Winnipeg: get your freak on, because Halloween is now officially in full swing at attractions and events all across the city.
Whether it is family-friendly fun you are looking for (including the best spots for trick-or-treating) or if you are older and you want to be scared right out of your pumpkin motif socks, Only in the Peg has you covered:
For the kids
Lower Fort Scary is the It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown of Halloween events in the city (because it’s a classic, you know what I’m saying?). This annual event at the historical grounds of Lower Fort Garry — which this year takes place 11 a.m.-4 p.m., October 18, 24, and 25 — is tailored specifically for youngsters, inviting them to get dressed up for a fun day featuring just a bit of fright. There will be a magician, ghosts in the hay loft, a witch’s pantry, and Halloween crafts and face painting.
At Lower Fort Scary the kids (and their chaperones) get driven around from stop to stop on the Scary Express (a decked out trolley) while hot chocolate, treat bags and cookies are also on the agenda.
(Lower Fort Scary/Parks Canada)
Lower Fort Scary was also just awarded with the Manitoba Tourism Partnership Award by Travel Manitoba for their work with Variety, the Children’s Charity of Manitoba, for establishing “an accessible, inclusive, and immersive Halloween program for children and caregivers of all abilities.” For tickets click here.
For some indoor trick-or-treating fun you can take the kids to either Grant Park Mall or Kildonan Place a day early on October 30th. Kildonan Place will be doing a trick-or-treating in the mall from 2-4:30 p.m. while Grant Park will be doing an “experiential” event for the kids from the early afternoon into the evening.
As well, inside The Forks Market on October 25th, kids can do some early trick-or-treating along with face painting and crafting.
For an older crowd (aka not for the faint of heart)
Lower Fort Garry is also doing an ages 14+ night called Fright Night at the Fort: Prison Break. From 7-11 p.m., on October 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, this historical site will be overrun by inmates who have recently escaped from the local penitentiary. You’ll only be shielded from their wrath by some local residents of the fort along with North West Mounted Police.
Brand new on the Halloween scene this year is Fear the Sliding Dead at Fun Mountain. If The Walking Dead gives you nightmares (which it does for me, like seriously, are Rick and the crew ever going to find a safe spot… God I hope so, at least for the sake of my sleep patterns) then you best stay clear of this one. From 7 p.m.-midnight, October 25-31, a dimly lit, interactive zombie apocalypse is waiting to be explored. All you and your crew will get is a guide who is your only possible source of salvation. Strength be with you my friends.
Just watch the video on their Facebook page — it’s pretty terrifying.
At A Maze in Corn, it gets super scary for all of October with their Haunted Forest. If you thought a towering corn maze was spooky with its stalks rustling in the wind, wait until you step into their forest where the creatures of the night are waiting to feast on your flesh. Open Thursday through the weekend all month long, 6:30 p.m.-10:30 a.m. Thurs-Fri., 3:30 p.m-10 p.m. Sat-Sun.
(Six Pines Attractions)
More terrifying times in Winnipeg during October are found at Six Pines Haunted Attractions. This year they have three new locations — the Barn of Doom: Six Pines Mortuary; Terror Train: Snow White & Seven Ghosts; and carnEvil — have been added to their panic-inducing lineup of locales.
Their nighttime hours start October 8, then run the 9th-10th, 15th-17th, 22nd-24th, and 29th-30th. The ticket booth opens at 6 p.m., but the gates generally close by 9 p.m. as they usually reach capacity (it gets more and more popular every year).
They also do daytime, family-friendly fare at this interactive attraction, where the actors are more focused on fun — as opposed to scaring the living daylights out of you. For full hours of operation click here.
If zombies and terrifying scenarios are not your thing, you can instead embark on a tour from Muddy Water Tours where multiple tours are being offered all month long that will expose you to all the paranormal activity going on in the city.
Live Shows
From October 22 to 25, and 27 to 31, Wasteland Productions Presents: The Rocky Horror Show at The Park Theatre. These are the same peeps who brought us Evil Dead: The Musical last year, a hilarious blood bath that audiences adored. This Richard O’Brien classic first appeared onstage in London in 1973 before becoming a cult classic film in 1975. Tickets are sure to go fast, so get yours today (and check out our Twitter account as we will be contesting a couple pairs for the show).
The Winnipeg Folk Fest peeps sent this Xavier Rudd info to me with the subject line Didgeriboo! which is pure genius (Winnipeg Folk Festival/Xavier Rudd)
Finally, everyone’s favourite Australian multi-instrumentalist (not to mention activist and surfer) Xavier Rudd just happens to be playing in Winnipeg on Halloween night. If you haven’t been to an Xavier Rudd show stop repressing yourself and get tickets to this one at The Burton Cummings Theatre. This guy’s voice is incredible, he plays a ridiculous amount of instruments — including the didgeridoo, slide guitar and base drum (often all at one time) while his shows are pretty much a spiritual experience. Plus, his new band The United Nations is quite amazing and, this being Halloween night and all, dressing up will give you a chance to win the ultimate Xavier Rudd prize package.
