SPOOKTACULAR HERITAGE EVENTS

WHAT'S HAPPENING WEDNESDAYS

BY: EMILY WELSH

Happy Halloween everyone! Well...almost. With the leaves changing colour, we are coming closer to one of my most beloved occasions to celebrate, Halloween. For this edition of What's Happening Wednesdays we will take a look at five Halloween themed events happening this month at heritage sites and museums around Toronto.

Let's do the time warp this Halloween by checking out events at five heritage sites and museums. Source.

1. Legends of Horror, Casa Loma

 Legends of Horror, is on now at Casa Loma. Source.

On now through Halloween, Legends of Horror at Casa Loma takes visitors through a self-guided walk from the lower grounds through the bowels of the castle. Along the path theatrical performances bring to life characters from horror stories. With Dracula as your guide, you travel at your own pace for 1.5km through an immersive tale of the search for love and immortality.

When: On now through October 31st.
Where: Casa Loma, Entrance-Davenport Rd. and Walmer Rd. 
Cost: $40 in advance, $45 at the door.
Ages: Children 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Parental discretion is advised.
Learn more: https://legendsofhorror.ca/


2. Halloween Extravaganza, Bata Shoe Museum

Children making crafts last year at the Bata Shoe Museum's Halloween Extravaganza. Source.

Back again this year is the Bata Shoe Museum's Halloween Extravaganza. Drop by to decorate Halloween cookies, make crafts and play iSpy in the museum.

When: Saturday October 29th and Sunday October 30th. Activities until 4pm.
Where: Bata Shoe Museum
Cost: Included with admission. Children who come in costume get in free!
Ages: Perfect for children aged 3-12
Learn More: http://www.batashoemuseum.ca/
                     http://www.batashoemuseum.ca/event/halloween-extravaganza-at-the-bsm/


3. Halloween Hootenanny, Black Creek Pioneer Village

Black Creek Pioneer Village hosts their Halloween Hootenanny this October. Source.

Black Creek Pioneer Village's Halloween Hootenanny boasts a variety of Halloween activities at their 1800's pioneer village. Among the many events you can enjoy decorating pumpkins, stage performances, a haunted maze and trick-or-treating among the historic buildings!

Where: Black Creek Pioneer Village
When: 11am - 4:30pm; Saturday October 22nd, Sunday October 23rd, Saturday Oct. 29th, Sunday October 30th
Learn More: http://www.blackcreek.ca/v2/events/howling-hootenanny.dot


4. Spirit Walk, Mackenzie House

Mackenzie House, Toronto. Source. 

 Mackenzie House's Spirit Walk takes visitors on a guided tour to some of Toronto's reportedly haunted buildings and finishes the tour back at Mackenzie House where you can hear about ghosts associated with the building.

Where: Mackenzie House
When: Saturday October 29th, 7pm
Cost: $12.50 + tax; tickets must be purchased in advance.
Ages: Not recommended for children under 8.
Learn More: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=8ccf1d18ed7a0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD


5. Haunted High Park, Colborne Lodge

A tour guide illuminates a tombstone during a past Haunted High Park tour. Source.

    Colborne Lodge once again hosts its Haunted High Park tour. Hear ghostly tales associated with the grounds of High Park on your nighttime tour and learn about Victorian funeral and mourning rituals while inside historic Colborne Lodge. Two versions of the event are available: the adult & teen version and the families & children version.

Where: Colborne Lodge
When: Adult & Teen: 7:30pm - 9pm, Friday October 21st, Friday October 28th and Saturday 
            October 29th
            Families and Children: 6:30pm - 7:30pm or 8pm - 9pm, Saturday October 22nd
Cost:   Pre-registration required.
           Adult & Teen: $20 + tax
           Families and Children: adults $15 + tax, children (8-12yrs) $7.50 + tax
Ages: Adult & Teen: Teens 13-16 years old must be accompanied by an adult. 
           Families and Children: Not recommended for children under 8 years old; children must be
          accompanied by an adult and adults must be accompanied by a child.
Learn More: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=cb6c2271635af310VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

Happy Halloween! Go Jays Go! Photo by the author.

These are just five of the many Halloween events happening at local heritage sites and museums this October. Please share other Halloween events in the comments below! Have a safe and happy Halloween everyone!