’Tis the season for Halloween fun

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This article was published 02/10/2024 (601 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s October, which means it’s Halloween time again. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly outing, a heart-pounding thrill, or an easier-going community gathering, there’s a wide array of activities to enjoy this season in Manitoba.

A Maze in Corn, located in St. Adolphe, 10 minutes south of Winnipeg, transforms its sprawling farm fields into a family-friendly locale for kids of all ages. Navigate through the massive corn maze, play on the giant pyramid of hay bales, and choose your own pumpkin, squash and gourds fresh from the patch at the Pumpkin Barn. Pick up some delicious sweetcorn sold by the dozen or take home a batch of liquid and creamed honey. There are hayrides, pony rides, a petting zoo, and plenty of seasonal treats to indulge in. It’s a great way to enjoy the Halloween season outdoors. See cornmaze.ca for details.

Deer Meadow Farms on the edge of Transcona is offering a brand-new Halloween event called Farmageddon with three separately curated spaces. CarnEvil is home to scary clowns in an eerie carnival setting. The Texas Chainsaw BBQ consists of six acres of cornfields crawling with redneck hillbillies from the depths of the south, wreaking havoc and terror with chainsaws. Meanwhile, the Forbidden Forest is a spine-chilling journey along a series of outdoor trails, with special effects, eerie lighting, and costumed actors, making for immersive thrills. There’s more info at deermeadowfarms.com

Another scary seasonal stop is Six Pines Haunted Attractions, just northwest of the Perimeter Highway. For 26 years, the Thevenot family has been putting on intricate, inventive and frightening shows. Find out more at sixpineshaunted.com

The Witchy Wonderland at Red River Exhibition Park is Manitoba’s newest multi-day Halloween attraction, offering wickedly frightful fun for families and friends. Rides include the scary-go-round and the haunted hayride. There’s a spooky graveyard, witches coven, eerie performances, face painting, and free candy handed out every day. See more at redriverex.com

Winnipeg is a hotbed for walking tours, and at this time of the year the haunted ones are front and centre. The Exchange District Ghost Walk explores our historic downtown region starting from Old Market Square. Listen to chilling ghost tales while wandering through dark streets and alleys, for a fascinating and insightful blend of history and the supernatural. You’ll never view our downtown streets the same ever again. Find out all about it at winnipegghostwalk.com

Dark Stories of Saint-Boniface lets you dive into the eerie past of one of Winnipeg’s oldest neighborhoods. Led by local storytellers, these tours recount spine-tingling tales of haunted sites and historic buildings, including what is considered Winnipeg’s most-haunted locale – the 170-year-old St. Boniface Museum. This former Grey Nuns convent was once Western Canada’s first hospital, an orphanage, seniors’ home, and a boarding school. No one is sure how many souls still wander the rooms here, but as a ghost tour attendee you’re almost guaranteed to hear at least one of them — otours.com has all the info.

For musical options during Halloween season, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra is offering a one-of-a-kind symphonic performance at the Burton Cummings Theatre. The 1931 horror classic film Frankenstein will be shown on the big screen with live orchestra accompaniment. See wso.ca for details and tickets.

Over at the Fort Garry Hotel – also a well-known haunted site in Winnipeg – get lost in the magical sights and sounds of the Candlelight Concert: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics. This live multi-sensory musical occurrence is a perfect way to wrap up the Halloween season, especially for those wanting to experience something outside of the pumpkin patch. Showtime and ticket info is at feverup.com