cityscape
The Torontoist Guide to Halloween
Ghost stories, clown costumes, elaborate jack-o'-lanterns, and more.
Photo by Jennifer Williamson from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.
It’s the spookiest time of the year, so we’ve compiled some of Torontoist‘s most memorable Halloween coverage. From bone-chilling real-life scary stories and photos of Toronto’s haunted buildings to a map of ghostly spots around the city, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re handing out candy to cute costumed kids tonight or dressing up like a deranged clown.
- Toronto’s Haunted Hot Spots (Or Should That Be ‘Cold Spots’?) David Demchuk tells us the skin-crawling stories of the city’s haunted locations. Did you know visitors and staff at Fort York have heard odd noises and seen strange apparitions, including a red-coated guard near the entrance? Or that people have reported seeing a faceless nun at St. Michael’s Hospital?
- What to Do in Toronto for Halloween Month 2016. Still no plans for tonight? Jessica Buck tells us what’s happening in the city tonight. One option (if you dare): The Exorcist is playing at Cinemas Market Square.
- This won’t scare your pants off, but it might induce some pumpkin envy. Our photo gallery from Sorauren Park’s pumpkin parade in 2012 showcases some creative carving.
- Haunted City: A Ghost Map of Toronto. Max Hartshorn charts the city’s haunted buildings, from Queen’s Park to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
- Toronto’s Haunted Hot Spots, a Photographic Guide. Demchuk also put together this gallery of creepy old images of Toronto buildings.
- Best Costumes at the Church Street Halloween Block Party. If you need some very last-minute inspiration, this gallery of the scariest and wackiest costumes from the annual Church Street Halloween party is for you.
- A Very Spooky Story: The 506 To Hell. In honour of Halloween this year, Relief Line columnist Richard Light wrote this short story about a very, erm, overheated streetcar ride.
- The Homophobic Egging of Yonge Street. Halloween has some great history in the city, but there are also moments that we’re less proud of. In the 1970s and 80s, homophobic Torontonians made a tradition of heckling, threatening, and egging men in drag as they went to parties on Yonge Street.
- Maybe you’re spending tonight at home, and you went to find a Toronto-related horror film to keep you company? Reel Toronto always has you covered, and has tracked down the filming locations for The Fly, Carrie, the six Saw sequels, and many more.