Do Canada celebrate Halloween? The Spooky Traditions and Fun Celebrations
09 Sep 2025
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Table of Content
- When did Halloween become a tradition in Canada?
- What Halloween activities are popular in Canada?
- Is Halloween a public holiday in Canada?
- Halloween in Canada and the United States: What are the Differences?
- Do people celebrate Halloween in all parts of Canada?
- What are the most famous stories about Halloween from Canada?
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Halloween is a spooky celebration full of mystery and fun. So, do Canadians celebrate Halloween? The answer is a big yes! On this day, people of all ages in Canada enjoy this holiday, which mixes North American and European traditions, with lots of fun activities. Let’s take a journey into the ghostly world of Halloween in Canada and see how they celebrate this spooky day!
When did Halloween become a tradition in Canada?
Canadians celebrate Halloween on the night of October 31st every year. This thrilling holiday is said to have been influenced by British and Irish immigrants in the mid-19th century, who brought their customs to North America. After settling in Canada, especially in Ontario and Nova Scotia, traditions like “guising” (going door-to-door in disguise) and "trick-or-treating" began to take root in these regions.[1]By the early 20th century, Halloween celebrations became more common across Canada. Communities started hosting Halloween-themed parties, kids began trick-or-treating, and stores began selling costumes and decorations. By the 1960s, Halloween had evolved into the big, commercialized celebration we know today. Now, Halloween is the second most commercially successful holiday in Canada—and even the world—after Christmas.
What Halloween activities are popular in Canada?
On Halloween night, Canada hosts a ton of fun activities, both for kids and adults, including festive parties and trick-or-treating.
👻Trick-or-Treating
As the night falls, homes and streets are decorated with pumpkin lanterns and spooky decorations. Kids put on all sorts of costumes and go door-to-door asking for candy. Neighbors usually have treats ready at the door to welcome the little ones. But here's a tip: if you're planning on going trick-or-treating, be sure to hit up houses that have decorations and colorful lights—that’s a sign they’re participating in the fun!
👻Halloween Parties
Halloween parties are super popular in Canada, especially in the cities. People dress up in all kinds of creative outfits, like quirky quarter zips, to attend costume balls, enjoying music, dancing, and plenty of entertainment. If you're looking for some costume inspiration, we’ve got some ideas that might just spark your Halloween spirit!
Scary Night Polo
Starry Night Golf Polo
You can easily layer these fun, themed polo shirts under warmer clothes, adding a playful touch while staying in the Halloween spirit!
👻Ghost Night in Quebec
In Quebec, Halloween celebrations take on a unique local flair. One of the highlights is Ghost Night, a special event where participants take a spooky stroll through historic areas, guided by storytellers who share ghostly tales and eerie local legends. This mix of history and horror makes it a popular activity for both tourists and locals alike.
👻Children’s Educational Programs
Some Canadian educational and cultural institutions organize Halloween-themed learning activities for kids. These events often teach children about the cultural background, history, and traditions of Halloween. Plus, kids get hands-on by making pumpkin lanterns and spooky decorations, combining fun with a little learning along the way.
Is Halloween a public holiday in Canada?
Unfortunately, even though Halloween is widely celebrated across the country, it’s not a public holiday in Canada. Most stores and schools stay open as usual on this day, making it easy for everyone to enjoy the Halloween fun. However, some stores might close early due to the large number of community celebrations happening.
Halloween in Canada and the United States: What are the Differences?
While Halloween celebrations in Canada and the United States share many similarities, there are also some notable differences.
- Festival Atmosphere
In Canada, especially in more remote areas, the Halloween atmosphere tends to be warmer and more family-oriented. Community gatherings and small family get-togethers are more common. In contrast, the U.S. tends to emphasize more external entertainment, with a stronger focus on socializing and public events.
- Religious and Cultural Background
Canada's Halloween is more influenced by British Catholic traditions and often includes religious activities on this day. For example, many families participate in church services on "All Hallows' Eve." In the U.S., Halloween is more secularized and leans more towards entertainment and fun, with less emphasis on religious practices.
- Halloween Decorations
Similar to the overall difference in atmosphere, Halloween decorations in Canada are simpler and more natural. They commonly include pumpkins, scarecrows, and small spooky decorations at the door to create a cozy, festive mood. On the other hand, in the U.S., Halloween decorations tend to be more exaggerated and commercialized, featuring huge monster statues, skeletons, and elaborate lighting to create a more terrifying ambiance.
- Food Traditions
Halloween food in Canada mainly revolves around candies and pumpkins, with traditional treats like pumpkin pie and pumpkin soup. In the U.S., however, the variety is much broader, even including "scary foods" like blood-type jelly and oddly shaped desserts designed to enhance the creepy factor of the holiday.
Do people celebrate Halloween in all parts of Canada?
Yes! Halloween is celebrated in almost all regions of Canada. However, the scale and style of celebrations can vary between areas. For example, large cities like Toronto and Vancouver host grand celebrations, including parades, haunted houses, and festival activities. In smaller towns and rural areas, communities often organize pumpkin carving contests, and children typically go door-to-door in their neighborhoods for trick-or-treating. While the scale of the celebration may be smaller, the festive atmosphere is still very strong.
What are the most famous stories about Halloween from Canada?
👻The Old Jail of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, the Old Jail is one of the most haunted places in Canada. Built in the 19th century, it housed criminals and was the site of executions. Visitors have reported hearing unexplained footsteps, cries, and even seeing apparitions in the building. It is said that the spirits of former prisoners continue to haunt the jail to this day.
👻The Ghost of the Royal York Hotel, Toronto
One of Toronto's most famous hotels, the Royal York, is also rumored to be haunted. The ghost in question is believed to be the spirit of a former guest who died under mysterious circumstances. It's said that his ghost appears in various parts of the hotel, often in the elevator, where the doors suddenly open and close, but no one is inside. Some claim to hear footsteps late at night, and others have reported seeing a figure standing at the end of the hall, only to have it disappear when they approach.
👻The "Demon Farm" of Ontario
In a small village in Ontario, there is a place known as the "Demon Farm." The legend tells of a farmer who, many years ago, made a pact with the devil, trading his soul for earthly power. Locals claim to have witnessed strange lights, heard eerie whispers, and even seen ghostly figures around the farm at night. While there is no concrete evidence, the farm remains one of Ontario’s most notorious spots for spooky stories during Halloween.
Conclusion
Whether it's "trick-or-treating" or festive parties in the city, Halloween in Canada is filled with a magical yet warm atmosphere and rich traditions. While the ways of celebration vary across regions, the holiday brings joy, thrill, and warmth to people. If you ever have the chance to spend Halloween in Canada, please wear fun and comfortable polos, and be sure not to miss this "spooky" feast!
FAQs
What is the day before Halloween called in Canada?
The day before Halloween in Canada is known as "Mischief Night." It’s an informal tradition celebrated in various regions, also called "Cabbage Night," "Mat Night," or "Gate Night." People often engage in harmless pranks during this time.
What is the biggest holiday in Canada?
The biggest holiday in Canada is Christmas, widely celebrated across the country with family gatherings, festive meals, and decorations.
