There’s no need to wait until Oct. 31 to get into the Halloween spirit in New West as there’s all sorts of spooktacular events taking place in the coming weeks. Here’s a selection of some of the local events you may want to check out:
1. Get your photo taken with the Jack the Pumpkin King at the Nightmare Before Christmas Market on Saturday, Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 pm. at 514 Carnarvon St. Guests are encouraged to dress in costume for this event that features fashion, art, food and more. Jack the Pumpkin King will be putting in a special appearance at 2 p.m. Admission is $3 or free for kids 13 and under. Info on the Nightmare Before Christmas Market page on Facebook.
2. Join Vancouver Ghost Tours for a spine-tingling journey through history and the paranormal at the Ghostly New Westminster Tour on Saturdays, Oct. 14 and 28 and Tuesday, Oct. 31. You’ll learn about B.C.’s legendary Hanging Judge, one of B.C.’s oldest houses, a haunted tattoo parlour and more during this 90-minute walking tour. Participants, who are advised to wear comfy shoes as there are hills on this tour, will meet at Hyack Square and get started at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available at www.eventbrite.ca (Search for Ghostly New Westminster Tour). Take note: tickets for the Oct. 13 and 20 tours had sold out by the Record’s deadline so you’ll want to get these quick.
3. Dance the night away at the Columba Theatre’s Halloween dance on Saturday, Oct. 28, featuring performances by Billy Dixon and his Soul Train Express and Arsen Shomakhov Band. Tickets are $30 and available at 604-522-4500 or vtixonline.com. The Columbia Theatre is at 530 Columbia St.
4. Keep an eye out for mummies and zombies who will be roaming the deck at Canada Games Pool for its Halloween swim event on Sunday, Oct. 29 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. In addition to swimming and enjoying the water slide, kids can participate in scavenger hunts on the pool deck and try out the rope swing of doom, the blue ice mat walk, mummy tug-o-war and scary face painting. The event also features free treats. Regular admission rates apply. Canada Games Pool is at 65 East Sixth Ave.
5. Join Paddlewheeler Riverboat Tours for the Fright Night on the Fraser pub night cruises on Friday, Oct. 27 and Saturday, Oct. 28. The tours, which run from 7 to 10 p.m., include music and prizes and giveaways for best costumes. Food and drinks are available for purchase on board. Tickets are $25 and available at www.vancouverpaddlewheeler.com. The pub night cruise is for folks 19 and older.
6. Take the kids on an all-ages Family Halloween Cruise on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 3 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $28.75 for adults, $14.38 for youth and free for children 12 and under. Tickets at www.vancouverpaddlewheeler.com.
7. Take in the Vagabond Players latest production, Little Shop of Horrors – a “gleefully twisted, out-of-this- world” cult classic musical that includes Motown and B-Movies. This show, which includes mature content and language, runs at the Bernie Legge Theatre in Queen’s Park until Sunday, Oct. 29. For tickets and info, go to www.vagabondplayers.ca.
8. Enjoy a night out at Bullys Halloween Tribute Band Night on Saturday, Oct. 28, featuring Buffalo ShelbyVille (Buffalo Springfield), Cop Killer (Body Count), 5 Magics (Megadeth) and Deely Stann (Steely Dann). Bully’s Studios is at 67 Sixth St. Tickets are $10 at the door or $5 for those with a costume.
9. Take a spin around the ice at Moody Park Arena at the Haunted Halloween family skate on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Regular admission rates apply. Moody Park Arena is at 701 Eighth Ave.
10. Venture down to Ava Fitness Pole Studio for the What Lies Within pole and acrobatic show, that a write-up describes as a “creepy journey through a mystical enchanted forest to see what lies within.” It’s taking place on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Ava Fitness, 735 Carnarvon St. Info and tickets at www.avafitness.ca.
11. Head to one of the local watering holes on Halloween weekend – you’re sure to find all sorts of folks in costume.
