Let’s face it, you’ve been waiting for this since about 10 pm Sunday night. It’s the weekend, and the time to stay up late, guilt-free, is finally here. We are days away from Halloween and this October 25 to 27 is filled with more than its share of spooky parties.
Friday, October 25
The Rocky Horror Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show / IMDb
What: Dammit, Janet… I love you this movie. See the comedy horror and cult classic that tells the story of newly engaged couple Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, who meet a group of strange individuals. Sold-out for seven years in a row, you can’t miss this Halloween spectacle, live on stage.
When: October 25, 26, 27, and 31
Time: Performances from 8 pm to 10 pm and 11 pm to 1 am
Where: Lower Ossington Theatre
Admission: Prices vary by seat selection
The Breakfast Club – Halloween 2019 80s Tribute Party
What: One of Toronto’s greatest 80s parties is returning this fall with a very special Halloween edition. Come hear the best in 80s new wave, pop, and movies and tv theme songs while dancing in your best retro outfit.
When: Friday, October 25
Time: 10 pm
Where: Revival, 783 College Street
Admission: $15, available online
- See also:
After Hours
What: It’s a weekend show of some of the funniest and most talented comedic minds in the city and still have time to catch the train home afterwards. After Hours at Comedy Bar is a hilarious institution not to be missed as the venue collects the best local laugh-smiths around.
When: Friday, October 25
Time: 11:30 pm to 1 am
Where: Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor Street W
Admission: $8, available online
ROM Friday Night Live: Wicked
What: Come in your Halloween best, and experience the weird, wacky, and wicked with complimentary access to the ROM’s intriguing exhibitions. Plus there will be multiple DJs and great food. Tickets are sold out, but there will be a limited number at the door.
When: Friday, October 25
Time: 7 to 11:30 pm
Where: ROM, 100 Queens Park
Admission: $20
Dark Waters
What: Splash into Dark Waters on October 25. This 19+ event will send chills through your gills as you explore the dark side of the aquarium. Beware of creatures from the deep because this is not your average Halloween party. Once you catch your breath, grab a few drinks, join the costume contest, and enjoy the thrilling views as you dance the night away. Just be careful of what lurks below.
When: Friday, October 25
Time: 8 pm to 12 am
Where: Ripley’s Aquarium, 288 Bremner Boulevard
Admission: From $28 per person
After School Special
What: These other events bring the fear, but what brings the chill to the weekend? Instead of filling your britches in terror, fill your ears with delightful sound. Farside will have DJs spinning rare and unique vinyl all night.
When: Friday, October 25
Time: 10 pm
Where: Farside, 600 Gerrard Street E
Admission: Free
Thriller Halloween
What: If you’re in the mood to dance the night away to the sounds of one of the top house DJs, Rebel is the place to be on the Friday before Halloween. Thriller at Rebel will feature the sounds of Oliver Heldens, Manzone & Strong, and more.
When: Friday, October 25
Time: 10 pm
Where: Rebel, 11 Polson Street
Price: From $65
Toronto International Festival of Authors
What: TIFA is Canada’s largest and longest-running “festival of words and ideas.” Notable authors attending the 2019 festival include Emma Donoghue (Akin, Room), Linden MacIntyre (The Wake) and Dave Hill (Parking the Moose: One American’s Epic Quest to Uncover His Incredible Canadian Roots) to name a few. As well, TIFA is hosting numerous free events such as Toronto Poetry Slam Featuring Ian Keteku on Friday, October 25.
When: Now until November 3
Where: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W
Admission: Prices vary by event, check online
Halloween at Arcane
What: King Street’s hottest new venue is throwing not one, but three Halloween bashes this year. The Unknown is a ticketed costume event taking place on October 25, the Innocence masquerade is on the 26, and the Eyes Wide Shut masquerade on the 31.
When: October 25, 26, and 31
Where: 461 King Street West
Price: Ticket info can be found here
Saturday, October 26
The Dr. Seuss Experience
CNW Group / Kilburn Experiences, LLC
What: Get ready to take a walk down memory lane, as beloved children’s writer, Dr. Seuss’ incredible creations will be appearing in a large interactive exhibit. The 15,000-sq-ft exhibition is a photogenic playground of interesting rooms that recreate the feeling and wonder of walking through a storybook.
When: Starts October 26
Where: Square One, 100 City Centre Drive
Admission: Register online
Howl’oween at The Bentway
What: The Bentway is hosting Howl’oween (read: a dog-in-costume parade) on October 26. The site, in collaboration with Bark ‘n Yapp, is inviting local pups and their owners to participate in the event complete with loot bags, prizes, treats, and local vendors.
When: Saturday, October 26
Time: From 1 pm
Where: The Bentway – 201 Fort York Boulevard
Admission: Free to attend
Scream Whistle
What: Steam Whistle is back with Scream Whistle, their annual Halloween bash this October. Come in costume and dance the night away with DJ Skratch Bastid and Fields McQueen.
When: Saturday, October 26
Time: 8:30 pm
Where: Steam Whistle Brewing, 255 Bremner Blvd
Admission: $35
Redemption Paws Halloween Bash
What: Dogs in costumes, music, prizes, food, drinks, and more dogs — what could possibly be better than this? Perhaps that you can enjoy all of these things at Toronto’s largest Halloween party for dogs this month.
When: Saturday, October 26
Time: 7 pm to 11 pm
Where: Redwood Theatre, 1300 Gerrard Street East
Admission: $40
Trick or Drink
What: Calling all ghouls, goblins, witches, and warlocks. It’s time to prepare for a haunting night out. Because Barcrawlerz is taking over Toronto this month, for a multi-day bar crawl completely revolving around Halloween. During the crawl you’ll get the chance to float through Belfast Love, Dublin Calling, Rock ‘N’ Horse Saloon, and many more, decked out in full costume.
When: October 26 from 4 pm to 2 am and October 31 from 6 pm to 2 am
Where: Participating bars in downtown Toronto
Admission: Tickets are available online from $15
The Citizen Disco’s Dead
The Citizen/Instagram
What: Get your disco shoes ready, Citizen is throwing a groovy disco Halloween party next weekend. The spooky celebration will feature a DJ and tons of awesome Instagrammable Halloween scenes and props. The theme is Death and Disco.
When: October 26
Time: 10 pm
Where: Citizen, 522 King Street West
Admission: Cover is $10
Nightmare on Brandt Street
What: Alright party people, it’s time to get out your most terrifying ensemble and get ready to party all night long at Early Mercy’s Nightmare on Brandt Street bash. Doors will be open until 4 am so get ready for a night full of surprises.
When: October 26
Time: 10 pm
Where: 504 King Street West
Halloween at MARBL
What: Leave it to Marbl to host a four-day Halloween celebration. On October 26, 30, and 31, you can join Marbl in celebrating the spookiest day of the year. They’ll also be hosting “Day of the Dead” on November 2. No tickets are required for any of the events, but entry will be on a first come first served basis, so make sure to get there early.
When: October 26, 30, 31, and November 2
Where: 455 King Street W
Halloween at Petty Cash
What: Petty Cash is so excited for Halloween that they’ll be throwing two different parties this year. To kick it off, they’ll be hosting “Saturday Night Fever, Dead or Alive” on October 26 and the party will continue on October 31, with a “Get Lit” themed event. Both events are first-come-first-serve and free to attend.
When: October 26 and 31
Where: 487 Adelaide Street West
Time: 9 pm
Halloween at The Pint Public House
The Pint Public House
What: The Pint will be hosting Halloween festivities on October 26 and October 31. On Saturday, The Pint will be hosting its first-ever 90s themed costume party. There will be prizes for best costumes, drink specials, lots of candy, and more.
When: October 26 and 31
Time: Saturday, 9 pm to 2 am; Thursday, 10 pm to 2 am
Where: 227 Front Street West
Admission: From $15
Pedestrian Sundays Kensington
What: Pedestrian Sundays at Kensington market are ending for the year, so get out there and show those cars who runs these streets (it’s you). The neighbourhood will be full of shopping, music, food, and more.
When: Sunday, October 27
Time: 12 to 10 pm
Where: Kensington Market
Admission: Free
The 20th Annual NIGHT OF DREAD
What: At this family-friendly, community event, Torontonians are invited to call on, mock and banish their private and collective fears through parade and pageantry, music and masquerade, dance, and a devilishly good party. See fire spinners, live bands, and Death Dancers while taking part in a parade and celebration unlike any other.
When: Saturday, October 26
Time: 4:30 to 9 pm
Where: Dufferin Grove Park, 875 Dufferin St
Admission: Free, pay what you can
Sunday, October 27
Punk Rock Flea Market Toronto
What: PRFMTO (try saying that three times fast) is back for another year and will be showing off the most rad selection of curated vendors, fave tunes, new buds, cold brews, and (always) good times.
When: Sunday, October 27
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor Street West
Admission: Free
Cannabis Wedding Expo: Toronto
What: The Expo gives couples, event throwers, and canna-curious the chance to engage with progressive traditional wedding vendors and specialty cannabis brands to learn how to incorporate cannabis into their wedding day in classy and tasteful ways.
When: October 27 to 28
Time: Starts Sunday, 11 pm; ends Monday, 3 pm
Where: The Berkeley Church, 315 Queen St. E
Admission: $20, available online
Howl-O-Ween Party
What: Brunswick Bierworks is throwing a Howl-O-Ween party, complete pumpkin carving, a costume contest (for both dogs and humans), and much more. Plus, all attendees will receive a trick-or-treat bag to fill at vendor booths.
When: Sunday, October 27
Time: 1 pm to 5 pm
Where: Brunswick Bierworks – 25 Curity Avenue
Admission: Available online for $10
56 Minutes: 2 Year Anniversary Show
What: The performance 56 Minutes is turning two years old and is bringing in some of Canada’s very best comics in for the celebration. According to organizers “everyone gets cake so please come even if you don’t like comedy.” Hosted by the show’s creator, Andie Hong.
When: Sunday, October 27
Time: 7 pm
Where: 56 Minutes, 945 Bloor Street W
Admission: $12 online, $15 at the door
Sunday at Field of Screams
What: From pumpkin carving to an Indonesian food pop-up to cask beer, this awesome event has something that appeals to all ages. Try three flavours of Spooky Casks while you’re there and drink easy knowing that 100% of cask purchases will go to the East End United Food Bank.
When: Sunday, October 27
Time: 11 am to 9 pm
Where: Left Field Brewery, 36 Wagstaff Drive
Conservatory Show: 100% a show
What: Are you ready to laugh? See an increadible improv show in the historic Second City building. The event will feature everything the Conservatory 6 group of students has been working on this year. It’s the perfect way to enjoy your Sunday afternoon.
When: Sunday, October 27
Time: 1 pm
Where: The Second City Toronto, 51 Mercer St.
Admission: $10
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie at Cinesphere
What: See the increadible feature-length film spin-off of the Cowboy Bebop tv series. A stand-alone film, set in a world where [a main character] is still alive. See the jazzy animation classic at a Toronto classic, the Cinesphere.
When: Sunday, October 27
Time: 4 pm, 7:30 pm
Where: Cinesphere, 955 Lake Shore Blvd. W
Admission: $15, available online
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