Halloween weekend is here and it’s full of exciting events and activities! On top of that, the weather can’t be better! Here you have a list of events so you can start planning a memorable Halloween after the two-year pandemic hiatus. Have fun!
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1. Day of the Dead Festival
Expect to experience much of the rich Mexican culture: folkloric dances, tequila tastings, Mexican cuisine, Mariachi performances, exhibitions, workshops and much more! Where: At Byward Market. Oct 28-30. FREE. Check out: dayofthedeadfestival.ca
2. Treat or trick with the Mayor
Put on a costume for this Halloween event with Mayor Jim Watson at City Hall. You’ll meet some popular costume characters. Oct 29 from 5-8pm. FREE, but bring a non-perishable donation and your own treat bag. Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier St. W. Heritage Building (Elgin Street) and Jean Pigott Place.
3. Day of the Dead at Lansdowne
Live music, shows and performances, plus the Ballet Folclorico Aztlán from Mexico presents its dance show. Where: At the Horticulture Building in Lansdowne Park. Oct 29 from 7pm to 10pm. Address: 1525 Princess Patricia Way. FREE.
4. Atletico Ottawa vs FC Forge
Atletico Ottawa is in the final and could make history if it wins this soccer game of the Canadian Premier League. Oct 30 at 6pm. At TD Place.
5. Flymarket
Vintage shopping event at Urban Outfitters. Oct 29-30 from 12pm to 5pm. FREE. Check out @therealflymarket and @uo.ottawa
6. Monster Mystery at the Museum
Explore the Billings Estate National Historic Site grounds while completing puzzles, games, and activities in a fun, self-guided family adventure. Oct 29-30 from 10am to 3pm. Best suited for kids 10 and under. PAID. Details: @billingsestate on Facebook.
7. Day of the Dead in Gatineau
Two days of celebration, activities, workshops and more, showcasing Mexican cultural heritage. Family-friendly activities, folkloric dancing, traditional music, speeches in English, French and Spanish. Where: Maison du Citoyen, Ville de Gatineau, 25 rue Laurier, Gatineau, QC. Oct 29 from 12am to 4pm, and Oct 30 from 11-4pm FREE. Check out: UNAM Canada on Facebook.
8. A Barnyard Halloween
Bring the whole family to the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum for Halloween. Make some ghoulish treats, create a creepy craft, learn all about bats, enjoy a barn dance, and visit a spooky barn. Join the costume parade and choose your very own pumpkin to bring home. Oct 29-30 from 9:30am to 4pm. PAID. Details: https:///agriculture/events/a-barnyard-halloween
9. Redblacks vs Hamilton Tiger Cats
Last regular football game of the season. Dress up as a scary ghoul and enjoy this theme game. Where: TD Place. Saturday Oct 29 at 5pm.
10. Ottawa Wedding Show
Meet a wide range of wedding professionals at EY Center on Oct 29 and 30 from 11am to 4pm. Tickets 15 dollars + fees. Check out: @ottawaweddingshow on Instagram
11. Filibro Canada
Spanish Book Fair in Canada (Feria Iberoamericana del Libro en Canadá). Oct 29. Exhibition and sale of books between 10am and 5pm. Literary and artistic events from 10am to 8pm. Where: At Arts Court, 2 Daly Avenue. FREE. Details here: filibrocanada.com
12. One World Bazaar
An old barn has been converted into an international marketplace with goods from all over the globe. It runs every weekend until November 20th. Where: 6110 Mitch Owens Rd. Manotick. FREE. Check out: oneworldbazaar.ca
13. Goblin Party
Korean contemporary dance performance at the Canadian Museum of History. Oct 29 at 7pm. FREE admission, RSVP required. Check out: http://canada.korean-culture.org
14. Turkish Bazaar
Delicious homemade Turkish food and more. Sunday, Oct 30 from 11:00am to 5:00pm at the Ottawa Turkish Community Center, 335 Michael Cowpland Drive, Kanata.
15. Halloween Princess Brunch
Meet the princesses for a magical Halloween brunch. Tickets 40 dollars per child and 25 dollars per adult. Where: Woodroffe United Church, 207 Woodroffe Ave, Ottawa. Tickets here: https://www.ottawaprincessparties.com/book/halloween-brunch
16. Ottawa Mystic Market
Tarot readers, psychics, crystals, books, decor, clothing, accessories, oddities, and more.
Saturday, Oct 29, from 10am to 4pm. Where: Churchill Senior Center, 345 Richmond Rd, Ottawa. By Donation.
More Halloween events and activities
The Sawmill 2 Haunted Experience
An underground haunted experience event. Starts on October 7 and runs to Oct 31. At Lansdowne park. Tickets from 28 dollars. Not recommended for children under 12. There will be food trucks, drinks, and a spooky fall setting for the public. Check out: sawmillhaunt.ca
Proulx Farm Pumpkin Fest
It goes on weekends from 10am to 5pm until Oct 31. Address: 1865 O’ Toole Rd. Ottawa. Check out: @fermeproulxfarm
Cannamore Orchard “Acres of Terror”.
It goes from Wednesday night until Sunday Oct 30. Four attractions: Spooky Wagon Ride, House of Terror, Fog Maze, and Spooky Village. Address: 1480 County Rd 32, Embrun, ON. Visit their IG account @cannamoreorchard
Halloween au Parc Omega
Costumed characters, spooky ambiance, tales for kids, candy, costumes contest, food truck and much more. Oct 28 and 29 from 6pm. Address: 399 Route 323 Nord, Montebello. QC. Check out: @parcomega
Saunders Farm
Featuring its Pumpkin Days and FrightFest with lots of haunted attractions. Address: 7893 Bleeks Road, Ottawa. From 48 dollars (FrightFest) and 27 dollars (Pumpkin days).
Upper Canada Village
“Pumpkinferno”. An amazing outdoor show of thousands of glowing pumpkins. Address: 13740 County Rd 2 Morrisburg ON. $20.