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| Hmm, which one to choose? © Susie Henderson |
Galey Farms
Halloween happenings at Galey Farms range from the toddler friendly to the truly terrifying. Youngsters love clambering aboard covered wagons for a hayride out to the pumpkin patch, where you can pick your own, including quirky-looking pink and tricoloured pumpkins. On October weekends from Thanksgiving onwards, Pumpkinfest includes facepainting, train rides, a kids’ haunted house, live entertainment and a corn maze. Return after dark to the Festival of Fear and dare yourself to enter the adults-only Carnevil haunted house (complete with three ‘chicken’ exits) or the Cornfield of Horror.
When: The final weekend of Pumpkinfest takes place from 10-4pm, 26-27 October 2013. The Festival of Fear runs nightly from 6-10pm until 31 October.
More info: www.galeyfarms.net
Enchanted Halloween at Heritage Acres
After a year off, Heritage Acres is opening its doors once more for an eerie experience of art installations, costumed characters, live music, crafts and yummy food. You can take a train ride, explore the decorated trick or treat trail, spy eye-catching illuminated giant puppets, and enjoy performances by magicians, musicians, stilt-walkers and storytellers.
When: The final weekend of Enchanted Halloween takes place from 5-9pm, 25-26 October and 12-5pm, 27 October 2013.
More info: www.enchantedhalloween.com
Pumpkin Art on Oak Bay Avenue
During the last week of October, familiar faces shine through hundreds of carved pumpkins in an illuminated pumpkin parade behind the Oak Bay municipal hall. Spot glowing TV and cartoon characters, the royal family, prime ministers and famous Canucks past and present. On 31 October, kids can trick or treat in Oak Bay Village businesses – look out for pumpkin posters in shop windows. At 6pm, Halloween revellers gather round the bonfire in Fireman’s Park on Monterey Avenue.
When: 25-31 October 2013.
More info: www.pumpkinart.ca
Pumpkin carving at Victoria Public Market
Use your kids as an excuse to hone your pumpkin-carving skills in the new Victoria Public Market at the Hudson. Pumpkins are free until they run out. While you’re there, check out the market’s terrific food vendors and stock up on homemade apple pie from the Victoria Pie Co, handmade goat’s cheese from Salt Spring Island Cheese or fresh Dungeness crabs from Cowichan Bay Seafood.
When: 12-3pm, 26 October 2013.
More info: www.victoriapublicmarket.com
Royal BC Museum – Wonder Sunday: Halloween
Old Town at the museum is transformed into a spooky street of Halloweens past. Kids can discover how Halloween was celebrated a century ago and indulge in a spot of old-fashioned trick or treating. Don’t forget to dress up in costume for the afternoon.
When: 1-3pm, 27 October 2013.
More info: www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca
