Halloween (or similar holidays and traditions) is celebrated in various forms around the world. Still, there's something uniquely magical about the holiday in North America, where children and adults alike don costumes, stuff their faces with candy and scare themselves silly.
Whether this is your first Halloween in Montreal or your 50th, and whether you prefer wholesome family fun or shaking-in-your-boots thrills, there's something happening next week that will be sure to get you in the holiday spirit. And if none of these activities strike your fancy, there's at least the discount candy to look forward to on November!
An annual tradition at E-QIP, pumpkin carving is as easy as obtaining a few tools and a pumpkin to carve (artistic skills are optional). Carving kits can be found at most large supermarkets or department stores, and you'll be able to find pumpkins at markets or anywhere fruits and veggies are sold. We especially love the kiosk next to the Mont-Royal metro station for its adorable autumn atmosphere, but any pumpkins will do. There's no wrong way to carve a pumpkin, but there are plenty of tutorials available online if you're in need of inspiration!
Corn mazes are a fall fun staple in Canada, and the escape room-esque mazes at Le Verger Labonté, an orchard just over an hour from Montreal, are some of the best in the area. This year's three mazes are space-themed and range from 20 minutes to two hours; an admission ticket includes access to all three, if you're up for the challenge!
What would Halloween in Montreal be without a trip to Cinéma Impérial to see (and participate in) a full screening and performance of the Rocky Horror Picture Show? Guests are encouraged to dress in costume, bring props and participate with dancing and line callbacks as the cast performs the songs in front of a screening of the film. Tickets for the screenings (which will take place on October 31 and November 1 this year) always go fast, so get yours while they last.
You can't celebrate Halloween without a few ghosts. In addition to its three 90-minute-long ghost walks (which take place downtown, in Griffintown and on Mount Royal), Haunted Montreal also offers haunted pub crawls every Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Thanks to its long, sometimes dark history, Montreal is home to countless hair-raising tales and legends, many of which are described to dramatic effect on Haunted Montreal's tours.
Why settle for a costumed mummy when you can see the real thing right here in Montreal? Visit the Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives exhibit at Montreal Museum of Fine Arts to see over 200 pieces on loan from the British Museum's Egyptian collection, including five coffins and six mummies. The exhibit runs until February, but what better time to check it out than the lead up to all hallows eve?
