Science World is officially getting a Halloween makeover, and it couldn’t come at a better time. Two new featured exhibitions just launched, and there’s a very special, very sinister version of Science World After Dark to look forward to.

It feels like mere weeks since Science World’s giant soccer dome was taken down, panel by panel. It would appear it didn’t have long to rest, because it’s now transforming into a giant jack-o’-lantern—just in time for Halloweekend!

Starting Saturday, Oct. 24, the iconic dome will light up with orange, green, and purple, casting the False Creek skyline under a spooky spell.

Two new featured exhibitions

Once you’re ready to take a look at what’s new inside, you’ll have two new exhibitions to explore. Presented by TD Bank Group, Game Changers is all about immersing guests in the evolution of gaming and computer technology, from the simple graphics and sounds of the first “Pong” to the photo-realistic gaming experiences we have today.

The exhibit explores the technological innovations, creative ideas and cultural influences that have transformed the way we play, and guests have plenty of opportunities to get hands-on.

“Game Changers offers a fascinating look at the evolution of video games, tracing the interplay between game design as an art form and the technology that powers it,” says Jesse Brydle, Game Changers specialist and interpretive planner. “Whether you’re an avid gamer or simply curious, we hope our visitors get to see video games as experiences so they come away understanding the science, creativity and design that goes into making the games we love.”

Developed by the Canadian Science and Technology Museum and managed by Science North, the touring exhibition brings together over 140 iconic titles, 16 of which are playable. This includes arcade classics like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong, as well as console milestones like Super Mario 64.

As they hop from game to game, guests will get to see how advances in graphics, motion sensing, music and storytelling have each pushed the boundaries of what a video game can be.

The second new exhibit to look forward to is The Robot Zoo, presented by White Spot Restaurants. Now open through April 4, 2027, this 5,000-square-foot exhibition features eight giant robotic animals, including a giant squid with 18-foot tentacles, a house fly with a 10-foot wingspan, and a giraffe whose head and neck alone stretch 9 feet tall.

Guests can explore over a dozen hands-on activities that show how animals move, hunt, and adapt, and the engineering behind it all.

A spooky adults-only night

If having free rein over the exhibits at Science World as a full-grown adult sounds like your cup of tea, get ready for the ultimate Halloween party. Adults aged 19+ are invited to explore a haunted dome with shocking, unsettling spectacles, live performances, and installations.

On the main stage, emcee and Drag King Vincent Rice will introduce Canada’s wildest sword swallower and one-man extreme stunt spectacle, Neil E. Dee. Together, they’ll blend spectacle with some of the creepiest, goriest science out there.

Be prepared to be horrified, and maybe even a little grossed out. It’s one of Science World’s top-selling After Dark events of the year, so get ready to mark your calendars.

Ready to snag your spot? Tickets are available online for $44.99 a pop, and the event takes place on Friday, Oct. 30 from 6 to 10 p.m.

If learning about the science behind horror is intriguing to you, this is absolutely the event to kick off your Halloweekend this year.

Recent posts:
Nickelback just announced a massive world tour with seven Canadian stops
Cozy Vancouver coffee shops and bakeries to visit depending on your fall vibe

Isabelle Vauclair

Staff Writer, Vancouver – Isabelle is a West Coast native with an appreciation for Vancouver’s natural landscape, patio scene, and community spaces. She loves to discover new hidden gems in her neighbourhood and share them with readers across the city.

Read articles