Halloween in Ottawa

Halloween is big in Ottawa. The city has one of Canada's longest-running ghost tour companies, a major haunted farm attraction, and neighbourhoods that go all-out with decorations. Events start in early October and build to a peak on the 31st.

Haunted Attractions

The Haunted Walk of Ottawa

Ottawa's original ghost tour company has been running since the 1990s and operates year-round, with peak season in the fall. Tours are led by lantern-carrying guides through Ottawa's most storied sites.

Tours include:

• The Original Haunted Walk — an outdoor lantern-lit tour past the Grant House, Fairmont Château Laurier, and Ottawa's "haunted high school"
• Haunted Ottawa Jail Tour — inside the historic Carleton County Jail (now HI Ottawa Jail Hostel)
• Secrets of the Château Laurier — a 75-minute behind-the-scenes tour of the hotel's hidden passageways, ballrooms, and pool
• Ghosts of the Bytown Museum — a tour inside one of Ottawa's oldest buildings
• Ghosts of the Mackenzie King Estate — a nighttime walk through the former Prime Minister's Gatineau Park property, exploring his interests in spiritualism

Pricing: Adults $29.99, Youth (up to 14)$21.99. $5 discount Monday through Wednesday.

Saunders Farm FrightFest

Located about 35 minutes southwest of downtown Ottawa (7893 Bleeks Rd, Munster), Saunders Farm transforms into a major haunted attraction from late September through November 1.

• 7+ haunted attractions including Circus Macabre, Barn of Terror, a Haunted Hayride, The Coven Walk, The Cemetery, and The Sawmill
• Friday and Saturday nights, plus every night during "Halloweek" (the final week of October)
• Pricing: Starting at $74/person. RIP Fast Pass:$89–$129. Tip: early-bird tickets go on sale in January for as low as$17–20.
• Not recommended for children under 10
• Tickets sold in 30-minute time slots. Late October weekends have extreme wait times (90–120+ minutes) — consider the Fast Pass or go on a Friday.

Pumpkinferno at Upper Canada Village

About an hour east of Ottawa, Upper Canada Village displays 9,000+ hand-carved pumpkins outdoors at night. Runs early October through November 1, including Thanksgiving Monday. A worthwhile day trip for families.

Pumpkin Patches and Fall Farms

Ottawa has excellent pumpkin patches and fall farm activities throughout October. See the full guide: Pumpkin patches around Ottawa →

Family Events

• Glebe Halloween Village — accessible trick-or-treating on Glebe Avenue between Lyon and Bank Street (mid-October Saturday, 11 AM–2 PM)
• Wickedly Westboro — daytime trick-or-treating through Westboro Village businesses (late October Saturday, 1–4 PM)
• Trick-or-Treat with the Mayor — Ottawa City Hall hosts trick-or-treating on or near Halloween (5–8 PM)
• Stittsville Treat Accessibly Halloween Village — free, inclusive house-to-house trick-or-treating designed for accessibility

Best Neighbourhoods for Trick-or-Treating

These neighbourhoods are known for high participation and festive decorations:

• The Glebe — dense residential streets off Bank Street with lots of participating homes
• Westboro / McKellar Park — family-oriented neighbourhood with individual homes close to schools
• Rockcliffe Park — large homes with elaborate decorations
• Sandy Hill — walkable streets near the University of Ottawa

Tips

Weather: October 31 averages are highly variable — highs around 10–15°C, lows near 0–5°C. The record high was 23.5°C (2024) and the record low was -10.6°C (1925). Layer costumes over warm clothing and bring flashlights for trick-or-treating.

Saunders Farm sells out on peak weekends. Buy tickets well in advance and arrive at your assigned time slot.

Haunted Walk tours run rain or shine. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes — you'll be walking outdoors for 60–90 minutes.

See also: Pumpkin patches around Ottawa → · Fall foliage in Ottawa →