Halloween in Vancouver Is a Howl

I grew up in Southern Ontario, where Halloween in the ’80s was often as much about testing your endurance in the cold as a celebration of mischievous play and the dereliction of dental care. Most October 31sts I can remember included biting wind that would agree with Dracula and sometimes light snow that often dripped into the pillow case I carried to collect candy from the neighbourhood. A winter coat would shroud my costume, undermining the whole idea of getting dressed up, effectively turning any attempt at being Superman into a costume of Clark Kent. It was fun still — Halloween is the one holiday where a child’s imagination and strategy for loot can triumph over any circumstance. But it could be so much more jovial in warmer weather, I realized when I experienced Halloween around the world.

Now, living in Vancouver, I have witnessed my son experience a string of comparatively warm and dry Octobers. His costumes are fully visible, to his delight — and everyone else’s, too. There has been little rainfall on Halloween since 2019, and temperatures have been 10 Celsius degrees or higher in each of the last four years. (Southern Ontario, by the way, has also had much warmer October weather in recent years than when I was a kid, including forecasts this year of balmy 14 Celsius and sunshine for Toronto on Halloween.)

So, Halloween in Vancouver is more spirited, to my mind, on the west coast than how I celebrated in my youth. The city’s tourism and hospitality industry has embraced the holiday with a number of initiatives and programs. Among the most marvellous for 2024 is “HowlOver Canada”, the 4D flight simulation show that augments the regular “FlyOver Canada” experience with Halloween themes and characters.

MORE VANCOUVER: Holiday Season Events

The journey itself lasts about 10 minutes and includes mesmerizing landscapes from Newfoundland to British Columbia. Pursuit Collection, developers of the program, have smartly thought of family budgets in planning the experience. Kids 13 years old and younger ride for free when they’re accompanied by an adult who has purchased a ticket. Those who want to ride again — and what kid wouldn’t? — receive a 30% discount on their second ride, and B.C. residents receive a discounted locals’ rate. Regular ticket prices range from $29-$36, depending on the date. “HowlOver Canada” runs until Halloween in the FlyOver Canada theatre at Canada Place.

Here are some other notable happenings in the Vancouver area as Halloween approaches:

Fairmont Gets Creative for Halloween

Fairmont’s west-coast properties are embracing the mystical season of October in unique ways. Over on Vancouver Island, the Fairmont Empress is showcasing a one-day tea-leaf reading experience to accompany its Afternoon Tea experience. The complimentary teacup readings will be provided on October 26 by a tea-leaf reader who is an expert in the fortune-telling practice.

Meanwhile, on the British Columbia mainland, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver leans in on its ghostly stories, including one featuring the spirit of Jennie Pearl Cox, who died in 1939 but reputedly continues to dwell in the halls of the iconic downtown edifice. From October 18 to November 23, the hotel will honour her enduring presence with The Scarlett: A Lady in Red Speakeasy that is a pop-up cocktail lounge in the lower lobby.

On October 26, the hotel turns its 14th floor into a Halloween mystery event hosted by Castle Confidential and created in partnership with Vancouver Mysteries. “The interactive, immersive experience will invite guests to engage with intriguing characters, follow clues, and solve challenges as they explore the hotel’s eerie past,” the property notes in a press release. Themed cocktails and gourmet bites will be offered to guests.

Richmond Country Farms Pumpkin Patch

Metro Vancouver is loaded with farms that turn large portions of their properties over to Halloween-inspired pumpkin patches. One of the best is Richmond’s Country Farms, which features a spooky Transylvania theme for October. A wagon ride takes visitors from the adjacent Country Farms Market to the heart of the pumpkin patch, where you can explore the grounds and collect pumpkins for carving. Entry fee is $15 on weekdays and $18 on weekends (kids 3 years old and under enter for free).

Adults will enjoy spending time after their visit at the neighbouring Country Vines winery, where the “Psycho”-inspired Psyrah is suited for the holiday.

Fright Nights at Playland

If you’re serious about getting a good scare, head to the “Largest Haunt in Western Canada”. Themed encounters include “Carn-Evil”, featuring maniacal clowns, and the gory “The Bloodshed” cabin. Fright Nights also includes the chance to ride Playland’s midway rides and sample some ghoulishly themed food, such as Zombie Fingers (deep-fried KitKat bars made with green donut mix, topped with almond slices for fingers, and red icing). The admission cost for the remaining dates at Fright Nights is $66 at the gate or $61 when purchased online (the experience is not recommended for kids 13 years old and younger).