Stratford is known for its picturesque, European-style streets and for bringing Shakespeare and other theatrical classics to life, but like other small Ontario communities, Stratford seems to be embracing its spooky side this Halloween season!
The town is just two hours from Toronto and, Halloween aside, it makes for the perfect fall getaway, with a charming downtown core filled with independent shops and cafés and scenic walks along the Avon River surrounded by amazing foliage.
Begin your trip at the Stratford Festival. It’s winding down for the season, but there are still a few amazing productions worth catching this month, especially if gothic chills are your thing.
The October lineup includes The Veil, a supernatural horror play inspired by writers like Edgar Allan Poe and Shirley Jackson. The production runs from Oct. 23 to 31 at the Tom Patterson Theatre and follows a high-powered lawyer who finds himself battling a sinister curse that brings his past misdeeds to life.
Later in the evening, get a spooky behind-the-scenes look at the classical repertory theatre. Ghost Tours at the Festival Theatre lets visitors explore the backstage areas and dark depths of the Festival Theatre after hours, where they’ll discover theatrical superstitions and some eerie stories passed on by those who work late at night.
One of the theatre world’s longstanding traditions involves the ghost light: a single bulb left burning on an empty stage. Although it gives just enough light for the first person arriving on stage, according to theatrical superstition, the light can ward off mischievous spirits or even keep the theatre’s resident ghosts company! The 90-minute tours take place Monday, Oct. 19, and Monday, Oct. 26, with sessions scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. (tickets start at $40).
Beyond the spooky theatre lore, there’s more haunted history to discover across Stratford. Stratford Walking Tours offers general ghost walks throughout October, taking visitors through the city’s downtown streets to uncover chilling tales of a haunted hotel and dark stories from the city’s historic jail (if you’re in town for Halloween weekend, on Oct. 30, there’s a Devil’s Night ghost tour in nearby St. Marys).
Afterward, head over to Vivian Line. You’ll find a rather unusual cast of characters: skeletons getting up to all sorts of mischief in a series of humorous displays! The annual Halloween skeleton display will be showcased from Oct. 19 to 31 at 3217 Vivian Line 37. Admission is free, although any cash donations will go toward Operation Smile Canada.
And if you’re planning a longer Halloween road trip, consider adding nearby Elora to your bucket list, as the entire town is celebrating Monster Month!