September 26, 2012 – When All Hallow’s Eve comes ‘round, Montréal comes alive with all sorts of spooky – and not-so-spooky – activities for ghosts and goblins of all ages!
Are your little monsters dressed and ready? Head out to The Great Pumpkin Ball (October 4 to 31) at the Montréal Botanical Garden and check out hundreds of amazing jack-o-lanterns. Try your hand at Halloween Origami in the Japanese Garden, play in the Little Monsters Courtyard, or visit Esmeralda and Abracadabra’s enchanted home in the Main Greenhouse.
This October, why not pick a peck of… pumpkins! Squash in all its glory will be on display in the Governor’s Garden from September 15 to November 4 at the Chateau Ramezay Museum. On our plates, in our beauty products, in our home décor, these gourds are everywhere – even be on stage in concert on Saturday, October 6, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Intrigued? Indeed!
It’s not just at the Garden or the Chateau Ramezay that you’ll spot fancy pumpkins – head over to the Pointe‑à‑Callière, Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History, where Jack O’Lantern will take you on an unusual (and slightly spooky) tour of the cultural origins of Halloween and associated beliefs (October 20 and 21, 27 and 28).
What would the scariest night of the year be without a few blood-curdling screams? Halloween FrightFest at La Ronde will supply that and more every weekend from October 6 to 28 (including October 8) when all sorts of monsters, ghouls and spooks rise to roam once again! A perennial favourite, the Haunted House is back to scare you silly, along with mazes, rides, and frightful activity zones for the entire family.
Up for a Special Halloween Ghost Hunt? For four scary nights (October 26, 27 and 30, 31), ghosts will take over Old Montréal. Armed with clues from the Grand Master, seek out New France characters, victims and criminals… good and evil alike, they’ll share their life – and death – story with you!
Searching for that perfect pumpkin? Then look no further than the Jean-Talon or Atwater markets. How about that special sweet treat? Chocolats Geneviève Grandbois or Suite 88 Chocolatier takes trick-or-treating to a whole new level with upscale Halloween goodies that are simply… to die for!
Finally, if you don’t believe that Halloween is only for kids, then frights, chills and thrills await you in many bars and restaurants across the island hosting ghoulishly fun parties. Make sure to get all dressed up on those special nights. You might just win a prize for “best costume”.
