Happy Halloween!
Pumpkins have been carved, costumes are ready and all over Victoria the anticipation of Halloween can be felt in the air.
After a long week of rain, the weather forecast this weekend is clear, allowing the perfect weather to celebrate and trick or treat.
Here are 28 things to do in and around Victoria this Halloween weekend, October 30th-31st:
Go trick or treating
It’s Halloween weekend, so the number one priority will be to dress up and go trick or treating! If you’re not going out to collect candy, be sure to be stocked up on candy to hand out to visitors.
This year, there are also new parking lot and drive through trick or treating events for a new creative spin on the tradition!
Attend Fright Night at Ocean View Estates
For a limited time only, the very same sunny Saanichton Sunflower Field will be transformed into twists and turns of horror for some very exclusive fright nights!
Their twisted interactive experience features evil clowns and zombies filling the former sunflower field and they’re all ready to scare the pants off of even the most daring visitor.
Scare enthusiasts are welcome to come in costume or dress as themselves, but are urged to wear appropriate rain and mud gear.
- Where: Saanichton Corn Maze, 7979 Central Saanich Road
- When: Saturday, October 30th; 7:15 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Tickets: $25 per person and can be purchased online.
Howl-oween pet parade at Emily Carr House
People aren’t the only ones who can enjoy Halloween, it’s also for pets! This weekend, bring your furry friend down to the Emily Carr House for a Howl-oween pet parade.
Registration is required and masks are recommended (for the humans).
The pet parade will take place in the garden, with judging and prizes sponsored by James Bay Veterinary Clinic.
- Where: 207 Government Street, Emily Carr House
- When: 1 p.m., Saturday October 30th
Sidney’s 7th annual Halloween Spooktacular
The Sidney Business Improvement Area Society (Sidney BIA) is celebrating their seventh annual Halloween Spooktacular this Halloween Weekend!
Spooky displays are set up throughout downtown Sidney with exhibits at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, the Sidney Museum and a community pumpkin patch sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Sidney and Saanich Peninsula.
There will be contests and more!
- Where: Throughout downtown Sidney, Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, the Sidney Museum and more.
- When: October 22nd to October 31st
Watch a Halloween Car Cruise
This weekend, the Sidney Halloween car cruise returns. Participants will be decorating their cars to be spooky! Grab a hot chocolate and find a bench along Beacon avenue to enjoy the show.
- Where: Along Beacon Avenue and a few other surrounding streets. No planned route.
- When: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday October 30th.
Darcy’s Pub ‘Death Drop’
If you’re looking for a 19+ event for Halloween, get your tickets for Darcy’s Pub Westshore’s “Death Drop”. The event will be hosted by Junk Male and include performances by Dublin Tendre, Divine Intervention, Immacolata Vintage and more!
Come dressed up for your chance to win a Halloween costume contest. Full kitchen menu is available until 10 p.m.
- Where: 737 Goldstream Avenue, Darcy’s Pub Westshore
- When: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m., Saturday October 30th
- Tickets: $15 through Eventbrite. Tickets are sold as a package per table.
Attend Trunk or Treat
This weekend, the GT Church will be putting on their very own ‘Trunk or Treat’ event. Drop by in your “not so scary costume” for trick and treating!
- Where: GT Church Parking lot, 1800 Quadra Street
- When: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday October 30th
Visit Ross Bay Villa for Apple Harvest Fest
This Saturday, stop by the Gift Shop in the Garden at Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum for home-made baked apple treats and tea.
After you have enjoyed some treats under the heritage apple trees, visit the gift shop to learn more about the history of Victoria and purchase handmade gift or baked good. .
- Where: Gift Shop in the Garden at Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum, 1490 Fairfield Road
- When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday October 30th
Monster’s Haunted House
Monsters Haunted House is back once more, at a brand new location that’s sure to spook even the bravest ghouls and goblins this year.
This Halloween, you’re invited to experience the old Landmark University Heights Movie theatre in a new, spine-tingling way.
In October, the space that once held the movie theatre will be transformed by Monsters Haunted House to this year’s eerie ‘University Frights Theatre’ event.
There’s more! This Friday, October 15th, Victoria Buzz will be on location at Monsters Haunted House for a Buzz on location. You can watch us live on our Buzz on Location event Facebook page.
- Where: Landmark Movie Theater, University Heights Shopping Centre – 3980 Shelbourne Street
- When: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October. More dates are available around Halloween!
- Tickets: $20 +tax each. Tickets can be purchased here.
Attend a Jack o’Lantern hunt in Sidney
This Halloween, the Sidney Museum invites you to join their museum-wide jack o-lantern hunt!
Visit the museum to learn about Halloween history and find the jack o’lanterns that are hidden throughout the Museum.
Participants will receive Halloween treats and be entered for the chance to win a $100 gift card from Buddies Toys in Sidney.
All ages are welcome! Masks are mandatory for everyone aged five and up.
- Where: 2423 Beacon Avenue L3, Sidney Museum
- When: Friday, October 22nd to Sunday, October 31st
See a comedy show at Hecklers
After being closed for nearly two years, Hecklers is back to fulfill your comedy needs. Every Saturday night enjoy a comedian followed by Comedy Here Often?’s The Late show.
- Where: 123 Gorge Road East, Hecklers Bar and Grill
- When: Charlie Demers 7 p.m., Saturday, Comedy Here Often? The Late Show: 10 p.m., Saturday
- Tickets: $20. Tickets can be purchased online here
Frankenstein @ Craigdarroch Castle
This Halloween, Frankenstein will wreak havoc in the hallowed halls of the Craigdarroch Castle.
This one-man version of Mary Shelley’s classic horror story, Frankenstein, will take place in the Castle’s dance hall, located on the fourth floor.
- Where: Craigdarroch Castle
- When: Saturday, October 30th.
- Tickets: $30 ($25 for members). Tickets can be purchased online here.
Attend a Halloween bonfire
The Esquimalt Lions Halloween bonfire is back! After you’re done your trick or treating, come down to the Fleming Beach Parking lot to enjoy a spooky bonfire. Hot dogs and hot chocolate will be available by donation.
- Where: Fleming Beach Parking Lot (Lampson & Munro Street)
- When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday, October 31st
Trick-or-treat at Westshore Town Centre’s Drive-Through event
This year, Westshore Town Centre and Langford Fire Rescue are teaming up to bring you some free, festive fun!
On Sunday, bring your family down to the Drive-Through Trick-or-Treating event, a creative way to keep safe and keep warm while collecting your candy.
The event will allow families to safely trick-or-treat in the Westshore Town Centre Cineplex parking lot.
- Where: Westshore Town Centre Cineplex parking lot
- When: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday October 31st
Take a ghostly tour at Ross Bay Cemetery
Every Sunday in October, you can take a spooky, guided walking tour through Ross Bay Cemetery. Learn about the history of Victoria as well as about some of those who have settled there (Sir James Douglas, Emily Carr, Billy Barker and more).
This Sunday, the tour is titled ‘Scottish Columbia’. The tour will feature stories of some of the Scottish pioneers who are at Ross Bay Cemetery.
- Where: Ross Bay Cemetery, 1495 Fairfield Road
- When: Tours start at 2 p.m, every Sunday
- Price: $5 for non-members. $2 for members
See a spooky movie at the drive in!
No, you haven’t been transported back in time, this is real! Legacy Drive-In has announced showtimes for their outdoor theatre at Westshore Motorsports Park.
This weekend, see Halloween (1978) and The Babadook from the comfort of your car as you enjoy food by Westshore Burger Co.
Tickets must be purchased in advance and it is recommended patrons arrive 30 minutes before showtime to ensure they get the best spot.
- Where: Westshore Motorsports Park (formerly Western Speedway) 2207 Millstream Road
- When: Halloween (1978) 8 p.m., and The Babadook: 10:15 p.m., Sunday October 31st
- Price: $30/car. Tickets can be purchased here. This Halloween, you can purchase a double feature pass for $50/car.
Take a Tour of Craigdarroch Castle
Tours of Craigdarroch are back! Tours are available Friday, Saturday and Sunday with tickets purchased in advance. Proceeds from tickets fund the ongoing castle restoration projects.
For more information on tickets, prices and to book your tour, visit the Craigdarroch Castle website here.
Try a Fall flavoured shaft at Moon Under Water
Moon Shaft Flights are back at Moon Under Water!
This Halloween, take your favourite local drink to the next level with a flight of fall-flavoured Shafts.
The flights, which cost $18, each include a Pumpkin Spice, Salted Caramel, Maple Bourbon and Chocolate shaft.
- Location: Moon Under Water’s Distillery Lounge and patio, 350 Bay Street
- Hours: 3:00 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, 12:00 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Try some local coffee shop’s fall menus
Now that Fall is officially underway, it’s time to visit some local coffee shops and warm up with some of their new fall menu items.
Not sure what the new fall items are? Check out our list of 7 coffee shops in Greater Victoria with must-try fall menus.
Watch the Vancouver Island filmed series ‘Maid’
If you’re looking for a new series to watch on Netflix, check out ‘Maid’.
The series, which was filmed entirely in the Greater Victoria area, is based on the memoir “Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive” by Stephanie Land.
Take a staycation on Vancouver Island
BC was recently named Canada’s #1 staycation destination! Which means we are envied by the rest of Canada for our beautiful views, nature and relaxing environment.
Plan a staycation on our very own island with this list of 10 unique Airbnb getaways right here at home!
Take in the views on the Malahat Skywalk
The Malahat Skywalk is open and they saw over 5000 visitors on their first weekend!
The attraction includes a viewing platform 250 metres above sea level, cafe, shops and a 600m elevated TreeWalk and nature trail.
The Skywalk offers scenic views of Mt. Baker, Finlayson Arm, the Saanich Peninsula, and islands in two countries.
View the Malahat Skywalk website for ticket information.
Try some of Victoria local’s favourite meals
On a local subreddit, r/VictoriaBC, user fyrite asked the public to share their favourite local dishes, the go-tos, the ones people can’t live without.
Victoria delivered, and over 300 recommendations were posted to the thread.
Fyrite took the recommendations and created a mass spreadsheet and map to allow the suggestions to be easily accessible and enjoyed by everyone!
Try a pumpkin spice drink
Pumpkin spice is back at Starbucks Canada!
Fall menu favourites such as the Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew are once again available for you to enjoy.
Try one of Victoria’s best crispy chicken sandwiches
Victoria is full of restaurants putting their own creative spin on the crispy chicken sandwich!
Reddit user u/beesmadehoney78 has been on the hunt, asking for the public’s help in finding Victoria’s best fried chicken sandwich.
Click here to see the list!
Try some of Victoria’s best cocktails
Reddit user u/westcoastwanderer has been on the hunt, asking for the public’s recommendations of the best cocktails in the city.
From this list, along with recommendations from industry professionals, we have created a quick guide to some local favourites.
You can see the list here!
Get bubble tea!
What is your go to Bubble Tea order?
Milk tea, fresh fruit tea, or slush? Do you get tapioca pearls or coconut jellies?
The possibilities are endless and, in Victoria, so are the options to get your favourite tea drink.
Not sure where to go? You can view our list of best bubble tea places to satisfy your craving here.
Eat at a restaurant with a breathtaking view
When it comes to an enjoyable dining experience, there’s more to it than just the food.
The atmosphere, the service, the view are all important factors that play a role in the overall experience.
Lucky for us, the Island offers an abundance of delicious restaurant options in prime locations.
You can view our list of restaurants with breathtaking views here.
