October is here, and New Westminster is brimming with thrilling Halloween events that promise a frightfully good time for all ages! From eerie tours to spooky parties and festive film screenings, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking to be entertained by hauntingly beautiful music at the Halloween Spooktacular Concert, watch a classic film at the Night of the Living Dead, or catch a chilling performance at the Anvil Theatre, New West has it all. Be sure to mark your calendars and make the most of spooky season! 👻
New Westminster Halloween Spooktacular Concert
Get ready for a thrilling afternoon of spine-chilling music at the New Westminster Halloween Spooktacular Concert! Presented by The New Westminster Symphony Orchestra and Tourism New Westminster. Join us for an eerie journey through some of the most haunting and iconic pieces in classical and cinematic music, performed live in the heart of Metro Vancouver.
Pieces will include Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King”, a pulse-quickening ride through a mysterious, dark underworld, and Saint-Saëns’ “Danse Macabre”, where skeletons rise from their graves for a midnight dance. The concert wouldn’t be complete without a nod to classic horror soundtracks like Carpenter’s “Halloween Theme”, Hermann’s iconic score from “Psycho”, Elfman’s popular “Nightmare Before Christmas Medley” and more!
👻 Sunday, October 27, 2024
⏰Doors 1:00pm, Show 2:00-4:00pm
📍Sanctuary on 6th, 207 6th St, New Westminster
Night of the Living Dead
Join us at The Metro Hall this Halloween season for a spine-chilling evening of horror and fun! Immerse yourself in the classic film Night of the Living Dead like never before with our interactive movie experience. Get ready to scream, laugh, and maybe even shed a tear as you participate in this unique event. Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind opportunity to step into the world of the undead. Grab your friends and get your tickets now!
👻 October 25 & 29, 2024
⏰6:00-9:00pm
📍The Metro Hall, 759 Carnarvon Street, New Westminster
River Market Scavenger Hunt
Join in the hunt for Dracula’s elusive bats hidden throughout the River Market at the New Westminster Quay. Simply visit one of the participating businesses, grab your scavenger hunt card, and start collecting stamps for every bat you find!
Participating businesses: Yoga at the Quay, Kinder Books, Baby Nook, Churi, Longtail Kitchen, Pamola Bakery & Deli, Rain City Games, Vancouver Circus School, Butterica Indian Kitchen, Ninja Bubble Tea Express, Uncommon Vintage, Tre Galli Gelato Caffe, Great Wall Tea, Cosy Yarns & Gifts, Cortina Weight Medicine, and Cristal Vibes.
Presented by Downtown New West BIA, Yoga at the Quay, and Family Place, in partnership with BC Palette Art Studio and Sweet Swallow Cake and Cookie Art, this fun-filled event runs from October 1st to October 31st! All completed cards will be entered into a draw with over $550 in prizes up for grabs! So gather your friends and family, put on your detective hats, and get ready to dive into a month of fun and discovery!
👻 October 1-31, 2024
📍New Westminster Quay
Fright Nights on the Fraser
Join the Paddlewheeler Riverboat Tours for this special Halloween night in New Westminster for great music, and prizes & giveaways for best costumes!
Fright Night on the Fraser is a famous Paddlewheeler Riverboat Tours tradition. Year after year this event provides a perfect venue to show off your costume. You don’t have to have a costume, but it’s so much fun if you do! Dance like crazy and enjoy a fun-filled party atmosphere on the Fraser River! Book ASAP, its a popular New Westminster event. Food & Drink specials are available for purchase on board.
👻 Saturday, October 26, 2024
⏰6:00-9:00pm
📍Paddlewheeler Riverboat Tours, 900 Quayside Drive, New Westminster
Trick or Treat at the Quay
👻 Thursday, October 31, 2024
⏰5:00-8:00pm
📍New Westminster Quay, On the boardwalk along the Rivermarket-Quayside Promenade corridor
Ghostly New West Tours
Step back into New Westminster’s past to learn its ghostly history. Join psychic medium Vanesa, as she tells tales of haunted buildings and dark pasts. Vanesa has spent many nights as a paranormal investigator exploring historic places in New Westminster and has learned their secrets.
👻 October 18 & 19, 2024
⏰7:30-9:00pm
📍Hyack Square, New Westminster
Woman in Black
Written by Stephen Malatratt, Based on the novel by Susan Hill, Presented by the Royal Canadian Theatre Company.
Arthur Kipps engages a skeptical young actor to help him tell his terrifying story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul. As the two men reach further into Kipp’s darkest memories, the borders between make believe and reality begin to blur and the flesh begins to creep.
👻 Showtimes:
Thursday, October 31, 7:30pm
Friday, November 1, 7:30pm
Saturday, November 2, 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, November 3, 2:00pm
📍Anvil Theatre, 777 Columbia Street, New Westminster
The Ghosts of New Westminster
An original tour of the truly haunting stories from the past that helped form New Westminster today. Nightly tours are led by local guides who share a deep interest in the history & stories of this land.
Paranormal Investigator and seasoned guide Amanda Quill will be joined by a roving collection of paranormal personalities & guests on this unique tour. New stories to be told, evidence of the paranormal from the last year long tour of Coldspotters Paranormal will be shared, and of course our favourite haunts will be visited. Will you see the Grey Man?
👻 Multiple dates throughout October
📍Hyack Square, New Westminster
Halloweekend: It’s a Stur-mergency!
Sturgeon, known as “ghosts of the Fraser”, are one of the most mysterious species who inhabit the river. Sturgeon George’s family is missing, and we need your help to find them! Join us at the Fraser River Discovery Centre to uncover clues and solve the mystery. Each activity leads to another clue. Put your investigative talents to the test and tackle thrilling STEM challenges to rescue George’s family. Will you be the one to crack the case?
We’ll have a costume selfie station to document your visit. Stop by during the afternoon on Oct 31 for trick or treating!
👻Super Weekend: October 26 – 27, 10:00am – 4:00pm
👻 Trick or Treating: Thursday, October 31, 12:00pm – 8:00pm
📍 Fraser River Discovery Centre, 788 Quayside Drive, New Westminster
The Woman in White
While doing some filming for a recent Tourism New Westminster Halloween campaign, we came across something unexpected. After reviewing the photos, we noticed a figure standing in the lighting booth, even though there was no one there at the time. After doing some research we found out that there have been reports of people spotting a “woman in white” on the theatre balcony, only to see her disappear moments later. I don’t know about you, but we have chills! 👻
📍Massey Theatre, 735 8th Ave, New Westminster
Photo credit: Ruby Campbell
Giant Pumpkin in Sapperton
Did you know? There is a resident in Sapperton who has grown a Giant Atlantic Pumpkin which has now reached over 1,000 pounds. The official name of this pumpkin is “Charlie Rocket” and the grower uses a Giant Pumpkin Weight Estimation Calculator to estimate the weight. He measures the circumference, end and side to Side. The Giant Pumpkin official weigh off was at Krauss Berry Farms on October 5, 2024.
Go New West Pumpkin Go! 🎃
📍Cumberland & Miner St, Lower Sapperton