18 free things to do in Toronto this Halloween weekend
Experience spooky Toronto first hand, before it's too late!
As we head into the spookiest weekend of the year, there are ethereal echoes of opera, exhilarating nature hikes, even the imaginative universe of Steampunk. All that and a variety of other Halloween-themed events waiting for you this weekend.
Opera Inspired Arias in Helliwell House at Todmorden Mills
Location: Todmorden Mills Heritage Site and Arts Centre, 67 Pottery Rd
Date(s): Saturday, October 28 - Sunday, October 29
Organizer description: “Join our historic house tour and meet a living spirit in Helliwell House. Other-worldly opera-inspired arias featuring opera singer Bryna Tallman. Enjoy some Halloween Fun. An engaging tour including stories of Toronto Halloween events of yesteryear.”
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Fall Discovery Hikes - St. Clair Ravine Park
Location: St. Clair Ravine, 3390 St Clair Ave E
Date(s): Saturday, October 28
Organizer description: “Join for a selection of hikes led by local experts and learn about the animals, plants, history, geography and connections in St. Clair Ravine Park. With the help of a Park People Grant, the SJC is offering a variety of hikes from beginner to advanced. We will be starting at St. Clair Ravine Park and hiking to a variety of locations including the proposed West Scarborough Rail Trail, the Meadoway, the historic GECO Bomb Girls factory, and Rouge National Urban Park. This is a family-friendly event, and all are welcome!”
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Steampunk Halloween at Zion Schoolhouse
Location: Zion Schoolhouse, 1091 Finch Ave E
Date(s): Saturday, October 28
Organizer description: “Visitors will revel in the fantastical world of Steampunk. Steampunk is the science fiction charged genre fusing technology and the aesthetic designs of 19th century industrial steam powered machinery. Visitors are encouraged to attend in Steampunk costume to take part in crafts for all ages, or borrow something from our Streampunk Trunk and take a photo to remember! Special musical performances after 2:00pm. Enjoy some Halloween Fun!”
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Grow Your Own Native Plants From Seeds
Location: Parliament Branch Toronto Public Library, 269 Gerrard St E
Date(s): Saturday, October 28
Organizer description: “Native plants have a long relationship with this land. Not only are they beautiful, they are also homes and food for other beings. Join Earthworker Joce Two Crows Tremblay and EnvIR Jenny Davis to learn everything you need to know to grow your own native plants from seed. You will learn what cold stratification means and why the fall is the best time to plant native plants. Come dressed to get dirty for this hands on workshop.”
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Apple Pie Contest & Fundraiser
Location: Carolina Pizzeria, 772 Dundas St W
Date(s): Saturday, October 28
Organizer description: “The Pie Contest is open to anyone who would like to bake an apple pie, including new bakers, home bakers and professionals. If you prefer eating pie then come by the event and get a $5 slice. First prize: $200 and a gift basket. Second prize: $100 and a gift basket. Third prize: $50 and a gift basket.”
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Second Annual Halloween Haunt UP Event 2023
Location: Yonge St Sidewalks between Roehampton and Glengrove Avenue, Toronto, ON M4R 1G9.
Date(s): Saturday, October 28
Organizer description: “This is a free, family event. Activities include trick ‘r treating, live DJ stations, face painting, spooky slime making, pumpkin carving, kids costume contest, pets costume contest, caricature, bouncy castles and more!”
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Trick-or-Treat on Corso
Location: Corso Italia in Toronto, N/A
Date(s): Saturday, October 28
Organizer description: “Come in costume and parade the Corso! Trick-or-Treating hosted at Corso businesses. Featured entertainment: balloonists, caricaturists, magicians, a pumpkin house, pumpkin giveaways and a bouncy castle!”
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Howl'oween
Location: The Bentway, 250 Fort York Blvd
Date(s): Saturday, October 28
Organizer description: “Shout it from the woof tops, because The Bentway is bringing back a Fall-favourite event, Howl’oween. We're inviting all local dogs and their owners to come and compete in a fun and festive Costumed Pup Parade and Contest, complete with fabulous prizes, celebrity judges, music, a gourd-geous photo station, cozy drinks, and bark-tacular local vendors. Bring your best tricks and treats and prepare for a tail-riffic afternoon of Halloween family fun at The Bentway. Furry friends are not mandatory! All dog and parade lovers are welcome to come watch and enjoy the festivities. Learn more about our Halloween activities at our website below.”
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The Fur Ball '23: Halloween Dog Costume Contest & Charity Raffel
Location: St. James Park, 120 King St E
Date(s): Saturday, October 28
Organizer description: “Join us for Fur Ball ’23! We are proud to present Fur Ball ’23, a Halloween dog costume contest and charity raffle in support of Through Ruff Times! Join us at the St. James Park Pavilion for a runway smackdown for the coveted Best Dressed Dog trophies. This year we are thrilled to be partnering with Friends of St. James Park, the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA, and the Corner Place, who will be offering complimentary human food and drinks at the Fur Ball! Register your dog for Fur Ball ’23 here to ensure you receive a free goody bag for your pup from Global Pet Foods Lower Jarvis: https://forms.gle/3BU7rGqSFAYEyapm8 *Please note that day-of dog registration may not be available or may be limited*”
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The Grand Haunt 2023
Location: The Grand Order of Divine Sweets, 1162 Queen St W
Date(s): Saturday, October 28
Organizer description: “Calling all ghouls and goblins: The Grand Order of Divine Sweets (The GOoDS), Toronto's premiere geeky sweet shop is challenging all Greater Toronto Area Trick-or-Treaters to join in the prize-filled Grand Haunt treasure hunt. The Grand prize is a Chocolate Smash Skull filled with $1,000 cold hard cash. Costumes encouraged but not required. Follow @thegoodsweetsto for the first clue to find the 5 different Haunters placed throughout the city. Get your stamps from the Haunters and head to 1162 Queen St W to draw for a trick-or-treat...possibly win the grand prize!”
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Little Portugal Mural Tours & Gallery and Vintage Crawl
Location: Little Portugal Toronto BIA, 1166 Dundas St W
Date(s): Saturday, October 28 to Monday, October 30
Organizer description: “Explore Little Portugal with mural tours, plus, a vintage crawl featuring 10+ boutiques with one of a kind treasures. Gallery crawl features 10+ galleries with local and international artists' exhibits. Dundas St W from Shaw to Landsdowne. IG: @LPTBIA”
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Halloween Celebration - Saturday at the Container
Location: The Container Hub - Loblaws Parking Lot, 11 Redway Rd
Date(s): Saturday, October 28
Organizer description: “Join Don't Mess with the Don for our final Saturday at the Container, where we'll be celebrating spooky season with pumpkin carving, a nature walk, & BBQ. We will be giving away FREE pumpkins to the first 30 children who come to participate in Arts & Crafts. We also have an exciting opportunity for 10 young people age 9-16 who want to try mountain biking on a pump track! Expert instruction and all equipment will be provided thanks to our friends at Marin bike and Ridehouse Cycle. Sign up for this activity is required: https://bit.ly/3Qg6hYE. Come in costume and enjoy the fall festivities! This is a free event and no registration is required except for the biking.”
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Valley at TD Music Hall
Location: TD Music Hall, 178 Victoria St
Date(s): Saturday, October 28
Organizer description: “The TD Music Connected Series is back in 2023 for free concerts. Curated by Canada's Music Incubator (CMI), the concert series will be featuring a variety of diverse artists from across the country. Get your tickets online and join us for an incredible celebration of Canadian Music. This weekends artists: Valley, Strings From Paris, Katherine Li, Noelle.”
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Pumpkinfest at The Kingsway
Location: Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 3055 Bloor St W
Date(s): Saturday, October 28
Organizer description: “Our annual Pumpkinfest returns for a spooktacular time. Prize for best Halloween Costumes, Prizes for best Pet Costume, Pumpkin Decorating, Face Painting & Balloon Art, Trick or Treat at Participating Stores, Arts, Crafts & Colouring. Plus meet: Yupp Gourmet Pet Food, Kingsway School of Music, Win n Wax Candle Studio.”
Click here for more info.
Toronto Dark Arts Market - Hallowmas Market
Location: Ground Control, 1279 Queen St W
Date(s): Saturday, October 28
Organizer description: “Toronto Dark Arts Market is an artisan market dedicated to all things weird and wonderful. Artists, artisans, musicians, writers, and makers of alternative goodness are all featured in this in-person marketplace.”
Click here for more info.
Riverside C'MON Sundays: HOWL-O-WEEN Mini Fest
Location: Riverside Common Park, 657 Queen St E
Date(s): Sunday, October 29
Organizer description: “Get ready for Riverside's HOWL-O-WEEN mini fest! Enjoy a free pumpkin patch, live Halloween music, a quiz game with prizes, sweet treats, face painting, cotton candy, and more surprises. Reserve your free timed ticket slot to join the fun, but note that free items are limited!”
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Toronto Made Market - Fall Show
Location: Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas St E
Date(s): Sunday, October 29
Organizer description: “Toronto Made Market returns this Fall season: Join us for a delightful autumn experience that celebrates the vibrant spirit of Toronto's local artisans and producers. Discover the talents of over 70 local artisans; from handmade jewelry, fashion, art, delectable baked goods to seasonal home decor, there's something for everyone. Capture Instagram-worthy moments in our autumn inspired photo wall. Win prizes from Celebrate Toronto by participating in our raffle draws. Every purchase gets you a chance to win! Ample underground parking is available, so you can shop with ease and load up your car with all your fantastic finds.”
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12th Annual St. Joe's Toronto West Halloween Fest
Location: CF Sherway Gardens (Centre Court), 25 The West Mall
Date(s): Sunday, October 29
Organizer description: “The St. Joe's Halloween Fest is a SPOOKtacular day to dress up and show support for kids' care at St. Joseph's Health Centre. This annual, family-friendly event will transform CF Sherway Gardens Centre Court into a Halloween celebration that includes: Just for Stuffie clinic – check-ups for stuffed animals, A trick-or-treat trail with Sherway retailers, A video booth, Face painting, Team T&J Entertainment, A Dance party at Centre Court, A costume contest with prizes, Spooky story time with Indigo.”
Click here for more info.
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