South Eastern Ontario is so much fun it’s scary! For Halloween fans, this time of year is boo-tiful and the communities across the region are celebrating with hair-raising events and activities. Read on to discover 15 chills and thrills across South Eastern Ontario… if you dare!
Step into the shadows if you dare. Fort Fright (pictured above) is back for another season of daunting haunting with stepped up scariness taking the creep to the next level. See the historic Fort Henry transformed into a nightmare – not for the faint of heart! New this year, experience two dark Thursdays in October when all the lights will be turned off and visitors guided with only a single flashlight to ramp up the scare factor.
Learn about the ghostly past of Kingston on a 90-minute evening tour! The Ghosts & Mystery Trolley by Kingston Trolley Tours reveals a darker side of the city, touring past sites like Rockwood Asylum, Kingston Penitentiary and Fort Henry, and hearing stories about hauntings and true events that will leave your spine tingling.
The Haunted Walk is partnering with Phantoms of Yore to bring seven paranormal investigations to life, with three in South Eastern Ontario. Join them in the dark for a spooky season kick off at the Lost Villages in Long Sault Sept. 22 and 23; Murney Tower in Kingston Oct. 6 to 8 and at the SDG Jail in Cornwall on Oct. 20 to 21, and again Oct. 27 to 29. Find out what’s hiding in the shadows!
Real life spirits and hauntingly authentic activity, as investigated by the Kenhte:ke Paranormal Society! Join a tour to witness the team in action and take part as a guest investigator during a paranormal tour. Dive deeper into the monthly YouTube series that looks into the haunted history of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and the Bay of Quinte area.
This creepy trail delivers the shivers! Known as one of the scariest haunted trails around, the Tyendinaga Terror Trail is set for another year of screams and bad dreams. Visitors walk the trail of props, costumed scarers and animatronics, and then can settle down on hay bales for a movie, play on bouncy castles, pick out pumpkins and more.
6.Brockville Museum Cemetery Tours
Stroll through Brockville’s historic and picturesque cemeteries to explore topics of urban development, health and sanitation, the process of remembering, and evolving concepts of spirituality with the museum’s all-new Cemetery Tour! This 90-minute tour from the Brockville Museum runs every Wednesday until October 4, and explores the Brockville cemeteries which date back to 1851. Looking for learn more? Discover some of the individuals buried in the cemetery in the Stories from the Stones video series – new episodes will be added this fall!
Spooky after-hours tales of hauntings at this heritage mansion? Sign us up! Fulford Place has long been recognized as having a spirit or two living there full time. Get the scoop on all the ghostly happenings during ghost tours presented by Friends of Fulford Place every Wednesday evening in October. Tickets sell out quickly for this event so book soon!
Simply a-maze-ing! This year’s enchanted corn maze is brilliantly shaped like a majestic castle! The annual corn maze at Wynn Farms promises fall fun for the whole family. Find clues along the way and try not to get lost. Look forward to the special Halloween event here Sunday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a special Halloween themed corn maze and new Halloween themed images to collect! The Cauldron Sisters Witches will be dressed up and ready to have a cackling good time with the kids. Costumes encouraged! Take home a pumpkin to paint or carve, as well as a bag of treats.
One of the County’s most beloved events of the season! Craft a character to bring home from a barnful of clothes and a mountain of straw – the lucky 13th edition of the Scarecrow Festival is sure to be a hit. Set for October 7, families, friends and neighbours are invited to make their Thanksgiving one to remember at the festival, a fundraiser for the Department of Illumination.
It’s set to be a graveyard smash! The Monster Mash is a 19+ Halloween dance party at the historic Drill Hall at Base 31. Happening on Oct. 28 starting at 9 p.m., the Monster Mash will transport party goers back in time to the prehistoric era with electrifying beats along the way by a live DJ. Talk about unique: throw on your fav costume and come dance the night away amidst life-sized dinosaur fossils! Spirits and food available.
11.Pumpkinferno at Upper Canada Village
Get lost in a mesmerizing world of illuminated pumpkins, scenes and dreams! With more 7,000 designed and carved pumpkins, Pumpkinferno has become a much-loved event each fall. Opening in late September, be on the lookout for new exhibits this year, as well as harvest dining, kids play areas and even treats!
12. Historic SDG Jail Paranormal Investigations
Become a ghost hunter and go inside one of the most sought-after paranormal sites in Ontario! Grab your beasties…we mean besties… and tour the SDG Jail through cells, the gallows, exercise yard and more. Creepiness is at a maximum here, where numerous unclaimed bodies are still buried on the grounds. The 190-year-old jail certainly has stories to tell, as the site of escapes, overcrowded jail, courthouse and even asylum. Presented by Phantoms of Yore on October 20 to 21 and October 27 to 29, the 3.5 hour event offers a full briefing on the haunted history of the site, equipment to be used and more.
13. Cannamore Orchards Acres of Terror
Whether it’s the spooky wagon ride, house of terror, fog maze or spooky village there’s something to give you the jeepers creepers around every corner at Cannamore Orchards! Acres of Terror is in its 31st year and ready to scare you silly with engaging human actors – tickets sell out in later October for this favourite fall event so it’s recommended to reserve a spot early. A cool note: all of the Acres of Terror attractions are wheelchair accessible! Look for new scenes along the wagon ride route this year, too.
14. Halloween Fun Fest
You know what sounds like a good time? This: trunk or treat, pumpkin carving, laser tag, climbing wall and fun for the fam. Set for Saturday, Oct. 28 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and presented by the 1000 Islands Drive In and Silver Cinema in Gananoque – it’s a totally free event and no reservations required! Wear your costume and get ready for fun!
15. Battersea Pumpkin Festival
Bring the whole family for a fun fall festival with parade, wagon & train rides, pumpkin carving and contests. In it’s 29th year this annual event celebrates the season and the bounty of the county!
With so many events to choose from, celebrating Halloween in South Eastern Ontario promises hair-raising excitement. Happy haunting!
Header image photo credit: Pumkinferno at Upper Canada Village.
