A spooky Halloween for $20 or less
Between costumes and decorations, the cost of celebrations can get scary, but it doesn’t have to be
The spookiest time of year is almost here, and between costumes, decorations and activity fees the cost of Halloween can be scary. So the Star reached out to Krystal Carter, media relations manager at Tourism Toronto, for her suggestions for celebrating Halloween in Toronto for cheap. Here are some of her tips on how to have an awesomely eerie time for $20 or less. Haunted High Park: Ever wanted to explore the grounds of High Park after dark? Curious about what ghosts may be haunting the area? Do you like snacks? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this may be the tour for you.
Special tours are offered for teens and adults, as well as families and children; preregistration is required online. All tours start at Colborne Lodge, at the south end of High Park on Colborne Lodge Dr.
Cost: The adult and teen tour is $20; the families and children tour goes for $7.50/$15. Float a pumpkin: Another High Park favourite that’s great for families: carve a pumpkin, then watch it float away. The 21st Annual Twilight Pumpkin Float in High Park is held on Oct. 30 between 4 and 6 p.m.
Cost: $2.50 per pumpkin Haunted walks: The Tour Guys are running a free Halloween walk every Thursday to Sunday (and Halloween Monday!) before the big night. Described as “a mix of spooky stories and scientific skepticism,” the tours begin at Old City Hall and end near Ryerson University.
Just make sure to make a reservation online (and bring a friend if you scare easily).
Cost: Free, but make sure to tip your guide at the end of the tour. Party on the street: The annual Church-Wellesley Village street party is held on Oct. 31. Join thousands of Torontonians in crazy costumes for an awesome haunted night — and hope for no rain!
Cost: The party is free; for an even cheaper night, pick up your costume at a thrift shop. Make a mask: Know an artistic child? Take them to the Todmorden Mills Heritage Site for a Halloween mask-making workshop. The popular event is held on Oct. 22 from 1to 4 p.m., and includes delicious treats. A lantern-making workshop on Oct. 23 and “retro” Halloween family drop-in on Oct. 29 are also offered. Cost: Workshops are $10 for adults/$5 for children; the retro drop-in runs for $3.76/$7.08 (plus applicable taxes) — just make sure to call 416-396-2819 to register. Get historical: Fort York can get spooky after dark. Lantern Tours run Oct. 26, 27 and 28, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., and include visits to military cemeteries, a haunted lighthouse, and stories of bloody battles held near the fort. Refreshments are served — but the tour is not advised for children under age 8.
Cost: Tickets are $12.50 (plus tax) each; call 416-392-7484 for information or to preregister.