The British Columbia capital often tops lists of the world’s best cities. With stunning natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and a rich culture with significant British influence, it’s no wonder! But when it comes to things to do in Victoria for Halloween, there are also witches, goblins, black cats, and horrifying screams in the dark.
From tricks and treats to haunted castles, this is the season for experiencing Victoria’s spooky side. And, is there any better way to do it than a 2-night getaway from Seattle via a Victoria Clipper cruise?!
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Ghostly Walks Halloween Tour
Ghostly walking tours are available throughout much of the year in Victoria. But from October 1-31, there’s an annual Halloween tour that includes an hour of particularly gruesome tales. The haunted stroll begins from Market Square with the exact route changing every year. No matter which road you take, sinister sights and scary stories are a given.
Your frightening journey will typically take you down creepy alleyways, through cemeteries, and along notorious Humboldt Street, the home of St. Ann’s Academy. One of the most haunted places in Victoria, the former convent and boarding school was built in 1858. Its towering steeple looms over rows of perfectly manicured beech trees, beckoning in those who dare.
Horse-Drawn Haunted Halloween Tour
How about mixing a little old-fashioned fun with a horse-drawn haunted Halloween tour? You might even notice a bit of a “Sleepy Hollow” vibe. Although in this case, we can assure you the horse will have its head. But what we can’t guarantee is that you won’t be scared stiff. After all, this is when the barrier between the world of the living and the dead at it’s thinnest. That means sightings are more likely!
Be prepared to hear spine-chilling tales of Victoria’s most haunted history as your guide brings you to some of the most infamous sites. The good news for the war is that the draft horse will be adorned in brass and ribbons, believed to ward off any evil energies.
Craigdarroch Castle
The imposing Craigdarroch Castle sits high atop a hill overlooking Victoria with stained-glass windows and elegant Victorian furnishings. While it’s a stunning vision, there are also some rather dark tales that surround the four-story stone structure and the Dunsmuir family who once lived here.
For Halloween, visitors can take a 90-minute after-hours tour, “Curiosities of Craigdarroch.” The excursion explores the more sinister aspects of the Victorian-era and the experiences of the Dunsmuirs, from eerie gatherings to tragedy and death.
Zombie Walk
Looking to burn off all the sweets you’re bound to eat during the Halloween season? Join the annual Zombie Walk. Held on Saturday, October 26, “Zombies” will start gathering in Centennial Square around 2 p.m. They’ll start walking (or dragging) by 3 p.m. Just witnessing the grisly monsters as they make their way from the square at Parliament Building is worth attending. But beware! If you’re aren’t careful, you could find yourself “infected.” Then again, if you can’t beat ’em, why not join ’em?
Galey Farms
Located just north of Sannich, only a couple miles from downtown Victoria, Galey Farms is one of the most popular attractions at Halloween. It offers a six-acre corn maze to get lost in, a hayride where you’ll be taken to pick out your perfect pumpkin, train rides, games for the kids, a petting farm, and much more. Of course, there’s a farmer’s market on-site too. It’s not only a great place to pick up juicy berries, corn, carrots and the like, but there will be tasty snacks and cold drinks.
The highlight for those looking for a good scare? CarnEvil! It features two haunted houses with monsters straight out of your worst nightmares. One of the largest and most intense experiences of its kind in the region, it includes an astounding 6,000 square feet of terror! Not for the faint of heart, this is an experience for older teens and adults only, with three Chicken Exits if it gets to be too much.
Halloween Vintage Fair and Makers Market
Like to hunt for treasures? The Halloween Vintage Fair and Makers Market is a great place to score some hauntingly good deals. And, admission is free! All you have to do is show up at 2039 Oak Bay Ave between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 5. If you don’t have your costume yet, it’s a great place to pick up the perfect pieces to put it together. You’ll find everything from retro and vintage goods to toys and decor.
Haunted Manor Mini Golf
For family-friendly Halloween fun, head to the Haunted Manor Victoria. More Tim Burton-esque than Friday the 13th, its creator aimed for thrilling but playful spookiness. It’s immersive, interactive mini-golf with a Halloween twist as visitors putt their way through 18 holes of a ghoulish story. Furthermore, you’ll witness the “carnage of the Pumpkin King’s sorcery as he casts his spell in every room. This one has already begun and will run through November 3, 2024.
Lost in the Woods
Lost in the Woods is a uniquely spooky event for those 19+ only. An evening of “mayhem and mystery,” it will take place at the eerie Crystal Garden at 7 p.m. on October 26, 2024 (doors open at 6 p.m.). An immersive horror experience where they say the line between reality and nightmares are blurred, it kicks off with an hour-long dance performance followed by a horrorific costume party. Bring out your creative best – there will be a costume contest along with DJs for dancing, food and drink, a “freaky” photobooth, a game graveyard, tarot reader, and more.
Trick-or-Treat
What’s Halloween without some trick-or-treating? Children and their families can head to Oak Bay Village on October 31 where merchants host a massive community trick or treat. Businesses from Foul Bay Road to Monterey Avenue will be passing out plenty of tasty treats from 2 to 5 p.m. Plus, there will be a variety of entertainment, including live music, stilt walkers, hula hoopers, jugglers, target pratice with a fire hose, and more. There will be a costume contest for the kids with celebrity judges and prizes. And, you don’t have to leave your four-legged best friend at home either. In fact, Fido and Fluffy can participate so bring them in their finest Halloween duds for the pet costume contest!