Looking for a Halloween activity in Montreal this year? Good news: throughout October, the city transforms into a playground for thrill-seekers. Haunted amusement parks, illuminated gardens, horror cinema, costume balls, and ghost tours in Old Montreal: here are our suggestions for Halloween 2026 activities in Montreal, for both kids and adults, with confirmed dates and links to official sites.
Family Halloween Activities in Montreal
Frissons d'Halloween at the Botanical Garden
Every fall, the Montreal Botanical Garden offers Frissons d'Halloween, an event designed for children. In October, the Main Greenhouse and the outdoor maze host strange plants, whimsical creatures, and costumed characters, with surprises and activities for young visitors. It's a gentle Halloween outing, without real scares, ideal for little ones. Specific dates and prices are published on the Espace pour la vie website.
Gardens of Light: The Evening Walk
While you're at the Garden, stay until nightfall. From September 3 to November 1, 2026, the Gardens of Light illuminate the Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, and First Nations Garden with lanterns, projections, and soundscapes. It's not a scary event, but the nighttime stroll among the autumn leaves is perfect for families during the Halloween season.
Festilumi: A Halloween-Colored Light Trail
At Marché Central, Festilumi offers a 1.5 km walking trail with millions of lights. Until October 29, 2026, the decor takes on a Halloween vibe: pumpkins, skeletons, bats, ghosts, and a haunted cemetery. A great evening outing idea with kids, without too many thrills.
Massonloween on Promenade Masson
On October 24 and 25, 2026, Promenade Masson in Vieux-Rosemont celebrates Massonloween, a neighborhood party presented for over twenty years. Decorations, setups, stories, and surprises await kids and their parents on the street. You're invited to come in costume! The event takes place rain or shine. Detailed programming is announced by Promenade Masson.
La Ronde: The Fright Fest
You can't talk about Halloween in Montreal without mentioning the Fright Fest at La Ronde, at Parc Jean-Drapeau. In 2026, it runs from October 3 to November 1, on weekends, as well as Monday, October 12, and Fridays, October 23 and 30.
The park offers two atmospheres:
- Daytime: decorations and costumed activities, without scares, suitable for the whole family;
- Evening (around 6 p.m.): the scare zones open, with monsters, zombies, and creatures taking over the park. A 25-minute show features over 50 creatures, and a DJ hosts the evenings.
La Ronde notes that the evening program contains horror elements and is not recommended for young children. Hours vary by date: check the official La Ronde website before you go and buy your tickets online.
Halloween Activities for Adults
SPASM Festival: Celebrating Genre Cinema
From October 21 to 31, 2026, the SPASM Festival celebrates its 25th edition. This must-attend Halloween event in Montreal presents funny, twisted, scary, and spectacular short films from Quebec and beyond. If you love horror films and genre cinema in all its forms, this is the festival to add to your agenda. Programming and tickets on spasm.ca.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Ball
At Théâtre Rialto (5723, avenue du Parc), the Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Ball returns on October 29, 30, and 31, 2026, with two performances per night (7 p.m. and 11 p.m.). The cult film is screened on the big screen while a troupe performs it on stage. On the menu: costume contest, Time Warp dance, audience shout-outs, and props. A festive Halloween evening, far from the classics. Details on rockyhorrormtl.com.
Inside the Minds of Serial Killers
Looking for a different kind of thrill? The immersive exhibition Inside the Minds of Serial Killers opens on October 9, 2026, downtown. It is aimed at an audience aged 16 and over and explores criminal psychology through re-enacted scenes.
Ghost Stories in Old Montreal
The streets of Old Montreal have their share of legends, tragedies, and unexplained phenomena. Several companies offer nighttime walking tours, ideal during the Halloween season:
- Haunted Montreal offers tours in Old Montreal, Griffintown, downtown, and on Mount Royal, as well as a haunted pub crawl. Public tours are in English (French is available for private tours);
- Fantômes Montréal offers haunted walks in Old Montreal, led by storytellers.
Place d'Armes, Champ-de-Mars, Place Jacques-Cartier, Château Ramezay: ghost stories take on a whole new dimension once night falls. Book in advance, as October tours fill up quickly.
Halloween Activity Ideas at Home or in Class
Not in the mood to go out? Here are some game and activity ideas to celebrate Halloween with kids, at home or with a class:
- Pumpkin Carving: a fall tradition that appeals to both young and old. Keep the seeds to roast!
- Candy Hunt: hide treats around the house or yard, with riddles to solve to find them.
- Story Night: read Halloween books or make up ghost stories in turn, flashlight under the chin.
- Craft Workshop: pipe cleaner spiders, paper bats, cardboard witch hats… Enough to enrich home decorations.
- Halloween Games: toilet paper mummy, pumpkin fishing, Halloween bingo, or a costume contest.
- Movie Night: popcorn and Halloween movies suitable for the children's age.
These activities are low-cost and allow the celebration to last before and after October 31.
Practical Info for Halloween 2026 in Montreal
- When: most events take place throughout October, peaking in the last week (October 24 to October 31).
- Tickets: book online for La Ronde, Rocky Horror, and ghost tours; the best evenings often sell out.
- Transport: the metro serves La Ronde (Jean-Drapeau station), the Botanical Garden (Pie-IX station). For Promenade Masson, public transport remains the best option.
- Hours and Prices: they change from year to year and depending on the date. Always check the official site of each event.
Frequently Asked Questions About Halloween Activities in Montreal
What are the activities to do for Halloween in Montreal?
Among the must-sees: La Ronde's Fright Fest, Frissons d'Halloween and Gardens of Light at the Botanical Garden, Festilumi, Massonloween, SPASM Festival, Rocky Horror Ball at Théâtre Rialto, and ghost tours in Old Montreal.
What Halloween activities can be done with family?
For kids, opt for Frissons d'Halloween at the Botanical Garden, Massonloween, Festilumi, or La Ronde during the day, before the scare zones open. At home, pumpkin carving and candy hunts are sure bets.
What games can be played for Halloween?
Toilet paper mummy, candy hunts, Halloween bingo, pumpkin fishing, costume contests, and ghost stories told in the dark are perfect for a children's party or a class.
Where to spend a Halloween evening for adults in Montreal?
La Ronde's Fright Fest in the evening, SPASM Festival, Rocky Horror Picture Show Ball, and haunted pub tours in Old Montreal are excellent options for an adult Halloween night out.
Also Discover in Montreal
Continue your fall with the La Ronde page, the Gardens of Light, or the Festilumi trail. Do you like thrills? Also read our article on Prison Island Montreal.
