Spooktacular: Here are 11 things to do in Metro Vancouver this Halloween

“The Howlover experience returns for a limited run from Oct. 15 through Nov. 1, offering families a way to celebrate Halloween without the big scares.

This isn’t your average haunted house. Guests strap into motion seats and soar across a massive spherical screen, joining the spooktacular characters on a journey across Canada, passing through scenes from the Awaken Canada experience before landing at an otherworldly Halloween music festival.

Along the way, wind, mist, and even scent effects pull guests into the multi-sensory adventure.” Costumes are encouraged for all guests and kids ride free Monday through Thursday. For safety, guests must be at least 40 inches (or 102 centimetres) to ride.

Location: The Polygon Gallery, 101 Carrie Cates Ct., North Vancouver, B.C.
Dates and time: Oct. 31 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Price: Early bird general admission starts at $57.94, with VIP tickets also available.
More information:halloween.thepolygon.ca/

“Come sweat with us at the biggest Halloween event in Vancouver. Expect a high-octane 80s party filled with neon leotards, big hair, and surprises, as the city’s top live acts and DJs, spread throughout the building, help you feel the burn. Refuel at our Beauty Bar, stocked to keep you energized all night.” The event will also feature a freeplay barcade, an on-site tattoo artist, and cash prizes for best costume and best group costume.

Location: VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak St., Vancouver
Dates and time: Sept. 26, 27, Oct. 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 17, and 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Price: Harvest Days is included with general admission to the garden on select days. Prices start at $13.27 for adults with senior, youth and children pricing available. Preschoolers age 4 and under are free.
More information:vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/harvest-days.aspx

“Harvest Days brings the best of the fall season to VanDusen Botanical Garden on weekends from Sept. 26 to October 18. Explore the Learning Garden and maze area, brought to life with autumn activities for all ages. Set among VanDusen’s vibrant fall colours, enjoy live music, face painting, lawn games, crafts, and food trucks, and the Discovery Tent, an interactive space featuring educational activities, and opportunities to connect with local experts. Celebrate the season at one of Vancouver’s most spectacular autumn destinations.”

Location: McKitrick Park (Sungod Recreation Centre) in North Delta and Paterson Park, Ladner
Dates and time: Oct. 24 to 25, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Price: Free to all ages, though registration is encouraged
More information:delta.ca/TheGreatPumpkinCarve.

Come celebrate the harvest season at The Great Pumpkin Carve, a new fall tradition bringing pumpkin carving, local flavours and a glowing community display to Ladner and North Delta.

Participants will carve pumpkins from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Paterson Park in Ladner or McKitrick Park, near Sungod Recreation Centre in North Delta, and add their creations to illuminated walkways throughout both parks. Participants can bring their own pumpkin or purchase one at the event, with carving tools provided on site.

Both events will feature live music, fall-themed games for the whole family, and a traditional end-of-harvest farmers’ potato fry “chip-in” featuring French fries made with potatoes from local Delta farmers. Following the events, carved pumpkins will remain on display through Oct. 31, transforming McKitrick Park and Paterson Park into Great Pumpkin Glow Walks in the lead-up to Halloween.

Free registration for the Great Pumpkin Carve will open to Delta residents on Oct. 1 at 9 a.m. Registration reserves a spot for your carved pumpkin along the illuminated walkway and gives participants an entry into the carving contest, for which voting will be open until 9 a.m. on October 31. Drop-ins are welcome to join the event; however, display spots are limited.

Prizes will be awarded for Scariest Pumpkin, Most Creative Pumpkin, Friendliest Pumpkin, Kids Carve (children under 10), and Best Overall Pumpkin Design.

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