● A Torontonian’s Guide to Halloween: 2022 Edition

Michael Aquilino English Journalist

As the temperature slowly begins to dip, the leaves vibrantly change colours and shortly thereafter feather down into piles of beautiful natural cushions which blanket Toronto’s many picturesque streets, and the once blazing midsummer sun sets a little sooner—the highly-awaited arrival of a blossomed Fall and its festivities comes about.

Thanksgiving, its many mouth-watering delicacies, and perhaps, indigestion, as well as being thankful for another much-deserved, yet premature Fall Reading Week, have already come and gone. While the lingering smells of stuffed turkeys may still haunt our homes, another cheerful (albeit, sometimes frightening) occasion lurks just around the corner: Halloween! It is almost once again time for Torontonians to carve their decorative pumpkins into hair-raising jack-o’-lanterns, watch (and rewatch) some scary/heartwarming movies (the Halloweentown series, of course), and pick out their best costumes for a night of spine-tingling fun. As children, Halloween entailed going door-to-door in search of sugary treats, and spending time acting as someone, or something, that we were not, and perhaps, someone, or something, that we aspired to be. Halloween night, and the days leading up to it in anticipation, was a time coupled with, to an extent, a sense of freedom—freedom to relish in the pure euphoria of being a child, without much of the pressure and troubles that come with being older. However, this is not to say that as we get older, we must leave our childhoods, and the joyous memories tied to them, behind. Instead, create new, just as exciting and eventful ones! As such, for those that seek spooky ideas on how to spend their Halloween night, and all the time in and around it, I have compiled a non-exhaustive list below of some of the ones that caught my eye!

1. Alone in the Dark Elgin and Winter

Garden Theatre Ghost Tours (189 Yonge Street, Toronto) These tours, running until the 27th of the month, allow guests to tour the famously haunted Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre. The tours grant exclusive access to the theatres and their beautifully adorned lobbies—that is, in the dark! If you feel up for this terrifying, yet incredible, experience, tickets cost $84.99 per person.

2. The Great Canadian Horror Film Festival (608 College Street, Toronto) This film festival, showcasing a variety of horror movies from around the world, will be sure to leave you hanging from your seat, or rather, snuggled deeply within it! This festival runs from October 28-29th at The Royal Theatre, and costs $22.23 per person.

3. Fall N’ Leaves (164 Bathurst Street, Toronto) This exciting and trendy pop-up spot is the place to be for all of your fall/ Halloween-themed munchies and refreshers. A cozy, partially-heated patio, Fall N’ Leaves is a pumpkin-lover’s paradise. Complete with a pumpkin patch, live music, and some menu options served in actual pumpkins, this insta-friendly/encouraged spot is a must-visit this Halloween season. Admission is free, and visits are welcome until October 31st!

4. Halloween at Black Creek Pioneer Village (1000 Murray Ross Parkway, North York) Halloween at the Village, hosted by Black Creek Pioneer Village, is located just around the corner from York’s Keele campus. Easily accessible for students at both Keele and, to an extent, Glendon, the Village is sure to fulfill all of your spooky desires this upcoming Halloween! Taking place on October 15th, 22nd, 29th, and 30th , visitors can immerse themselves in a true historic experience. There is something for everyone at the Village, with tickets costing $22 for adults, and $18 for children aged 3-14!

5. Black Lagoon Halloween Pop-up Bar (875 Bloor Street West, 2nd Floor, Toronto) The last, but certainly not least, attraction this Halloween season in Toronto, is for any aspiring, spooky party-goer! Open until Halloween night (7:00 p.m. until late), this Halloween-themed pop-up bar serves up the creepiest (according to the bar) cocktails in the city! With guests encouraged to dress in costume, and those that do granted free admission, the bar hosts nightly performances, creep-shows, and a mysterious back room!

This concludes my list of Halloween events around the city, which are sure to offer a great experience! I hope that, should you head on down to one of these attractions, you have an amazing time, and enjoy! As always, make sure to keep an eye and ear out for any changes regarding these attractions, and to stay safe and

Photo par fallnleavesto.com

aware! Have a healthy, safe, and happy Halloween, Glendon, and remember— some of the spookiest and most haunted places in the city are right here on campus! Happy Halloween!