After a much-needed long weekend, it’s time to go back to reality. As much as we’d love a couple of extra days off right about now, we won’t complain because this week is shaping up to be pretty great regardless. The spooky vibes are most definitely high, so it’s a great time to start knocking all of Toronto’s epic haunted attractions off your list. If you dabble in the arts, there are some excellent exhibitions and paint nights to check out this week too. Plus, it’s the opening week of the city’s new Halloween pop-up bar! See, we told you — it’s a wonderful time to be in Toronto.
Without further delay, here are 10 of the best things to do in Toronto this week!
TOUCH
This interactive performance is a combination of powerful projections and superb live dance. It dives into the relationship between two people as they move through the stages of their interactions. It’s described as a deeply moving performance that’ll give you goosebumps the whole way through. The show has been extended through November 7th and the long weekend is a great opportunity to check it out.
Where: 1 Yonge St
When: Until November 7th
HORROR HALLWAYS
Enter if you dare into this “seemingly neverending maze of horror” just north of Toronto in Richmond Hill. “Tremble in complete darkness and get ready to be thrilled by our devil’s work,” the description says. This immersive experience will make you feel as if you’ve stepped into a real-life Halloween nightmare — that is, if you’re brave enough to even enter the haunted halls.
Where: 9350 Yonge St
When: October 1st—October 31st
MARTINO MANOR
One of the city’s best haunted houses and outdoor maze is returning for more Halloween terror this October. One look at the event’s Instagram will tell you that this event is seriously spooky. According to some of its reviews, visitors have called it “very realistic,” “extremely scary,” and “much scarier than most haunted houses.” So, uh, enter at your own risk.
Where: 7 McIntosh Ave
When: October 1st—October 31st
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LUMINATO FESTIVAL
Toronto’s Luminato Festival is finally returning this year and it’ll be a hybrid of both live and online events. This year’s event will feature immersive theatre, podcasts, public art installations, dance, and film. You can see the whole lineup of programming here.
Where: Various locations
When: October 13th — October 17th
TORONTO AFTER DARK FILM FESTIVAL
This festival is back for its 15th edition this October for 5 days of action, horror, and sci-fi movies you can screen from home. Anyone in Canada can get in on the action for the first time ever, which includes the top picks from over 1,000 filmmakers who submitted their movies to the festival. New films are added to the schedule each day and you can find out more about them here.
Where: Virtual
When: October 13th—October 17th
BLACK LAGOON POP-UP BAR
Ready to have a freakishly good time? The Halloween bar of your dreams (or should we say nightmares) has arrived in Toronto for a month of devilish debauchery. Running on select dates throughout October, Black Lagoon will serve up creepy cocktails in an equally creepy immersive space. The waitlist opens on October 14th at 4:30 p.m., so mark your calendar.
Where: 866 Bloor St W
When: October 14th — October 31st
CANDYLAND AT BAYVIEW VILLAGE
The drool-worthy pop-up experience is appropriately called Candyland and is gracing Bayview Village until December. You’ll be able to experience an eight-foot gumball walk-in photo-op, walls lined with gumball machines, and a rainbow road of colourful candy boxes. Talk about an Instagrammable pop-up!
Where: 2901 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON
When: Until December 2021
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POP-ART PAINT NIGHT
Did the AGO’s Andy Warhol exhibit leave you feeling inspired to follow in his footsteps? You can learn all the skills and techniques to create your own pop-art at this special painting workshop at Stackt Market. You’ll be provided with all the tools and will walk away with a pop-art masterpiece of your own creation.
Where: 28 Bathurst St
When: October 13th
HALLOWEEN NIGHTS OF LIGHTS
Back by popular demand, Nights of Lights is an immersive Halloween experience that promises to be even bigger and better than last year. You’ll get to drive through 2.2 kms of glowing laneways featuring over 1.5 million LED and RGB lights synchronized to your favourite spooky tunes. You’ll make your way through Trick or Treat Lane, a glowing “neighbourhood” filled with lights while costumed actors hand out candy from a safe distance.
Where: 6 Newkirk Rd
When: October 1st — October 31st
HIT UP A HEATED PATIO
If you aren’t ready to give up patio season just yet, you’ll be happy to know that there are tons of gorgeous heated patios in Toronto equipped with everything you need to stay toasty no matter how chilly it gets. Whether it be an extra shot in your drink or a sheepskin blanket to wrap around your shoulders, these spots have your needs covered.
Where: Various locations
