Looking for fun Halloween events in Victoria that won’t turn your bank account into a horror show?
Halloween can be an exciting time for both kids and adults, but sometimes the cost of attending events catches up to your wallet before you can even say trick or treat. Let’s try and keep the tricks to a minimum this year, shall we?
Here are some local Halloween events in Victoria you can enjoy that cost little or no money.
Galey Farms Pumpkinfest
October 6-8, 20-21 and 27-28 from 10 am to 4 pm
Pumpkinfest is a great time for the whole family, featuring live entertainment, face painting, games, hayrides, u-pick pumpkins, train rides, corn maze, playground, petting farm, children’s haunted house and fantastic seasonal displays. Cost is $12 per adult and $8 per child for either a train ride or the corn maze, and includes hayrides and the petting farm.
Galey Farms Festival of Fear
October 12-13, 18-21 and 25-31 from 6 to 10 pm
Galey Farms Festival of Fear has four venues. Three are on the scarier side: Carnevil Haunted House, Cornfield of Horror and Madame Isabella’s Séance. The fourth is Crazy Train, which has over a mile of animated seasonal displays and is fun for all ages. The first ticket for any of the four venues is $12 for adults and $8 for kids (12 and under). Additional tickets for the other venues can be purchased for $6 for adults and $5 for kids.
The Pumpkin Express at Heritage Acres
Friday, October 19 to Sunday, October 21 from 4:30 to 8:30 pm (gates open 4 pm)
This family-friendly event includes a train ride through a haunted tunnel and forest, along with spooky games, face painting, a graveyard scavenger hunt, pumpkin carving, Halloween crafts and fortune telling. Cost is $10 per carload.
Quivering Village Carnival and Crazy-Maze
Friday, October 26 from 6 to 8 pm
Visit the Quadra Village Community Centre for its fifth annual carnival, featuring carnival games, a witch’s lair, fortune teller, photo booth and the crazy-maze. Admission and BBQ is by donation.
Family Harvest Festival
Saturday, October 27 from 10 am to 2 pm
The annual Harvest Festival at The Gardens at Horticulture Centre of the Pacific is a fun way to enjoy the season with family-friendly activities for all ages. There will be pumpkins, seasonal games, activities, special guests and the beautiful gardens to explore. Cost is $15 per family, which includes up to three children ($5 per additional child). Pre-registration is required.
Halloween in the Pool
Saturday, October 27 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Celebrate Halloween in the pool at Panorama Recreation Centre in North Saanich. There will be themed crafts and games with yummy prizes, plus the Wibit (inflatable water park) and slide will be open. Regular admission fees apply.
Pumpkin Art in Oak Bay Village
Saturday, October 27 to Wednesday, October 31 from 5 to 9 pm (open until 10 pm on October 31)
Hundreds of carved pumpkins will be displayed behind the Oak Bay Municipal Hall and will feature local personalities, cartoon characters, the Royal Family, the Beatles and more. Admission is by donation and the proceeds benefit Oak Bay Sea Rescue’s campaign to refit and replace their rescue boats.
Halloween Skates
Saturday, October 27 from 7:30 to 9:15 pm
Sunday, October 28 from 12 to 4:30 pm
Grab your skates and head to Oak Bay Recreation Centre for some Halloween fun. Saturday night is the Orange and Black Halloween Skate, featuring spooky music and prizes on ice. On Sunday there will be a family skate from 12 to 2:30 pm, followed by an “everyone welcome” skate from 3 to 4:30 pm. Wear your costumes and enjoy spooky Halloween-themed music, games and events! There will be costume prizes and door prizes. Regular admission rates apply.
Halloween Swims
Sunday, October 28 from 1 to 5 pm
Monday, October 29 from 3 to 5 pm
Come for a fun-filled swim at Oak Bay Pool, featuring a pumpkin toss, spider crawl, face painting and some witches’ brew. Regular admission rates apply.
Wicked Victoria and Boo Boulevard
Sunday, October 28 from 12 to 5 pm
A fun, festive and free pedestrian-only event on Government Street! Listen to local performers in the Feeling Ghoully Music Zone, do some shopping in the Harvest Market, learn about local not-for-profit organizations in Ghostly Giving and unleash the kids in the Too Cute To Spook Wicked Kid Zone that features pumpkin designing, face painting, games, bouncy castles and a costume parade.
Trick or Treating at the Market
Wednesday, October 31 from 10 am to 6 pm
All of the permanent vendors at the Victoria Public Market will have treats available, so bring your trick-or-treaters by for a bit of fun.
Trick or Treat on the Avenue
Wednesday, October 31 from 2 to 5 pm
Oak Bay Village merchants host a giant community trick or treat. Enjoy live music throughout the event, as well as a variety of entertainment including jugglers, stilt walkers, hula hoopers, magicians, balloon twisters and more! Following the trick or treat, the Municipality of Oak Bay will host a bonfire in Fireman’s Park with hot dogs, hot chocolate and a Halloween costume contest.
Treat Street in Sidney
Wednesday, October 31 from 4:30 to 6 pm
Downtown Sidney invites little ghosts, goblins and princesses to enjoy a family trick of treat event. The area will be closed to traffic and attendees can visit various treat stations around Sidney as well as at some of the local merchants.
Halloween Spooktacular Fireworks at Bear Mountain
Wednesday, October 31 from 5:30 to 9 pm
Bear Mountain Resort hosts a free spooktacular evening of treats, fireworks and live entertainment, along with a photo booth to capture the memories. Fireworks start at dusk.
In Vancouver? Check our list of free and cheap Halloween events in Metro Vancouver.
