Halloween, or “All Hallows’ Eve,” is a festival of the dead and the undead celebrated every year on October 31. It is the last pagan festival before the dark days of winter, and it is celebrated in costume and with lots of lights and colors—to keep evil spirits at bay.
It is said that on the night of October 31 to November 1, the veil between the world of the living and the dead is very thin. Ancestors take abreak fromtheir eternal rest to check in on us. November 1 is All Saints’ Day, a Christian celebration of the dead and the saints.
The season’s inherent gothic atmosphere translates into evenings of scaring each other, parties where we forget that we’re going to die, masks to make with the kids so we can become someone else, and a touch of the macabre for the “spooky season.”
Our calendar covers the entire month of October, but the season will stretch through the end-of-year holidays and into the winter solstice —the longest night of the year.
*This calendar is a work in progress, and we’ll add events as they’re announced—so you’d better bookmark this article.
October 1: “MONSTER HOUSE” AT FOIL FRIGHTS
To kick off October on a gentle note, we’re heading to the last “drive-in” of the year at the super-cool Galerie FOIL to watch Gil Kenan’s beautiful and terrifying MONSTER HOUSE (2006), a nostalgic “claymation” that really sets the mood for the “spooky season.”
You can drive there (parking is very limited), or head out with a (suspicious-looking) duffel bag filled with fleece blankets. There will be popcorn and drinks available on site to give you a little boost.
October 3: DOUBLE FEATURE OF GHOSTBUSTERS AT THE MUSEUM CINEMA
On the first Saturday of October, we’re heading to a double feature of the first two films in the ultra-nostalgic GHOSTBUSTERS series. The screening is organized with Morning Gory, and there’ll be plenty of atmosphere, donuts, and surprises.
October 9: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers
A scientific and immersive journey into the heart of criminology.
An immersive exhibition in Montreal that examines more than 17 serial killers through archival files, reenactments, psychological profiles, and crime scenes. An interactive tour lasting 90 to 120 minutes, open to visitors ages 16 and up, with a VR module reserved for VIP ticket holders.
Mind of A Serial Killer: The Experience
22 October 2026 10:00 + more dates
312 Sainte-Catherine St W
October 15: “THE DEVILS” (1971) AT THE CINÉMA DU PARC
For Halloween, the Cinéma du Parc has chosen one of the most thrilling films to see this season: Ken Russell’s *The Devils* (1971). It’s a bit twisted, and it’s being screened in a 4K restoration and as the “director’s cut” in the original language with French subtitles.
The sun is setting earlier and earlier, and since ghosts and monsters will start reaching their long fingers toward us this fall, we’re going to take a stroll—in safety—through a large garden surrounded by lights. We’ll see if that’s enough to keep the evil spirits at bay for a long time…
Festilumi – Halloween
22 October 2026 18:15 + more dates
Marché Central
On fall weekends, we’ll be able to spend some time in a ’90s “after-school special” in the vein of *Halloweentown* and *It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown*.
PUMPKINVILLAGE is, technically, a pumpkin patch—but more seriously, it’s like a village built out of pumpkins.
You can wander through houses made of pumpkins, pray at the altar of the Great Pumpkin in the pumpkin church, and bring some home to decorate (it’s never too early) for the season.
It’s less than an hour’s drive from Montreal,in Saint-Zotique, and it’s well worth the trip for a sunny fall afternoon before Halloween.
Tickets are available here, and you must purchase your tickets in advance (NO TICKET SALES ON SITE)
October 24:CANDLELIGHT – HALLOWEEN CLASSICS
A little romantic, a little scary, but with plenty of atmosphere—that’s what we want for Halloween. And the season, even though it’s back-to-school time, is classic and cozy. For the great classics of Halloween music, let’s check out one of the two candlelit concerts this season dedicated to the festival of spirits and occult forces.
- CANDLELIGHT HALLOWEEN: HAUNTED ARRANGEMENTS onOctober 30, 2026
- CANDLELIGHT HALLOWEEN: HALLOWEEN CLASSICSon October 24, 2026
Candlelight: Halloween Classics
24 October 2026 19:00
Église Saint Jean-Baptiste
October 24–25: VAMPIRES VS. WITCHES MARKET AT THE GOTH SHOP
To mark the 5th anniversary of Montreal’s most gothic store, the special Halloween market is drenched in blood and brewed in a witch’s cauldron. There will be artisans, delightfully gothic jewelry from Inchoo—the jewelry brand of the Goth Shop’s owner—decor, and plenty of atmosphere.
Plus, the market is held at Château Saint-Ambroise, which is a little haunted…
October 29–31: ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW HALLOWEEN BALL
From October 29 to October 31, there will be six performances of the city’s only Rocky Horror Picture Show at two iconic theaters in Montreal.
It’s called the Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Ball . There will be a screening of the film, massive audience participation (including dancing the “Time Warp”), a master of ceremonies to guide the evening, and a live cast on stage.
There will also be a costume contest (to see who can pull off Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s corset and blue eyeshadow best…).
Whether it’s for Halloween night or to get ready for it, for a date or a fun gathering with friends—literally any reason is a good reason to go!
October 30:CANDLELIGHT – HAUNTED COMPOSITIONS
A little romantic, a little scary, but with plenty of atmosphere—that’s what we want for Halloween. And the season, even though it’s back-to-school time, is classic and cozy. For the great classics of Halloween music, let’s check out one of the two Candlelight concerts of the season dedicated to the festival of spirits and occult forces.
- CANDLELIGHT HALLOWEEN: HAUNTED ARRANGEMENTS onOctober 30, 2026
- CANDLELIGHT HALLOWEEN: HALLOWEEN CLASSICSon October 24, 2026
Candlelight Halloween: Haunted compositions
30 October 2026 18:30
Église Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs
October 29: NOSFERATU THE VAMPIRE (1922) IN A FILM CONCERT BY THE MONTREAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The “spooky season” wouldn’t be complete without a touch of German Expressionism and an appearance by the ugliest and most frequently portrayed vampire in cinema—Nosferatu.
The Montreal Symphony Orchestra is presenting a film concert featuring Murnau’s silent (and classic) film, NOSFERATU THE VAMPIRE (1922). It will be an improvisational concert on the organ—the “spookiest” of all musical instruments—with a screening of the film (without an orchestra).
October 30: BIMBO CULT CLASSIC PARTY
An evening of pop “scream queens” in an abandoned movie studio, featuring the most iconic artists and DJs from the house-pop scene? It would be silly to miss out, and we’re almost certain you’ll survive it.
Featuring;
SCREAM QUEENS:
★ TS MADISON! ★
★ DAYA BETTY (RuPaul’s Drag Race S14 + AS10) ★
★ FLESH (RuPaul’s Drag Race UK S8) ★
HAUNTED HOUSE REMIXES AND PETRIFYING POP SOUNDTRACK BY:
★ PSI (TO) ★
★ LUIS FERNANDO (NYC) ★
★ SYDNEY SARAYEVA (MTL) ★
★ FIELDN0TE (MTL) ★
HOSTED BY FINAL GIRLS:
★ PAOLO PERFECCION ★
★ LAKUACHIMOTO ★
★ MARK ANTOINE ★
★ SIMON VENNE ★
★ ALIA ★
★ JJ ESTEFANOUS ★
★ JAVO LEON ★
★ FABIANO ★
October 31: HALLOWEEN
No, we won’t be dressing up like the girl from OBSESSION for Halloween—we’re going to be a little more creative and thrift-shop something Kate Bush might wear on stage.
Our Favorite Thrift and Vintage Shops in Montreal
Even better, we walk into a real gothic shop;
