As the air begins to smell of cinnamon, and the leaves blanket the streets in shades of red, yellow, and orange, do you see how Canadians have started preparing for one of the most exciting times of year- Halloween? This festival isn't just about candies and spooky Halloween costumes; it's a holiday that encourages people to embrace fun and mystery, creating a sense of togetherness that you'll soon be a part of! If you are looking for tips to celebrate Halloween in Canada, you are in the right place.
Halloween is a fascinating opportunity for newcomers in Canada to experience Canadian lifestyle and culture, connect with neighbours, and cherish a night made complete with pumpkins, sweet treats, and so much more. It's a celebration that welcomes everyone; whether you have never celebrated Halloween before or aren't sure how it is done in Canada. Read our ultimate guide and get ready for some spooky fun!
How Is Halloween Celebrated?
So, what exactly is Halloween, and how to celebrate Halloween in Canada? As the night falls on October 31, streets come to life with children and youth going from door-door, and carved pumpkins (jack-o-lanterns) placed outside of homes. Here's how it works:
1) Trick-or-Treating: Trick-or-treating is the heart of Halloween, wherein children in costumes go around the neighbourhood with their candy bags, stopping at homes with porch lights turned on and calling out, "Trick or Treat!" Homeowners hand out candies, with multiple houses covered with Halloween decorations! As a homeowner, all you need to do is have a basket of treats ready with you. If you don't want to be disturbed by ringing doorbells, consider placing the candies outside your door in a basket.
When to go? Depends! Families with younger kids often start as early as 5 p.m. In contrast, older kids and youth may join the fun later in the evening!
2) Pumpkin carving: In the days leading up to the holiday, you will see homes displaying glowing Jack-o-lanterns. Making these lanterns is a time-consuming yet fun, family-friendly Halloween activity in Canada. Here's how to carve your own pumpkin!
- Step 1: Get your pumpkin: Pumpkins are abundant during this season, and can be easily found in your local grocery stores, pumpkin patches, farmer's markets, etc.
- Step 2: Scooping: Cut the top or back of your pumpkin and scoop out all of the inside. Ensure to remove every last bit to prevent it from rotting. You can use your hand or a spoon to do this!
- Step 3: Let's get carving: Draw a face or design on the pumpkin, and cut along the lines with a sharp knife. Once done, place it outside your door! Consider adding in some LED lights inside your pumpkin, too. Pumpkin carving ideas can be found in store as well online!
If you want to avoid getting your hands dirty, buy craft pumpkins from art stores and make these lanterns without creating a mess.
3) Costumes: Halloween costumes play a major part in celebrating Halloween! Children dress up as their favourite characters and go trick-or-treating! In fact, Halloween parades in Ontario are popular activities in schools, neighbourhood parks etc. Remember to respect your costume choices and avoid wearing anything offensive. Adults can also join in the fun by dressing up as popular characters.
Tips for Halloween Shopping on a Budget in Canada:
Celebrating Halloween may sound expensive but we can keep it under budget, making it a fun and affordable celebration for everyone!
1) Candies: Buy sweet treats in bulk! Many stores offer discounts on large bags of candies. In addition, consider stocking up early to avoid last-minute rush.
2) Decorations: There's no need to buy decorations from the stores, create your own DIY Halloween crafts! Here are some ideas:
- Use what you have: Grab black construction paper and craft origami bats. You could also use old bedsheets and create ghostly figures with them.
- Spooky lanterns: Recycle old jars, place a battery-powered candle inside it, and use markets to create spooky faces on it! Line them up on your porch outside your home.
3) Costume Shopping: Costumes can be one of the most significant expenses in Halloween, but we can prevent overspending. Get your hands on some black pants and bright-coloured shirts at your home. Complement the outfit with accessories such as a face mask or do some face painting at home, and you're set to go! Consider researching some DIY Halloween costume ideas as well!
4) Pro-tip: Purchase candies, costumes, and decorations a few weeks before Halloween! This can save up on your expenses.
Tip to Remember When Celebrating Halloween Events
Halloween in Canada is much more than just trick-or-tricking, it is full of engaging events that are sure to get you excited. Whether you're looking for something thrilling or simply family-friendly, there's a treat for everyone! Ask about community centres, local meetups, social platforms, and neighbourhood groups to discover what's unique about your town.
1) Community events: Multiple neighbourhoods host Halloween events in Canada wherein families wear spooky costumes, meet new people, and celebrate together.
2) Haunted houses: For thrill-lovers, haunted attractions in Toronto and ghost tours are perfect for a good scare! Haunted houses compel you into an immersive experience with sound effects, scary characters, and visual effects. In addition, ghost tours are a popular activity in various places. These tours take you through haunted house, discuss creepy legends, and tales, and explore the spookiness of your town!
3) Volunteering: As newcomers, Halloween is a great way to connect with your community and create a place of belonging for yourself. Many community centres organize trick-or-treating events and celebrations and need volunteers for setup and activities. Taking part in such activities can especially help youth explore the new neighbourhood, find new friends, and overcome loneliness.
Safety Tips for Celebrating Halloween in Canada
Remember, safety should always be your top priority during Halloween. It's crucial to consider safety when trick-or-treating in outdoor settings.
1. For trick-or-treaters
- Be in well-lit areas: Stay in neighbourhoods with streetlights and walk on the pavement instead of the streets.
- Carry a flashlight: Carrying a flashlight can be helpful on Halloween to navigate dark areas.
- Go with a group: Younger children should always be accompanied by a trusted adult, while older kids should travel in groups for safety.
- Plan your route: Before leaving for trick-or-treating, remember a specific route and remain in familiar streets and homes with their porch lights on.
Halloween safety tips for kids also include checking the ingredients of a candy before eating it!
2. For Homeowners
- Clear walkways: Remove any hazard outside your home to ensure the safety of young trick-or-treaters.
- Keep it well-lit: Ensure your porch and pathways are well-lit for trick-or-treaters.
- Use battery-powered lights: Instead of real candles in your Jack-o'-lanterns (pumpkins), use battery-powered lights to reduce fire risks.
Do's and Don'ts for Halloween:
Here's a quick list of what to do and what to avoid this Halloween so it turns out to be a fun, inclusive, and safe festival for everyone!
Do's:
- Plan ahead: Get your costumes, decorations, and candy ahead to avoid last-minute rush.
- Give allergy-friendly candies: Look at Canada's common allergens list, and ensure your candies meet common dietary restrictions.
- Stay warm: Canadian autumn nights are chilly and often wet, so ensure that children wear warm clothing under their costume before heading out for outdoor activities.
- Be safe: Stick to well-lit streets, carry a flashlight and always travel in groups or with an adult if you're trick-or-treating.
- Wear culturally appropriate costumes: Wear costumes that respect Canada's diverse ethnic groups.
Don'ts:
- Carry accessories that may include weapons or sharp elements: Fake weaponry is restricted in elementary schools, and can be highly risky. Be sure to wear safe costumes.
- Don't wear culturally offensive costumes: Be respectful in your costume choices—avoid costumes that demean or mock another culture, race, or religion.
- Don't overspend: Celebrate a budget-friendly Halloween! Choose DIY decorations and costumes, or shop early for deals.
- Avoid unwrapped treats: Only give out sealed candy to ensure safety for all trick-or-treaters.
Tips for Those Who Don't Celebrate Halloween in Canada
Not everyone celebrates Halloween, and that's perfectly alright! Here is what's to keep in mind:
Turn off your porch light: If you are away at work or don't want to participate in Halloween trick-or-treating, ensure your porch light is turned off. This ensures that no one stops by your door or rings the doorbell.
Besides Halloween, you and your family can engage in plenty of other activities to still enjoy the gorgeous fall season. Here are a few alternatives:
1) Visit a pumpkin patch: Even if you don't wish to engage in Halloween festivity, pumpkin patches are a fun to enjoy the autumn. You can pick out a pumpkin to decorate your home, or simply use them for recipes.
2) Harvest festivals: Autumn is the season for harvest, and many farms host harvest festivals at this point of the year. Consider going for apple picking, getting fresh baked goods, and try doing hay riding!
3) Take a nature walk: October is one of the most beautiful months in Canada because of the colourful leaves. Head out for a walk on nearby trails and enjoy the fresh air!
A Popular Tradition
Halloween opens doors for fun, creativity, and community engagement in Canada. From trick-or-treating and pumpkin carving to ghost tours and fall activities, Halloween has something in store for everyone!
While preparing for this season, remember the essential tips to celebrate Halloween in Canada, be safe, and wear culturally respectful costumes. And if Halloween isn't your thing, other ways exist to make the best out of this fall season!
Carve that pumpkin and enjoy the spooky spirit of Halloween! Reach out to your local settlement agency, library, and community centres to check the events they organize for Halloween. If you are in the York Region, you can join exciting social events at Catholic Community Services of York Region. We run diverse community events to celebrate our residents' cultures and traditions. Visit our calendar of events, find an event that you like, and meet new friends with whom you can build your new life in Canada.