The Young Professional’s Guide to Halloween 2013 in Toronto

We’re maniacal about Halloween here at Notable. What was once a call for candy is now an excuse to get totally into the ghoulish spirit, whether it be via costuming at parties, howling at haunted houses, or, naturally, resurrecting the living dead. (We’ll leave the latter to you scientifically-inclined YPs.) Here’s your guide to Halloween in Toronto…

Scene Sights
Halloween Haunt at Wonderland is one of our all-time fave devilish ditties. Comprising mazes to make you manic and thrill rides to give you, well, thrills, this themed four-day circus of horrors is definitely worth checking out. Runs the 24th through the 27th.

Possibly the greatest romance ever told, Dracula: A Love Story takes over Casa Loma on the 30th, presenting us with a modern-day take on Bram Stoker’s classic tale. Audience participation is part and parcel. 

Running this weekend and, naturally, the haunted day itself, Screemers is back for its annual spookathon over at the “Screem Elizabeth Building” in Exhibition Place. 

The Randolph Theatre’s production of Evil Dead: The Musical promises to be a sight for sore eyes throughout the next few weeks. We love the fusion of camp and cramps this play entails. 

Parties

Saturday, October 26th
The annual Burroughes Haunted Mansion is back for another year of screams and dreams. The perennially petrified need not worry, however, the biggest fright you’re in for this night is some wicked awful white-boy dance moves. 

Brace yourselves for a sensory explosion at Halloween Homecoming with performances highlighted by Halloween veterans CrashDex (featuring Jerzee), Diggy the DJ from Down With Webster, and Efsharp. $40 tickets ensure you experience Halloween the way it’s MEANT to be done. This isn’t just another night out…

The 4th annual Diablo Halloween Ball takes over the Guvernment again this year, with hundreds expected to attend in their best (and worst) ghoulish garb. Take note: a lot of young’uns like to head here. For some that’s a deterrent, for others it’ll seal the deal…

Down at The Glass Factory, all Elephant Men, hunchbacks of any dame, and Miley Cyrus wannabes are invited to the Freak Show. This more intriguing take on Halloween haunts sees aerialists, fire artists, and contortionists on hand to dazzle the dizzy dudes and dudettes. 

Wanna see some sexy skin this Halloween? (Did we just hear all the fellas cat-call?) The 8th annual Grindhouse Ghoulies sees Skin Tight Outta Sight and the Great Canadian Burlesque paying homage to the sleazy ‘grind’ cinema of days gone by. 

V Masquerade over at #SETonKing is ringing in Halloween in black tie style, with members of the Toronto Argos on hand to host the shindig. 

With a 4am last call, the scariest sight might be who’s left standing at the Stirling Room’s Exit from Eden Halloween party.

All ‘Saints and Sinners‘ are invited to UNIUN this Saturday for devilish delights. This event has prizes for best saint and sinner costumes, and music by Jed Dadson. 

The Hoxton’s tearing up the dancefloor and, of course, your souls at their annual Horror Halloween Saturday. Joachim Garraud is headlining this howl. 

It’s always awful to see the dead rising from the grave and having nowhere to party – hence all the awful damage left in their wake. Luckily, Vogue Supperclub has ’em covered at their Walking Dead Halloween bash. 

Wednesday, October 31th
Boo Bash over at Nyood promises to be a creepy, spooky soiree. DJs DSmooth and Seven will be turning the tables. Costume attire reco’d, obviously.

With DJs Special K and Reno Bravo on hand, and top prizes for best and scariest costumes, the Thompson’s Haunted Hotel will be a kickass spot on Halloween night. 

Over at Cabin on Halloween night, get in the Superhero spirit and dress up as your fave Marvel or DC characters for the venue’s first Halloween in the city. 

Similarly at The Hoxton on the big night, Superheroes vs. Villains promises to shake, rattle, and roll in the ultimate showdown of Good vs. Evil.

Music by Soundboy and costume prizes are just part and parcel of Night of the Dead over at EFS on the hallowed evening. Have you been practicing your Monster Mash…? 

“One Life. Social Love.” If your thought of terror is being alone this Halloween, hit up Brooklyn Bar on the 31st for the aptly (read: kind of boringly) titled Singles Halloween Party.

Cover photo: CNW Group/Canada’s Wonderland Company