Toronto is getting a new haunted drive-thru this month

Toronto’s Haunted Drive-Thru is set to open next weekend, and it promises one-and-a-half kilometres of spooky props, eerie lighting, and creepy animatronics.

Created by entertainment company Toronto Shines, the immersive Halloween experience is taking over the Docks Driving Range at 176 Cherry Street and will run from October 16 to 31.

“We figured if COVID was going to impact Halloween, let’s provide a safe space for kids to get a bit of a scare and have some semblance of a Halloween experience that they won’t be able to otherwise,” said Farley Flex, one of the founders of Toronto Shines.

Visitors drive through different spooky areas as they progress through the course, including a graveyard, giant kraken, haunted pumpkin patch, and crashed spaceship.

If the drive-thru gives you too much of a fright, the Superdogs will be putting on a Howl-O-ween show on weekends, too.

Toronto Shines says they’ve implemented measures intended to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 throughout the course. Guests stay in their own vehicle the whole time, even for the Superdogs show, and times are pre-booked.

The company has been putting on physically distanced events at Ontario Place all summer, including drive-in comedy shows, movies, and concerts.

“We wanted to create a space for musicians and entertainers to make a bit of income during COVID, and the Drive-Thru concept is an extension of that,” said Flex. “We’re conscious of the invisible effect that COVID has on people. We’re trying to bring some normalcy back to the city.”

Toronto Shines says the Haunted Drive-Thru is “designed to provide a visual extravaganza to safely celebrate everyone’s favourite season.”

Donning a costume is highly encouraged.

Toronto’s Haunted Drive-Thru

Where: 176 Cherry Street, Toronto
Tickets: $24.95 for the Superdogs show, $34.95 for the Haunted Drive-thru, and $49.95 for both
When: October 16 to 31, 2020

Note: While local parks, shops, and events are reopened, Toronto Public Health is reminding individuals to monitor their health for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. And if you’re not feeling well, they recommend staying home at this time. If you decide to go out, maintain the six-feet physical distancing guidelines.