Things to do in Montreal for Halloween
Like most things this year, Halloween will be a very different experience. Last year there was a horrible storm that postponed Halloween in some areas until the next night. Although my kids still went out, there was only a few houses with lights on and really was TERRIBLE weather.
For this year, Premier Francois Legault announced that there is Halloween, but it’s just for children and not adults. If you are staying at home, check out this Halloween at Home post.
Some of you are determined to not let anything stop you from celebrating Halloween. After 7 & ½ months of quarantine isolation you may want to get out for Halloween, while still respecting the social distancing rules. We have some ideas for kids and all ages where you can wear a mask and reaming 6 feet apart! Here are some ideas of Halloween things to do in Montreal for Halloween.
Note: You may want to contact host venues for information on capacities/ticketing and potential cancellations.
Things to do in Montreal for Halloween
For Kids
It’s a good idea to check out your local community center and churches for COVID-friendly activities. Here are some activities you can do with kids that respect social distancing.
Astronomy for Kids
To get in the Halloween mood, Friday, October 30th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. check out this Zoom call ‘Spooky Nights 2020’ with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) Montreal Centre and the John Abbott College (JAC) Space Club. The FREE space-themed activities include multi-media activities, a Kahoot! Quiz, story telling and crafts using mini-marshmallows and toothpicks (or raw spaghetti) to inspire your little goblin or alien. Wear your space themed outfit for the Virtual Costume Parade.
Use this link to join the zoom call. Meeting ID: 860 4645 4297; Passcode: Spooky
Drive by Greet & Treat
One local Laval church that is doing a great job of keeping connected during COVID. The 180 Church are doing a FREE social distancing Halloween Drive By Greet & Treat on Saturday, October 31st. Load your kids into your car and from 10-12, drive through stations at their church parking lot to collect treats. In case you think your being tricked, you aren’t the church is located in a warehouse. Make sure you’re in your costume because there will be a photo booth at the end to capture your family memories of Halloween COVID-style.
To ensure they have enough for everyone attending they ask you to register online.
If you want to learn more, follow them on Facebook or check out their services on youtube.
The Legend of McTavish
This new Halloween activity by history museum Pointe-à-Callière explores the local mystery of Simon McTavish. It is claimed that McTavish roams the city’s sewer system after having made a deal with the devil to build a great house on Mount Royal. In 1856 a lamplighter worked up the courage to venture out to the haunted McTavish mausoleum, on Mount Royal and saw McTavish’s ghost in Pointe-à-Callière’s pumping station!
This FREE virtual activity is available on line from Friday October 30th from 7 p.m. until Monday November 2nd 9 a.m. Register online and they will send you a link that you can watch the show between those times. Note: this is only available in French.
Join the Facebook event.
Pick a Peck of Pumpkins at Château Ramezay
One of my favorite museums to bring history to life for kids, the Château Ramezay’s outdoor exhibit offers an immersive experience for all. Running from mid-September to the first Sunday in November, you can discover the fascinating world of squash in a tour designed for families.
Check out their website to download and print out game booklets for different ages. Once you complete the activities claim your small prize at the reception desk.
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Hunt Ghosts at the Stewart Museum
From Saturday October 31 to November 1st, kids aged 5 to 12 can hunt ghosts that have plunged the exhibit History and Memory into darkness Equipped with a flashlight and the game Ghost Hunt, children will help Museum guides catch the transparent little monsters hidden in the exhibition. Those who have spotted all the characters will receive a sweet treat at the end of the hunt.
The Stewart Museum is offering a special version of the outdoor tour Behind the Walls: The History of the Fort on St. Helen’s Island. The tour will allow visitors to explore the history of the fort and its various roles but will also offer strange tales of mystery. The tour is offered on Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1, in English at 1:30 p.m. and in French at 10:30 a.m. and is recommended for children 9 and over.
It’s also great to note that admission is FREE at all times for children 12 years of age and younger.
For Older Kids & Adults
Illumi Drive Through Experience
Since this is located in Laval, which has been declared a ‘Red Zone’ by the Quebec government, tickets are only available for the experience by car. That means no walking on foot or the mini train … which I had shared before was something my kids LOVED when we visited Illumi last winter.
You still get to check out the 30,000 light structures brought to life with 15 million LED bulbs. It takes around 60 minutes for the car experience and depending on the day you may expect a delay getting onsite. Don’t forget to check out some of the food stalls available too.
They have added some Halloween touches for October, but expect more Christmas décor after November until it closes January 10, 2021. Depending on how things go, later you may be able to walk the site too.
Halloween weekend is bound to be busy – get your tickets from the Illumi website
Haunted Ghost Tour in Old Montreal
With a rich history going back to the founding of Canada, it’s no surprise Montreal has more than it’s share of legends, ghost stories and haunted stories to share. Fantômes Montréal Ghosts offers the traditional haunted guided tours. Their most popular are the Traditional Ghost Walk or the Ghost Hunt that shares the legends, grim stories, and criminal mysteries that still haunt the streets of Montreal to this day. These are similar to the tour we took in Quebec City, which was chalked full of history. For Montreal, they have put preventive measures in place to ensure everyone’s safety. If you are still shy of groups, check out their private tours.
Haunted Montreal also offers tours to delight any paranormal seeker, including their popular Haunted Mountain Tour, which gives you a good cardio walk up Mont Royal. If your not wanting to leave your house, you can still get scared from the comfort of your couch. Haunted Montreal offers a virtual Halloween Ghost Tour.
Try to Escape
I am a HUGE fan of escape rooms and Escaparium is one of the best and has the biggest rooms in Quebec! Started by a local couple in Laval, they now have locations in Laval, Montreal, Saguenay, Sherbrooke, and the West Island. They have closed and private rooms, mandatory face covering at all times and the deep cleaning of our rooms with industrial devices. This makes it a bit easier to play with only the family members from your bubble.
Taking everyone’s health seriously, they are currently closed, but hope to return services October 29th. Check out the Escaparium website for more updates.
If you aren’t wanting to go out, check out their board game shop at their Laval location and make your own fun at home. Or better yet PLAY ONLINE! EZKAPAZ offers two online adventures so you can play from the comfort of your home.
Go on a hunt … with a chance to win REAL $$
This event I found out about recently. The Malefycia Scavenger Hunt is a frightening and immersive experience based around one of Montreal’s scariest haunted houses. Malefycia is an immersive and interactive experience where participants have the possibility to win $10,000!! For 2020, participants embark on an outdoor 48-hour scavenger hunt across Montreal searching for clues and interacting with actors (6 feet apart) to solve the riddles and complete the route to win the grand prize!
The contest begins October 30th 3 p.m. and lasts until November 1st. Tickets are $45 per participant and you can get yours online. They also say you should wear clothes that you don’t mind getting gorely blood stained. I do have to note that although I Have not been a part of this event, it does not seem suitable for children since you become part of the gory adult adventure.
Enjoy the classic Rocky Horror Picture Show
Like everything else, the showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show may change after October 28th. As for now, they are planning a 7 p.m. showing on October 31st at their usual venue, the majestic Cinéma Impérial downtown. There will be some ‘COVID’ changes this year. There will be no shadow cast on stage, costume contest or props being thrown. They will have their usual people ‘voicing’ the call back lines on the mic and you may get a distanced stage to teach you the Time Warp dance. Don’t forget to dress up as your favorite character. In order to respect physically-distanced rules, there will be only 250 fans, so don’t waste time & get your $20 (plus fees) ticket online!
Do you have any ideas of things to do in Montreal for Halloween? Share in the comments below.
