Ultimate Guide to Halloween in Toronto for Adults

Looking for the spookiest things to do for Halloween in Toronto? Trust this local goth girl to give you the best tips

Estimated reading time: 22 minutes

Updated for 2025

Yes, there is fun at Halloween in Toronto for adults. What what started as a kids’ ritual of going door-to-door “trick or treating” for candy has evolved into an entire season of haunted attractions, costume parties, horror-themed events, and other fun for adults. Which makes October a frighteningly good time to visit the city, especially if you’re like me, a grown-up who prefers a dark aesthetic, scary stories, and all things macabre.

In this post I’ll share the top events and must-visit spots for adults to celebrate Halloween in Toronto, the Halloween haunts, spooky themed bars and restaurants, theatre shows and the famous Church street Halloween parade to help get you into the spirit of the season. I’ve personally been to most of these and am giving you my honest opinion plus all the essential ticket info so you can have the Best Halloween in Toronto Ever.

Halloween Haunts in Toronto

Haunted Walks and Tours in Toronto

Free Halloween Parades and Community Events

Horror and Halloween Theatre

Costume Parties and Nightlife

Spooky Dining and Drinks

Scary Music and Movies

Halloween Road Trips from Toronto

I highly encourage everyone to celebrate on the actual night of October 31 for the most authentic experience, but you’ll find there are so many events happening throughout the month of October, and even in September. Dates change every year so see the official websites for current schedules. And note that the weekend just before October 31 is when most people go out, and you’ll want to get tickets or make reservations in advance for those.

Need a Halloween costume? I recommend shopping at retailers who operate year-round, and not the pop-ups that breeze in for October only. Try Theatrix Plus on Yonge Street or take a drive to Party City in Etobicoke. For rentals, Thunder Thighs may have what you need. There’s also a huge Halloween Show marketplace at the end of September with local artisans and vendors. Or check out my list of Toronto Goth shops, they have great stuff too!

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Halloween Haunts in Toronto

Legends of Horror at Casa Loma

✔️ Perfect for: Date Nights, Girl Gang Hangs
❌ Skip it if: You’re mobility challenged

One of my favourite things to do in Toronto at Halloween takes place at an actual Gothic castle in the heart of the city. Legends of Horror is a 2km nighttime self-guided walking tour through the gardens, into the tunnels, and other spaces not normally open to the public, all transformed with sophisticated spooky theatrical sound, light and decor. You can follow the story, or just enjoy the macabre vibes.

It takes about an hour to walk through, but you can stop for drinks or snacks half-way. Early evening is reserved for families and scaredy cats, when there are no live actors. New: they now sell VIP upgrades that include line by-pass and food/beverage vouchers. This one is not accessible. legendsofhorror.ca

Canada’s Wonderland Halloween Haunt

✔️ Perfect for: Thrill Seekers, True Horror Fans, Groups
❌ Skip it if: You’re on a budget. You don’t have a car.

Toronto’s biggest amusement park gets a spooky makeover for the month of October. Multiple mazes with live actors are the main draw but you can also ride some of famous roller coasters and other thrill rides. Watch out for surprises around every corner.

This is the closest Canada gets to a Universal Halloween Horror type attraction—from the high-quality scares to the long line-ups (skippable with an expensive Fast Pass.) Not cheap, but a memorable night out for real horror fans. Note that Canada’s Wonderland is 50km north of downtown Toronto in Vaughan, you cannot wear costumes or make-up, and this isn’t recommended for kids. www.canadaswonderland.com/events/haunt

SCREEMERS

✔️ Perfect for: Everyone who likes haunted houses and doesn’t scare easily
❌ Skip it if: You hate screaming teens for some reason but then why are you at SCREEEEMERS?

Yes, it’s in ALL CAPS because you’ll be SCREEEEAMING in these scary walk-through mazes featuring more than 100 live actors. Admission also includes unlimited rides on the Midway of Madness. There are food trucks and a licensed Vampire Lounge. Fast pass avail. SCREEMERS is a teenage rite of passage in these parts. Assembly Park in Vaughan. Parking is free. Four of the seven haunts are accessible. www.screemers.ca

Martino Manor Haunted House

✔️ Perfect for: Local experience, Fun on a Budget
❌ Skip it if: You can’t stand in long lines

A neighbourhood gem out in Etobicoke, just west of Toronto. This smaller Halloween attraction is an indoor house and outdoor maze. No advance tickets just pay cash at the door, first-come, first-served. Ages 14 and up. Expect long lines (up to two-hour wait) during weekends in October or as it gets closer to Halloween. martinomanor.com

13 Rooms

✔️ Perfect for: Influencers.
❌ Skip it if: You don’t like being around influencers.

NEW for 2025: This is not a haunted house. This is not an escape room. This is a …. place to take spooky photos. From the creators of Screemers, it’s a takeover of an old Target at Cloverdale Mall, with 13 different horror and sci-fi themed “sets” and good lighting. Personally, this is not on my wish list of things to do in Toronto at Halloween. But if you go, please let me know what you think. 13rooms.ca

Haunted Walks and Tours

Toronto Cemetery Tour

✔️ Perfect for: Goth Dates, History Buffs, Solo Travellers, Cheap Fun
❌ Skip it if: You are a vampire who burns up in the daylight

One of the coolest things to do near Halloween in Toronto during the day is a guided tour through one of our beautiful cemeteries like Mount Pleasant (uptown) and Necropolis (near Cabbagetown). Of course, you can always visit on your own, but I learned so much on my tour with Chantal, a local history enthusiast who has created different tours such as The Women Who Built Canada, Death, Disease, and Doctors in Victorian Toronto or Escaped Slaves and African-Canadians in Victorian Toronto. And it’s free! (Tips are courteous.) Schedules change every year so check the Facebook page for what’s coming up.

Haunted Distillery Walk

✔️ Perfect for: History buffs, Paranormal Enthusiasts, Solo Travellers, Dog Owners
❌ Skip it if: You can’t walk on cobblestones

Ghost hunters and history buffs visiting Toronto at Halloween will love this guided evening walk around the Distillery District, one of Toronto’s most popular historic neighbourhoods. Follow your leader by lantern through the narrow cobblestone streets and hear all about the macabre and supernatural stories behind this Victorian-era neighbourhood. I’ve found this highly entertaining and good spooky fun. Dog friendly. Also available in French.

Haunted Harbour Cruise

✔️ Perfect for: Families, People who’ve done all the other Haunts
❌ Skip it if: You don’t want to be around kids.

Arrrrgh. Board a Ghost Ship at Harbourfront for a 90-minute guided storytelling cruise and walking tour of the Toronto Islands that’s not just for kids but also fun for adults. Stops at Gibraltar Point Lighthouse which may or may not be haunted. Warning: may encounter dead pirates! Friday, Saturday and Sundays only in September and October. www.hauntedharbour.ca

Ghosts of the Village at Black Creek

✔️ Perfect for: History buffs, Paranormal Enthusiasts
❌ Skip it if: You’re not that interested in ghost stories

Black Creek Pioneer Village, the recreation of an 1860s country village, is normally a children’s/family attraction. At Halloween they partner with Haunted Walks to offer a guided small group ghost walk of their heritage buildings for (adult) paranormal enthusiasts. Guests have exclusive access to investigate haunted heritage buildings including the infamous Halfway House.

Free Community Events

Church Street Halloween Parade

✔️ Perfect for: Dressing up in your best drag or costume and joining the fun, New Canadians experiencing Halloween for the first time
❌ Skip it if: You are at all claustrophobic. (Or homophobic, obviously.)

It’s free. It’s fabulous. And it’s on actual Halloween! Church Street north of Carlton is closed to traffic on October 31 for a massive costume party. This is the heart of the Gay Village, and festivities started as a place to dress in drag and be seen. I have fond memories of strolling leisurely, admiring elaborate costumes, maybe popping into a bar. In recent years, it’s exploded in popularity and I’m sad to say gawkers who don’t even bother to dress up far outnumber the costumes now. Also claustrophobes should steer clear, it’s shoulder-to-shoulder. That said, times change, and I’d rather have a Halloween street scene than not!

Night of Dread Parade

✔️ Perfect for: Art lovers, Burners, Date Night, Family Fun
❌ Skip it if: You’re jaded or too cool for school

A Toronto tradition: Clay and Paper Theatre Co invites everyone to gather to mock and banish your fears. Embrace the dress code (Black and White) and join their night-time parade through the streets, accompanied by giant puppets, followed by a performance of live music, fire spinning, circus acts and other soul cleaning rituals in Dufferin Grove Park.

Pumpkin Parades

✔️ Perfect for: Getting rid of your carved pumpkin, participating in your community
❌ Skip it if: You think “just” looking at hundreds of pumpkins is boring or you’re too hungover from Oct 31.

Don’t let the name fool you—the pumpkins don’t walk. No, this is what happens on November 1, the night after Halloween, when residents all take their carved Jack o’ Lanterns to a local park instead of tossing in the trash. One of the best pumpkin parades is at Sorauren Park in the West End, thousands of lit pumpkins line the pathways, many of the outstanding creations. It’s a most wonderful way to keep the energy of Halloween going. Go just after dark for maximum effect.

Horror and Halloween Theatre

Paranormal Cirque

✔️ Perfect for: Sexy Date Night
❌ Skip it if: You’re easily shocked

This is not Cirque du Soleil. It’s a combination circus and cabaret with death-defying acts intended for a 17+ audience. Several locations around the GTA including Scarborough, Hamilton and Mississauga. Check tickets and hours here.

Beverly Street Seance

✔️ Perfect for: Paranormal Enthusiasts, Theatre Lovers, Goth Dates
❌ Skip it if: You can’t suspend your disbelief.

Attend a Victorian-style séance in historical George Brown House – as seen in many paranormal TV shows. James Whyte has been hosting these for more than 10 years and gets great reviews for the chilling, intimate affairs. Restricted to ages 18 and up.

The Veil at Crow’s Theatre

✔️ Perfect for: Theatre Lovers, Classic Horror Fans, Folks who need to sit down, Goth Dates
❌ Skip it if: You don’t like the theatre

An original play inspired by classic horror writers like Edgar Allan Poe and Shirley Jackson that tells the tale of a high-powered lawyer who inherits a sinister curse. Presented by Crow’s Theatre—the studio is on Carlaw on Toronto’s East side. September 17 to October 12, 2025.

Costume Parties and Nightlife

Most nightclubs have some kind of costume party where you can wear your sexy zombie outfit. So do pubs. And even boat cruises. They change yearly so I recommend checking Eventbrite for the latest to find one that suits your music taste and budget. Here are just a few I can recommend.

ROM After Dark

✔️ Perfect for: Date Nights, Dancing, Girl Gang Hangs, Museum Buffs
❌ Skip it if: You only like museums when they are quiet

The Royal Ontario Museum’s monthly adults-only party takes a terrifying twist for October. Access galleries and exhibits like the dinosaurs, bat cave, and suits of armour while also enjoying live music and food stations, plus special Halloween themed performances, projections, and a scavenger hunt. In 2025, it’s on October 31, a real treat!

Impulse Fetish Bash

✔️ Perfect for: Sexy Date Night, Dancing
❌ Skip it if: You can’t behave or put in the effort to dress up

This one is for the kinksters: Art, Fetish and Dance with a Halloween theme. Includes DJ, performances and dungeon play area. Zero photos allowed. Dress code enforced: Latex, leather, PVC, cosplay, cyber, goth, and lingerie are some example of appropriate wear. No effort, no entry!

Panic Video Dance Party

✔️ Perfect for: Dancing, Goth Dates, Solo Travellers, Gen Xers,
❌ Skip it if: You’re claustrophobic. This fills up fast.

Where the Elder Goths go to dance to retro new wave and post punk faves. Some of my favourite costumes ever have been spotted at these retro DJ nights. If you look like Dave Gahan, Tim Burton, Elvira or the like, you can make some money in their costume contest for sure.

Spooky Dining and Drinks

Black Lagoon Pop up

✔️ Perfect for: First Dates, Girl Gang Hangs, Pre-drinking
❌ Skip it if: You’re on a budget

A very cool addition to the Halloween scene in Toronto is this pop-up horror-themed bar. It’s like the Spirit Halloween store had a secret speakeasy, with mood lighting, lots of skeletons, and custom creepy concoctions. Sometimes hosts drag performances or other events. Dates and location for 2025 are TBC follow them on IG.

Dinner at Storm Crow Manor

✔️ Perfect for: Horror Fans and other Nerds, A good meal at a good price
❌ Skip it if: You’re not hungry? Honestly, this place is great for anyone.

Hungry? Toronto geeks hang out at Storm Crow Manor, a mansion turned pub on Church Street with theme rooms, secret passageways and a menu inspired by horror and sci-fi classics. It’s fun any time of year but Halloween season is an especially great time to order some Tater Tots of Terror and a glow-in-the-dark cocktail.

Scary Music and Movies

Toronto Symphony Orchestra

✔️ Perfect for: Families
❌ Skip it if: This year, if you’re an adult without kids. Sadly.

Each Halloween in Toronto, our world-class symphony hosts a special event playing scary movie music to visuals on a big screen. I’ve attended a few of these and they are great! For 2025, they’ve switched it to an afternoon kids’ event called Tricks, Treats and Tunes with interactive workshop elements.

Candlelight Concert

✔️ Perfect for: Date Nights, People who need to sit down
❌ Skip it if: You don’t like cover bands

First thing first: it’s not real candles. Maybe that’s obvious but for a Goth Girl it’s an important detail! Nevertheless, these classical-musicians-do-pop-covers surrounded by candlelight has become very popular in this city. October programming includes horror soundtrack faves in a church. Also Coldplay (very scary.)

Toronto After Dark Film Festival

✔️ Perfect for: Horror movie fans, Date Nights, Solo Travellers
❌ Skip it if: You don’t like indie or low-budget films

Toronto’s horror-themed festival, returns for 2025! This is for the true horror fans, a place to catch world premieres and nerd out.

Scary Movie Night

Toronto loves horror movies. So you’re sure to find a scary film screening throughout October and around Halloween, from B-grade schlock to cinematic terror. Check out what’s playing at one of the great independent cinemas like The Royal and The Paradise.

Prefer to stay in? Don’t rely on Netflix. You can still find an excellent selection of classics and cult faves on DVD, Blu-ray or even VHS at Eyesore Cinema on Bloor Street in the Annex and Vinegar Syndrome on Roncesvalles in the West End.

Halloween Road Trips from Toronto

Pumpkins After Dark (Milton, Ontario)

✔️ Perfect for: Families, Date Nights
❌ Skip it if: You don’t have a car or you can’t walk that much

Would you like to see a larger-than-life Freddy Krueger made out of Jack o’ Lanterns? Do you have a car? This attraction is for you! A family-friendly walkthrough of more than 10,000 illuminated (plastic) pumpkins creatively arranged to form giant movie monsters, mythological creatures and cute seasonal displays, Pumpkins After Dark is pretty impressive. Self-guided, takes about an hour. Tickets much be purchased in advance, for a specific timeslot. Check for dog-friendly nights and group ticket discounts. Located on a farm in Milton, about 60km west of downtown Toronto.

Haunted Hallows

North of Toronto, just north of Newmarket in East Gwillimbury this outdoor haunt has trails through the forest and six horror-themed zones with live actors. hauntedhollows.ca

Frightmare in the Falls (Niagara Falls)

✔️ Perfect for: Horror film fans and nerds, Families, Solo Travellers
❌ Skip it if: You’re on a budget since you’re mostly paying to get in and spend more money

A three-day convention for horror film fans in Niagara Falls. Meet celebrity guests, attend panel discussions, shop for Tshirts and merch, and watch film screening surrounded by your nerdy brethren.

Hope this list of fun things to do in for Halloween in Toronto has inspired you. Season’s grievings!