With so much going on this Halloween season in Winnipeg, you’re going to need at least two costumes.
Personally, we’re thinking of going as either the Queen (that being Chapell Roan #LoveHer) or Beetlejuice for accompanying the kids, while something more apropos for all the adults-only scary events could be one of those recruiters on LinkedIn who invite you to do an executive MBA… their zombie-like persistence just can’t be denied!
If October means being cornered in a haunted house by a clown, chased through a dark forest by pig mask-wearing butchers, or attending an event to showcase the cosplay you’ve been working on all year—this one’s for you.
And of course, it’s also for parents looking to bring their littles out for a little bit of magic (although, you might be terrified by the use of puns in this article).
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Adult and teenage-only attractions
Deer Meadow Farms presents FARMAGEDDON | 21-155 Springfield Rd
For 2024, Deer Meadow Farms has created what is surely the province’s largest Halloween experience by area. Its famed Forbidden Forest experience has expanded into a full FARMAGEDDON (they are using all caps, so SO AM I!) with three areas found across the farm that will scare the tuna salad right out of you.
The 20-acre Forbidden Forest (and the Haunted Hayride that brings you there) is back in play, featuring nine massive sets and more than 70 actors—including those fellows in pig masks that we want nothing to do with. Jump scares and perhaps being chased by chainsaw-wielding folks? You bet!
New this year is the Texas Chainsaw BBQ experience, which takes place in a 6-acre corn maze, while the CarnEvil haunt features 5,000 square feet of clown scares, which is 4,996 square-feet too many for us after watching those Terrifier films (kidding; there’s no way we could watch those movies).
While there, the 10-acre corn maze is all part of your experience too (so bring a flashlight), while food trucks will be onsite to support the concession stands. It’s also licensed, and vampires will be ready at The Blood Bar to sling Halloween-themed cocktails and shots.
Select dates from October 4 to 31. Visit their website for tickets (which are allocated in time slots and include all three experiences and the hayride) and more details. Note: No costumes allowed for participants; the experience is rated 14+.
Heebie Jeebies | 53071 La Salle Rd, Oak Bluff
As you can tell from its website, Heebie Jeebies is all about production value, and you’ll be blown away at the caliber of its sets and the details of its 140+ characters’ costumes.
This season, Jeebies will be staging five mazes—The Hollows, Cell Block 13, Bunker Z, Saskatchie Cuzzies and Bobo’s Funhouse—and will introduce 30 new characters (it won’t be a friendly introduction, needless to say) and 60 new animatronic features. There will also be live performances of fire, magic and stunts by Brett Oddly; new giants in the Scarezone; four new rooms in Cell Block 13; and plenty of new photo opportunities and carnival games.
Fireworks, food trucks and even unlimited maze re-entry on select evenings too. No costumes for customers. Select dates from October 3 to Halloween. Head to their website for tickets.
The Haunted Forest at Amaze in Corn | 1351 Provincial Rd 200, Saint Adolphe
During the average autumn day Amaze in Corn is packed with crowds exploring the elaborate corn maze, picking up pumpkins in the huge barn, climbing the haystack pyramids and petting all those cute farm animals. Then the sun sets, and all cuteness ends as a cast of fearsome characters takes over its woodlands.
The tight, enclosed trail through The Haunted Forest is peppered with goblins and ghouls (featuring some impressive costumes and makeup), who clearly enjoy their salty work amongst the falling foliage. Note for parents: When The Haunted Forest first opens at 3:30 and it’s still bright out, the forest is appropriate for kids aged 10+. It can also get a little muddy depending on the weather, so wear footwear that you don’t mind getting dirty as you navigate the trails.
Starting September 27 and running select dates to October 27. For tickets go to cornmaze.ca.
Six Pines Haunted Attractions’ Fear by Night | Hwy 101 on Sturgeon Rd
Celebrating 26 years of scares, Six Pines is clowning around for 2024. Its CarnEvil experience is run by head clown Chewy, who has assembled a team of cannibal clowns in the Barn of Doom.
No joke, this experience is super scary, and you should probably judge if you can handle it based on their Instagram content, as all of the characters here have recently graduated from Killer Clown School. Both the complex barn mazes and haunted house are creepy and really quite terrifying, with jump scares around so many corners. If it all sounds too frightening, your group can purchase the Ghost Protector pass which ensures the clowns will not interact with your group as you still navigate the challenging mazes. Individuals can also purchase a Chicken Pass, which does the same for one person.
During the day, Six Pines’ Ghoul Daytime Flashlight Haunt and Scooby Doo experience welcomes kids with its mild scares on October 19, 20, 26 and 27.
Six Pines is located just off Sturgeon Road, approximately 4 km north of the city from the perimeter highway. Select evenings starting October 3 until the 31st. Get your tickets here. Here's a handy map.
Hargrave Street Market's The Hargrave Horror, Halloween Bash and Samhain Witches Night Market | 242 Hargrave St
As tempted as I am to use Har-Grave for this one, this trio of experiences in downtown's most stylish market are no joke. First up on October 25 is The Hargrave Horror which will see the market turned into "the cursed halls of an ancient Mayan Temple." This 25+ event––where costumes are mandatory––will feature live DJs and a red hot dance floor (figurative there, as no one is looking to get burned), wood fired pizzas and wagyu sliders, a costume contest, and spooky vibes. You can even do bottle service (only 8 booths available) which might scare your credit card. General Admission Tickets are only available in store at Flint & Embers (1065 Portage Ave Unit #100).
The following two nights, the market will feature a Halloween Bash hosted by The Wicked Bazaar (Oct 26) followed by the Samhain Witches Night Market on the 27th. Both nights will feature more than 60 vendors; a costume contest; food, drinks and music; and yes, even more spookiness. Full details here.
Escape rooms that will make you scream
The Real Escape | 3137 Portage Ave
The Mine at the Real Escape rooms are tough to talk about because no one likes a spoiler, so all we will say is it opens with you handcuffed to a metal rail in the pitch black while a super creepy voice starts playing on a radio that provides the only faint light in the room. From then on, you and your teammates have to solve a very hard series of puzzles all while being terrorized (mainly in the dark) by a miner in a pig mask. We screamed and had to laugh in relief so many times, and then we got to the point where you need to go down the long winding mine shaft in the pitch black and everyone was like, “Nope. I ain’t going down there.” The whole experience was more invigorating than a jump in a frozen lake. Seriously so good.
Check out their website for FAQs, hours and more.
Killer Noob Escapes | 740B Century St
Sweet Pennywise’s red nose is both so scary and so much fun. During one experience – Buried Alive – we were locked in an actual coffin for 30 min! (But don’t worry, there’s a panic button and it involves you and a team member in two different coffins talking to one another to solve your escape). In another room, The Fun House, we were terrorized by a clown, all while taking turns laughing to cut the tension because it was namely all screams and jumps and plenty of bad language as we attempted to navigate the puzzles. The great thing about completing The Fun House is we now have part 2 – The Upstairs – to look forward to soon.
Killer Noob is unique as some of the experiences are quick, while they also have the traditional one-hour escape experiences. Their facilities are also top-notch.
Visit their website for all the details to know before you go.
Spooky Second Saturday and Death at the Dalnavert Museum | 61 Carlton St
Upper crust Victorians did Halloween well, turning the day into a time for socializing, divination games, and partying. So, what better place to celebrate the season than at the Dalnavert Museum and Visitors’ Centre, where the circa-1895 home will play host to Halloween games, crafts and more with guests being granted free self-guided tours and admissions.
This one is one day only: Saturday, October 12, anytime from noon to 4 p.m. 2024.
The Dalnavert is also going darker with Are You Afraid of Dolls? (yes, who isn’t)––a lecture on October 20, (1 pm.-2 p.m.) and Death at the Dalnavert!, an afterhours tour on select evenings throughout the month where you’ll learn all about Victorian Halloween.
For the whole family
Boo at the Zoo | Assiniboine Park Zoo
As you can read in our article about autumn events at Assiniboine Park, Boo at the Zoo is back and taking up even more areas of the zoo. Expect new roaming performances by fire-breathers, acrobats and giant puppets; craft stations; food and drink kiosks throughout the grounds (parents, the whole zoo grounds are licensed!); live musical performances in the performance tent; a cast of characters that are more about playful interaction instead of scaring the wits out of you; and some brilliant light displays found throughout the course.
Kids and adults alike are encouraged to dress up, all the midway style rides are included with admissions, and tickets are timed out to avoid any large crowds and bottlenecks.
October 4 to 31. Head to their website for timed tickets and parking info.
Witchy Wonderland – A (not-so) Fright Fest | Red River Exhibition Park
Manitoba’s newest Halloween attraction is all about smiles, not screams. Hosted by the Red River Ex, Witchy Wonderland is a cauldron brewing so much magic for your kiddos.
There are rides tailored for tots (with pun names like the “scary-go-round”); thematic areas like Spidey’s Lair, Ship Wrecked, and the Witches’ Coven; a robust inflatable corn maze; food vendors galore; face-painting stations; and so many spots to take cute photos of your tots.
Plus, this being the Red River Ex, you can also expect all manner of cute animals.
Oct 11-13, 18-20, 25-27. Visit their website for info and to book tickets.
Halloween Takeover @ the Manitoba Museum | 190 Rupert Ave
Dress up and join the Manitoba Museum for a full weekend of Halloween-themed activities. A scavenger hunt through the galleries is all about 'ews" and cools, as it covers things gross and fascinating; there will be selfie walls to stage photos of your little pumpkins; and the Planetarium is looking to spooky constellations and planets that could support neither tricks nor treats (nor any living matter, for that matter).
Oct 26-27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Head to their website for more details and to grab your tickets.
Halloween with Hobbs at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada | 2088 Wellington Ave
With his leather flying helmet and bomber jacket, Hobbs is technically always dressed for Halloween, as most mascots should be. On October 30th he’ll be piloting this party from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada's inaugural Halloween bash is cleared for takeoff. The flight plan includes trick-or-treating, games and more.
October 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Howling’ Halloween Express and Spooktacular Lunch | Prairie Dog Central
Move over Hogwarts Express, the most magical train in these parts is the Prairie Dog Central Railway, which thankfully welcomes both little wizards and muggles alike.
This season, there are two special train rides departing from its platform on Inkster (no, you don’t have to walk through a brick wall to board, so please don’t try) that will bring you to and back from historic Grosse Isle.
The Howling' Halloween Express (October 26; departing at 5 p.m.) will feature a costume contest judged by the Prairie Dog’s mascot PD, plus live entertainment on the train by Chris Without the Hat along with caricatures for each kid. Once you arrive at Grosse Isle, you can tour PD’s Haunted Station and enjoy hot dogs and chips that are included in the experience. On Sunday, October 20, this diesel locomotive will also host PD’s Spooktacular Lunch. Departing at 11 a.m., this experience features all of the above, along with even more games on the train ride out.
Given that this historic and utterly charming Prairie Dog Central train is only a few railcars long, both experiences will sell out fast—so head to their website and book now!
Howling’ Halloween Express and (Oct 19 & 26) and Spooktacular Lunch (Oct 20 & 27).
Halloween Howl at the Children's Museum | 45 Forks Market Rd
Now celebrating more than a quarter of a century, the Children's Museum Halloween Howl invites all trick-and-treaters for creepy crafts, treats in all 12 galleries, a dance party with DJ Mama Cutsworth (surely a graveyard smash) and a "photo boo-th" (a pun that's got us howling).
October 26. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tours and more interactive events
At a glance, here are a few more experiences that will raise your hairs (and hopefully not the dead), this month.
SquarePeg Tours
If you are looking for tours that cover the city’s documented ghostly history, check out the award-winning company SquarePeg Tours. Throughout October, they will be hosting an abundance of thematic tours, including:
- Exchange District Ghost Walk (multiple dates)
- Broadway Ghost Walk (multiple dates)
- Firefighter’s Museum Ghost Investigation (October 18)
- Fort Garry Hotel tour on October 19 (here's a fun article on the hotel's haunted history)
- Haunted Winnipeg Bus Tour on October 25 and 28.
Various dates. Find the right tour for you.
Deadly Masquerade - M**der Mystery Cocktail Affair | Shrugging Doctor Beverage Company
The Shrugging Doctor Beverage Company is hosting the Deadly Masquerade - M**der Mystery Cocktail Affair on October 30. This whodunit experience combines drinks, tapas, live music and a murder mystery masquerade. Guests are to dress up while seven actors amongst the attendees will lead the way as you attempt to uncover all the clues.
October 30. Here are the full details and tickets.
The Burton Cummings Theatre | 364 Smith St
Rocky Horror Picture Show fans can once again do “The Time Warp” on October 17, as The Burton Cummings Theatre will host a screening to celebrate the film’s 49th anniversary. The event will be hosted by actress Nell Campbell, who of course plays Columbia in the 1975 film, while there will be a shadow cast and plenty of audience participation. As well, on October 29, The Burt will also host a screening of the original silent horror film version of Phantom of the Opera with a live score accompaniment from the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
Ô Tours' The Dark Stories of Saint-Boniface guided walking tour
Every weekend throughout October Ô Tours will be hosting a "chilling journey" through the city's French Quarter that will have you saying, 'boo-la-la" (sorry, I can't help myself). Covering subjects like fire, mysterious deaths, and dark untold stories, this interactive walking tour will unveil devilish details about this area of the city that is normally known for its European-like charms. Each tour is two hours, covering approximately 3km.
October 4-6, 11-13, 18-20. 25-27, 30-31. Tickets here.
Lower Fort Garry Ghost Tours | 5925 Provincial Trunk Hwy 9, Saint Andrews
The Fort is getting freaky every Friday and Saturday evening this month as this National Historic Site is revealed to be the perfect spot for Ghost Tours. Turns out this storied site is also a perfect site for ghost stories, and on this 90-minute tour you'll learn about its most macabre moments as you tour the grounds while perhaps even encountering a spectre or two.
Tickets available here.
Winnipeg Comic Con | 375 York Ave (RBC Convention Centre)
And finally, for all you cosplayers, sci-fi fans and comic book collectors, Winnipeg Comic Con returns to the RBC Convention Centre from October 25 to 27.
On the celebrity guest side of things, Lord of the Rings fans will relish the opportunity to see Elijah Wood (Frodo) and Billy Boyd (Pippin), both of whom were just announced. Plus, West Vancouver’s Alexander Ludwig (Vikings, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, The Hunger Games) will be there, as will Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s James Masters, plus voice acting star Charlet Chung (Overwatch, Blue Eye Samurai) , Chad Coleman of The Walking Dead, and The Trailer Park Boys from Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia—which indeed is a galaxy far, far away.
There will be over 100,000 square feet of shopping, panels and workshops aplenty, video game tournaments, LARP-ing, and of course The Masquerade costume contest. It’s one of the biggest—if not the biggest attendance-wise ––annual events at the convention centre for good reason.
October 25 to 27. Get your tickets here.