What to do in Montreal for Halloween: Six Suggestions

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Written by Raoul Finley, editor at Mostly Montreal

The air is cool, the leaves have turned, the apples are tart, and everyone is getting in the spirit of the holidays to come. What better time to get out and enjoy the city before the snow flies?

There’s plenty to do for the whole family around Halloween — let’s take a look at a few of the best activities the city has to offer.

1. SPASM Film Festival

You won’t want to miss the Spasm Film Festival, which will be celebrating its 18^th edition this year in Montreal’s Quartier des spectacles.

Their camp, low-budget movie lineup is always bad in a good way — you’re assured to be horrified and amused at the same time. Gory movies and Halloween themed events will be presented from October 17 to 26. The festival ends with Spasm’s infamous Old School Halloween Party at Club Soda.

2. Halloween at the Botanical Gardens

Esmeralda the friendly witch will be surrounded by several hundred colorful and uniquely decorated pumpkins for the Great Pumpkin Ball, which will be held in the Botanical Gardens’ main greenhouse until October 31st.

Children will also enjoy the Little Monsters Courtyard. They’ll have a ball trying to cross the Tricky River, doing the pumpkin sack race or testing their throwing skills at the Feed the Creatures bean bag toss.

3. Halloween Bar Crawl

For the adult goblins, bloodsuckers and ghosts, Barcrawlerz is a Halloween bash like no other. Buy a bracelet and grab discounted drinks at some of the best bars in the city.

There are two dates to choose from: October 26 and October 31. Participating bars include the Sir Winston Churchill Pub, Mad Hatter Pub, Jet Night Club, Ziggy’s Pub, and more. Definitely wear a costume!

4. Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween and Ball

Attend one of the most popular “Rocky Horror Picture Show” events in North America at the annual Halloween Ball, which will be held on October 31, November 1 and 2 at the vintage Cinéma Impérial near Place-des-Arts.

See original cult classic movies on the big screen while a large cast performs live on stage. Audience participation is encouraged, so be warned – participants can get pretty rambunctious!

5. Immersive Escape Games at X-Cape

X-Cape is the new generation of immersive escape games designed for players aged 8 and up.

Zombie vs. Alien — one of X-Cape’s most popular scenarios at their Montreal location — is an interactive game where your team’s mission is to stop a zombie warhead missile from launching an infectious disease that will destroy humanity.

6. Fright Fest at La Ronde Amusement Park

Fright Fest is back at La Ronde and promises to be scarier than ever.

From October 5 to 27, zombies and ghouls take over the park, with thrilling activities for the whole family throughout the day and after sundown — haunted houses, Halloween-themed roller coasters and a house of clowns, to name a few. Evening events are designed for visitors over the age of 12. Note: the clowns are especially creepy!

Let us know what you’ll be doing for Halloween!