Seven Screamworthy Halloween 2011 Happenings in Toronto
October 24, 2011 by deblewis
Filed under Past Events, Toronto
Whether or not you’re dressing up for Halloween this year you have to admit how much fun it is to see your co-workers in costume, or to experience the nostalgia of trick-or-treating when the neighbourhood kids knock on your door. It’s no secret that Toronto is a Halloween-friendly city, with its hundreds of costume shops, community-organized trick-or-treat displays like the one on Cowan St. in Parkdale on October 31, and at least one zombie wedding during the 2011 annual Zombie Walk. Here is a look at some of this year’s goings-on:
1. Take a day trip to a Pumpkin patch such as Pumpkinland. Since Halloween falls on a Monday in 2011 it’s a great year to 
have some family fun; make use of your time off on the weekend to take a drive through the country and pick out the perfect pumpkin. Pumpkinland hosts a variety of fun activities like a Pumpkin cannon, ‘Friendly Haunted Forest’ wagon ride and more.
2. Try your luck in social media contests such as Lenzr’s Homemade Halloween Costume photo contest. Lenzr is a 
Toronto-based serial photo contest website that rewards real prizes for the best photography. Contests are always free to enter and submitting is easy. The best photograph entered of a unique homemade costume will win $250 in your choice of cash or candy.
3. Get a history lesson with a spooky twist on Muddy York Walking Tours’ The Haunted 
Streets of Downtown Toronto. Departing from the ROM at 7 pm every night from Oct. 7 – 31, this two hour tour costs only $10 per person for groups of four or more people. Unbeknownst to its modern residents, the city of Toronto has a rich collection of mysteries, urban legends and horror stories. The tour moves south to Queen St. and then east to Yonge, exploring Queen’s Park, Old City Hall and Osgoode Hall along the way. “The final stop is one of the most notorious of Toronto’s haunted buildings,” says Muddy York Walking Tours’ website. “Several people have claimed to experience the unusual here.”
Guaranteed to be a hair-raising experience, you’ll never look at Toronto real estate (or Toronto mortgage brokers) the same way again.
4. The Boo at the Zoo Tundra Trek is taking place from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Oct. 29-30. Free 
admission granted for up to two costumed kids under the age of 12 who are accompanied by an adult. Participants will follow the Pumpkin Trail to trick-or-treat stations that lead through the Tundra Trek to Arctic wolves, foxes and polar bears (and more!) Daily ‘Critters and Costumes Parade’ will be taking place from 12 -2 pm. The annual Boo at the Zoo provides kids not only with an opportunity to celebrate Halloween outside of school and Halloween night, it is also a great way to experience the incredible 5-acre polar bear area (highlighted by an underwater viewing section).
5. Be anyone but yourself at one of Toronto’s impressive costume shops. Everyone, male or female, young or mature, loves the idea of being someone else for a day (or a whole weekend). From theatrical costume outlets renting out identities to high-end costumes at Malabar to 
sexy numbers from Seduction, Toronto’s retailers are hard at work on inventory management while the rest of us play dress up. For a listing of costume stores across the city, click here.
6. Get some real food prepared. If you have kids they’ll need something to combat all the sugar and if you have hips, you’ll want to avoid getting “Halloween hips.” These Halloween recipes, featuring festive organic ingredients like pumpkin and white beans, will keep your tastebuds happy without overloading your caloric intake.
7. Get to a party! There is no better time than Halloween to let loose on a dance floor. Marvel at the production planning of the Liberty Grand Halloween party as 5,000 witches, warlocks and Winehouses wriggle their way into the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex.
For a complete listing of Halloween howls, click here.
