Calgary's popular Haunted Panton Way not returning after 11 years

After 11 spooky years, the organizer behind Haunted Panton Way took to Facebook to announce that it would not be returning this year.

Dustin Milne started the neighbourhood tradition 11 years ago as a way to bring his community together.

“I moved into that area and wanted to meet the neighbours, so we did it as a display for the kids at the time, and it grew from there,” Milne said when speaking with Daily Hive.

“I love Halloween, so it was fun to see people out and enjoying it, and all the smiles on the kids’ faces.”

Over the years, Haunted Panton Way grew into a full-blown community event, a block party that Calgarians looked forward to every year. As the crowds got bigger, so did the cost. 

“I think by the last couple of years, we were about $10,000 a year to put the event on, between permits with the city… candy, firepits, firewood, fog fluid, kind of the whole nine yards.”

But as the event gained more popularity, the atmosphere began to change. Milne says that complaints and entitlement from some visitors started to take a toll on the spirit of the event. 

“We’re getting complaints of not enough food trucks, not enough things to do, and certain candies weren’t there. This is a free event.”

Even worse, some people began taking advantage of the event’s generosity. 

“We had a pallet of boxes of candy, and people would try and take the boxes of 120 pieces of candy. It kind of just sours the taste.” 

After years of growing costs and challenges, Milne decided it was time to step back.

“It’s one night for four hours for some people, but for us it’s 10 days between setup and take down,” Milne said. “I think moving forward, people just need to be kinder and think about the greater good versus themselves.” 

Although Haunted Panton Way isn’t happening, Milne and his production company still kept the Halloween spirit alive by bringing their lighting and production to Heritage Park’s Ghoul’s Night Out, which ran from Oct. 23 to 26, 2025.

“We basically did kind of the same setup, but in the Historic Village,” Milne said.

As for the future of Haunted Panton Way, it might be done for now, but Milne says a comeback isn’t completely off the table. 

“Never say never, I like doing it, so maybe one day.”

Haunted Panton Way isn’t the only Halloween tradition leaving Calgary. The viral “2L Soda House” also announced that they are taking a step back this year.

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