From glowing pumpkin trails and haunted forest strolls to rooftop costume balls and spooky bar crawls, Vancouver’s Halloween 2025 scene is packed with high-energy thrills, family-friendly chills and immersive adult-only soirées. Whether you’re into ghosts and gore or pumpkin-spiced memories with your kids, the city and its surrounds have an eventous October in store. Below is a curated list of standout Halloween happenings (dates, venues, addresses and websites included) to help you plan your fright-filled fall.
There is something almost cinematic about Halloween in Vancouver. The city, framed by mountains and sea, wears the season well — mist curling through Stanley Park, the faint orange glow of jack-o’-lanterns in rain-streaked windows, and costumed revelers darting between puddles of neon reflected in wet streets. In years past, Vancouver’s Halloweens have been a patchwork of moods — from the family-friendly glow of pumpkin trails in Burnaby to the bone-rattling thrills of haunted houses at the PNE. Each October has brought with it that distinctive West Coast mix of urban sophistication and raw, coastal eeriness, where fog and folklore seem to merge.
Yet this year’s Halloween — 2025 — felt slightly different. The anticipation built for weeks, as the city once again prepared to throw open its crypts, forests, and dance floors to celebrate the return of its favorite night of mischief. Organizers promised bigger installations, longer runs, and more immersive scares. The Burnaby Halloween Festival expanded its programming to a full month of community events; Capilano Suspension Bridge Park teased a redesigned “Canyon Frights” trail; and the long-awaited return of the “Nightmare Bar” downtown promised to mix cocktails with the uncanny. It was a lineup that seemed to say: after a few subdued years of cautious gatherings and scaled-down festivities, Vancouver was ready to reclaim Halloween in full color — or, rather, in full black and orange.
But when October 31 finally arrived, the weather gods played their own trick. By late afternoon, grey clouds had rolled in from the Burrard Inlet, and by nightfall, the skies opened. Rain poured steadily across the Lower Mainland — a relentless, drumming kind of downpour that soaked costumes, dimmed jack-o’-lanterns, and sent umbrellas blooming across every corner of the city. Downtown partygoers, undeterred but damp, rushed between venues; parents shepherded young trick-or-treaters through puddles with determined smiles; and at places like Playland’s “Fright Nights,” makeup ran and capes clung to the cold metal of roller-coaster seats. In true Vancouver fashion, the show went on — but under a shared canopy of rain.
The rain, in a sense, became part of the story — a reminder of how the city’s Halloween spirit endures whatever the skies bring. Vancouverites have always been resilient celebrants; they dress for the drizzle and find poetry in the gloom. And perhaps that’s what made this year’s Halloween special: the weather didn’t dampen it so much as it defined it. There was something hauntingly beautiful in the way fog rolled through Gastown’s cobbled streets, in how costumed crowds shimmered under streetlights, and in how laughter and music still echoed through the downpour.
As the city dried out the next morning, it was clear that Halloween 2025 had been a night to remember — not for its perfection, but for its persistence. In a metropolis accustomed to rain and reinvention, Vancouver once again proved that its spirit — spooky, creative, and defiantly alive — doesn’t fade with the weather. If anything, it glows brighter in the dark.
Halloween Events in Vancouver 2025
1. Canyon Frights
- Dates: October 10 – November 2, 2025 Capilano+1
- Venue: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, 3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4J1 Capilano
- Website: Visit their events page via capbridge.com for “Canyon Frights”. Capilano
- Why go: This event transforms the iconic suspension bridge park into a haunted woodland playground with glowing mushrooms, skeletons, giant spiders and immersive seasonal décor. Great for families (and brave souls) who want a scenic yet spooky experience. Capilano+1
- Tip: Arrive early on peak nights—tickets must be reserved for time slots and the trail can fill up quickly. Capilano
2. Pumpkins After Dark
- Dates: October 3 – 31, 2025 Travel and Tour World+1
- Venue: 6100 Boundary Rd, Burnaby, BC V5S 3R2 (in the City of Burnaby) Noms Magazine+1
- Website: See the Burnaby Halloween Festival site for this featured walk-through with thousands of carved pumpkins. Burnaby Halloween Festival+1
- Why go: A dazzling outdoor festival of more than 10,000 hand-carved pumpkins, lighting effects, music, and photo-worthy scenes—a more relaxed, family-friendly Halloween experience. Kids Out and About Vancouver+1
- Tip: This event is part of the larger Burnaby Halloween Festival (see below), so you might pair it with other happenings in Burnaby for a full afternoon and evening outing.
3. Burnaby Halloween Festival
- Dates: October 1 – 31, 2025 (throughout the month) Travel and Tour World+1
- Major Venue: City of Burnaby and various locations across the city; principal events include the Pumpkin trail above, and a Pet Masquerade, Day-of-the-Dead celebration, costume run and more. Travel and Tour World+1
- Website: burnabyhalloween.com Burnaby Halloween Festival
- Why go: Unlike single-night events, this festival offers a month-long celebration of Halloween and culture—family events, decorative contests, community participation, creative installations. A great choice if you want a variety of things to do.
- Tip: If you live in or can travel to Burnaby, check out the “spookiest house” map and join the neighbourhood walking tours for free suspense and outdoor fun. Burnaby Halloween Festival
4. Fright Nights (at PNE Playland)
- Dates: October 3 – 31, 2025 Fright Nights at Playland+1
- Venue: Playland Amusement Park, 2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V5K 5J1 Noms Magazine
- Website: frightnights.ca Fright Nights at Playland
- Why go: Known as Western Canada’s largest haunt, this event offers fully haunted houses, rides in the dark, theatrical scares, and is aimed at the older crowd (13+). For those who want thrills, this delivers. Fright Nights at Playland+1
- Tip: Costumes or makeup often not permitted inside haunted houses — check ahead. And consider purchasing early-entry or skip-the-line passes. Fright Nights at Playland
5. HowlOver Canada
- Dates: October 9 – 31, 2025 Noms Magazine
- Venue: FlyOver Canada, 201 – 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1 Noms Magazine
- Website: flyovercanada.com (look up the HowlOver seasonal attraction) Noms Magazine
- Why go: A family-friendly immersive ride that turns into a Halloween-themed flying experience—blending humour, visual flair and atmospheric fun. Good for younger families wanting something beyond a standard haunted house.
- Tip: The experience is timed and may fill up fast, especially on weekends—book ahead.
6. The Nightmare Bar
- Dates: October 9 – November 2, 2025 Noms Magazine
- Venue: 157 Alexander Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 1B8 Noms Magazine
- Website: Search for “Nightmare Bar Vancouver Halloween pop-up” (check for the 2025 iteration) Noms Magazine
- Why go: An adult-oriented Halloween pop-up that blends gothic décor, themed cocktails and immersive bar vibes—ideal for those looking for a spookier nightlife experience rather than family-friendly fun.
- Tip: Check age restrictions (21+/19+ depending on venue) and plan for cover charges. Reservations may be wise for weekend nights.
7. Monster Bash – Vancouver’s Biggest Halloween Party
- Dates: Friday, October 31, 2025 (9 :00 PM – 3 :30 AM) Eventbrite
- Venue: Enso Event Centre, 750 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2R8 Eventbrite
- Website: ensovancouver.com (check event page for Monster Bash) Eventbrite
- Why go: This is a full-on adult Halloween night with immersive décor, costume contests, performances, high energy and rave vibes. If you’re dressed up, want to dance until late, this is it.
- Tip: Early ticket purchase is likely cheaper; many similar events sell out or charge higher last-minute prices. Valid ID required; check age restrictions (likely 19+ or 21+).
8. The Official Halloween Bar Crawl (Fri & Sat) – Vancouver
- Dates: October 31 & November 1, 2025 Eventbrite
- Start Venue: Among downtown Vancouver bars (check crawl map once you buy tickets). Example starting text: “Check-in 4 PM-6 PM, Crawl locations 4 PM-10 PM, Mid-party 7 PM-9 PM, After-party 10 PM-12 AM.” Eventbrite
- Address (example): Posted location: Magic Yacht Charters 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver, BC V6G 2V4 (boat party variant) Eventbrite+1
- Website: crawlwith.us/vancouver/halloween (from listing) Eventbrite
- Why go: A social and celebratory way to experience Halloween — meet friends, dress up, hop between bars, enjoy drink specials and themed energy across the city. Great for groups looking for a costumed night out.
- Tip: Drink responsibly, know your route, consider going with a group or pair for safety. Early arrival may get perks like a badge or lanyard. Eventbrite
Planning Your Halloween in Vancouver: Pro Tips
- Book in advance: Many events require timed tickets (e.g., Canyon Frights), or run out quickly (haunted houses, big parties). Securing your slot early is wise.
- Costumes & footwear: Whether family-friendly or intense haunt, dress the part—just check venue rules (some forbid costume masks or full face-covering makeup for security reasons, especially haunted rides).
- Transport & safety: October nights can be chilly and dark. For events outside downtown (Burnaby, North Vancouver) check transit times or consider rideshare. For bar crawls and late nights, ensure you have a safe ride home.
- Family vs adult zones: Identify which events are family-friendly vs adult-oriented (e.g., HowlOver Canada, Pumpkins After Dark are good for all ages; Monster Bash and bar crawls are for adults).
- Photo-ops & social media: Many of these events pride themselves on Instagram-worthy décor (pumpkins, gothic sets, lighting). Bring your phone, maybe a portable charger, and arrive early for good photos before crowds peak.
- Weather check: Vancouver weather in October can be rainy or cool—dress in layers, bring a light jacket or poncho if heading to outdoor events like haunted woods or pumpkin trails.
Final Word
Halloween 2025 in the Vancouver region offers more than just trick-or-treating: it’s a full spectrum of experiences from glowing pumpkin paths and haunted woods to stylish adult parties and immersive nightlife. Whether your idea of a great Halloween is strolling under carved lanterns, shrieking on rides, dancing till dawn or sipping spooky cocktails with friends, there’s something here for you.
Pick the tone (family-friendly vs full-on scare vs night-out craze), book ahead, cover your bases—and get ready to embrace the spirit of the season. Vancouver is ready for a hauntingly good time.