Burnaby wants to become Canada's No. 1 Halloween destination in the next four years according to the local tourism board, and the city has announced a multitude of spooky events that show a determined commitment to follow through.
Burnaby residents can prepare for a new "spectacular fireworks" show this Halloween as the city launches Central Spark at Central Park.
The event will host roving entertainers, a Halloween maze, family activities, food trucks, a photo booth and top it all off with a grand fireworks display (don't forget to wear a costume).
"Burnaby is quickly earning a reputation as the best place to celebrate the Halloween season, and this year is shaping up to be bigger than ever," said Mayor Mike Hurley in a media release.
"We're extremely excited to bring even more family fun to the city this fall with the launch of Central Spark, a community festival with a spectacular fireworks finale!"
Central Spark is just one part of a jam-packed calendar of family-friendly Halloween activities throughout the Burnaby running from Oct. 19 to Nov. 1.
Burnaby Village Museum will transform into a haunted village, with circus performances and dance parties. Cultural tales will be shared, from "The Monkey King" to "Snow White" and Indigenous narratives such as "How Raven Stole the Moon."
Another event, In Praise of Nightmares, will celebrate 1920s classic horror cinema.
The evening will feature two silent short films paired with live music: Un Chien Andalou, by French avant-garde surrealist filmmaker Luis Buñuel and artist Salvador Dalí, and iconic vampire film Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror by German expressionist F.W. Murnau.
Pumpkins After Dark will return with more than 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins set to music and special effects.
Tourism Burnaby will also host the first ever Monster Dash 5K run at Swangard Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29 and continue the tradition of the neighbourhood decorating contest for those who want to make their homes into a Halloween haunt.
Chris Peters, Tourism Burnaby's executive director, told the NOW earlier this year last year's Halloween events generated about $5 million to $6 million in economic benefit to Burnaby.
The tourism board wants to increase that number tenfold — even up to $75 million — by 2027.
You can find more information on Halloween events in Burnaby through the city's events webpage and Tourism Burnaby's Halloween Burnaby website.
Burnaby Halloween Event: Central Spark
- When: Friday, Oct. 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (fireworks at 8:15 p.m.)
- Where: Central Park at Kingsway and Patterson Avenue
- Cost: Free
Burnaby’s Haunted Village
- When: Oct. 19 to 22 and Oct. 26 to 29 from 5 to 9 p.m.
- Where: Burnaby Village Museum (6501 Deer Lake Ave.)
- Cost: Tickets range from $5 to $10, available online starting Sept. 22 or by phoning the Shadbolt Centre box office at 604-205-3000.
Silent horror film event
- When: Friday, Oct. 27 from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
- Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts (6450 Deer Lake Ave.)
- Cost: Tickets range from $20 to $35, available online
More Burnaby Halloween events
- Candlelit Crime: A Halloween Murder Mystery (Friday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.)
- The Vancouver Horror Show Film Festival: Burnaby Edition (Friday, Oct. 20 to Sunday, Oct. 22)
- Dagerpaatch @ Dageraad Brewing (Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29)
- Brick-or-Treat at Brentwood (details to come)
- Halloween Drag Extravaganza (details to come)
- Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest at Metrotown mall (details to come)
— with files from Christi Walter
