Halloween in Guelph 2026: Parties, Markets, Haunted Walks and Family Events
Written by Emma Foster • Published October 17, 2026 • Last verified October 20, 2026
What you need to know:
Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31, 2026, with major nightlife and family events scheduled throughout late October.
Major 19+ nightlife events include Boots & Boos (Cowboys), Rocky Horror Drag (Opus Lounge), and The Black Parade Emo Night (Sonic Hall).
Family-friendly picks include the Luna Vampire Market, Crock A Doodle pottery, and Night of the Living Ed.
Strom's Farm features a 5-acre charity corn maze open Wednesday through Sunday.
Guelph Urbex tours enforce a strict policy prohibiting photo, audio, or video recording during events.
Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and Guelph has a full plate of events running through late October: vampire night markets, haunted high tea, drag shows, a community costume ball with a local film premiere, and plenty of daytime activities for families.
Here is what is happening across the city, weekend by weekend.
Upcoming Weekend: October 23 to 25
The Luna Halloween Market: Night of the Vampire takes over the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 234 at 57 Watson Parkway South on Friday, October 23 (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and Saturday, October 24 (4 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Admission is free. The market features more than 45 spooky artisans and vendors, tarot readers, costume contests for children and adults, and themed cocktails and mocktails at the pop-up Blood Bar.
Don't Ghost Me Speed Dating runs Friday, October 23, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Ward Bar inside Spring Mill Distillery, 43 Arthur Street South. Tailored for singles aged 26 to 36, tickets are $47.13 and include a complimentary cocktail. The event requires a minimum of 20 participants, or tickets are fully refunded.
Halloween Drag Pottery and Paint Night takes place Sunday, October 25, at 7 p.m. at Crock A Doodle Guelph South, 1398 Gordon Street. Tickets are $28.25. Guests paint their choice of pottery piece while enjoying a live drag performance. The event is all-ages and family-friendly.
Halloween Week: October 28 to 31
Haunted High Tea runs Wednesday, October 28 and Thursday, October 29, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Boathouse Tea Room, 116 Gordon Street. Hosted by Guelph Urbex, tickets are $80 (including HST) for a guided river ghost walk, high tea, and a hands-on paranormal investigation using ghost-hunting gear. A gluten-free menu is available for an extra $4. Note that Guelph Urbex maintains a strict policy prohibiting audio or video recording on tours.
Hallo'Tots Morning Party runs Friday, October 30, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Wellington County Museum and Archives, 0536 Wellington Road 18 in Aboyne. Geared for children aged 0 to 5, the morning includes crafts, sensory play, and indoor trick-or-treating. Admission is by donation; please note that advance registration has already reached full capacity.
The Bootlegging History Tour steps off Friday, October 30, at 7:30 p.m. Hosted by Guelph Urbex, the one-hour guided walking tour covers Guelph's prohibition-era bootlegging corridors and historical vice stories. Tickets are $25 with HST included, booked in advance, with a four-person minimum for the tour to proceed.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics takes place Friday, October 30, at 8:45 p.m. inside Royal City Mission Church at 50 Quebec Street. A live string quartet surrounded by hundreds of candles performs spooky arrangements of Thriller, the Exorcist theme, Stranger Things, Beetlejuice, and Psycho. The 60-minute concert is open to ages 8 and older (under 16 requires an adult). Tickets start at $27.22 on Fever and sell quickly.
The Night of the Living Ed Costume Ball runs Friday, October 30, from 8 p.m. to midnight at The Arboretum Auditorium, 250 Arboretum Road. Co-presented by Ed Video Media Arts Centre and Silence, the all-ages party features the big-screen premiere of Night of the Living Ed, an original stop-motion film and soundtrack created by community members. Admission is $10 at the door or $13.54 online, with DJ music, dancing, refreshments, and a costume contest.
The Rocky Horror Viewing Party and Drag Show takes place Friday, October 30, at Opus Lounge, 92 Macdonell Street. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. with show performances beginning at 9:00 p.m. Hosted by Doll Haus Events with drag performers Anne Tique Doll, Ultraviolet, and Peach Blossom, the evening combines live drag commentary with screenings of the cult classic. Tickets range from $20.34 for standing to $50.85 for VIP seating. This is a 19-and-over event.
The Black Parade Halloween Emo Night runs Friday, October 30, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Sonic Hall, upstairs at 12 Wyndham Street North. Admission is $13.10. The night spins early-2000s emo and alternative anthems, with costumes strongly encouraged. Admission is 19-and-over with valid physical photo ID required at the door.
Boots and Boos Halloween Night takes over Cowboys Guelph at 166 Wyndham Street North on Saturday, October 31, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets run from $6.62 to $17.26. The haunted honky-tonk night features DJ Tumble Weed, drink specials, and a $1,000 costume contest. Admission is 19-and-over.
Ongoing Autumn Attractions
Strom's Farm and Bakery, located at 5089 Wellington Road 32, runs its Harvest Fun and 5-acre charity corn maze Wednesdays through Sundays until October 31. Attractions include wagon rides, pumpkin games, and fresh baked goods.
Monster Month in Elora and Fergus runs throughout October. Visitors can take self-guided twilight walking tours through both downtown cores to spot dozens of illuminated, hand-crafted monster sculptures created by artist Tim Murton.
Just Outside Guelph
The Erin Witches Walk takes place Friday, October 23. Participants meet at The Tin Roof, 4 Main Street in downtown Erin, for an evening of costume walking in support of Headwaters Healthcare Foundation.
Bleed Green: Highland Halloween Pub Night runs Saturday, October 24, at the Highland Rugby Club in Fergus. Admission is $27.96 as a fundraiser for the Highland Rugby U16 and U18 UK tour. This is a 19-and-over event.
Practical Planning Tips
Most downtown evening parties (Cowboys, Sonic Hall, Opus Lounge, and The Ward Bar) are strictly 19-and-over and require government-issued physical photo ID.
Families looking for all-ages options have strong choices: the Luna Vampire Market, Crock A Doodle drag pottery, Night of the Living Ed at the Arboretum, and seasonal farm visits.
Limited-capacity events like Candlelight and the Haunted High Tea regularly sell out, so book those tickets online before heading out.
Sources
- Gather in Guelph: Local Community Events & Gatherings
- Fever: Candlelight - A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
- Eventbrite: Night of the Living Ed Costume Ball
- Guelph Urbex Walking Tours & Haunted High Tea
- Strom's Farm & Bakery: Fall Harvest Fun & 5-Acre Corn Maze
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