Haunted Halloween Attractions in Toronto
Out of the hundreds of things that happen every year around Halloween in Toronto, my favourite attractions have been, and always will be, haunted houses. No two are ever the same, and they never fail to entertain. Even though I absolutely hate it when people jump out at me, the anticipation is always the worst and I end up laughing at myself. Or swearing under my breath. It varies.
After working at a haunted house last year, I've become slightly infatuated with the whole idea, and think they're far too underrated. This year there's quite a few major haunts I plan to check out over the next month.
Nightmare On Queen St 2 (Oct 24-26, and Oct 19-Nov1)
For the second year in a row, Nightmare on Queen St 2 is created by Playdead Cult and Darkside. They're well-known for doing things a little differently at the mansion. Not only are there the usual haunt monsters, but I'll also be able to get up-close and personal with blood and gore courtesy of some of the best SPFX artists in the city. I was a part of this last year, and if past experience has anything to say, it's going to be awesome. Admission is $10. All Ages.
The Haunted Adventure (Oct weekends, Fri-Sun except the 12th)
The Haunted Adventure at Magic Hill Farm in Stouffville has been tried tested and true for 18 years as one of the original haunts around. These tend to be the creepiest, since it's a forest and an actual old stone barn rather than a set up building. I grew up going to farm haunts, and they're very effective. Trust me. And who doesn't love a haunted hay ride? Just don't let Cavendish get ya. Admission is $14-$38 depending on how many attractions you want to see, kids cost less as usual. Parking is free.
Screemers (Oct 17-Nov1)
Screemers is the behemoth haunt in Toronto. Boasting six main attractions this year along with a mini-carnival fondly known as "The Field of Screams", Screemers has been running solid for 15 years at Exhibition Place. Features include "The Black Hole", "The Asylum", and apparently a chainsaw in there somewhere. I'm too scared to go to this thanks to my friends warning me about certain things, so I'll just...uh...wait here, you guys tell me how it is. Admission is $28.50. Ages 10 and up.
Canada's Wonderland (Oct 1-Nov1, Fri-Sun)
Canada's Wonderland is also becoming a major stop, raking up over 10,000 visitors last year. They claim it's never the same as previous years, so stay on your toes and don't be "that guy" who isn't scared because they "totally remember it from last year" (side note: those guys always get scared, haha). Features ten mazes and a live show. Admission is $24-$42 depending on if you want a meal deal. No, you can't get in for free with a Season Pass, as convenient as that would be.
Casa Loma's Haunted Mansion (Oct 29-30)
Haunted Mansion at Casa Loma is an option for the tamer crowd, and those with kids. The castle features a Spooky Attic, Dragon's Den, Magic Mirror, and Ghouls and Goblins around every corner. There are also a few live shows to see at various points throughout the day, such as "Magic Mike" the magician and "Frankenstein" presented by the Men in Tights. Admission is $12 for adults, $7.50 for seniors/youths, and kids are $6.76. "Frankenstein" is $2 for adults, $1 for kids. Get all that?
Feel free to add any haunts in the comments below I may have missed!
Photos by IrenaS, lockphilip, jefe46, and mountainhiker, and hauntedadventure.com.
Comments (19)
Thank you SO much for posting this, I love haunted houses. We went to Screemers last year and the first house we went into I have never been so scared. And the clownhouse...ugh, I hate clowns and I was freaked out. Not to mention the stuff that goes on outside the haunted houses...great to check out at least once in your lifetime!
Yeah awesome post! I've been to Wonderland for two years now and it's fun indeed. It has been very similar from year to year so I'm interested to see what's new... yes, I still get scared regardless. Nightmare on Queen St 2 sounds very cool - I'll have to check that out especially since it's right in the city!
There is usually a really god one on Florence Street! (across from 77 florence Building). Florence is just north of Queen and Brock.
I hope they do it again this year!
Dont' forget the "real" ghosts of Toronto. Muddy tours does a great haunted tour of the city and UofT. Mackenzie house ("haunted" by Mackenzie himself and his wife?) is doing a tour of haunted Toronto that finishes with a tour of the house!
I'm more interested in the "real" haunted houses. I always thought that my imagination was scarier than the bogeyman jumping out of the corner and screaming "boo".
Do you have any listings of "real" haunted houses or places we can visit on Halloween?!?
Some nice photos here. The shot of Canada's Wonderland is great. (who's is it, btw). And eventhough the photo of Casa Loma is taken in the daytime, in the context of this article it brings to mind a shot from the film "The Innocents" (1961). A suitably creepy film for this time of year.
To help you get in the dressing up mood early there is also the Toronto Zombie Walk on Sunday October 19th:
http://www.torontozombiewalk.ca/
@Paige: For sure! Roger and I are doing a big post about the Zombie Walk this year. Big Review and LOTS of photos. :)
@Eve: There will be a post dedicated to just that topic going up within the next little while.
@O: The shot was taken by jefe46 via Flickr. It's gorgeous, isn't it?
Warning to Parents about Magic Hill / Haunted Advenure -- They are very Birthday Party UNFRIENDLY. They'll gladly sell you a block of tickets in advance, but if some kids can't attend, they'll just say "too bad -- find some others." Suffice it to say that we are VERY disappointed and upset.
We ended up taking two sets of kids (the birthday party kids and another batch with the unrefundable tickets). Suggest the ideal age is 10 - 12. After that age they'll find it lame. Also, the it only takes 10 - 15 minutes for each attraction so $24 for three attractions lasts lasts less than an hour -- not a very good value.
The only truthful thing on their website is it is a terrifying place -- poor value and worse customer service.
Hey Laura, It's great to hear you will be there. Hopefully the weather will cooperate.
Keep an eye out for me and my crew (yeah right-among the 1000's of zombies). I will be a dead fisherman!
See you Sunday (maybe) :)
I Love Halloween!! Has anyone been to screamers at Exhibition Place in Toronto? Is it worth checking out? I found a great Halloween Party Guide at http://www.clubpath.com/. Shows a detailed listing of all Halloween events in Toronto
Hey Bryan,
I went to both Wonderland (am I allowed to mention it? it's not Toronto lol)and Screemers this year. I think both are worth checking out. That being said we could have different ideas about what is good! I went this past Saturday to Screemers and by 10 or 11 most of the indoor mazes had big line ups. I would recommend going this weekend if you can and be there when it opens. They have a $5off coupon on their site under the "all the chilling details" tab (not valid on Halloween). I thought the mazes were really good (the themes they chose and what they did in them). I did all the mazes but the Asylum (line up was too long). The 3D one had great effects (if you wear the 3D glasses they provide). Some outdoor carnival rides are also included in the price. They checked off the maze as you went in so I think you can only do each maze once but I could be wrong. I didn't try to go in anything 2x. Feel free to ask anything else you may want to know.
Hey Ed,
They are both different in how they do things. Wonderland has more mazes but they are spread out all over the park so you could spend 1/2 your night walking around trying to find them (they did have people holding tall poles with signs on them at the entrance to each maze which helped).
The scare at Wonderland seems to be more about the people scaring and not the maze. The mazes are not as decorated or detailed as the ones at the ex (I think) but you can go through the ones at Wonderland multiple times if you want to. The rides are more extensive at Wonderland (there's about 14-16 coasters you can ride) and are fun to ride at night.
So (in conclusion lol) if you're into rides (or quantity of things to do) I would recommend Wonderland but if you like detail (which I do)or not having to walk around a lot or if you like being warm (the Screemers mazes are inside a building-except for the maniac maze) then I would go to the Ex.
Does that help? lol
We are having a Halloween Costume Swap! To join in the fun, check out http://www.SwapSity.ca. Happy Halloween!!
get this might be a dumb question, but are you allowed to wear a Halloween costume when you go to screemers? i know you can't when you go to wonderland, but was thinking maybe screemers is different
Hi Kevin,
I'm not sure (don't remember but didn't see any when I went) and the screemers site didn't say anything but I would doubt that you are allowed too,
Have a great Halloween!
I have put together an almost instant art show, Dreams & Nightmares is an ongoing Halloween Art Show. This is the 10th. It features the work of Menno Krant, Runt, Noxious, Bad Pixie, Beth Learn, Jungle Ling, Charles Taylor, Krystina Hunter. This year it's in an impromptu gallery located in behind 781 Queen St. E. I call the Back Space. Located three blocks east of Broadview Ave on the south side, turn down the lane way beside the bridal shop, then turn right (walk - no cars allowed in lane). You can google some of the artists to see their style. Not for children. Saturday 10am - 7pm, Sunday 10am - 4pm. Drop by for some hot and spicy apple cider
View More Events
Suggest an Event
Join the blogTO Flickr group
Join the blogTO YouTube Group
RSS