It’s not just for kids! Halloween is only a few days a way and this year Vancouver has upped the scare factor big time. From horror movies to haunted houses riddled with the bodies of the living dead, these are Vancouver’s most frightening Halloween attractions.
Even the pictures from this year’s Fright Nights have us feeling a little uneasy. The PNE’s iconic Halloween celebration is back for another year of absolutely grotesque terror. This year, a new brood of mutants are waiting for you within Fright Nights’ 8 haunted houses (including their new house, The Bloodshed). The family of cannibals will jump out, scream and chase you throughout Fright Nights next-level houses of horror. In addition to the scare tactics, you can enjoy 5 new rides and live performances throughout the week.
Fright Nights at the PNE is located at 2901 E Hastings St.
Who thought a farm and nursery could be so frightening? Now in its 14th year, Potters House of Horrors has mutated into an all-out maze of terror, outfitted with all the latest animatronics, digital sounds, high-tech scares and trained actors, making for one of the most spine tingling event of the season. Wander Potters’ two houses, Monstrosity and Devil’s Descent and be prepared to encounter screeching monsters, space age terror, gasping zombies and more.
Potters House of Horrors is located at 12530 72 Avenue in Surrey, BC.
3. The Lost Souls of Gastown Walking Tour
Photo by Kiri Marr.
Venture into Vancouver’s earliest and most gruesome history this Halloween season on the Lost Souls a Gastown. Designed for adult audiences, the Lost Souls of Gastown is both a walking tour and a theatre piece based on documented Vancouver history, dating back to 1888. The plot weaves through back streets and alleyways to a bloodcurdling finale in the heart of Gastown’s Maple Tree Square.
An asylum themed haunt complete with twisted Doctors and a 22,000 sq. ft black out Maze of Terror that includes a Chainsaw yielding killer, roaming the maze with a real chainsaw. Yikes! Maybe that’s why Reapers has been called the “scariest indoor theatrical horror experience in Western Canada.”
Reapers Haunted Attraction is located at 9423 Gibson Rd in Chilliwack, BC.
A beautiful building with a little extra ‘spook’. Being a heritage home, it has its own natural creepiness, but this West End mansion will bring extra scares with its haunted house outfitting. Walking through the house takes only 5 minutes and tickets are $3.
Barclay Manor is located at 1447 Barclay St.
6. Super scary movies at the Rio Theatre and Cinematheque
Poltergeist (1982).
If you were ever going to watch a horror movie, it should be during Halloween! Fortunately art-house haven, The Cinematheque and East Van film hub, The Rio are screening every terrifying classic you can imagine. See everything from Poltergeist (1982) to The Exorcist (directors cut) and a 35mm screening of David Lynch’s Lost Highway. There’s something about seeing a scary movie in a theatre that makes it way more disturbing, so have fun!
The Cinematheque is located at #200-1131 Howe St, The Rio is located at 1660 E Broadway.
