A Month of Spooky Spectacles: Burnaby Halloween Festival 2023

The spookiest season of the year is approaching, and Burnaby is gearing up to host its most thrilling Halloween Festival yet! The Burnaby Halloween Festival 2023 promises to be a bone-chilling, hair-raising extravaganza filled with a wide range of events and activities for all ages. We invite locals and visitors alike to join in the spine-tingling fun throughout the month of October.

With a steadfast commitment to becoming Canada’s number-one Halloween destination by 2027, Burnaby is pulling out all the stops to captivate thrill-seekers and Halloween enthusiasts. This year, the festival boasts an impressive lineup of fourteen events that are guaranteed to deliver maximum thrills and chills, catering to families and individuals alike. Some events require tickets, while others are free with exciting contest components.

Delve into the Festival’s Thrilling Event Lineup below…

This year, Pumpkins After Dark makes its triumphant return with a spectacular array of freshly unveiled pumpkin exhibits and artistic marvels. This captivating event boasts a mesmerizing illuminated pathway adorned with over 6,000 intricately hand-carved pumpkins, choreographed to the harmonious symphony of music and spellbinding special effects. This year, the event promises an even more immersive and interactive journey for all ages to enjoy.

Also returning is the Residential Decorating Contest, challenging Burnaby residents to turn their homes into eerie masterpieces. Halloween enthusiasts vie for prizes, showcasing their creative spirit. Find your way to these haunted homes with our map on this site (coming mid-October).

Credit: Jess MacAleese

But that’s not all – introducing the spine-tingling newcomers for 2023:

Burnaby’s First-Ever Monster Dash 5K: On Sunday, October 29th, brave souls and daring spirits are invited to join Burnaby’s most thrilling Halloween-themed race. Costumes aren’t just welcome; they’re highly encouraged. Lace-up your running shoes and prepare for a race through the heart of Burnaby, where the air is charged with the adrenaline-fueled energy of the season.

Candlelit Crime a Murder Mystery Dinner: Step into a world of suspense, elegance, and camaraderie at this immersive Murder Mystery Fundraiser in support of the Burnaby Hospital Foundation. Enjoy a delectable three-course meal while engaging in live entertainment, silent auctions, and interactive challenges. Your detective skills will be put to the test, all while making a positive impact on your local community.

Vancouver Horror Show Film Festival: Prepare for spine-tingling thrills and blood-curdling chills at ‘VHS: The Burnaby Edition.’ It’s the ultimate Horror Film Festival, where fear takes center stage, and the most terrifying tales come to life on the silver screen.

Central Spark: On Friday, October 27th, Central Park will come alive with the spookiest and most sparkly event of the season. Families are invited to join us for an unforgettable Halloween-themed night filled with fun activities, games, delectable food trucks, mesmerizing fireworks, and more.

Haunted Village – Legends, Tales and Other Stories: From October 19th to 29th, Burnaby Village Museum opens its doors to families and people of all ages for a family-friendly Halloween experience like no other. Immerse yourself in thrilling tales and legends that will transport you to another world,

In Praise of Nightmares: On Friday, October 27th, at the Shadbolt Centre, join us for a night of 1920s classic horror cinema that will send shivers down your spine. This unique event features two silent short films expertly paired with live music, intensifying every spine-tingling moment.

At the Dagerpaatch @ Dageraad Brewing, enjoy the perfect blend of beer and creativity as you carve your very own pumpkin. Join The Amazing Brentwood for Brick-or-Treat, where LEGO enthusiasts can marvel at a large-scale LEGO creation by Robin Sather and build their mini LEGO set.

For an artistic twist, don’t miss Guts and Seeds, where you’ll discover enchanting pumpkin carvings, crafted by local students, amidst captivating sculptures that will ignite your imagination. Joker’s Canada Comedy Night promises spooktacular humor and a ghoulishly good time, while The Rec Room’s Halloween Drag Extravaganza brings dazzling performances, fierce costumes, and a wicked good time to the stage.

And for those with a competitive spirit, head over to Metropolis @ Metrotown for the Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest, hosted by The Pie Hole – can you conquer the pie and become our Pumpkin Pie Champion?

Situated centrally in the lower mainland, Burnaby is accessible from everywhere and connected by Skytrain, bus and highway. Getting to or from the city of Vancouver is a quick 15-minute Skytrain ride, and the major highways out of town are directly accessible.

As the Halloween season approaches, Burnaby is the place to be for those seeking a dose of spine-tingling excitement. With a commitment to becoming the premier Halloween destination in Canada by 2027, the Burnaby Halloween Festival 2023 is poised to deliver unforgettable moments, eerie encounters, and hair-raising memories.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a hauntingly enchanting narrative!