Summon the spirit of this spooky holiday with some classic family-friendly events
Besides the crisp cool nights and gorgeous foliage, the approach of Halloween is a fall favourite in Vancouver! Despite the spookiness of the holiday, there are a lot of fun activities that take place all over the Lower Mainland, geared especially for children. Check out the top five Halloween must-dos for some family-friendly fun!
Watch a Halloween Parade
An annual Vancouver favourite, the Halloween Parade takes place on Granville street, downtown on October 15 at 11 am and is another great Halloween event for families with smaller children. Most of the parade entries are superheroes, anime characters or zombies – ideal for getting into the spirit of the holiday without frightening the little ones.
Visit a Haunted Village
The Burnaby Village Museum goes all out in October for a fantastic kid-friendly Halloween experience. Running from October 27-30, expect spooky window displays, trick or treating stations, live entertainment, and costumed characters, as well as free carousel rides. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to test out those Halloween costumes before the big night! Tickets are available at the door, $14 for adults and youth; $9 for children 12 and under.
Ride a Halloween Train (or two!)
Stanley Park’s Ghost Train is a Halloween staple in Vancouver, and something even the older kids might enjoy. From October 13 to 31, you can journey through the woods on the miniature train for some fright-free fun – complete with spooky music, lights and more! Before or after your ride, you can stop by the plaza for other activities, such as a haunted maze and arts and craft stations.
Another alternative is the Pumpkin Express at Beer Creek Park in Surrey, which is open rain or shine. Children and their families can ride through a spooky decorated forest, from October 7-31, between 10 am to 4.30 pm. At the end of the ride, you’ll also go home with a small pumpkin!
Stroll in a Halloween Garden
A relatively new event to Vancouver, ‘Glow in the Garden’ takes place in the last week of October at VanDusen Botanical Garden. In this family-friendly event, the garden is transformed with ghoulish lights, skeletons galore, spooky music, and carved glowing pumpkins. Perfect for little children and the faint of heart!
Enjoy the Halloween Fireworks Display
For Vancouver’s largest Halloween fireworks display, Minoru Park in Richmond is the place at. Before the spectacular fireworks display, families can also enjoy the live entertainment such as fire juggling performances, magic show, clowns and other children’s activities.
Photos: vanhalloween.com - GoToVan, 604 Now, Stanley Park Railway, Burnaby Village Museum, vancouver.ca, istock, pictures for representation only
