Until October 31
Over 10,000 spooky pumpkins for all ages are on display at Pumpkins After Dark at Borden Park. This year will feature pumpkin carving demonstration, sweet treats and eats, photo ops and a celebration of all things Halloween for the entire month of October.
Until November 9
The old Edmonton Sun building has been converted to the DEADmonton Haunted House, where you’ll (try to) escape “The Curse of the Mucklebone Coven, the sinister influence of The Abbey or the pure madness of the Puppet Factory.”
October 2 to 5
Suit and saddle up (and by that we mean throw on a cowboy hat and a nice pair of boots) and head to Rogers Place for the Canadian Finals Rodeo, where you’ll see Canada’s best rodeo athletes compete at the 50th annual event.
October 4 to November 2
They’re calling it the most terrifying year yet, with two new haunts at Fort Edmonton Park’s DARK. For ages 14+ with food, scares and music on site.
October 4 and 5
See the premiere of Shumka’s Ukrainka, which depicts the story of Lesya Ukrainka, a legend amongst our Ukrainian diaspora, especially for women. See her four faces —The Dreamer, The Traditionalist, The Lover and The Leader — in dance at the Jubilee Auditorium.
October 5 and 25
Walk the red carpet — or dress in your dastardly best — on either of the Edmonton Elks’ upcoming themed game nights, “Hollywood Night” and “Spooktacular.” (Note: Green and gold attire is always welcome.)
All month long
We don’t want to freak you out, but Edmonton is haunted — or at least parts of Old Strathcona are. Luckily, our local spirits seem to enjoy taking trolley rides and drinking pints at regular Whyte Ave hot spots. Since you can’t escape anyway, you might as well take an Edmonton Ghost Tour.
October 6 (and throughout)
Try your hand at an art class held in The Paint Spot’s studio, Artelier. There’s an encaustics class depicting crows in October, and feature beginner to advanced seminars to try new mediums all year long.
October 9
The Edmonton Oilers have one goal this season — to get back to the Stanley Cup final, but win it this time around. They begin their quest at Rogers Place when the Winnipeg Jets visit for the home opener.
October 12
Four legendary artists will perform back to back as Ice Seguerra, Joey Generoso, Noel Cabangon and Bugoy Drilon take the EXPO Centre stage.
October 13 and 18
The University of Alberta Pandas and Golden Bears have some phenomenal amateur athletes showcasing sports you might not otherwise watch. Catch collegiate volleyball, basketball, swimming, rugby or wrestling this fall and cheer on Edmonton’s next generation of athletes. Circle October 13 and 18 on the calendar, when the Golden Bears’ soccer team takes on the crosstown rivals, MacEwan Griffins.
Until October 14
See Edmonton from an old-timey perspective as you take a ride on the High Level Bridge Streetcar, which will take you from Whyte Ave to downtown and back again, all in classic Edmonton style.
October 15
With classes throughout fall and winter (including for beginners) E-town Salsa Dance Company will get you in the groove and ready to bust a move at your next party. Vamos para la rumba!
October 16 to 20
They say there’s a story inside all of us, and that’s especially true for the speakers, writers and peformers at this year’s Litfest, taking place at various stages around Edmonton.
October 17
Science is cool, but can it be…scrumptious? It can when it’s Telus World of Science Edmonton’s “Where Science Meets Cocktails” event, a fun night out for adults. More than 13 local restaurants will provide hors d’oeuvres (and liquid nitrogen ice cream) while you enjoy scientifically crafted cocktails, live music and each other’s company.
October 18 and 19
This isn’t the classical ballet we think of when we think of ballet. Ballet Edmonton will debut In the Wake, featuring the work of three important female Canadian choreographers in contemporary ballet at Triffo Theatre in Allard Hall.
October 18 to 20
Finally finished up that summer home project? Now it’s time for the Edmonton Fall Home Show at the EXPO Centre, just in time for you to see what’s trending and find a house project before the weather turns.
Get your plaid and head to Prairie Gardens for cute family pictures as you spend an afternoon lost in a maze, taking a train ride, making a scarecrow or petting and feeding the friendly animals. Then head home with farm-fresh eggs or a Community Supported Agriculture box on your way out.
Throughout October
Rapid Fire Theatre is Edmonton’s longest running improv comedy destination, and somehow — even with over 300 shows a year — the cast never seems to run out of ideas! Will the next show be the first one to fail? Not if you’re there with wild prompts to throw at the cast.
October 20
Did you know that singer Amy Lee was a classically trained pianist before she was a rock star? Relive your younger years as Evanescence rocks Rogers Place
It’s the best time of the year during harvest month at your favourite farmers’ market (some of which end by mid-October). Pick up in-season apples, pears, stone fruit, carrots and beets for canning.
October 23
Fred Penner performs for the next generation as he visits Edmonton on The Cat Came Back Tour at the Winspear Centre.
October 25
The Bear 100.3 is hosting the Halloween Howler on October 25 at the River Cree with an epic costume contest. Headliners Saint Asonia and Bad Wolves will be performing with Edmonton’s Royal Tusk and DJ Kwake.
October 25 and 26
If you reread those fairytale stories we heard as children, written by the Brothers’ Grimm, you’ll realize there are some really nasty parents and bad things happen to kids. Watch nightmares come to life in dance on stage at the Jubilee as Alberta Ballet puts on Grimm.
October 31
Edmonton has a fantastic organ at the Winspear Centre, and this is your chance to listen to it while you watch the 1925 classic film The Phantom of the Opera on Halloween night.
