Seeking Out a Spooky Time
It can be a difficult task to find thrilling Halloween scares that are family-friendly and accessible. Spooky mist and jack-o-lanterns are great, but an outing can be disrupted by sudden noises or people in masks bursting from a doorway, especially if you tend to become overstimulated.
To help you plan your activities, we’ve found some great local options for seasonal scares that won’t be too scary.
The Burnaby Village Museum – Eerie Illusions
We’ve checked in, and we’re happy to report that this event is very accessible, with wheelchair access and limited loud noises. Burnaby Village Museum will once again transform into a magical world bathed in breathtaking colour with the return of Eerie Illusions. This popular event will captivate visitors with new displays, costumed staff, live performances, and surprises hidden in the shadows. This is a self-guided event, so you and your group can take your time exploring the eerie sights and sounds at your own pace.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children between 2 and 12 years old. The event runs from October 20th to the 30th, from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm.
Playland Tricks and Treats
Playland presents a brand new Halloween experience for children and kids at heart. Tricks & Treats happens during the day at Playland and three of the haunted houses will be open. However, the monsters will be resting so you can explore without any jump scares.
Admission includes rides, games, a candy scavenger hunt, and other surprises. Costumes are highly encouraged, and there will be seasonal spooky eats to try while you’re at the park.
Tickets are $31.50. The event runs on October 29th and 30th, from 12 pm to 4 pm.
Pumpkins After Dark
Pumpkins After Dark is an outdoor experience set to haunt Swangard Stadium and Central Park until October 31st.
Guests can expect to see over 6,000 pumpkins that are hand-carved to resemble classic Halloween characters, dinosaurs and dragons, movie and pop culture icons, and more. Pumpkins After Dark will showcase live gourd carving demos as well as serve up fall treats and sweets.
Tickets are $21.95 for ages 17 and up, $17.95 for ages 4 to 16, and free to children 3 and under. A family pack is also available. The event will be running until October 31st, but make sure to book in advance.
The Parade of Little Souls
The Parade of Lost Souls is a collaboration with the Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret and Britannia Community Centre and welcomes all to join for the art and performance of the annual spooky season celebration.
There will be various activities to join in, including workshops and community art installations. There’s also a family-friendly Parade of Little Souls for children at 7 pm.
Attendance is free, though small donations are encouraged if you attend the workshops. The parade begins at 7 pm, but be sure to take a look at all the events throughout the day.