Stanley Park Ghost Train and VanDusen Glow in the Garden set to entertain again this Halloween. The Vancouver Park Board is celebrating Halloween this year at both VanDusen Botanical Garden and Stanley Park Ghost Train.
The Park Board’s long-running Stanley Park Ghost Train operates October 13 to 31. Prepare to be thrilled and chilled by aliens from outer space. Jump on the train for a journey into restricted zones and witness the landing! Food vendors, face painting, a haunted maze, and more will also entertain. The Greater Vancouver Food Bank will be on site and be accepting canned food or cash donations daily. More details and tickets at ghosttrain.ca.
“The Park Board is excited to welcome families and friends of all ages to come out to celebrate this fantastic Halloween event for the 18th year. We could not put on Ghost Train without the support of our community partners, who help make each year’s new and exciting theme come to life for all park visitors to enjoy,” said Vancouver Park Board Chair Michael Wiebe.
The train is one of Vancouver’s most popular family attractions, carrying more than 200,000 passengers a year. The Urban Forest Train ran in July and August with a new theme. The Bright Nights Christmas Train returns for the 20th year November 30 through January 6. The theme is nostalgic Christmas and will feature favourites from the past 20 years.
At VanDusen Garden, the second annual VanDusen Glow in the Garden celebrates the classic tale Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland from October 24 to 31, 5 – 9 pm.
Follow the white rabbit on a wondrous walk in the garden with zany lights and sounds, and illuminated pumpkin caricatures. A craft area will be set up inside the Visitor Centre and pumpkins from Taves Family Farms will be on sale in the gift shop.
Wear a costume and share photos with #VanDusenGlow for a chance to win a one-year family membership to the garden and an afternoon of tea for two at Truffles Café.
Tickets for VanDusen Glow are selling fast. Purchase tickets online in advance to skip the line. Tickets are available for purchase at the gate on event nights, space permitting. Learn more at vancouver.ca/glowinthegarden.
Community centres are also getting into the Halloween spirit. A Halloween carnival and ghostly graveyard take place October 28 at Coal Harbour Community Centre, while West End Community Centre is running the annual Haunted House at Barclay Manor at 1447 Barclay Street, October 27 and 28. Contact community centres or visit vancouver.ca and type in ‘halloween’ in the search engine for details about additional activities.
All Souls returns to the City of Vancouver’s Mountain View Cemetery from October 28 to November 1, with a series of events that give people the chance to honour the dead through ceremony and celebration. Music, film, and the opportunity to make personal memorials in a quiet atmosphere of contemplative beauty highlight the week. For the full event schedule, visit nightforallsouls.com.