Spine-tingling fun: Halloween events to check out this fall
London, Ont. is the place to be this season if you love all things Halloween. From cemetery tours to haunted theatres to horror movie marathons, this city has all you need to have a spooky good time this year. Here are our top picks for Halloween-themed events in London.
Fright Market
900 King St.
Oct. 22, 2022
A London staple, this creepy market is back and bigger than ever. This year, Fright Market will be hosting a kid’s costume contest, cosplayers contest, photo ops, face painting, and plenty of Halloween-themed vendors to get you in the spirit of the season. A one day event, held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and hosted at the Market at the Western Fair District, this market is fun for the whole family or anyone who loves celebrating the scariest time of year.
Grand Ghosts at the Grand Theatre
471 Richmond St.
Oct. 8 – Nov. 5, 2022
Playwright Trina Davies has dramatized the story of theatre mogul Ambrose Small with a new play coming to the Grand this season, Grand Ghosts. Witness the ghostly true story on stage and if you’re feeling daring, get your tickets for a Wednesday and stick around after the show for a guided discussion in the real-life Grand Theatre. Just beware of Ambrose’s ghost hiding in the wings.
Horror at the Hyland
240 Wharncliffe Rd. S.
2022 dates to be announced
Who doesn’t love a horror movie marathon during the month of October (or as we like to call it, the month of Halloween)? Now imagine if that movie marathon was hosted in an historic 1930s cinema on 35mm film. Throughout the month of October, Hyland Cinema will be showing a series of iconic horror movies, both old and new. While the official selections for this year have yet to be announced, previous showings included movies like Get Out, Carrie, and Friday the 13th.
“Be on the lookout for the ghost of Wenman Wynniatt roaming the halls of Eldon House.”
Eldon House and Woodland Cemetery tours
481 Ridout St. N.
2022 dates to be announced
Eldon House, built in 1834 and originally owned by the famed Harris family, is well-known for being haunted. Eldon House hosts tours year-round, but during the month of October, you can also explore the nearby Woodland Cemetery where you can see the Harris family plots and crypts, and learn more about their lives and deaths. Be on the lookout for the ghost of Wenman Wynniatt roaming the halls of Eldon House.
Fanshawe Pioneer Village
1424 Clarke Rd.
2022 dates to be announced
Fanshawe Pioneer Village in Byron is famous for their horrifying Halloween events. Each year, the grounds, which stands as a representation of life in Middlesex County from 1820-1920, gets a spine-chilling makeover, blending history and horror to petrifying perfection; think “haunted house,” if the house was a whole town. The 14+ event is not for the faint of heart, and is usually held towards the end of October. The theme of the scares varies, but in 2021, Pioneer Village partnered with ByronScaryHouse to transform their familiar buildings into abandoned haunted attractions. Do not miss out on this chilling experience.
There are only 31 days in October so make the most of the spooky season with these eerie events! Whether you spend your Halloween traversing graveyards or exploring a haunted market, you’re sure to find the scares you’re looking for right here in the Forest City.