newsletter archive

October 2008 (last updated Oct. 28)

B.C. Halloween events . . .

The Great Big Boo

The Great Big Boo kicks off Monday, Oct. 20 in Mission and runs until Oct. 30 in various cities throughout BC. For more information and tickets, visit www.thegreatbigboo.com.

Vancouver . . .

The spooky train

This one is NOT for the faint of heart! Recommended for kids aged five and up, the Stanley Park Ghost Train returns for another year to spook the families who dare to climb aboard! Every year has a different theme, and this year you can expect wicked scoundrels returning from the dead to plunder Stanley Park in search of treasure. Enter at your peril... bloodthirsty villains may strike at any moment! Runs Friday, Oct. 10 to Saturday, Nov. 1. Visit Ticketmaster for tickets.

Haunted pirate ghost ship

Shiver 'yer timbers and rattle 'yer bones. Visit the Maritime Museum’s haunted pirate ghost ship if you dare! Free admission to the Maritime Museum for kids under 10 dressed in costume (accompanied by a paid adult). Special haunted pirate activities and crafts available on weekends. Suitable for children under 10. Runs from Saturday, Oct. 25 to Sunday, Nov. 2 (daily noon to 4 p.m.) in Vancouver. Visit online.

West End Halloween Howl

Join in for spooky crafts, games and ghoulish fun for children two to six on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to noon at the West End Community Centre, 870 Denman St., in Vancouver. Don’t forget to wear your costume. Crafts, fun, bouncy castle, mini haunted house and more. Cost is $5. For info and registration call 604-257-8333 or visit www.westendcc.ca.

Patch in the city

Pick your own pumpkin at the eighth annual pumpkin patch in the city at the Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House, 2131 Renfrew St., in Vancouver, on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free face painting, pumpkin carving, entertainment and crafts, as well as games, bouncy castle, treats and more for a small price.

Pint-sized pumpkin carving

Coal Harbour community centre is hosting its annual pumpkin carving party, Sunday, Oct. 26, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Cost is $2. Please pre-register. Call 604-718-8222 or www.coalharbourcc.ca.

Halloween Spooktacular

Trout Lake Community Centre in Vancouver is hosting a Halloween Spooktacular, Saturday, Oct. 25, 1 to 3 p.m. Carnival games, crafts, parent and tot play station and lots of treats for everyone.

Bootiful Botany

Enjoy the free Bootiful Botany Haunted Halloween event at the UBC Botanical Garden in Vancouver on Saturday, Oct. 25, noon to 3 p.m. Enjoy a trick-or-treat scavenger hunt in the garden, Halloween crafts and games and don’t forget to wear your costume. Rain or shine!

Parade of the lost souls

Public Dreams Society's Parade of the Lost Souls is scheduled for Saturday, Oct 25, from 6:30 to 10 p.m., in Vancouver. Parade starts at Britannia Oval in the Commercial Drive area. Experience sacred stories, rousing rituals, staggering secrets, stirring your spirits and reawakening the magic.

Haunted house and carnival

Enjoy an afternoon of spooktacular fun at the Halloween Haunted House and Carnival, Saturday, Oct. 25, noon to 2 p.m., Kensington Community Centre. Admission is free with your Kensington membership.

Halloween Carnival

Dress up your kids (ages 2 to 10) and bring them down to Kerrisdale Community Centre for the Halloween Carnival, Saturday, Oct. 25, 1 to 3 p.m. Cost is $5. Pre register in advance and membership is required.

Pumpkin carving too

For the older kids, five and older, and their parents, Kerrisdale Community centre is hosting a Halloween pumpkin carving, Sunday, Oct. 26, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Cost is $5 and you need membership and to register in advance.

Pumpkin carving at the Roundhouse

On Sunday, Oct. 26, noon to 3 p.m., come and carve a pumpkin at the Roundhouse’s special pumpkin carving event in Yaletown. Please pre-register by Oct. 16 to reserve your pumpkin and space. Cost is $3.

Halloween at Kids Market

It’s Halloweenie at Granville Island’s Kids Market in Vancouver, on Sunday, Oct. 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free hot dogs and drink for children in costumes, and, of course, lots of fun.

Family pumpkin carving

Prepare for Halloween night at the family pumpkin carving at Sunset Community Centre, 6810 Main St., Wednesday, Oct. 29, 6 to 7:30 p.m. $1.50 per person. Pumpkins, tools and candles provided. Register by Oct. 22.

Barclay Manor Halloween

For bigger braver souls, there’s a haunted house at Barclay Manor, 1447 Barclay St., in Vancouver, on Thursday, Oct. 30, between 7 and 9 p.m. Suitable for ages six and up. Cost is $3 per person. Purchase your tickets in advance or at the door. Call 604-257-8333 or visit www.barclaymanor.ca.

Coal Harbour Halloween

Visit Coal Harbour Community Centre (480 Broughton St.) in Vancouver, for the Halloween Carnival and Trick-or-treat trek, Friday, Oct. 31, 3 to 6 p.m. Enjoy creepy crafts, terrifying treats, tombstone tumbling, eerie entertainment and much more! Don't forget to wear your costume! Pre-registration is recommended, as space is limited. Cost is $5. Call to register at 604-718-8222 or www.coalharbourcc.ca.

Halloween preschool party

Put on your costume and enjoy play gym activities, face painting, cookie decorating, arts and crafts, drinks and more at Sunset Community Centre’s Halloween preschool party for children one to five, Friday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to noon. Call 604-718-6505 for tickets which are limited.

Carnival for the older kids

Also at Sunset Community Centre, there’s a Halloween Carnival for kids over three, Friday, Oct. 31, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Carnival games, fortuneteller, crafts, treats and more. Cost is $3 per child.

Halloween carnival

Drop by Killarney’s Halloween Carnival on Friday, Oct. 31, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Killarney Community Centre. Games, bouncy castles, haunted house, face painting, grab bags and more. Wear your costume for the Halloween parade. Geared for kids three to 12. Please register at the front desk – call 604-718-8201.

Roundhouse fun

Dress up in your creepiest costume and enjoy ghoulish games and creepy crafts, and explore the creepy hollow forest, at the Halloween Carnival, Friday, Oct. 31, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., Roundhouse Community Centre, in Yaletown. Children must be supervised by an adult. Cost is $5 per child and pre-registration is required.

Yaletown Trick or Treat

Trick or treat at dozens of Yaletown businesses in Vancouver on Friday, Oct. 31, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Check online for a map and more event details.

Burnaby . . .

Millipedes, slugs and bugs

Metro Vancouver has ongoing nature-themed programs and events happening all around town! This month enjoy "Millipedes, Slugs and Bugs" in Burnaby on Saturday, Oct. 11. There's even a Halloween Haunted Hike on Saturday, Oct. 25! Registration required for most of these outdoor events. Make sure to keep up to date on all these fun happenings by visiting Metro Vancouver's calendar.

Haunted fun at Metropolis

The Metropolis Mystery Manor returns to Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby for 14 days of scary fun from Saturday, Oct. 18 to Oct. 31. Kids are invited to the mall Oct. 25 for fun with the Metrokids Club or for trick-or-treating at 6 p.m. on Halloween Eve. The Metropolis Mystery Manor, a haunted house where kids and grown ups are dared to be scared, is located in the mall's Grand Court with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to the Rotary Club of Burnaby-Deer Lake. This fun fright is recommended for children age seven and up. The Mystery Manor will be open Mondays through Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.

The Haunted Village

Help solve the mystery of the Great Candy Train Robbery at the Haunted Village at Burnaby Village Museum, Oct. 24 to 26 and Oct. 30.

Family pumpkin carving

Spend an afternoon carving pumpkins with the family at the Willingdon Community Centre, 1491 Carleton Ave., Burnaby, on Saturday, Oct. 25, 1 to 2 p.m. One pumpkin per family cost is $8.50. Registration required. Call 604-299-1446.

Halloween hoopla

Ice skating, face painting, creepy crafts and ghostly games are all part of the fun for the Halloween hoopla, Saturday, Oct. 25, 12:45 to 3:15 p.m., Bill Copeland Sports Centre, 3676 Kensington Ave.

Halloween howl

Enjoy games, haunted house, candy and door prizes during the Halloween Howl at the C.G. Brown Pool, 3702 Kensington Ave., in Burnaby, on Thursday, Oct. 30, from 7 to 9 p.m. Cost is $2.60 per person. Children under seven must be accompanied by an adult.

Halloween on the Heights

Burnaby Heights is the place to be on Halloween, Friday, Oct. 31, as they are once again putting on the very fun Halloween on the Heights. Check out the fun planned on their website at www.burnabyheights.com.

Tri-Cities . . .

Halloween Haunted House

In support of Variety: The Children's Charity, the Halloween Haunted House in the Tricities has been ghoulishly prepared for you and your family to enjoy, Oct. 18 to 31, 6:30 to 9 p.m., 443 Draycott St., Coquitlam. Make sure to bring your loose change, and empty bottles.

Spooky swim

Chimo Aquatic and Fitness centre presents a Halloween Spooky Swim, Saturday, Oct. 25, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For all ages. Games, prizes and lots of spooky fun

Haunted Howlawe’en

On the same day, at the Poirier Community Centre, there’s a Haunted Howlawe’en event, Saturday, Oct. 25, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for children one and up. Creepy activities, ghoulicious dinner, and more fun activities. Cost is $5. Call 604-933-6048.

There’s a party

Have fun at the Place Maillardville, 1200 Cartier Ave., in Coquitlam, on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 1 to 3 p.m., at the Haunted Halloween Party. Events planned for children of all ages. Cost is $5 per child.

Spooky songs and stories

Local teacher, children’s entertainer ‘Mr. I’ will lead Halloween fun for children two and up on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2 to 3 p.m. Enjoy Mr. I’s Slightly Spooky Songs and Stories at Place des Arts in Coquitlam. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased at Place des Arts or by phone at 604-664-1636.

Another spooky swim

Coquitlam’s City Centre Aquatic Complex is putting on a scary, spooky swim with Halloween water activities, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2 to 6 p.m.

Monster Madness

Just for children six to 10, there’s a Halloween School Age Monster Madness, Monday, Oct. 27, 4 to 6 p.m., at Pinetree Community Centre in Coquitlam. Make spooky spider web creations, stage fright fun and don’t forget to wear your costume. Cost is $10.

Preschool fun

Pinetree Community Centre is holding a little preschool Halloween fun, Monday, Oct. 27, 12:15 and 1:30 p.m., for children four and five. Make spooky crafts and stories. Cost is $10.

Halloween Howl

For children two to five, there’s a Halloween Howl at the Port Moody Recreation Complex, Friday, Oct. 31, noon to 1:30 p.m. Enjoy a lunch, games, songs and crafts (wear your costume too!). Parent participation and you need to pre-register.

Fraser Valley . . .

Trick or treat train

Take a ride on the Bear Creek Park Train through the Friendly Spook Alley daily from Oct. 11 to 31. Children’s fare includes a Halloween craft, game, treat and a real pumpkin to take home. Bear Creek Park Train is located at 13750 88th Ave., Surrey. For those looking for a real scare, there’s the Haunted Forest Scream Train, Oct. 17 to 31, 6:30 to 10 p.m.

Creepigami

Get ready for Halloween by creating ‘creepigami’ and other eerie crafts, at the Surrey Museum, 17710 56A Ave., Surrey, Saturday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to noon. For kids, six to 11 years. For more information or to pre-register, please call Heritage Services at 604-592-6956.

Haunted house at the falls

Oct. 24 to Oct. 28, 6 to 9 p.m. nightly, it’s the Haunted House at the Power House at Stave Falls in Mission. Admission is $5 plus one non-perishable food item.

Halloween parade

Downtown Cloverdale is hosting a Halloween parade on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 2 p.m. Registration runs from 1 to 1:45 p.m. at Surrey Museum Plaza (Hwy #10 & 176A Street).

Spooky splash

On Sunday, Oct. 26, 2 to 4 p.m., enjoy a spooktacular swing at WC Blair Recreation centre and Walnut Grove Community Centre pools in Langley. Call 604-533-6170 or 604-882-0408 for details.

Family fun night

On Friday, Oct. 31, it’s Halloween family fun night in Langley. Enjoy a Halloween costume dance, apple bobbing, ring the pumpkin, crafts, and much more. Fun nights are scheduled at WC Blair Recreation centre, 4 to 6 p.m., and Willoughby Heights, 5 to 7 p.m. Call 604-533-6170 or 604-882-0408 for details.

Spooktacular fun

Douglas Recreation Centre in Langley is holding its own Halloween soiree for parent and tots on Friday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to noon. Enjoy games, a movie, prizes, and more. Wear your costumes! Cost is $3 per child or $3.50 for family. Call 604-514-2865 for more.

Haunted House and fireworks

Check out one of the Fraser Valley’s best haunted houses at the Ghost Ridge Haunted House at the fairgrounds on 105 Avenue off the Lougheed Highway in Maple Ridge. Haunted house runs from Oct. 26 to 30.

Halloween House

The MSA Museum Society presents Hallowe’en House of History, Friday, Oct. 31, 4 to 8:15 p.m. Enjoy a costume contest at 4 p.m., crafts, games, prizes, and more. Then at 6:15 p.m., the house will reopen as the Halloween House, Horrors from History. For all the details, visit online.

North Shore . . .

Capilano Suspension Bridge- Harvest Festival

This month, the Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver celebrates the season with their autumn Harvest Festival on Thanksgiving weekend, Saturday, Oct. 11 to Monday, Oct. 13, and Halloween weekend, Saturday, Oct. 25 and Sunday, Oct. 26. The park is decorated with a harvest theme and offers musical entertainment, crafts, and more! Visit online for all the details!

Great pumpkin patch

Bring the kidlets out for the Lynn Valley Parent Participation Preschool's annual Great Pumpkin Patch, Saturday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy games, activities and a concession. Admission is $5 per family and includes a pumpkin.

babyeats goes Bonkers!!

As a small part of babyeats' Halloween madness they will have Bonkers the fantastic, creative musical duo perform interactive, imaginative songs, Friday, Oct. 31, 1 p.m. Make sure your child wears a spooky costume! This will be a ticketed event but admission to babyeats is included with the concert ticket to Go Bonkers. babyeats is located in North Vancouver.

Pumpkin patch party

Highlands elementary, 3150 Colwood Dr. in North Vancouver is hosting their annual pumpkin patch party on Saturday, Oct. 25, from noon to 4 p.m. at. Rides, haunted house pumpkins for sale and more.

Spooky FX Tours

The Thomas FX Group in North Vancouver is offering Spooky FX Tours, Oct. 26 to Oct. 31, daily 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Get a behind the scenes view of movie special effects in a spooky themed environment. Check out their special Halloween effects and decorations for sale too. For more details, call 604-929-5455.

Fireworks

After a busy night of trick or treating, bring the family down for the Halloween Family Fireworks Spectacular, Oct. 31, 8:30 p.m., at the Inter River Park. Park for free at Capilano University and ride the free shuttle to the event.

Richmond . . .

Terror Hall

Take a terrifying trip through Terror Hall at the East Richmond Community Hall, 12360 Cambie Rd., Richmond, Oct. 28 to 31, 5 to 9 p.m.

Frights and delights

Aberdeen Centre in Richmond is hosting lots of Halloween fun on Friday, Oct. 31, 3 to 7 p.m. in the central atrium. Don’t miss out on the trick-or-treating. For all the details on the Halloween Frights and Delights at Aberdeen Centre, visit online.

Halloween fireworks

Minoru Park in Richmond is having an evening of fireworks and fun on Friday, Oct. 31. Entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m. music, magician, balloons, face painting, clowns, fire juggling and more.

More fireworks

Also on Friday, Oct. 31, there’s other fun fireworks scheduled for King George/Cambie Community Park, 7:45 to 8:15 p.m.; West Richmond Community Centre, 7:30 p.m.; and South Arm Community Centre, 8 p.m.

Delta area . . .

West Beach Pumpkin fest

It's the West Beach Pumpkin Festival, West Beach, 14970 Marine Dr., White Rock, Saturday, Oct. 25, noon to 4 p.m. Enjoy hay rides, entertainment and pumpkin carving. Rain or shine.

Annual pumpkin fest

Ladner Village is hosting their annual Pumpkin Fest on Thursday, Oct. 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the village of Ladner on 48th Avenue. Rain or shine.

Vancouver Island . . .

Nanaimo Pumpkin Festival

Enjoy hayrides, pumpkin carvings, farmers’ market, family fun and much more at the Nanaimo Pumpkin Festival, Oct. 25, noon to 4 p.m., Vancouver Island Exhibition grounds at Beban Park. Free admission.

Pumpkin Yard

Check out more than 100 works of pumpkin art Oct. 30 and 31, 5 to 9:30 p.m., at 2527 Fernwood Rd. (between Bay and Haultain) in Victoria.

Ogden Point art

The pumpkins are back with the Pumpkin Art at Ogden Point in Victoria, Oct. 29 to Nov. 2, 1 to 9 p.m. daily. For more details, visit www.pumpkinart.ca.

Pumpkin patches . . .

Laity Pumpkin Patch

Have lots of fun for the whole family at the Laity Pumpkin Patch, 21145 128th in Pitt Meadows. Patch features interactive displays, small tractor ride, animal farm, corn maze, and a huge pumpkin patch. Admission is $2 (children under 12 months are free) and pumpkin prices range from $2 and up. Visit www.laitypumpkinpatch.com for hours and directions. With the Golden Ears Mountains as the backdrop, the pumpkin patch makes for a great place for a family photo.

Willowview Farms

Head out to the country to the Willowview Farms, 288 McCallum Rd., in Abbotsford, to pick out the perfect pumpkin. Saturdays in October are Pumpkin Daze, featuring a hay maze, petting zoo, and a hayride to the pumpkin patch. In October, the farm is open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sundays. FYI: they also sell a tasty apple cider.

Apple Barn

Apple Barn, 333 Gladwin Rd. in Abbotsford is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Apple Barn has a play pass for kids for $6.50, which includes hayrides, hay maze, bin maze, slides and petting zoo. Adults are $3, which can be refunded for $3 worth of apples. Pony rides are available on weekends for $4.50, and hayrides are available sometimes on weekdays.

Aldor Acres

Venture out to Langley to check out Aldor Acres, 24990 84th Ave., Langley. Cost is $6 per person or $27 per family, includes hayride, petting farm with many baby animals including a baby horse, a colt named Blaze, and Lavender, the pig, had babies on Oct. 1. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, until Oct. 31.

Country Farms

Richmond is home to a great pumpkin patch at Country Farms, 12900 Steveston Hwy. Sing along hayrides, petting zoo, live entertainment, corn maze and much more. Hours are Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday (and holidays) 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free admission for children under two. Weekday admission is $7 and on weekends admission is $10, which includes a kid-size pumpkin.

Peteys Pumpkin Patch

In Chilliwack, check out Peteys Pumpkin Patch and the Kids Zone. Take a train out to the pumpkin patch, little goblins can play in a Dora pirate ship, and much more. For a scarier trek, check out Reapers and the Dark Maze.

Halloween Fun!

Pumpkin Patch Cuties

Share the spooky vibe

If you know of a fun Halloween event or pumpkin patch that’s in your town, please let us know by e-mailing info@babyvibe.ca the event or patch details, including date(s), time, and the location.

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