends and family. Be prepared to get scared while getting your car washed! You can also expect some treats from the staff. You can choose from two different tunnels for a truly terrifying experience.
Dates: Oct. 29 to 31
Cost: Starting at $20
Times: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Great White Car and Truck Wash, 5421 Dufferin Boulevard S.E.
Pumpkins After Dark
Walkthrough displays of over 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins! It takes around 45 minutes to an hour to walk the grounds and see all the pumpkins.
You can see a range of pumpkin carvings from horses, the Mona Lisa as a skeleton, halloween characters, dinosaurs and other fanciful critters.
Don’t miss the spectacular pumpkin sculptures, pumpkin carving demonstrations and hot chocolates — this can even be a great date night idea!
Dates: Thursdays to Sundays until Oct. 31
Cost: Starting at $19.95
Times: 6:45 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Winsport Calgary, 88 Canada Olympic Rd. S.W.
Harvest Pumpkin Fest
Pick your own pumpkins to carve this year with Butterfield Acres Farm. It’s a great way to get out and get some fresh air with your family and friends. Plus, it’s a great location for a photo op.
They are also offering music, fire pits, s’mores and a scarecrow alley. They are hosting this event every weekend in October.
Dates: Oct. 2 to 31
Cost: Starting at $13.99
Times: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Butterfield Acres Farm, 254077 Rocky Ridge Road
Haus of Horrors
In the mood to go out and dance? Well, Beehive is hosting a Halloween-themed club event. You can expect to hear house music from Calgary’s own DJs.
Dates: Oct. 30
Cost: Starting at $23
Times: 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Where: Greta Bar, 213 10 Ave SW
ScreamFest
Need to let out a good scream? Well, Screamfest is the perfect place for you! This year, ScreamFest has six haunted houses and a myriad of carnival games to explore.
You can go on rides, throw hatchets and walk through haunted houses. On Oct. 28, they are offering an adults-only night, where they’re sure to really bring the scares.
Dates: Times vary, mostly on weekends
Cost: Starting at $25
Times: 7 p.m. to midnight
Where: Grandstand, Stampede Park, 3 St. S.E.
12-Hour Halloween Horror Movie Marathon
This one is for all the movie aficionados out there. Calgary Underground Film Festival is hosting its annual 12-Hour Movie Marathon. This all-nighter event is showing some of the greatest horror movie classics of all time. You can expect to watch seven movies between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. There will also be a costume contest and more surprises. Take a look at the lineup, it’s killer.
Dates: Oct. 30
Cost: Starting at $18
Times: 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Where: Globe Cinema, 617 8 Ave. S.W.
Calgary Ghost Tours
Walking through some of Calgary’s oldest neighbourhoods and being told ghost stories is easily the scariest thing you can do during the spooky season. Calgary Ghost Tours walks you through Inglewood, downtown Calgary and Kensington. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, they also offer a pub tour where a guide will take you through two of Calgary’s most horrific bars.
Dates: September to early November
Cost: Starting at $20
Times: Times vary, but mostly in the evenings
Where:Inglewood, Kensington, downtown, and even Banff
Field of Screams
On this Halloween, the Cobb’s Adventure Park turns into a Halloween-inspired venue at night. Explore 20 acres of frights and other activities such as a big bonfire or glow in the dark mini golf. There is a ‘death trap’ and a giant maze, a perfect setup for a spooky date with someone special or a night out with some friends.
Dates: Weekends until Oct. 30
Cost: Starting at $26
Times: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Cobb’s Adventure Park, 1500 84 St. N.E.
Haunted Calgary Presents: Museum of the Macabre
First kicking off in 1987, this is one of the staples of the spooky season in Calgary. Every year, they change things up and this year is no different as they keep bringing the scares. Museum of the Macabre promises to scare you as you walk through roughly 6,000 sq. feet of diligently put together frights. Another great date-night idea, or something to do with the bravest of your friends.
Dates: Every weekend in October
Cost: Starting at $25
Times: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: New Horizon Mall
Ghosts and Gourmet
This annual event at Heritage Park is a combination of great food with ghost stories and a ghost tour. The evening begins with a three-course dinner at the Wainwright Hotel that is peppered with chilling ghost stories. Afterwards, there is a ghost tour around the park — a word of caution, this is not for the faint of heart!
Dates: Oct. 21 to 23, Nov. 1
Cost: Starting at $79.95
Times: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Heritage Park, 1900 Heritage Dr. S.W.
And that about wraps it up. For many people, Halloween is about the scares and the thrills, but we hope that you don’t forget to have fun and enjoy some of these incredible events throughout the city that’s perfect for families and friends.
Happy Halloweening!
