Autumn has officially arrived in Ontario (although the weather might not quite agree just yet). With fall foliage beginning to brighten the landscape and Halloween just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to escape the city for a weekend in one of the province’s most picturesque small towns.
Elora is about 90 minutes from Toronto and is known as Ontario’s “most beautiful village,” with its historic limestone buildings, dramatic gorge and streets framed by enchanting fall colours. Come October, the town is still every bit as picturesque, just with a somewhat monstrous twist!
The tiny village transforms into a Halloween haven for the entire month as Monster Month returns with giant creatures lurking around town and a full slate of spooky events; we’re talking ghost walks, lantern tours, murder mysteries and even a massive, costumed parade!
At the centre of it all is the Twilight Zoo, a collection of more than 140 larger-than-life wire-and-lantern sculptures created by local artist Tim Murton. The strange creatures pop up throughout Elora every October, turning an otherwise storybook Ontario village into a giant outdoor Halloween display.
The tradition goes back more than two decades, when Murton began decorating Elora’s streets with his creations. Visitors eventually started travelling from across Southern Ontario to see them, and the celebration grew along with the monsters.
And then there’s the annual Monster March. The parade invites people (and even pets) to dress up and join the procession! Over the years, local artists, businesses and organizations gradually began adding their own spooky events throughout October, and Monster Month was born (this year’s March takes over Elora on Oct. 17).
Head over for a day trip (or perhaps stay for a stretch at Elora’s stunning bespoke hotel). The month kicks off with an Elora Lantern Tour on Oct. 1: the family-friendly nighttime walk through the village explores the history of the community by lantern light.
Then, on Oct. 2, things officially get spooky with The Awakening at the Elora Centre for the Arts. The free launch party is essentially the ceremonial start of Monster Month, so expect roaming zombies, music, mist and other eerie surprises, along with a Monster Market, Spooky Alley, storytelling, food vendors and a scary theatrical finale!
And then, of course, there are the monsters. Meet the Monsters guided walking tours run on multiple dates throughout October, taking visitors through Elora to track down some of the Twilight Zoo’s most notorious residents and hear the backstories behind them. Tours last about an hour, cost $10 per person and are offered on select Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings (with some weekend morning tours are also available).
Neighbouring Fergus is also hosting a series of 90-minute Ghost Walks throughout October, where actors and historians lead visitors by lantern through downtown while recounting some of the community’s darker stories and legends. The walks cost $20 and include tales of everything from the grisly fate of a town clockmaster to a mysterious doctor and the legend of the “Ancient Ones.”
The Wellington County Museum and Archives is getting in on the Halloween action too with a 1975-themed Murder Mystery on Oct. 16 and 17. Guests can search for evidence, interrogate suspects and piece together clues while trying to solve the evening’s fictional crime.
There are tons of other spooky events scattered throughout the month, too, so you don’t have to plan your visit around Halloween weekend itself! Monster Month runs throughout October in Elora and the surrounding Centre Wellington area. Tickets and the full 2026 calendar are available through the official Monster Month website.
Not scary enough for you? Check out the strangest real ghost towns near Toronto to visit this Halloween season.