What’s Happening?

by Trista Arney, Staff Writer

Family Halloween Events

With Thanksgiving over, we’re ready for Halloween!  The City of Calgary announced earlier in the month that Halloween celebrations would not be prohibited this year, but precautions should still be followed.

Whether you plan to get out and experience the fun events local businesses have coordinated or are planning to celebrate at home with your cohort, we hope that you will have a safe and enjoyable Halloween.  Local businesses have several events happening to celebrate this spooky season – some free and some with fees.

Remember to always evaluate Halloween activities for your child’s specific needs, as not all events are appropriate for all members of the family. Age ratings have been provided where possible. For a great article on assessing how scary is too scary, check out our Back-to-School edition; while this article is aimed around television and movies it offers some great insights that can be applicable for assessing any content.

Free Events

Spooktacular Halloween Celebration
New Horizon Mall
https://newhorizonmall.com/events
October 17, 2020

Together with Haunted Calgary New Horizon Mall is hosting a safe & spooky Halloween Celebration! Free family fun featuring a Haunted Dollhouse Scavenger Hunt, Photo Booths, Balloon Pumpkin Patch & Roaming Characters. Costumes are encouraged & masks are required for this event. Social distancing practices will be in place for the safety of our guests.

Cochrane Cares Halloween Fun Run
Mitford Pond
October 31, 2020
https://www.facebook.com/events/377215593285641

Celebrate the completion of the Kari Rose Running Clinic on October 31st by dressing up in your favorite costume, lacing up your running shoes, and participating in a fun walk/run in any location you desire! Then bring a donation to the Cochrane Food Bank at the Mitford Ponds parking lot to celebrate your success between 8:30am and 12pm! This event is suitable for the whole family!

Samhain Market & Trick-or-Treating
Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association
https://www.facebook.com/events/1223563484504237
October 31, 2020

This is Halloween, this is Halloween!!! on this most auspicious day the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association offers you a myriad of wears and a public trick or treat for the kids! The vendors have worked hard all year so bring the family, come dressed in your best and leave prepared for a most wonderful night ahead!

HCA Halloween Extravaganza
Hawkwood Community Association
https://www.facebook.com/events/1463679657171022
October 31. 2020

Hawkwood Community Association is hosting a FREE fun Community Event. Featuring pumpkin carving, house decorating, and costume competitions. Further details to be released closer to the event.

Halloween Scavenger Hunt
Lake Bonavista Homeowners Association
https://www.facebook.com/events/2694458260803650
October 31, 2020

Join the Lake Bonavista Homeowners Association’s annual Halloween Scavenger Hunt to be held Saturday October 31st from 1pm – 4pm. This year will be better than ever with Grave Yards, Pumpkin Patches and lots of other spooky destinations to visit. Prizes for those kiddos who finish.

Paid Events

Monster March
Across Calgary (In Support of the Children’s Cottage Society)
https://monstermarchfundraiser.causevox.com/
October 1 – October 31
Price: $10

This year’s event is bigger and better than ever, as the Monster March becomes Monster Month. This annual fundraising event has been reimagined as a month-long, city-wide campaign. Together, with friends all over YYC, Wee Wild Ones hopes to raise $50,000 CAD for the Children’s Cottage Society!

Calgary Ghost Walks
Various Locations
https://www.calgaryghostwalks.com/
October 2 – October 31
Price: $15-22 (Children 6+ can attend at parents’ discretion)

Join Calgary Ghost Tours for an evening of ghostly entertainment. Locals and visitors alike will be fascinated by these glimpses into the mischief, mayhem, and murders of Calgary. All of the stories are researched by this local group and will be enjoyed even by skeptics. Tours include many local ghost stories and local history, are wheelchair accessible and are suitable for children (as long as they are not prone to nightmares).

Haunted Calgary: The Devil’s DRIVE-IN Halloween Experience
New Horizon Mall
https://www.hauntedcalgary.org/
October 10 – October 31
Price: $50 / vehicle (Various experiences including all ages and 12+)

This year, Haunted Calgary is reimagining what a haunted attraction may look like, bringing you terror like never before – all from the safety of your parked vehicle!  This is Calgary’s first drive-in immersive Halloween experience, where you can choose your own nightmare!  With three original theatrical productions to choose from, including a family-friendly option, there is something for everyone.  Buckle up because once you are parked, you will be plunged into a 7-minute story from which there is no escape. Tickets are available by online presale only.

Field of Screams
Cobb’s Corn Maze
October 16 – October 31
https://fieldofscreams.ca/
Price: $26 (Suitable for all ages)

Field of Screams is turning Cobb’s Adventure Park into a terrifying, thrilling and spine-tingling terror show. This Halloween inspired outdoor event is sure to bring horrifying fear into the hearts of attendees looking to roam 20 acres at night and test their bravery in our haunted houses. Suitable for all ages, Field of Screams features 6 nightmare-inducing haunted houses. There are also, rides, activities, food & drinks and much more! Tickets must be pre-purchased online and masks are required in all indoor spaces.

WinSport Spooktacular Grim Mini Golf
WinSport
October 16 – Nov 1
https://www.winsport.ca/activities/summer/minigolf_7mruw4.cfm
Price: $12

Come enjoy a safe, spooktacular family-friendly round of mini golf at WinSport! Starting October 16th, our fun, intermediate 18-hole outdoor course will transform into a Halloween extravaganza. (Brought to you by the makers of Grim Manor). The course will be well lit and challenge all ages and abilities while offering a safe Halloween activity. Dress up and get into the Halloween spirit! It’s a spooktacular good time for the entire family! Timed tickets are available in advance online, and there will be limited capacity for walk-up admission.

Dash of Doom
Eau Claire Market
October 25 – October 31, 2020
https://www.facebook.com/events/807095066473039
Price: By donation

Run Calgary invites you to be a part of Calgary’s virtual Dash of Doom!

Your virtual run or walk can be completed anywhere, and on any surface (trail, road, treadmill, track) anytime during the race period – October 25-31, 2020. This is a family-friendly and pet-friendly, Halloween-themed virtual event. Families, dogs, and strollers are all encouraged to don their creative costumes and take part in this race supporting AARCS.

Ghouls Night Out
Heritage Park
October 28 – October 31, 2020
https://www.heritagepark.ca/plan-your-visit/event-calendar/ghouls-night-out
Price: $7.95+

Ghouls’ Night Out is perfect for families with little ghouls who are looking for some safe, family-friendly Halloween fun! 6-9pm Wednesday and Thursday, 5-9pm Friday and Saturday

Walk through the dark and decorated streets of Heritage Park and enjoy eight outdoor shows featuring some beloved characters! Take home spooky craft kits, play a monster sized game of Operation and walk- if you dare- through Tinkerman’s funhouse! New this year: Saturday night’s admission includes trick or treating at some of the historical buildings in the Park!

ZooBOO
Calgary Zoo
October 30 – November 1, 2020
https://www.calgaryzoo.com/events/zooboo-and-halloween-brunch
Price: Regular Admission

ZooBOO is a chance for your kids to dress up early, trick-or-treat at the zoo, and enjoy seeing their favorite animals. The best part? Your kiddo gets to have fun while supporting wildlife conservation! Treat stations throughout the zoo where Zoo Staff will be ready to hand out some treats! For kids 12 and under only. There will also be a photo contest where you can win tickets to ZooLights and more!

Both parents and children are encouraged to dress up and have fun, however adult full body costumes, full face masks, and blow up costumes are not permitted to be worn on zoo grounds.

Halloween Howler
Revolution Dance Studios
October 31, 2020
https://www.facebook.com/events/583925425664811
Price: $30 (Ages 3+)

Put on your costume and join Revolution Dance Studios for some COVID friendly Halloween fun! Read a (not-so-spooky) Halloween story, play some games and dance along to some Halloween music.

No experience necessary! Wear comfortable clothes (or your Halloween costume) and clean indoor runners, or bare feet. Pre-registration is required.