Showing posts with label Halloween events. Show all posts
An Old-School List of Things To Do During Halloween
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| Photo courtesy of: Nick Taylor |
Did you know that over half of the world doesn’t celebrate Halloween? (Well, now, you know!) Of course, that does not mean it is less important than other annual celebrations.
Because the country where I was born does not celebrate Halloween, it was one of the exciting things I had looked forward to when I first came to Canada. I had heard fantastical tales all about the wonders about this festival which gives free, yes FREE, candy to children as long as they dress up. When the day actually came along, I was more than self-conscious about wearing a bright-orange smiling pumpkin (though I was only 11). Of course, there was nothing to be scared about; Halloween is great fun, always spiced with scary stories, regularly filled with autumn treats, and there is never a lack of things to do. Ever year, Vancouver offers various events and activities that enliven the Halloween spirit in the city.
The Fright Nights at Playland is one of the quintessential Halloween events that a typical Vancouverite goes to every year. I think it is overrated, but it is a great experience to have; you get to experience free rides and 7 haunted houses (I strongly suggest the carn-evil), some performances, plus the usually Playland stock. The decorations are amazing, with dressed-up professionals hiding amongst the visitors ready to scare the crap out of you. A word of warning though, line-up can get crazy the closer it is to Halloween (up to 1-2 hour waits for Haunted Houses). But overall it is a memorable experience, definitely worth a try.
There are also haunted houses located all over Vancouver, be it renovated homes, temporary set-ups, or rented community centres--someday we’ll probably start seeing haunted vans roaming the streets! These are great if you like a good scare. A couple of good ones I’ve heard about: the Dunbar Haunted House, the China Town Haunted House, and the Reaper’s Haunted House and Maze.
You can also go old-school and do the neighbourhood trick-or-treat. Just dress-up, ring the doorbell of any decorated house and say the magic words. Try to stay in the suburbs though, as apartments usually don’t hand out candy (some business districts also hand out candy: Yaletown, Metrotown, and parts of downtown.) On a side note, I would like to remind you not to eat any sketchy “candy” that has been opened or is “self made”!
If you are feeling more of the I-just-want-to-stay-at-home vibe, there are still a multitude of fun things to try. For example, I spent an entire Halloween carving pumpkins. They are cheap, they look great pretty much regardless of skill…and if you can’t carve them all, you can eat them! It is also a great time to make…more interestingly shaped foods (‘finger’-biscuits, meringue ghosts, anything pumpkin spiced…) and stretch back to enjoy some cheesy, or really, really, scary (or both) movies.
Really, the possibilities are endless. This fun and scary holiday is not one to miss out on! This week, don't miss out on fun Halloween activities--head outside and discover the wonders of Halloween!
- Selena
What's Up, Vancouver? (October 2014)
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| Photo source: monnibo |
Vancouver Book Fair
October 4-5, 2014
UBC Robson Square
www.vancouverbookfair.com
October 5, 2014
2121 Marine Drive, West Vancouver
http://westvanpumpkinfest.ca
PNE Fright Nights
October 10, 2014 - November 1, 2014
PNE Playland
www.frightnights.ca
Stanley Park Ghost Train
October 10 - November 1, 2014
Stanley Park
www.vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/ghost-train.aspx
October 10 - November 1, 2014
Stanley Park
www.vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/ghost-train.aspx
Festival of Chocolate
October 15 - November 10, 2014
Various locations
www.festivalofchocolate.ca
TEDx Vancouver
October 18, 2014
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
www.tedxvancouver.com
Haunted Vancouver Trolley Tour
Tuesdays to Saturdays from October 18, 2014 to October 31, 2014
Canada Place
www.vancouvertrolley.com/tours/seasonal/haunted-Halloween
Vancouver Halloween Parade
October 19, 2014
Davie to Granville to Smithe to Howe
www.vanhalloween.com
Vancouver Writers Fest
October 21-26, 2014
Granville Island
www.writersfest.bc.ca
Haunted Village
October 23-26, 2014
6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
http://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca/EN/main/visit/events/haunted-village.htm
October 23-26, 2014
6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
http://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca/EN/main/visit/events/haunted-village.htm
