Quoted x Vampires Prom — A Halloween fashion lookbook

Toronto underground music showcase summon extravagant costumes and lively performances

By: Sena Law

Attendees and artists showed up with their best costumes at Quoted x Vampires Prom Halloween party (Sena Law/CanCulture, background graphic via @vampiresprom)

On Oct. 31, spotlights shone through the stained glass of Bar Cathedral onto The Esplanade in downtown Toronto. Along with the lights emanating from the cathedral-inspired music venue are the sounds of lively rap music and waves of cheers and excitement coming from the crowd. Vampires Prom, a monthly music event dedicated to showcasing the local underground music scene, worked alongside Quoted Toronto to curate a Halloween music showcase for this year’s spooky season. 

Instead of ghouls, 13 musical artists haunted Bar Cathedral with their deadly-energetic live performances. The show was headlined by Toronto artists Gabriel LA, Luc Belaire, damn drone as well as Vampires Prom creators and fellow musicians , Trae Gold and Lofsky. 

The Halloween spotlight is mutually shared by attendees of the event who showed out in their best costumes. From horrifying to horrifyingly adorable, the costumes present were not short in creativity or effort. 

Stepping into the dimmed music hall of Bar Cathedral, the atmosphere encapsulated the creative essence of the Toronto underground music scene, as reflected on the attendees’ costumes at Quoted x Vampires Prom Halloween event. 

Tony and Chloe haunt Bar Cathedral as Velvet Skull and a Victorian Vampire. (Sena Law/CanCulture)

Neece (@coyboybeepbop) stunts in red hair and a Playboy bunny costume. (Sena Law/CanCulture)

Emma’s (@em.forhan) clever take on The Devil Wears Prada. (Sena Law/CanCulture)

Gab (@gxiis) perfectly captures the essence of Wednesday Addams in her costume. (Sena Law/CanCulture)

damn drone (@damndrone), one of the performers, shows off his Matrix-inspired Neo costume. (Sena Law/CanCulture)

Catrina (@catrinar0se) as Little Bo Peep in her handmade skirt set. (Sena Law/CanCulture)

Sabrina (@sabrinalucer0) pays tribute to rock band KISS in her Paul Stanley costume. (Sena Law/CanCulture)

Aninha and her partner as Harley Quinn and the Joker. (Sena Law/CanCulture)

Michael as Alfredo Linguini from Ratatouille featuring his mouse friend. (Sena Law/CanCulture)

Surina (@surina.0) as a Black Swan-inspired ballerina. (Sena Law/CanCulture)

Lexus (@topboylexus) as rapper Playboi Carti-inspired joker. (Sena Law/CanCulture)

Emma (@emma.rigby) stunts as a Leprechaun in an all-green costume. (Sena Law/CanCulture)

Jacob (@jacob.madeira) “slays” in his cowboy costume, appropriately posed in front of the mary-go-round decoration inside the venue. (Sena Law/CanCulture)

What is Toronto’s Favourite Halloween Candy?

Toronto voted on their favourite Halloween candy and you might find the results spine chilling!

By: Shaaranki Kulenthirarasa

CanCulture contributor Shaaranki Kulenthirarasa created a poll to ask Torontonians “What is your favourite Halloween candy?” (Artwork by Talia Saley)

With Halloween approaching, many are looking forward to delving into some sweet treats! 

Knowing this, the CanCulture team went on a mission to find out Toronto’s favourite Halloween candies!

Over 200 responses were collected through verbal interviews and an Instagram poll asking what their favourite Halloween candy was.

The result? Toronto’s favourite Halloween candy is Coffee Crisp!

CanCulture discovered that Toronto’s favourite Halloween candy in 2023 is … Coffee Crisp! (Graphic by Mariana Schuetze)

53 people out of the 214 individuals who were interviewed voted for Coffee Crisp as their favourite Halloween candy. 

That accounts for 24.7 per cent of the total individuals who responded. 

“On campus I feel like I see everyone with a coffee. Now imagine adding some chocolate and a little crunch. The best candy ever,” said Isabella Keats, a student at Toronto Metropolitan University, whose favourite Halloween candy is Coffee Crisp.

Coming up in second place is Sour Patch Kids, with 46 out of the 214 individuals’ votes.This accounts for 21.4 per cent of the responses.

“Sour Patch Kids are so addicting and they have the perfect amount of sweet and sour,” said Malie- Eloïse Huynh when asked about why she thought her choice was superior to others. 

At third place is Reese’s, with 37 out of 214 votes,whichaccounts for 17.2 per cent of the total individuals who responded.

Skittles and Mars Bars were both tied and accounted for 10.2 per cent each with 22 people out of 214 voting for these candies. 

The remaining 16.3 per cent included other candies such as Aero, Twix, gummies, Hersheys, Smarties and salt water taffy.

“Aero is bubbly, textured and perfectly sweet, making it a flawless combination for the best candy in the world,” said Anisa Persaud, a student at TMU.

Claire Van De Weghe's choice was salt water taffy. When asked about her choice, she said that the sweet treat has memories attached to it for her. 

 “Salt water taffy always makes me remember when I was a kid and on different vacations. I always have a lot of good memories of salt water taffy,” she said.

According to a survey conducted by the Retail Council of Canada, trick-or-treating is the top way Canadians celebrate halloween accounting for about a fourth of all other Halloween activities. 

What do you think is the best Halloween treat? Do you agree with the final results? Let us know what your favourite candy is! Maybe you come across some of these candies this spooky season. 

Turning a Christmas classic into a slasher: An interview with the writer-producer of It’s A Wonderful Knife

After writing the script for Freaky (2020), Michael Kennedy returns to the horror genre with a new and bloody spin on It’s Wonderful Life.

By: Isabella Soares 

 Jane Widdop as Winnie Carruthers in It’s a Wonderful Knife (Image via RLJE Films and Shudder)

Writer and producer Michael Kennedy’s latest onscreen endeavour, It’s A Wonderful Knife, brings a new twist to the 1940s holiday classic by turning it into a slasher. 

The film is focused on Winnie Carruthers, played by Yellowjackets’ alum Jane Widdop, a girl who struggles to carry on after she saves her town from a masked serial killer. As she wishes to have never been born, Winnie ends up in a parallel universe that shows her what would have happened to her family and community if she didn’t exist. 

It isn’t the first time that Kennedy has come up with a slasher based on a feel-good classic. His first venture was in 2020 with Freaky, a body-swap horror film that was inspired by the Freaky Friday series. The positive feedback and memorable experiences on set on his previous project were what drew him to partner with director Tyler MacIntyre to work on It’s a Wonderful Knife, both as a writer and a producer. 

Ahead of the film’s sold-out screening at the 2023 Toronto After Dark Film Festival, Kennedy spoke with CanCulture about the behind-the-scenes process of writing the script, casting Justin Long as the devious Mayor Henry Waters (aka the psychotic serial killer tormenting Angel Falls) and how Freaky prepared him to be a producer for the first time. 

This film is a spin on a holiday classic, It's a Wonderful Life. Why did you decide to use this holiday favourite as inspiration for the script?

I always wanted to do a Christmas slasher. So I instantly thought of It's a Wonderful Life because it was my dad's favourite movie. I thought it was a nice way to honour him since he passed away five years ago. That was the first movie that came to my mind, and I started running through the plot in my head, and I was like, yeah, this (a slasher) would actually make a really fun spin on it.

What I really like about this film is that you already know who the killer is right off the bat. This is different from other slasher films like Scream (1996), which always make you wonder who the killer is. What led you to this creative decision?

I wanted to subvert expectations. I also didn't want to have a kill in the first five minutes, so that's kind of a bit different too. I knew there was no way to avoid revealing who the killer was. If the basis of the movie was going to be about somebody who kills, stops a killer, and then wishes their life away. That killer is still going to be around.

I thought it was a fun and a deeper way to examine that portion of life that you never get to see in these slasher movies unless there's a sequel a year later where you get a quick up-to-speed on what that person's been up to but you never get to see the post effects of the hero taking down the villain and what that does to their mind.

How did you find a balance between horror and the uplifting feel of a holiday film in this Christmas slasher?

Christmas is also a rough time for a lot of people, so I thought there was an interesting way to discuss that through the movie. For me it was really natural cause I love horror and I absolutely love Christmas. I love Christmas horror movies.

You're also a producer in this project, which is really exciting because it allows you to also figure out casting. When did Justin Long's name come into the conversation? 

It was pretty late, honestly. We literally cast him, I think the week before we started shooting. We were in negotiations with him for a few weeks before that, but his name came up pretty late. The character kept changing, quite frankly. The original draft of the script had more of an older guy, in his fifties or sixties.

It was a role that we were just struggling to cast. So then about a month before we started to shoot, we had the whole movie filled, except that role. 

We had a conversation, and I was like, I think we need to make him a man my age. I'm 43. That was when someone from the studio was like, oh, we should get Justin Long for that.

As a producer, were you on set with the director and cast every day?

It's different in every movie, depending on what capacity you produce. But for me, yeah, I was there every day. I was involved from day one, even before there was a word written. I weighed in on casting, I weighed in on locations, and I weighed in on hiring Tyler (director). 

Tyler fosters a really collaborative set and we had a really fast shoot. Thank God it came naturally for everybody because there would be days when I'd be writing based on the location.

We had a day that we completely got rained out, so we had to take an entire day that was supposed to be outside and move it inside and figure out a way that made it work and make sense to the movie. It was crazy because I'd never produced before.

How was your experience on Freaky compared to this set, where you had a chance to be more involved in the production process?

We shot Freaky for over 35 days and I think I was there for 25 of them, but I was mostly there to learn. Normally, the writer isn't usually on set, but I wrote the movie with Chris, who directed it, so as he was prepping the movie, I said, can I come? And he goes, yeah, if you want to come, definitely come. I felt like Freaky was my film school and It’s a Wonderful Knife was my coming out party as a filmmaker.

It’s a Wonderful Knife arrives in select theatres and VOD on November 10.

The freaks of Queen Street West: Toronto’s goth music history

In the heart of Toronto, the freaks and ghouls roam the streets… and the nightclubs!

By: Klea Pinari

The first chilling strum of gothic guitar is your opening to a world of darkness – a world cloaked in black, but one that still feels unequivocally bright. 

When many people hear the word ‘goth,’ they conjure the same image: skin pale as a ghost, eyelids painted jet black. All that comes to mind is a jarring set of traits, a bold and enthusiastic stand against mainstream culture.

This image is, more or less, an accurate depiction of many goths in the scene. However, the core of goth culture is not their heavy eyeliner or their billowy Victorian sleeves, even though style is an important aspect of being goth. The core of the culture itself is the music. 

The goth scene is a revolutionary subculture that started its journey back in the ‘70s before bursting into the ‘80s with flair. Goth music originated in the U.K. as a result of the post-punk movement, blooming into a large scope of closely related genres that all held the same musical heart.

Some of the most iconic musicians making up the goth scene include Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, the Cure and Joy Division. Genres including post-punk and dark wave, along with glam rock and hard rock, are key components of goth’s musical sound and some of the driving forces behind the creation of goth rock. These genres are saturated with moody and experimental resonance. Goth music is unique in the way that it does not bend to the will of any conventional sound – it simply hands itself to the listener.

This music does it all and explores the dark crevices of musical sounds and themes that popular music is too afraid to peer into. The harsh melody of the distorted guitar and the lilted tune of the singer’s voice come together to create an experience that can only be explained in simple words: haunting and beautiful. 

Goth first emerged in Toronto in the ‘80s, but it wasn’t always known as goth. Toronto goths go by a handful of names, including “Batcavers,” as stated by the Encyclopedia Gothica. Batcavers is an ode to The Batcave, a London club that kickstarted the goth movement.

Goth music brought forth a culture of goth clubbing, followed by goth dancing and accentuated by goth fashion. The defining feature of each is goth’s incessant need to be completely authentic.

Clubbing is not only an integral part of the goth scene, it’s the home for all things goth. In the ‘80s, there was an influx of after-hours alternative clubs, as discussed by journalist and DJ Denise Benson in her article Then & Now; Voodoo, which highlighted the history of one of the early Toronto clubs named Voodoo. Many other clubs could be found along Queen Street West and other parts of downtown Toronto, playing underground goth rock, post-punk and more.   

Some of the most iconic clubs included Sanctuary: Vampire Sex Bar and Nocturne, which could be heard booming into the early hours of the morning with the beat of stripped drums. These clubs unified the lonely Toronto batcavers under the safety of the music and a shared understanding of their darker side. For the first time, a goth community was formed with like-minded people who simply wanted to enjoy the noise.

Goth dancing was all the rage in the clubs. The style was very distinct and bizarre, as is everything that has to do with goths. It was an erratic flailing of arms, movements that flow followed immediately by stuttering movements that jerk, a haunting amalgamation of feelings in the form of dance. These dances could range from anything between stomping your feet and banging your head aggressively, to languidly letting your hands move in any direction they want. Goth dancing is all about feeling the music and moving exactly in the way your heart tells you to.

Very soon, Queen Street West was crawling with Batcavers. In 1988, they officially adopted the term “goths.” But even before identifying as goths, they had a third, more intimate name for themselves: freaks. This label was not derogatory; in fact, it was a badge of honour for all those who wore it, and it remained as such through the ensuing decades. The term freak was an embrace of the authentic and off-putting nature of their existence.

Goth music sang of the strange, the sickly, and the sexy. It was a medium for liberation in a new unusual light. Being a freak was a rejection of the societal norms of the ‘80s and ‘90s and an acceptance of the values of goth music: an all-inclusive, queer, sexually liberated form of art. The label was a representation of the darkness and strangeness of the genre, which was exactly what made — and continues to make — the music so beautiful. 

Artists such as Masochistic Religion and Vampire Beach Babes were some of the goth bands that emerged in Canada during the height of the movement. They made numerous references to monsters and vampires in their art. The existence of creatures of the night is a frequent goth symbol and helps to characterize the idea of the “other.” These monsters are given the spotlight in goth music, acting as guiding lights for the freaks to express themselves for who they really are, no matter how the rest of the world reacts to them.

Though the goth scene has died down since the ‘80s and ‘90s, there are still pockets of belonging peeking through the dark crevices. Sanctuary and Nocturne have both closed down, but there are new clubs in their place, teeming with the life of the undead. See-Scape is one of the clubs that remain to preserve goth culture, but there are also goth events at venues such as The Garrison and Bovine Sex Club.

Canadian artists like Dermabrasion and ACTORS are still active and create music that captures the essence of goth rock and all the other genres that make up the goth music scene. The decline in goths wandering down Queen Street West is exactly why it’s important for there to be new artists continuing to pave these pockets of belonging. Lol Tolhurst, drummer and co-founder of The Cure, said that goth was still alive and well through new artists, despite it not looking the same as when he was at the forefront of the movement. 

“I see all these people live in small places — their way out was us (The Cure),” he said in an interview with CNN. “I’m very honored and proud of that. That’s what keeps (goth) going.”

Goth music uses its doom and gloom as a means to explore the uncanny, to welcome the freakish and the bizarre. It’s not consumed by the darkness – it’s uplifted and inspired. It’s haunted. It’s beautiful.  

Spooky Canadian songs to listen to this Halloween season

Romanticize the darkening days with some tunes to match.

By: Melanie Nava Urribarri

Instead of the groans and moans of the city, listen to some spectral, spinning music (Nalyn Tindall/CanCulture) 

You feel the temperature around you drop, a cool wind slipping through the threads of your clothes and tickling the skin underneath, sending shivers down your spine. The sun is blocked by grey clouds, and you swear you hear a taunting laughter carried by the breeze. Even the few rays of sun the clouds let escape are not enough to warm you. Looking straight ahead, city streets dark and barely lit by flickering lamp posts, all that’s left to transform this scene into an episode of blissful escapism is a song.

Luckily, we’ve composed a list of six Canadian songs to add to your playlist this spooky season.

This Hollow World by Johnny Hollow

Starting with “This Hollow World” by Johnny Hollow from Guelph, Ontario. The band, formed in 2001, holds their own brand of avant-garde pop achieved through blending organic instruments with electro-industrial sounds. Their sound is accompanied by intricate dark art by digital artist Vincent Marcone in their videos. Their niche touches steampunk and goth genres, and this song from their album Dirty Hands’ would be a unique addition to your Halloween playlist, adding a haunting cello from cellist Kitty Thompson, eerie riffs from guitarist Steve Heihn and spine-chilling vocals from singer Janine White.

Tales of the Phantom Ship by Lennie Gallant

Released in 1988, this next song is from Canadian Folk singer-songwriter Lennie Gallant’s debut album Breakwater. With the use of mandolin, harmonica, violin and mandocello, Gallant tells a ghost story in “Tales of the Phantom Ship” inspired by the legend of a ghost ship in Northumberland Strait, the southern Gulf of Saint Lawrence in Eastern Canada. The legend dates back over 250 years, and the ship in the ghost story is typically depicted as a schooner with three or four masts and pure white sails, which are said to become completely engulfed in flames as onlookers watch. Take note of the lyrics and immerse yourself in the ghostly scene set before you.

Chasse-Galerie by Claude Dubois

A song with a devilish tale, “Le Chasse Galerie,” also known as “The Bewitched Canoe,” is a popular French-Canadian legend about lumberjacks working around the Gatineau River who make a deal with the devil. The tale has origins dating all the way back to when French Settlers arrived in Canada and swapped stories with Indigenous people. It is said to be a mix of the tale of a French nobleman named Gallery who loved to hunt so much he missed Sunday mass and was punished to fly forever chased by horses and wolves, and an Indigenous legend about a flying canoe. The hair-raising song sung by Claude Dubois was released in 1978. It utilizes a beautiful, sorrowful piano melody along with string instruments to tell this soul-stirring story.

Lost Jimmy Whelan by Clary Croft

“Lost Jimmy Whelan” is another Canadian folk song inspired by traditional ghost stories originating in Canada. This tale is one of grief, a ballad written about a young man who died while working on what was likely a river drive. The ghost appears to his lover as she wanders along a river bank, and many have claimed the ghost to be Ontario lumberman James Phalen, who, in actuality, died on a tributary of the Ottawa River around 1878. The song itself has been circulating since at least 1886. Clary Croft is a folklorist, writer, and entertainer from Nova Scotia, and his version of the song was released in 2021.

The Comeback Kid by Lindi Ortega

Released in 2018, this song is an alternative/indie, country song by Canadian singer-songwriter Lindi Ortega. Born in Toronto, she spent some time in Nashville, Tennessee before moving to Western Canada. “The Comeback Kid” is a fast-paced, haunting song about the revenge of a character who was shot but didn’t die; a ghost who comes back to life for relentless vengeance. Ortega’s vocals are scary-good and will certainly send another set of chills through you, along with the beat of the drums which will keep you dancing all Hallow’s Eve night.

Ghost by Fefe Dobson

Finally, the list would not be complete without this hit Canadian pop song from 2010. While not necessarily a “spooky” song, “Ghost” by Toronto-born artist Fefe Dobson continues to be a Canadian favourite with a thrilling tune and relatable lyrics. This song tells a story of a heartbreaking betrayal that would certainly “spook” anyone who has lived it. Adding this one to your Halloween party playlist will have you seeing a flash of recognition on almost every Canadian’s face and will surely get the party going.

Finished reading? Start listening! Now you can be sure to get lost in the ghostly whispers of time and the blood-curdling tales told in these Canadian songs this season.

Halloween costumes ideas to “creep” up with the trends in 2023

From viral internet sensations to blockbuster movie characters, CanCulture has got you covered with some modern costume ideas.

By Hafsa Hanif

It's that time of year when we put the "boo" in "boogie" and the "eek" in "chic." 

In this eye-popping, cobweb-clearing and absolutely bone-chilling list, we're going to explore the hottest, trendiest, and most outlandish Halloween costume ideas for 2023. Forget the phantom of past costume trends— it's time to summon the spirits of characters, memes, and moments that define this year!

Here are seven costume ideas that will transform your Halloween into the very essence of 2023, you won't want to miss a single spine-tingling detail.

Workout Barbie and Ken

Because the Barbie movie was the phenomenon that it was, Barbie costumes are only to be expected for this year’s spooky season. Spice up your Barbie costume by turning your Halloween into a fitness fiesta with Workout Barbie and Ken costumes! For Barbie, this ensemble includes a vibrant workout-themed outfit that’s both sporty and spooky. And don't forget your leotard - it's pretty much mandatory for this one

Grab a partner to complete the Workout Ken costume, so you and can be a spooktacular fitness duo that is sure to haunt the dance floor.

The Addams Family

 Wednesday Addams l Gomez l  Morticia 

From the popular Netflix series Wednesday, get ready to step into the dark and mysterious world of the Addams family as Wednesday Addams for Halloween! This costume embodies the eerie and iconic character played by Jenna Ortega. With a gothic black dress, pale makeup and her signature braids, you will transform into be the spookiest member of the family. Enlist a few friends and complete the Addams family ensemble to make the coolest “family-friendly” group costume. 

Loki

Buy it here

Why did Loki never excel in mathematics? Because he could never figure out which side he's on – 'odd' or 'even'! Ride the wave of the Loki TV series’ second season and conquer the costume contest with your Loki attire, and remember, with great mischief comes great responsibility (to have fun)!

Rihanna from the Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show

Zip up | Gloves | Mic prop | Sweater

(Natasha Kendall/Pexels)

If you want a jaw-dropping moment like Rihanna had at the LVII Super Bowl, then consider recreating her iconic all-red outfit at her pregnancy announcement performance. You do have the option of purchasing the original outfit worn by Rihanna by LOEWE for just over $2000, but if you are on a slightly tighter budget, it would not be difficult for a DIY outfit that still encompasses Rihanna’s fierceness.  

Ice Spice 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ice Spice (@icespice)

Speaking of icons from this year, it would be unjust not to mention hip-hop's newest princess and everyone’s obsession — Ice Spice. Whether you are looking for a munch or wandering around delis, this Ice Spice costume is bound to catch the attention of everyone in the room. Grab an orange curly wig, your best outfit and a bad “B” attitude, and you are all set. 

Spider-Punk

This list would not be complete without the spider-verse’s newest favourite rockstar. Whether it’s the version from the comic book or Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse, dressing up as Spider-Punk will guarantee your presence to be an edgy and eccentric one.

Drake and Adonis

@gucciganggabi

Hate survivors

♬ original sound - Jo_Nugs

This duo costume idea is in honour of the recent release of For All the Dogs by Toronto local legend- Drake. This Halloween’s trendiest duo costume idea is crowned to that of Drake and Adonis, who also made major waves with his feature on the album. There are many ways to dress up to pay tribute to the father-son duo, one of the more creative ones includes a red apron for the drake costume (from his recent performance on tour in a red apron) and a curly blonde wig for the Adonis counterpart. 

Taylor Swift from The Eras Tour

The “Queen of Pop” made major headlines with the Era Tour this year. With this Taylor Swift-inspired costume, you'll be rocking the superstar's signature style and you'll be the life of the party, just like Taylor herself. Put on your stylish attire, grab your guitar (real or air) and prepare to "never go out of style" as Taylor Swift. You can also pick outfits that resemble any “eras” for a twist. Remember, in this costume, you're always "fearless" and "ready for it!"

As the clock ticks towards the eeriest night of the year, 2023 is poised to deliver a Halloween like no other. We’ve unveiled seven costume ideas to define moments from here and now. In a world where past costume trends are banished into shadows, we step into terrifying your friends and family with 2023-inspired attire.

Let this night be filled with spine-tingling chills, unforgettable moments and a touch of magic that only 2023 can provide! 

Spooky sustainability: Making Halloween celebrations more eco-friendly

The holiday is a great opportunity to reduce, reuse and recycle.

By: Alina Jaffer

It’s that time of year again. Glowing jack o’lanterns pop up on porches around the neighbourhood. Retail stores set their speakers to play weird “Monster Mash” covers around the clock. And somehow, every coffee and baked good is suddenly pumpkin-spiced.

All signs point to the beloved spooky season. Unfortunately, as Halloween approaches, so do mounds of trash created by single-use decorations and costumes. 

Worrying about wastefulness may bog down what is meant to be a light-hearted cause for celebration. Luckily, there are some sustainable ways to enjoy a guilt-free and fun-filled Halloween night in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). 

Repurpose decorations

Schools and daycares are the perfect place to donate used decorations. This Halloween, ask your child or sibling’s teachers if the drama department could use some extra props. Maybe you’ll spot some of your repurposed items in the next school play!

Believe it or not, donatable decor is not limited to garden ornaments. A public library and historical society in Oakville, Ont. make donating carved pumpkins easy with the Oakville Pumpkin Parade. 

Simply bring your masterpieces to the Oakville Museum’s Erchless Estate on Nov. 1. After a night of crafting and storytelling, event organizers will give the pumpkins to local farms where the fruits are used as animal feed! 

Mississauga’s Bradley Museum is hosting a similar pumpkin-recycling event also on Nov. 1. The organization invites locals to drop off pumpkins, enjoy hot cider and complete a scavenger hunt. 

Participate in a costume swap 

This year, instead of buying a new costume for each party, try swapping looks with someone else. You’ll save money and reduce consumption without ever repeating outfits.

Local libraries and fashion interest groups tend to host costume swap events throughout October. 

Or, host your own costume swap with family and friends. Guests will appreciate the chance to get into the Halloween spirit while putting old costumes to good use. 

Make a meal out of your pumpkin

According to the CBC, Canadian farms produce 80,000 metric tonnes of pumpkins, two-thirds of which are sold fresh to customers. Most use these pumpkins as decor before swiftly tossing them in the bin. 

There’s no need to throw out seeds and chunks after carving pumpkins; repurpose them instead! Sprinkle salt over the seeds, heat up the oven and enjoy them as a healthy snack. Then, turn the chunks into a delicious puree which can be kept in a freezer for months.

After making the most out of your pumpkin, compost any remains. And remember: how you purchase a pumpkin is equally important as how you dispose of one.

Buy pumpkins from nearby farms

Earth Day Canada says buying locally grown gourds is an easy way to ensure a smaller ecological footprint. Local foods also tend to taste fresher and have more nutrients. 

So, a visit to the nearest pumpkin patch may be worth the trip after all! 

PumpkinFest at Downey’s Farm Market is running until Halloween night in Caledon, Ont. Their website promises wagon rides, live entertainment and—of course—plenty of pumpkins. 

 Donate used costumes

Research from the University of Waterloo says Canadians trash about a billion pounds of fashion and home items made of fabric each year. 

Instead of contributing to this spooky statistic, give your costumes a second life. Donation centres, including Goodwill, will accept your lightly used Cinderella dresses, fairy wings and skeleton onesies—so long as you adhere to the organization’s guidelines. 

 Goodwill says the smart way to donate is by washing any clothing items, testing battery-operated items and including all pieces of children’s toys. Broken, soiled and recalled items, however, will be turned away. So, be sure to remove chocolate and candy stains from your costumes before giving them away!

These no-brainer tips and tricks are your key to sustainable and spooky Halloween celebrations. 

Countdown to Halloween with these 13 ideas

You can make the most of the holiday by taking advantage of a few traditional and not-so-traditional ideas. 

By: Bashair Ali

Spooky season has officially marked its spot on the calendar and there are tons of activities to entertain you on the special toe-curling day. Whether you plan on celebrating outside or inside, here are 13 fun ways to celebrate the scariest month this year!

Visit CF Sherway Gardens Pumpkinville

Pumpkin patches are usually nowhere near the buzzing area of Downtown Toronto. 

Up until the 31st, check out Pumpkinville for only $15.89. This fun attraction, only Thursday through Sunday, features pumpkin sculptures, pumpkin houses, and a pumpkin village hidden inside a candy forest. To make matters even better, free parking is included!

Host a Halloween-themed cocktails competition

The trend of friends bringing different foods and drinks has been popular on TikTok for quite some time. Whether based on a colour, a country or even potatoes (yes, potato parties have become a thing), it always ends up looking like a blast.

Grab a couple of friends and decide who's bringing what. ​​You have the freedom of creativity, so go big with a pumpkin martini or spooky with a bloody Mary.

Check out a corn maze

Get lost and have some fun at Downey's Corn Maze Adventure, located in Caledon, Ont. There is an admission fee of $20.71 (tax included), and the park is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It includes a corn maze trail of over 8 km, three different games for all ages, farm animals and more. Explore the maze for the ultimate experience!

Try no-carve pumpkins

Not everyone has the time or energy to take the GO train to a pumpkin patch in Oshawa. Instead, take a quick stroll to your local grocery store and buy a pumpkin to paint rather than carve this year. Even the most careful carver can make a mess when carving pumpkins. 

It won't be the same experience as being outdoors, with the wind blowing in your face and all the colourful leaves falling from trees, but it's definitely worth the try and can still be amusing.

Build a Halloween gingerbread house

This Halloween, gingerbread house kits will take center stage and push Christmas aside. Craft and create with your loved ones and display the finished products. In the end, you get a delicious treat to reward yourself for all your hard work. Walmart, Canadian Tire and Party City are the most common vendors with affordable prices. 

5 Drive-in movie theatre

Enjoy a horror film on the big screen in the comfort of your car with great food, friendly staff, and reasonable prices—$15 for a single ticket. The 5 Drive-in located in Oakville is the ultimate getaway to watch some of the month's latest horror films, such as Smile or Halloween Ends. 

The only requirement is that you have access to a vehicle or know someone who does.

Make creepy treats

You may have baked regular treats, but Halloween-themed treats are a neat trick to experiment with. Get out of your comfort zone and try baking mummy ‘box’ brownie bites with some brownie mix, white frosting and chocolate chips. Regardless of what you bake, they’ll look and taste great.

Host a Halloween episode marathon

Halloween-themed episodes are a massive part of Gen-Z's childhood, and many people looked forward to them each year. Go back in time and make a list of all your favourites to watch with friends or family. 

For starters, watch 'The Ghost of Suite 613' episode from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody or 'Don't Have A Cow' from That's So Raven, both available for your viewing on Disney+.

Listen to an eerie podcast 

A spine-chilling podcast is a perfect way to show you're in the spirit of the season. A podcast that would seriously raise some hairs on your arms is Murder With My Husband. It’s a true-crime podcast that delves into gruesome and dark past crimes with a wife who adores it and a husband who isn't too fond of it. 

D.I.Y a Halloween costume 

Why buy an overpriced costume online when there are so many creative DIY Halloween costumes lurking on our TikTok For You Pages? The world has seen enough playboy bunny or sexy cop costumes. Test your abilities and see what you can do with a pair of scissors and a few items picked up from the dollar store. 

Halloween Haunt 

It's Halloween Haunt at Canada's Wonderland again, creating a terrifying scream park filled with exhilarating thrills and terrors.

Come face to face with hundreds of monsters, scare zones and mazes, gory street performers, and more. Buying your tickets online will cost $69.13 (tax included), solely for admission. Toronto's largest Halloween event is a must-see if you're looking for a jump scare or two.

Swap scary stories

One of the most enjoyable ways to celebrate Halloween is to share creepy tales. Make sure you gather a group of friends, turn off the lights, and light a few candles to get in the Halloween spirit. Lastly, take a look online for a story, or come up with your own! 

Create a Halloween playlist 

Last but certainly not least, make a spooky playlist with all the best Halloween jams. Get innovative by adding songs from your favorite horror movies or television shows. Lack of inspiration? Check out the 60 songs Good Housekeeping shared for its Halloween and music lovers.

Skele-fun Halloween Traditions in Canada

Phillips and Scarsella’s Toronto house, decorated for Halloween night. Located at 10 Navenby Cres., in Toronto. (Photo: Sydney Brasil)

By Ashley Alagurajah

Halloween is typically known as a time for horror films and excesses of chocolate. However, at its core is a holiday in which despite expectations, is a day fulfilled by time spent with family, friends and community.

It can be seen as a time where people can expect to dress up, party and be spooked by haunted houses.

To many Canadians, it is another celebration to cherish and take advantage of when it comes to spending time with those they love and care for. It can be a time to reminisce and build new memories, give back and spend time with loved ones.

Sydney Brasil, a second-year journalism student has watched her grandparents set up elaborate Halloween décor on their front lawn since 2005.

In October, their home is transformed into a dungeon “complete with a cemetery, drawbridge, and tons of spooky electronic figures,” said Brasil.

After nearly two decades of decorating, Debbie Phillips and Marco Scarsella, Brasil’s grandparents, have refined the process and now have the operation ready to go each Halloween.

“Marco loves doing this for the kids. He just loves the fact they can (go) through and have fun and get a scare,” said Phillips about her husband.

The couple starts by taking everything out of their storeroom in order to start setting up outside. Then, the process of turning their house into the spooky sensation begins.

According to Brasil, the home takes approximately three to five days to complete and Phillips even takes the week off work to decorate.  

For as long as she can remember, her grandparents have set up their display annually for their family, friends and neighbours to enjoy.

In fact, one year the couple caught the attention of Global News, who covered the action going on at the house.

“This is something that makes our family really happy. And I’m happy it can be shared with other people too,” said Brasil.

Now at 20-years-old, Brasil marvels at the transition from enjoying the fun of the frightening dungeon as a child to now experiencing the joy of the setup. As well as getting to watch young children enjoy it the way she once did.

Brasil expects this tradition to continue to carry on for much longer. “My grandparents are younger than most grandparents. So, I don't see it ending any time soon. I'll probably revive it once I have my own front yard,” she said.

For Karen Hirji, a third-year early childhood education student at the University of Guelph-Humber, Halloween nights are dedicated to giving back to her community.

For the past three years, Hirji has spent Halloween volunteering at her church, The Stone Church, in downtown Toronto.

The Stone Church has been hosting an annual Fall Fest  for the past four years.

Visitors at The Stone Church’s Fall Fest of 2017 (Photo courtesy of The Stone Church via Facebook)

The night typically consists of free cotton candy, popcorn, chocolate, games and bouncy castles for the community to enjoy, families with young children in particular.

Fall Fest originated when lead pastor, J.D. Mallory thought it would be a good way to spread love and serve the community around The Stone Church.

When Hirji was recruited to volunteer, she said she agreed to do it because for her, volunteering and “giving her time to serve the community is a tangible way to see and experience God’s love.”

Hirji is one of 30 volunteers at the event. She describes her fondest memory of the Fall Fest as seeing the smiles on parents’ faces when she tells them that the event, food and games are free.

“Parents often tell us that many events are expensive, and they didn’t have anything else to do on Halloween night … I would only hope that our gesture of free facilities and fun only shows our love for the people in Toronto,” said Hirji.  

Every year the staff get together in order to brainstorm how they can make the Fall Fest as spectacular as possible. This year, their highlight was introducing a slime-making table for children.

The Stone Church is expected to keep the Fall Fest on track for many years down the road. The event is valued in the community as it offers a fun and inexpensive Halloween excursion.

For many Canadians, pumpkin carving is a yearly tradition during the fall. Some may even describe it as a vital activity to partake in during the season.

From carving a design to watching her grandmother roast the excess pumpkin seeds, Serenity Noble, an eleventh-grade student from Calgary, is one Canadian who has carried this tradition since childhood.

“Ever since I was a little kid, during the Halloween season I remember sleeping over at my nana and papa’s house (and) going to the grocery store to get like, four pumpkins. I would draw a face and then my grandpa would carve it out for me,” explained Noble.

This heartwarming tradition was altered in 2016 when Noble’s grandfather was diagnosed with cancer and passed away.

However, Noble continues the tradition of pumpkin carving, only without her grandfather by her side.

“Even though my grandpa isn’t alive anymore, I still enjoy being thankful about his life and doing the things we used to do,” said Noble.

Canada without a doubt has a wide range of both common and uncommon traditions and activities that people engage in around the country.
All of which contribute to the wonderful celebration of Halloween in the country each year.