Short answer? Yes. Big yes.
I live in Toronto now, but I grew up in Halifax. I’ve spent Halloween in snow, rain, and once in clear fall air that smelled like wet leaves and candy wrappers. I’ve taken kids door to door. I’ve handed out treats on my porch. I’ve also hidden with a bowl of Coffee Crisp while my dog barked at a twelve-foot skeleton across the street. So yeah—Canada celebrates Halloween. And it feels a bit different from place to place, which I love.
If you’d like an even fuller play-by-play of costumes, porch lights, and tiny Coffee Crisps, you can check out my in-depth diary of a Canadian Halloween night.
For a broader look at how traditions travel and transform, check out this global holiday guide that maps celebrations around the world.
What actually happens on October 31
- Kids wear costumes and go trick-or-treating.
- Homes put up lights, webs, and big inflatables.
- Stores turn orange. Dollarama, Canadian Tire, and Costco go wild.
- Candy is everywhere—Smarties (the chocolate kind), Coffee Crisp, Kit Kat, and little rolls of Rockets.
- And yes, it’s on October 31. Even if it’s a Tuesday.
Curious about why some of these traditions are uniquely Canadian? Take a peek at this roundup of 10 things you might not know about Halloween in Canada.
You know what? It’s cozy and chaotic at the same time. You can smell pumpkins and wet wool. Everyone is chatting. Flashlights bob. It’s simple joy.
Real places, real nights
Here’s how it went for me in a few cities.
Toronto, ON
We started at 5:30 p.m. in Leslieville. Sunset came fast, so the street glowed by 6. Every third house had a theme. One porch had a fake radio playing storm sounds. Another had a candy chute. My kid wore a witch hat over a toque. Coat under the costume. That’s Canada.
On November 1, we brought our carved pumpkins to a “Pumpkin Parade” at a park. Hundreds of jack-o’-lanterns lined the path. It felt a little spooky in the best way. I sipped a too-hot Tim Hortons pumpkin coffee and tried not to trip on candle bags.
Montreal, QC
In Quebec, people say “L’Halloween.” Same night, same candy. We went trick-or-treating in Westmount, and the houses were decked out like movie sets. One family passed out little bags with Aero minis and a tiny note in French and English. It felt warm and friendly. A neighbor let us warm our hands by a fire bowl on the sidewalk. That small kindness sticks.
Vancouver, BC
You’ll see something extra here—fireworks. Not everywhere, and rules apply, but on Halloween night, the sky pops. We did a loop in Kitsilano from 6 to 8 p.m. It rained, then stopped, then misted. Classic Vancouver. People still turned out. Clear umbrellas. Boots. A garage turned into a haunted ocean cave with blue lights and bubble sounds. I grinned the whole time.
Calgary, AB
Layer up. We went at 5:30 p.m., finished by 7:30. It was cold enough that our breath puffed. But the candy lines moved fast, and folks handed out hot chocolate to parents. I saw three Spider-Men wearing parkas. Honestly, it looked right.
Winnipeg, MB
We’ve had snow here on Halloween. Real snow. We still did it—shorter route, bigger bags. The best house had a simple sign: “Take 2. We trust you.” My kid took 1. Then he looked at me and took 2. That’s growth, I guess.
Those neighbourhood hotspots are only a sliver of what the country's urban centres offer; I break down the vibe of each in this walk-through of Canada’s best cities.
What schools and towns do
Most schools let kids wear costumes, but many say no masks or no fake weapons. Some call it Orange and Black Day. It keeps things easy and kind.
Lots of towns run community parties. Some churches do trunk-or-treat in parking lots, which is a good backup if the weather turns bad. And big parks or theme spots host events too—like Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland near Toronto, or Fright Nights at the PNE in Vancouver. Those get loud, so I bring earplugs.
The candy and the coats (both matter)
Canadian candy feels very… Canadian. If you’re used to U.S. Smarties, don’t get confused. Our Smarties are chocolate lentils. The little pressed-sugar rolls are called Rockets. Coffee Crisp shows up in almost every bowl. And you’ll see bilingual wrappers stacked in a neat pile by the door, because that’s how we roll.
Costumes fight the weather. You plan for layers. Sometimes you wear a coat over a princess dress. Sometimes you pick a costume that fits over snow pants. I’m not kidding. The photos look funny, but the smiles are huge.
Timing, safety, and those small city quirks
- Trick-or-treat hours are usually 5:30–8:30 p.m.
- Bring a flashlight or glow sticks. Streets get dark quick.
- Many folks leave a bowl with a “one per kid” note once they run out.
- Busy neighborhoods? The Beaches in Toronto, Kits in Vancouver, Old Strathcona in Edmonton, and some parts of Halifax’s North End get packed.
- In Quebec, you might hear “Joyeuse Halloween!” or just “Bonne Halloween!” Both work. People get the idea.
Looking to keep the fun rolling after the candy haul has been sorted and the kids are tucked in? Plenty of adults in Canadian cities hit themed bar crawls or house parties—and if you’d rather line up a more personal encounter before the witching hour, you can browse profiles on PlanCul to meet other costume-loving singles nearby. The site makes it easy to filter by location and interests so you can set up a zero-stress coffee date or a full-on monster-mash rendezvous without endless swiping.
If, after a few too many frosty Halloweens, the idea of swapping parkas for warm desert nights sounds appealing, you can scope out how a costumed bash plays out south of the border by checking out the sugar baby scene in El Paso—the guide highlights the city’s best date-worthy Halloween events, local meetup spots, and insider tips for planning a getaway that’s as sweet as the candy haul you just taxed.
Wondering whether October 31 lines up with the most comfortable weather for your visit? Here’s an honest guide to the best times of year to experience Canada so you can pack the right layers.
And yes, parents do the “candy tax.” A little Coffee Crisp for me. A little Kit Kat for later. Don’t judge.
Where to shop and prep
- Decorations: Dollarama, Canadian Tire, Winners, and Spirit Halloween pop-ups.
- Candy: Costco, Loblaws, Sobeys, Metro, No Frills.
- Last-minute face paint: Shoppers Drug Mart.
- Pumpkins: farmers’ markets, roadside stands, Downey’s Farm in Caledon, La Ferme Quinn near Montreal, and lots of local patches.
Pro tip: carve your pumpkin the night before. The squirrels are bold. I’ve watched one run off with an entire jack-o’-lantern tooth.
Any downsides?
A few. It can be cold, and sometimes it rains sideways. Some streets run out of candy fast. Masks fog up glasses. And you’ll find wrappers in your coat pocket in March. But the good far outweighs the weird bits.
My verdict
Canada celebrates Halloween with heart. It’s cozy, neighborly, and a bit rugged. You get big decor, kind people, and candy that tastes like childhood. If you’re moving here or just visiting on October 31, bring a warm layer, a bright bag, and a sense of humor. New to the country and want a step-by-step primer? Check out this newcomer’s guide to Halloween in Canada for tips on everything from costume shopping to polite porch etiquette.
Will you see kids in capes over snow pants? Absolutely. And it’s perfect.