Vancouver Island Halloween Activities and Events

2026 Vancouver Island Halloween Activities

When rounding up all the spooktacular Halloween activities here on Vancouver Island, I'm constantly amazed by the incredible diversity of options available. We Islanders sure know how to embrace this pumpkin-infused extravaganza!

Whether you're looking for a ghoulishly good time or a family-friendly event, rest assured you'll find something in your neck of the woods.

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Victoria Halloween Activities and Events

The Greater Victoria area has the most variety of activities to choose from. If you are looking for spooky ways to get into the Halloween spirit, the South Island is the place to be!

Galey Farms Pumpkinfest

Location: Saanich (4150 Blenkinsop Road, Victoria)

Join Galey Farms for their Pumpkinfest and kid-friendly ghost town. It is a great place to bring your family for Halloween fun and adventure.

• Enjoy a hayride out to the pumpkin patch
• Lose yourself in the 6-acre corn maze.
• Explore the animated ghost town and haunted mansion
• Take a ride on the farm train
• Grab a snack at the Market

Enjoy the ‘Festival of Fear ‘ for the older crowd (PG 13). This evening event adds extra spookiness to the Corn Maze and Farm Train. The pumpkin patch closes during the evening.

And for the really brave souls out there, buy your Carnevil tickets.

Carnevil terrifies visitors as they wander through a 5,000-square-foot Haunted House! This is a PG-13 event with three chicken exits for those who need it.

Head to the Galey Farms website for ticket prices and further information.

Ghostly Walking Tours

Location: Entrance to Market Square (560 Johnson Street, Victoria)

Hear ghostly stories as you go on a guided walking tour through the streets and alleys of Victoria. Although this tour is available year-round, a special Halloween route happens in October.

The Ghostly Walks are family-friendly and operate rain or shine.

Drawing from personal experience, I can attest that these ghostly walking tours are exceptionally well done!

For more information and to book your tour, please visit Ghostly Walking Tours.

Ghostly Pedicab Tour

Location: Government Street, outside the Visitor Center

Discover hidden alleys and local curios in Victoria's Old Town and Chinatown districts on a 75-minute pedicab tour.

As you're guided through the city in a comfortable pedicab, you'll listen to hair-raising ghost stories from centuries past and gain insight into the city's colourful history.

For more information and to book your tour at the lowest price guaranteed, please visit Chinatown and Hidden Alleys Peditour.

Halloween Market

Location: Da Vinci Centre – 195 Bay Street, Victoria

Dates: October 24-25, 2026

The Halloween Market is now a much-anticipated annual event. Admission is $5.00, and kids 12 and under are free. You can repurchase your tickets online via the Halloween Market website.

Many vendors, including food trucks, will be selling handmade items ranging from spooky to sweet. Throughout the day, a DJ will spin a mix of favourite tracks and spooky tunes.

Costumes are encouraged!

Craigdarroch Castle: The After Hours Tour

Location: Craigdarroch Castle (1050 Joan Crescent, Victoria)

Join this unforgettable journey into the shadows of history and discover the darker side of the 19th century.

Curiosities of Craigdarroch offers visitors a unique opportunity to delve into the darker stories surrounding the Dunsmuir family and their experiences during the Victorian era. This ninety-minute tour, led by an expert guide, takes small groups through the historic Craigdarroch Castle after its regular closing time.

Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Wicked Victoria

Location: Government Street, Victoria

Date: Sunday, October 25, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Celebrating the 12th Annual Wicked Victoria! From Yates Street to Broughton, Government Street will be crawling with spooky crafts, creepy-and-creative costume contests (including one for our ever-loving Fur Babies!), tantalizing live tunes, and kooky local vendors.

This fun, family-friendly event brings together the community and celebrates the season of harvest and Hallow's Eve. It's also completely free to attend!

Halloween Pumpkin Express at Heritage Acres, Saanichton

All aboard for a little Halloween fun! The Vancouver Island Model Engineers bring their miniature trains to Heritage Acres for three days of festive fall rides. These are the final public train days of the season before the trains tuck away for winter.

The Whistle Stop serves food during the event, so you can grab a bite before or after your ride. This outing focuses on the trains, with the museum buildings closed and no additional entertainment planned.

When: October 16–17, 4–8 p.m.; October 18, 2–6 p.m. Gates open 30 minutes beforehand.
Where: Heritage Acres, 7321 Lochside Drive, Saanichton
Cost: $10 per vehicle, plus $3 per person for train rides. Children must be at least two years old to ride.

The event runs weather permitting, and leashed dogs are welcome.

Legends of Halloween at Haunted Manor, Victoria

Haunted Manor adds a Halloween twist to its mini-golf and ping-pong venue as the Legends of Halloween escape Halloweenville and take over McKinnley Manor. Join a demon host for an immersive adventure featuring spooky characters and frightful fun for the whole family.

Arrive early to enjoy a beverage in the newly themed Parlour Lounge before your adventure begins.

When: September 21–November 3
Where: Haunted Manor: Mini-Golf & Ping Pong Lounge, 711 Yates Street, Victoria
Tickets: Prices vary. Visit Haunted Manor for booking information.

A-Scare-ium of the Salish Sea, Sidney

Trick-or-treat under the sea at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea! This all-ages Halloween event transforms the aquarium with eerie lighting and spooky displays that keep the scares gentle. Search for sunken jack-o’-lanterns, collect treats and show off your costume while supporting the New Marine Centre Society and Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank.

Bring your own treat bag, and consider arriving later in the evening for a quieter experience.

When: October 23, 2026, doors open at 4:30 p.m.; last entry at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, 9811 Seaport Place, Sidney
Cost: By donation; suggested contribution of $5–$10 per person
More information: A-Scare-ium of the Salish Sea

Halloween Spooktacular at Victoria Butterfly Gardens

Put on your costume and head into the jungle for a family-friendly Halloween celebration at Victoria Butterfly Gardens. Explore the Halloween decorations, follow a scavenger hunt and meet some fascinating, often misunderstood insects at a keeper-hosted discovery table.

The first 100 costumed children to complete the scavenger hunt receive a full-sized chocolate bar, with smaller candies available afterwards while supplies last. Face painting adds to the fun, with donations of non-perishable food or $5–$10 encouraged to support Rainbow Kitchen.

When: October 31, 2026, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where: Victoria Butterfly Gardens
Cost: Activities included with regular admission; available as supplies and time permit.
More information: Halloween Spooktacular

Cowichan Valley Halloween Events

Halloween Spooktacular Train

Location: BC Forest Discovery Centre – 2892 Drinkwater Rd, North Cowichan

When: 3:30 to 9:30 pm during the dates below

• Oct 16-20
• Oct 23-26
• Oct 28-30

Halloween magic is happening with an exciting event for families with eleven nights of Halloween fun!

Doors open at 3:30 pm, and the trains run every half hour from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm, with the Centre closing shortly after. If you're on a later train, arrive an hour early to take part in all the events around the Centre.

Each evening includes crafts in the schoolhouse, train rides, trick-or-treat stations for the little ones, and live entertainment. As always, you can buy lots of hot chocolate, coffee, and hot food, so you can sit back, watch the fun, and enjoy the warmth of the fire pits.

Feel free to dress up in your best costume!

This event happens rain or shine.

Tickets are non-refundable and ONLY AVAILABLE ONLINE.

Big Shop of Horrors Haunted House

Love a good scare? The Big Shop of Horrors brings theatrical Halloween thrills to the Cowichan Exhibition grounds in Duncan, with the added bonus of supporting local charities.

What started as a small haunted room in a family’s basement has grown into a community event powered by volunteers who love Halloween. Over the years, the non-profit society has donated well over $100,000 to local charities, so every visit helps turn spooky fun into something good for the Cowichan Valley.

This year, they also added a behind-the-scenes tour for those who want to see the scenes without the live actors and jump scares. This particular tour is good for all ages.

For all the details and to purchase tickets, visit The Big Shop of Horrors website.

Nanaimo Halloween Activities and Events

Lantern Tours

Location: Nanaimo Museum

Dates: On select evenings in October, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm (90-minute tour)

The Haunted Nanaimo Lantern Tour includes tales of unexplained phenomena, mysterious apparitions, and spooktacular stories.

This is a mostly outdoor walking tour of downtown Nanaimo that explores the darker side of its history while visiting local landmarks.

Cost: $15 per person

Age: 12 years+ recommended (mature content)

Duration: 90 minutes – rain or shine

Please visit the Nanaimo Museum for more information and to book tickets. This is a very popular event and sells out each year.

Haunted Maze Walk

Location: 2976 Lofthouse Road, Cedar

Date: Oct 30 & 31, from 4:00 – 10:00 pm

Brought to you by the Van Isle Clean Team, this fun, haunted Halloween walk is for brave souls. This year, they are adding earlier walks for little ones who want to walk in daylight and for those who want fewer scares.

If, for some reason, you don't want the full effect, let the people at the gate know, and they will take it easier on you (less scary).

However, this is the right place for you if you want a good scare!

There is candy, hot chocolate, a bonfire, and fireworks. Entry is by donation.

Notable Halloween Haunted House Display

Steve and Penny Jones take Halloween decorating to another level at their Nanaimo home near Meredith Road. Their front yard becomes a walk-through haunted house filled with eerie lights, sound effects and animatronic characters. Homemade props add to the fun, including popping clowns and a photo bench with a few surprises!

Back for its sixth year in 2026, the display attracts thousands of visitors throughout October. The decorations operate daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with later hours on weekends and Halloween night.

Parksville & Qualicum Area

Nanoose Bay Halloween Walk

Location: 2525 Northwest Bay Road.

The Nanoose Bay Halloween Walk returns for its final year in 2026, wrapping up 20 years of community scares and Halloween fun. Follow a pumpkin-lit path through BumbleBees Farm, where flying ghosts, a giant spider, witches and other spooky characters await.

Choose the milder Spooky Walk or continue into the more intense Scary Walk, which isn’t suitable for children six and under. For little ones, the daytime sessions offer a chance to explore without monsters jumping out. The walk takes approximately 20–35 minutes, with cookies for children while supplies last and a concession selling hot chocolate and hot dogs.

The event supports Nanoose Bay Elementary School and the Ballenas Whalers Football Society.

2026 dates: October 23–25, from 6:30–9:30 p.m. Daytime walks run October 24–25, from noon–2 p.m.

Trick or Treat (Early) at Parksville Museum

Location: Parksville Museum – 1245 E Island HighwayParksville

Date: October 30, from 5:00 – 7:30 pm

Trick-or-treaters can go door to door in the Museum’s decorated and lit-up village. Make sure to dress up in your costume for goodies, activities, live music, and, most importantly, candy. This is a family-friendly event with admission by donation (suggested $5.00 per person) and is open to the public.

Parking is available in the museum/Visitor Centre parking lot, along NW Bay Road, and in the gravel lot next to Serious Coffee. 

Scarecrow Spectacular

Location: Milner Gardens – 340 Whitmee Rd, Qualicum Beach

Dates: October 15-18, from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, with viewing until 3:30 pm.

Cost: $10.00/Adult | $6.00/Youth | Children, current VIU Students, and Milner Members are free.

Milner Garden’s Scarecrow Spectacular brings more fall fun to the community. This event provides another occasion for families to come together and make memories.

Visitors are encouraged to dress up in costume, wander the Scarecrow Lane through the Haunted Gardens and vote on their favourite spooktacular scarecrow!

Accompanied by a menu of harvest-themed food and beverage offerings and other festive activities, it’s sure to be a Graveyard Smash.

Pumpkins on the Drive

Location: Resort Drive, Parksville

Dates: October 28 – November 1

Walk or drive along Resort Drive in Parksville for a spooktacular family fun night!

Jack-o-Lanterns will be lit in front of Tigh-Na-Mara Resort for five nights starting October 28.

Halloween Mini Putt

Location: Riptide Lagoon Adventure Golf – 1000 Resort Drive, Parksville

Dates: October 24 – 30, from 3:00 to 8:00 pm

Riptide is transforming its mini golf courses into haunted havens perfect for a night or day of spooky entertainment! The courses will be decked out in eerie decorations that will give you chills as you go through haunted fairways.

Kids under six play for free; everyone else is $12.00 per round.

Coombs Candy Walk

Location: 1014 Ford Road, Coombs

Date: October 31, from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

This popular event includes:

• Indoor Trick or Treating
• Cake Walk
• Photo Booth
• Concession
• Fireworks (start at 8:00 pm)
• Haunted House (admission is seperate)

The event is by donation. For the latest information, visit the Coombs Candy Walk on Facebook.

Comox Valley Halloween Events

Coastal Black Pumpkin Fest

Location: Black Creek (2186 Endall Road)

Dates: September 26 – October 31 – Thursdays to Mondays, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Visit this winery for their annual Pumpkin Fest, perfect for the whole family.

Activities include a Hay Wagon Ride, 2 Corn Mazes, Fall Festive games in the event barn, a Jumping Pillow, a Hay Bale Maze, Live Music and visiting the Barnyard Animals. 

Please visit Coastal Black's website for further information and purchase event tickets.

Halloween Parade & Party

Location: Downtown Courtenay

Date: October 31, from 1:00 – 3:30 pm

Get on your broomstick and follow the witches and black cats to the annual Courtenay Halloween Parade and Party. Courtenay Recreation puts on this family-friendly event in partnership with the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association (DCBIA).

Start in Downtown Courtenay with a Trick-or-Treating Parade at downtown businesses on 4th, 5th, and 6th streets, and then make your way to the Lewis Centre for the party.

• Activities Included:
  • Halloween-themed crafts in the Crafty Cauldron
  • Inflatable obstacle course, bean bag toss, and gym games
  • Face painting with Brenna from VI FacePainting

Comox Halloween Costume Parade

When: October 31, from 3:30 – 5:30 pm

Grab your costumes and bring the kids to downtown Comox for an afternoon of trick-or-treating and Halloween fun. Local shops hand out treats, while games such as Mummy Pumpkin Bowling, Witches Hat Toss and Ghost Toss add to the festivities.

A highlight is the Witches Walk and Witches Dance flash mob. Watch the performance outside The Mill Coffee or join the dance practice beforehand at the Comox Marina Park pagoda. The witches then head up Harbour Greenway to join the Halloween Costume Parade.

Time: Trick-or-treating and activities run from 3:30–5:30 p.m. Dance practice starts at 2 p.m., with the flash mob performance at 4:30 p.m.

Even More Fun…

Vancouver Island Pumpkin Patches

For a full list of pumpkin patches found on Vancouver Island, read Vancouver Island Pumpkin Patches. Or check out our Vancouver Island Fall Bucket List for some other fantastic fall activities.

Do you know of any other Vancouver Island Halloween Events or Activities?

If you know of an event that should be included in this list, please get in touch with me or leave it in the comments below.

This post will continue to be updated as I learn of new events. So make sure to keep checking back!