Oh My Gourd! 10 Spooky Canadian Hallowe’en Facts 🎃🍁
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The first recorded Hallowe’en in Canada – The earliest known reference dates back to 1911 in Kingston, Ontario, where newspapers described kids dressing up and going door-to-door.
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Pumpkin capital – Port Elgin, Ontario, hosts the Pumpkinfest, one of the largest pumpkin events in the world, featuring record-breaking giant pumpkins.
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Haunted Parliament – Ottawa’s Parliament Hill is said to be haunted, especially the old Centre Block, where ghostly figures have been reported after the 1916 fire.
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Canadian candy pride – Rockets (called Smarties in the U.S.) are a classic Hallowe’en handout in Canada. Canadians also love Coffee Crisp, Aero, and Smarties (the chocolate kind).
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Ghost towns galore – Canada has dozens of ghost towns, especially in BC and the Prairies, making them prime spots for Hallowe’en ghost stories and tours.
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Cold-weather costumes – Canadian kids often wear their costumes over snowsuits, thanks to chilly October nights. A true rite of passage!
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Haunted hockey arenas – Several Canadian rinks are rumoured to be haunted, including Calgary’s Saddledome and Montreal’s old Forum.
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Quebec’s French twist – In Quebec, Hallowe’en is known as “l’Halloween” and trick-or-treating only became popular there after WWII.
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Haunted hotels – Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta is famous for ghost stories, including the tale of the “Bride of Banff”, a woman who supposedly died on her wedding day.
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Canada Post spookiness – Canada Post has issued Hallowe’en-themed stamps, including haunted Canada series featuring ghostly legends from across the country.