Family Halloween Events in Metro Vancouver 2011

Halloween is a special time of year for children. They get to carve pumpkins, make crafts and decorate, dress up as their favourite characters, and bring in a haul of treats. As you get older the activities, parties, and experiences change until you’re fortunate enough to have a family of your own so you can re-live that childhood excitement with your own little ones.

Photo credit: Paul Mayne on Flickr

There are activities you can both enjoy, like the Stanley Park Ghost Train but I thought I would also roundup a list of community events happening around the region that are all specifically for younger children.

Halloween Fireworks in Richmond
Your family can enjoy free fireworks displays on Halloween night from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at several locations in Richmond including Minoru Park, the West Richmond Community Centre, and the South Arm Community Centre. The events are for all ages and will include clowns, magic tricks, stilt-walkers, fire jugglers, hot chocolate, games and more.

Halloween on the Heights
Burnaby Heights is hosting a series of events October 29th to October 30th including a Spooky Boogie dance for ages 7 to 18, Halloween train rides on the miniature railway in Confederation Park, and Trick or Treating on October 31st. Families are also welcome to head over to Gilmore School on Halloween night for a fireworks display around 8:00pm.

Little Spooks & Friendly Ghosts at VanDusen Garden
For ages 9 and younger, there will be crafts, games, and performances at VanDusen Botanical Garden. Admission will be at a reduced rate from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on October 29th. Tickets are available at the front gate and activities include learning to juggle, making spooky wind catchers, and playing a giant Jenga game – presented by Aldor Acres.

PoCo Jelly Bean Dance
Happening from 6:15pm to 9:15pm on October 28th, this costumed Halloween dance is just for kids in grades 4 to 6. Presented by PoCo Youth in the Hyde Creek Recreation Centre gym, there will be games, prizes, and of course music and dancing. Parents are welcome and the event is supervised by Parks and Recreation staff. Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 on dance night.

Halloween Fun in New Westminster
The New Westminster Public Library presents a special Halloween event on October 28th for ages 4 to 10. There will be ghostly stories and crafts in the Children’s Room at the library on 6th Ave.

Pumpkin Power at the Surrey Museum
Drop into the Surrey Museum in Cloverdale for this event for kids on October 29th. Do some crafts, decorate pumpkins, view carved jack o’lanterns, and even eat some pumpkin pie from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. Admission is by donation.

Halloween Hoopla in Burnaby
Head to the Bill Copeland Sports Centre on October 29th from 12:30 to 3:00pm where kids can enjoy crafts, games, face painting and of course ice skating. Regular skate admission applies and costumes are optional, but encouraged.

Family Fright at the Fort
Wear your costumes to Fort Langley’s production of “Justine Beaver’s Halloween Adventure” on October 29th and 30th. Showtimes are 11:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm and 5:00pm with activities open around the fort from 10:00am to 6:00pm.

You can view a full list of October events in my monthly post. Should you have any to add, or any community events coming up in November, please feel free to contact me with details.