Spooktacular things to do around Ottawa and Eastern Ontario this October
With October here, it’s time to start planning some spooktacular fun around Ottawa! This guide brings together Halloween-themed events happening across Ottawa and nearby Ontario communities. I’ve included everything from family-friendly pumpkin adventures to haunted attractions, spooky performances and Halloween parties. Some events run throughout the month, while others take place on specific dates, so keep scrolling to find something that suits you.
This is a live-style list and event details can change. The listings below are a working research draft based on information available as of October 9, 2026. Please check each organizer’s website for current schedules, ticket availability, age recommendations and any changes before you go.
Ongoing / Recurring Events for October
Saunders Farm Daytime “PumpkinFest”
Dates/Times: Selected dates through November 1, 2026; check the calendar for specific dates and arrival slots.
Location: Saunders Farm, 7893 Bleeks Road, Ottawa (Munster Hamlet), ON
Website: https://saundersfarm.com/pumpkinfest/
Make a day of autumn fun at Saunders Farm! PumpkinFest brings together pumpkin picking, wagon rides, hedge mazes, live entertainment, play structures, food and seasonal treats. There are also gentler, family-friendly spooky attractions for visitors who want Halloween atmosphere without the full FrightFest experience.
Saunders Farm Nighttime “FrightFest”
Dates/Times: Selected nights through November 1, 2026; check the official calendar for nightly hours and ticket slots.
Location: Saunders Farm, 7893 Bleeks Road, Ottawa (Munster Hamlet), ON
Website: https://saundersfarm.com/frightfest/
Ready for a serious scare? FrightFest transforms Saunders Farm into a nighttime Halloween destination with haunted attractions, street theatre, live entertainment and food. Choose an arrival time when booking and plan to spend the evening exploring the scares. Check attraction details before bringing younger visitors.
Pumpkin Fest at Proulx Maple & Berry Farm
Dates/Times: September 19–October 31, 2026; confirm operating days and times before visiting.
Location: Proulx Maple & Berry Farm, 1865 O’Toole Road, Cumberland, ON
Website: https://ottawatourism.ca/en/ottawa-insider/spooky-and-fun-halloween-activities-in-ottawa-this-fall
By day, Proulx Farm becomes a seasonal playground, with farm activities, mazes, wagon rides and fall fun for families. It’s a good option for a daytime outing before the evening haunted attractions begin.
sKreamers – A Haunting Experience
Dates/Times: Friday and Saturday nights in October; check the official site for exact dates, session times and tickets.
Location: Proulx Maple & Berry Farm, 1865 O’Toole Road, Cumberland, ON
Website: https://skreamers.ca/
When night falls, Proulx Farm takes a much spookier turn. sKreamers combines a haunted wagon ride through the woods with walk-through haunted attractions. This is aimed at visitors looking for a fright rather than a gentle family activity; check age recommendations before booking.
Acres of Terror
Dates/Times: Selected October dates; daytime family sessions and nighttime scare sessions vary. Book a specific date and time online.
Location: Cannamore Orchard, 1480 County Road 32, Crysler, ON
Website: https://www.cannamoreorchard.com/acres-of-terror
Cannamore Orchard’s Halloween attraction features four main experiences: the Spooky Wagon Ride, House of Terror, Fog Maze and Spooky Village. Daytime sessions are toned down for families with younger children, while nighttime is designed for visitors who enjoy a bigger scare. Tickets are limited and must be booked in advance.
Pumpkinferno at Upper Canada Village
Dates/Times: October 2026 on scheduled evenings; consult the official calendar for operating dates and times.
Location: Upper Canada Village, 13740 County Road 2, Morrisburg, ON
Website: https://www.uppercanadavillage.com/event/pumpkinferno/
This outdoor experience transforms the historic village into a glowing gallery of handcrafted illuminated pumpkins. Wander the route and discover imaginative displays, characters and seasonal scenes. Pumpkinferno is suitable for a wide range of ages and makes a memorable evening outing.
The Haunted Walk of Ottawa
Dates/Times: Multiple dates throughout October; tour schedules and availability vary by experience.
Location: Various downtown Ottawa locations; check the selected tour for its meeting point.
Website: https://hauntedwalk.com/experience/original-haunted-walk-of-ottawa/
Discover Ottawa’s darker history on a guided evening walk led by a cloaked storyteller. Tours share local ghost stories, eerie legends and tales connected to historic buildings. Check the website for available tour types, meeting points and dates.
Special Events by Date
Trick or Treat with the Mayor
Dates/Times: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 5:00–8:00 p.m.; check the City’s page for entry details.
Location: Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, ON
Bring the kids in costume for a Halloween visit to Ottawa City Hall. Families can explore themed scenes inside the Heritage Building and enjoy a glowing pumpkin patch outside, with costumed characters along the way. Check the City’s page for admission information, accessibility details and any capacity limits.
Spooky Symphony
Dates/Times: Sunday, October 18, 2026; check the NAC website for performance time and tickets.
Location: National Arts Centre, Southam Hall, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON
Website: https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/40421
Get into the Halloween spirit with the NAC Orchestra and special guests performing spooky orchestral favourites. Costumes are welcome, making this a fun seasonal concert for families and music lovers.
Watson’s Mill Haunt Nights
Dates/Times: October 22–24, 2026; consult the organizer’s event page for times and ticket details.
Location: Watson’s Mill, 5524 Dickinson Street, Manotick, ON
Website: https://watsonsmill.com/calendar/watsons-mill-dickinson-house-calendar-of-events/
The historic mill gets a Halloween makeover for nights of spooky exploration. Visitors can expect haunted spaces and eerie atmosphere inside one of Manotick’s best-known heritage landmarks. Check the event page for age guidance, entry times and ticket availability.
Wickedly Westboro
Dates/Times: Saturday, October 24, 2026, 1:00–4:00 p.m.; confirm details with the organizer.
Location: Westboro Village, along Richmond Road, Ottawa, ON
Website: https://westborovillage.com/ww/
Costumes at the ready! Wickedly Westboro invites families to trick-or-treat at participating neighbourhood shops and enjoy Halloween-themed activities. Expect a lively community atmosphere and plenty of opportunities for kids to show off their costumes. Check the organizer’s site for the final 2026 programme.
Get Witchy With It! Halloween Drag Show + Dance Party
Dates/Times: Saturday, October 24, 2026; check the ticket page for doors and showtime.
Location: House of Targ, 1077 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON
House of Targ celebrates spooky season with a Halloween drag show and dance party featuring performers, music and creative costumes. Expect campy, colourful Halloween fun and a lively after-dark atmosphere. Check the ticket page for admission details and age restrictions.
Stittsville Oktoboofest
Dates/Times: Saturday, October 24, 2026; check the organizer’s event listing for hours.
Location: Johnny Leroux Stittsville Community Arena, 10 Warner-Colpitts Lane, Stittsville, ON
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/1031763289581770/
This community event mixes autumn market fun with a Halloween twist. Browse local vendors, enjoy music and community activities, and look out for the event’s werewolf mascot. Check the organizer’s page for the latest programme.
Halloween at The Log Farm
Dates/Times: October 29–November 1, 2026; check the official site for session times and booking details.
Location: The Log Farm, 670 Cedarview Road, Ottawa, ON
Website: https://thelogfarm.com/pumpkins/
Head to The Log Farm for a family-friendly seasonal outing. Activities may include wagon rides, a corn maze, pumpkin patch, farm animals and hay play areas. Check the website for the current Halloween programme and ticket availability.
Toddlers’ Halloween Hunt
Dates/Times: October 30–31, 2026; check the museum website for available time slots.
Location: Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Carp, ON
Website: https://diefenbunker.ca/events/
The Diefenbunker’s Halloween Hunt is designed to get little ones into the Halloween spirit. Children can come dressed in costume and explore the museum for Halloween surprises. Check the event listing for age guidance, booking requirements and session availability.
Day of the Dead Festival
Dates/Times: Friday, October 30–Sunday, November 1, 2026; programme and hours vary by day.
Location: ByWard Market / York Street Plaza, Ottawa, ON
Website: https://www.dayofthedeadfestival.ca/
Celebrate Mexican culture through art, music, dance, food and family activities at Ottawa’s Day of the Dead Festival. The festival offers cultural performances, artisan displays, traditional food and activities for visitors of different ages. It’s a cultural celebration rather than a traditional haunted Halloween event.
‘Til Death Fest
Dates/Times: October 30–31, 2026; check ticket page for doors, set times and age restrictions.
Location: Preston Event Centre, 523 St. Anthony Street, Ottawa, ON
Website: https://ticketscandy.com/e/til-death-fest-2026-oct-3031-20897
‘Til Death Fest is billed as a two-night Halloween electronic-music event with immersive production, themed décor and a costume contest. Check the ticket page for the full lineup, times, entry requirements and age restrictions.
Trick ’n Treat – Halloween Costume Party
Dates/Times: Friday, October 30, 2026; check the ticket page for start time and admission details.
Location: Collab Space, 70 Bongard Avenue, Ottawa, ON
Website: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/trick-n-treat-halloween-costume-party-tickets-1992518656940
This Halloween party invites guests to dress up, enjoy music and celebrate the season in a party setting. Check the event page for the full schedule, ticket information and any age restrictions.
Halloween at the Bunker
Dates/Times: Saturday, October 31, 2026; check the museum website for the day’s programme and hours.
Location: Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Carp, ON
Website: https://diefenbunker.ca/events/
Spend Halloween at the Diefenbunker, where the museum lists seasonal activities for visitors. Costumes may be welcome; review the museum’s current event page for confirmed activities, timing, registration and age guidance.
Nightmare on Queen Street
Dates/Times: Saturday, October 31, 2026; check the event page for start time and tickets.
Location: Queen St. Fare, 170 Queen Street, Ottawa, ON
Website: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/lez-go-presents-nightmare-on-queen-street-2026-tickets-2000295615031
Lez Go’s Halloween celebration brings together music, dancing, creative costumes and a party atmosphere. Check the ticket page for event details, admission information and any age restrictions.
Before You Head Out
Many Halloween attractions use timed-entry tickets and can sell out, particularly on weekends and close to October 31. Check each organizer’s website before leaving home for current dates, times, prices, age recommendations, accessibility information and weather updates. This guide focuses on Ottawa and surrounding Ontario communities; Gatineau and other Quebec locations are excluded.
Editorial note: This is a working draft. Some listings are recurring attractions or point to an organizer’s general calendar where a dedicated 2026 event page or exact hours should be confirmed before publication. I will be adding more events as they are released! If you want your event added, just email me!
