Halloween in Canada is a fun chance to mark the changing seasons, share some laughs, and get dressed up. You’ll find Halloween events in cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, but it’s also celebrated in smaller towns and communities all across the country. Marked by spooky themes and unique traditions, this holiday is widely celebrated by Canadians of all ages. Let’s explore where it came from and what you can expect this Halloween as a newcomer to Canada.

History of Halloween and Its Origins in Canada

Halloween didn’t originate in Canada. In fact, its roots stretch through centuries of European customs and folklore.

Celtic Origins: The holiday traces back to the Celtic festival of Samhain which marked the end of summer and the transition into dark, winter months. During the festival, the Celtic people believed that restless spirits could cross over from the afterlife to wreak havoc among the living. To keep these spirits at bay, they gathered around towering communal bonfires, tossing in portions of the harvest as offerings, and dressed in disguises (a.k.a costumes) meant to fool any wandering monsters.
Religious Origins: Centuries later, Christian observances layered over the old Celtic rites. The church designated November 1st as All Saints’ Day (also known as All Hallows’ Day) to honour saints and martyrs. The night before became known as All Hallows’ Eve, which eventually evolved into Halloween.

Irish and Scottish immigrants brought Halloween traditions to Canada in the 1800s, where they evolved into the community events that we know today.

Trick-or-treating took off in the 1940s and became a staple by the 1980s, with pillowcases of candy still going strong today. Canadian Halloween now includes costumes of all kinds, rural fall fairs, carved pumpkins, and plenty of other ways to get into the spirit.

Halloween in Canada: What to Expect

Halloween in Canada isn’t confined to one evening of costumes and candy. While most of the festivities take place on October 31st, it’s not uncommon to have Halloween events on the weeks before and after the 31st. While it’s not as big a holiday as Christmas, Canadians still spent $1.6 billion on Halloween in 2022.

Halloween Decorations

You may spot homes and neighbourhoods in Canada setting up Halloween decorations in early October, featuring orange and black colour schemes, spiderwebs, skeletons, pumpkins, and more.

The themes of Halloween are centred around all things spooky, and that can range from spiders all the way to zombies and fake blood—you may want to watch out for decorations intended to scare you!

Trick-or-Treating

“Trick-or-treating” is a Halloween tradition in which kids knock on doors and neighbours typically hand out candy. While it’s most popular in suburban areas, you’ll still find plenty of trick-or-treat activities in rural and urban areas. Generally, this takes place on October 31st, from around 5:30pm to 8:30 or 9pm, usually by children and teens under 18.

Halloween Activities for Adults

Halloween in Canada is not just for the kids. Many offices host costume contests and themed potlucks, giving newcomers an easy way to join in.

The fun doesn’t end when the porch lights turn off. Cities like Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary run major attractions such as Fright Nights, Screemers, and the Haunt of Edmonton, which draw thousands each year and often sell out weeks in advance.

Whether it’s handing out candy in thermal layers or dancing in costume until midnight, Halloween in Canada is as much about social connection as it is about scares.

Tips For Newcomers

You don’t need a fog machine or a life-size animatronic zombie to join in the Halloween fun. There are plenty of ways to join into the fun, like:

Live in a suburban neighbourhood or a community that embraces trick-or-treating? Just grab a bag of candy from the grocery store to join in on the fun. You can leave a bowl outside your door, or simply wait for the knocks! If you want to make it clear that you’re participating, be sure to leave your lights on, or put a sign on your door. This is a great way to meet more of your neighbours, too!
You can check online or inquire with your neighbours to see if your community is active for trick-or-treating before buying large amounts of candy, or to find a place to bring your children to join in on the fun.
Unsure about putting on a costume? Wearing orange, black, or any type of fun attire is acceptable and festive on Halloween. But don’t worry, you won’t look out of place if you prefer not to dress up at all. Halloween is a flexible holiday, and it’s not expected or required to get involved!
If you do want to dress up, be sure to keep costumes respectful. Avoid cultural appropriation, religious garments, and controversial themes.

In Canada, Halloween is as much about community connection as it is about costumes. It’s really just another excuse to see friends and family, have a little fun, and embrace the fall season. Whether you’re handing out mini chocolate bars, sipping cider at a pumpkin patch, or streaming horror movies under a blanket, a little participation goes a long way.

Things To Do For Halloween in Canada

While trick-or-treating is the main event, the weeks leading up to Halloween are filled with activities that stretch the season. Stores start stocking decor by Labour Day, pumpkin patches open by late September, and haunted attractions run for most of October. You’ll find that the lines between fall spirit and Halloween spirit are blurred!

If you’re looking for something fun to do for Halloween in Canada, consider:

Visiting a pumpkin patch or a fall festival. You’ll often find other activities like hayrides, cider stands, and photo ops, perfect for a day out with friends or family.
Visit a local haunted house. You can find haunted activities of all kinds across Canada, like haunted tours, haunted mazes, and more. You can find a range of different “scare” levels, so be sure to check the age recommendations ahead of time if you’re looking for a family activity.
Head to Dollarama or a local grocery store to check out the Halloween treats and decorations. You’ll find lots of opportunities for crafts and creativity!
Explore new scary movies or revisit Halloween classics. You can easily find family-friendly picks like The Addams Family or Goosebumps on Netflix.

Redditor tip: Don’t carve out your pumpkins too early, they might end up like this:

How Canadians Celebrate Halloween (A Guide for Newcomers)

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History of Halloween and Its Origins in Canada