29 Oct 2026 12 min read Weekly Dozen

pumpkins parade | Oct 30 - Nov 5 2026

there's something very toronto about these events. And it's even more toronto to take that thing and dilute it 50x.

Two iconic events happen every year this week, and if you can, go to both. Church Street is the most Halloween thing you can do after you age out of trick-or-treating (a solution below). If you have a good costume, bring it out. And the night after, go to Sorauren Park to see the pumpkin parade. There are hundreds and it's sometimes better than halloween.

Apparently everyone throws free Halloween events. There were over 400 to get through this week. Whittling that down t0 85 and then down to twelve or so was a challenge. This week there is an adult trick-or-treet party, Dia de los Muertos, and after last week's election, we have the first Tree of the Year, and it's being planted this week.

1. Sorauren Park Pumpkin Parade

Sun, Nov 1 · 6p-12a | Sorauren Park | Free

The OG of the pumpkin parade is the only place to see it. That's not technically true as there are 52 other spots below. Bring your pumpkin and a candle at 6 and walk the glowing path to see hundreds of others. There's a choir at 7 and 7:45.

all 53 pumpkin parade locations (it's a lot)

add to calendar

2. Halloween on Church

Fri-Sat Oct 30-31 · 5p-12a | Church Street | Free

Everything else pales in comparison to this street party. It's the best Halloween tradition and it's now a two-night street party. You'll see the best costumes you've ever seen, there are parties all along the street and it goes on all night. Do your Halloween and then come end your night on Church St.

add to calendar

3. Día de los Muertos

A celebration of the Mexican Day of the Dead tradition across the city. Most of them on Sunday.

Día de los Muertos | Wychwood Barns | Sat, Oct 31 3p-10p
a full house usually, with lots to see and a great atmosphere
Día de Muertos, Ofrenda & Open Mic | MUSE Arts | Sun, Nov 1, 2p-7p
A small community event 📅
Day of the Dead | Nathan Phillips Square | Sun, Nov 1, 10a-9p
Celebration with ofrendas, music and i'm sure things to buy 📅
Día de Los Muertos | Stackt | Nov 1, 12p-10p 📅
a market themed for the day of the dead celebration

4. A Fresh Sixteen Exhibition Launch Party

Thu, Nov 5 · 6p-9:30p | It's Ok* Studios | Free

Marking 16 years of the Northside Hip Hop Archive, and a celebration of the collaboration behind it.

add to calendar

5. Film Screening: Mile End Kicks + Q&A with Filmmaker

Tue, Nov 3 · 7p-9:30p | Innis Town Hall | Free

A screening of Mile End Kicks from UofT alumna Chandler Levack, followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker. Great movie, set in Montreal in the 90s.

add to calendar

6. Minions Halloween Gathering

Sat, Oct 31 · 7p | Grange Park | Free

From the mind behind the funeral for the Inconvenience Store, it's a group minion costume party. You can wear any costume, but there will be at least 20 minions and the plan is to surprise a local restaurant in costume for dinner, then wander downtown trick-or-treating and handing out candy.

add to calendar

7. Too Old to Trick-or-Treat

Fri, Oct 30 · 7p-10p | Gallery 1065 | Free

A grown-ups' Halloween hang inside the Draw Me A Monster exhibition, with candy, music, and monster art. Get more than one wear and go in costume.

add to calendar

8. Deep Cuts: Listening to Citizen Kane's Deliverance

Fri, Oct 30 · 7p-9:30p | Hart House Music Room | Free

A track-by-track listening session of Citizen Kane's Deliverance, the Juno-nominated 1999 Toronto hip-hop album. Emcee Spade and producer Fin-S walk through how each song was made.

add to calendar

harthouse.ca