Looking for a fright in Peterborough & the Kawarthas? From circuses to escape mazes to haunted walks and more, there’s enough spooky spirit to go around this Halloween season.
1) Historic All Hallows’ Eve at Lang Pioneer Village
Get into the Halloween spirit and discover the origins and traditions of All Hallows’ Eve at Lang Pioneer Village!
Enjoy dozens of activities suitable for all ages including getting your fortune told by the traveling fortune teller, learning about gothic novels of the 1800s at the Gothic Print Shop, taking history lessons at the School House, discovering the tricks of the trade from the Paranormal Seekers, making crafts to take home from the Cheese Chemist’s Laboratory, enjoying delicious hot chocolate and tasty treats from the Keene Hotel, and more!
Don’t forget to come disguised to blend in with the spirits and ghosts lurking in the Village!
Please note this is a historical tour exploring Halloween customs, and while some origin stories are quite dark, this is not a frightful experience. Tickets are limited and advance booking is required.
2) Circus Vaccaro Productions presents “Happy HALL-o-ween” at Market Hall
Your small group of brave souls will navigate the transformed Market Hall and encounter gargoyles, devils, evil clowns and other terrifying characters.
Your experience will culminate with a main stage performance in which James Spremo-Bain”s torturous and gore filled nightmare state is brought to life.
Lighting effects will be used and may affect those with photosensitivity. Accommodations for those with mobility difficulties may be required, please contact us so that we can best serve your needs.
Contains elements of fear and graphic content, parental discretion is advised.
3) Haunted Halloween for Kids at Hutchison House Museum
While things will look a little different again this year, the month of October would not be complete without the Halloween tradition.
Look out for young ghostly ghouls and goblins on Friday, October 29th from 5pm to 8:30pm and Saturday, October 30th from 10am to 4pm, when Hutchison House Museum will host its annual Haunted Halloween festivities.
Enjoy a spooky tour, make a fun craft, have your fortune told, enjoy a special treat and more!
Registration is required. There is a maximum of six people per 15 minute time slot. Admission for the Haunted Halloween spooktacular event is $5 per person and children under 5 are free. Costumes are encouraged and an adult must accompany young children.
While we do make the upper levels of the house a little spooky, it is not the intention to scare anyone.
4) The Stalking Dead; 2nd Wave – Outdoor Haunt Escape Game at Escape Maze
Corn farmer zombies, known as the “Stalking Dead” were thought to have been cured last year but new discoveries have convinced officials that we are in for a 2nd wave. Local law enforcement recalled the same pharmaceutical company to develop a cure to these brain craving idiots. Research stations were again set up at ground zero, a farmer’s field surrounded in high voltage fencing to secure themselves from new beasts. Scientists were convinced they found a cure to this new outbreak but before securing the data into the mainframe computer, the containment area was breached by zombie livestock. The community has reached out to the public looking for volunteers to retrieve the data at the research stations and enter it into the central computer system. Their hope lies with you.
NOT recommended for players 13 years of age and younger.
This experience requires a minimum of 4 players per group, with a maximum of 10 players per group and will run rain or shine. Tickets are limited and advance booking is required.
5) Eerie Ashburnham Ghost Walk with Trent Valley Archives
Trent Valley Archives returns for another spooky season with their Eerie Ashburnham Walking Tours. Beginning on Wednesday, October 20th and running until Friday, October 29th, these East City tours will bring alive the dark side of Ashburnham. Friendly and knowledgeable guides will lead you by lantern light through the streets, expertly weaving together the ghosts and the stories behind them.
Two different guided tour routes are being offered this year:
“West Side Stories”: From the hauntings at Quaker Oats in connection with the 1916 fire to the strange happenings at Engleburn, you’ll be mesmerized by the experiences that many in the area have reported. As some have done on previous tours, you might even hear the “talking trees” on your walk near the Hunter Street Bridge.
“East Side Stories” features the haunted history of Peterborough’s most famous structure, the Lift Lock. Participants will also learn about the Theatre Guild’s ghost-in-residence and the strange sightings at the former St. Joseph’s Hospital, as well as many lesser known hauntings. This tour also includes a trek up Armour Hill, so bring a flashlight, wear good walking shoes and be prepared for a workout.
There is sensitive material on the tour so keep that in mind when bringing children.
Tickets are limited and advance booking is required.