Halloween is almost here, and Saturday, Oct. 31, is packed with ways to celebrate! From spooky skate sessions to creepy-cool pop-ups and family-friendly Halloween adventures, we’ve rounded up nine fun things to do with the kids on Halloween. So grab the capes, witch hats and candy buckets — it’s time to make some Halloween plans!
Free Halloween ice skate party
Lace up your skates for a spooky spin! Markham Village Arena is throwing a totally FREE Halloween skate party on Saturday, October 31, from 2:00 to 3:50 p.m.! Throw on your favorite costume, grab your helmet, and glide into an afternoon packed with icy fun.
Halloween at the Toronto Public Library
Toronto Public Library branches across the city are packed with free Halloween fun for the whole family, featuring everything from all-day costume photo ops with spooky props at the Parliament Street branch to DIY trick-or-treat bag decorating at North York Central Library. Check out the full lineup of Halloween events at your local TPL branch to find free, cozy fun near you before the evening sugar rush begins!
Haunted Harbour
An immersive storytelling boat cruise that takes you through the Toronto Islands, past the Gibraltar Point lighthouse and through the city’s creepiest buildings, Haunted Harbour will tell you spooky stories of phantom ghost ships, lost lighthouse keepers and more! 1 Queens Quay E.
Halloween at The Village
Brave families can walk straight into the mouth of a massive monster house this Halloween from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for an afternoon of creepy crafts, games and spooky surprises. Costumes aren’t mandatory, but dressing up is half the fun — so throw on your favourite fright wear and dive in. The Village at Black Creek, 1000 Murray Ross Parkway
Boo at the Zoo
Bring your little ghouls and goblins to the Toronto Zoo on Saturday, October 31, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Boo at the Zoo! Held in the Discovery Zone, the fang-tastic fun includes trick-or-treat stations, special animal encounters, monster mash music, and a chance to meet Elsa alongside Dr. Seuss’s Thing 1 and Thing 3. Best of all, kids ages 12 and under who arrive in costume get 50 per cent off admission when accompanied by a paying adult (use code 50boo). All event activities are free with zoo entry!
Tricks and Treats at Canada’s Wonderland
Head to Canada’s Wonderland on Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Tricks and Treats, a family-friendly daytime Halloween bash packed with all the fun and none of the fear. Kids can dress up for the costume contest, hop on their favorite family rides, and collect sweet goodies along the trick-or-treat trail before the sun sets. All activities are included with regular park admission — just be sure to pick up your map by 4:30 p.m., before the candy stations wrap up at 5 p.m.!
Halloween Spooktacular at Sankofa Square
Celebrate Halloween in the heart of downtown at Sankofa Square on Oct. 31, from 12 to 5 p.m. for the Downtown Yonge Halloween Spooktacular! Families can come dressed in their favourite costumes for an afternoon of trick-or-treating, spooky fun and special meet-and-greets with the Toronto Ghostbusters, plus Bluey and Bingo.
Parkdalien Hallowe’en Night Market & Thriller Flash Mob
Join the neighborhood celebration on Saturday, October 31, from 5 to 11:30 p.m. for the Parkdalien Hallowe’en Night Market & Thriller Flash Mob at 84 Elm Grove Avenue! This all-ages street party features local DJs, multimedia art installations, food, vinyl and vintage vendors, along with costume contests for pets, kids and adults. Don’t miss the 9 p.m. “Thriller Uprising” flash mob performance by The Neverland Guardians.
Face Painting – Harvest and Scare Market at Stackt
Stop by Stackt Market between 12 and 7 p.m. for free outdoor face painting during the Harvest and Scare Market! The face painting runs in one-hour sessions with just 10 spots available per block (50 spots total, one ticket per child). Afterward, stick around and explore the rest of the seasonal market, which stays open until 8 p.m. 28 Bathurst St.