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Halloween is just over a week away, and there's so much happening around Victoria! If your kids have been asking to wear their costumes already, this is a great weekend to get some extra use out of them. Between trick-or-treating events, spooky activities and neighbourhood celebrations, there's plenty of Halloween fun leading up to the big night.

I've also got a few good things to share this week, including some of our family's favourite Halloween displays and a wonderful local initiative helping more families put fresh food on the table.

Let’s get into it!

Our Favourite Spooky Houses

One of our favourite things to do in October is drive around looking for the spookiest and best decorated houses. The kids love spotting all the skeletons, ghouls and spooky surprises along the way. They always come home inspired, ready to rearrange the bones and spiderwebs in our own yard.

We found some pretty incredible displays last year, so I thought I'd share a few of our family's favourites. Some of these houses also collect donations for local charities and organizations, so it's a great opportunity to support a good cause while you're out exploring.

2960 Pickford Road (Colwood): A colourful, glow-in-the-dark Halloween wonderland with creepy characters, skeletons and plenty of spooky surprises.

1145 Braeburn Avenue (Langford): An incredible pirate theme with a giant shark, pirate skeletons and mermaids.

528 St. Charles Street (Victoria): A seriously spooky setup with witches, giant spiders, and a graveyard full of creepy scenes.

2583 Lincoln Road (Oak Bay): Towering skeletons, webs + spiders and cauldrons ake this an Oak Bay favourite.

A little tip: If you have younger kids who might find the displays a bit too spooky after dark, head out in the late afternoon while there's still some daylight. You can still see all the fun decorations without the nightmares!

Good food for more local families

Keeping everyone fed is a job in itself. Between grocery runs, meal planning and trying to find something everyone will actually eat, there's already plenty to think about. Access to fresh, healthy food shouldn't have to be another worry.

That’s why I wanted to share this side of South Island FarmHub. You might know them as a non-profit online farmers market, but there’s some pretty wonderful work happening behind those weekly orders.

Their Community Harvest Boxes bring fresh, local produce to families facing food insecurity. Since June, more than 1,200 boxes have been delivered to community centres and First Nations across the region.

Through Farmbucks, they also help local schools and community organizations buy food for their programs. Since 2020, that’s added up to more than $726,000 in locally grown, fished and made food, supporting local producers along the way.

When you shop with the FarmHub, you’re also supporting their work to make fresh food more accessible in our community. That’s a grocery order I can get behind.

🏊 $2 Trick or Treat Passes. Looking for a treat that isn't candy? Saanich Recreation is selling $2 passes good for one child or youth public swim or skate session. Pick them up at any Saanich Recreation Centre and use them between November 1, 2026 and February 15, 2027.

🥪 NICO: A New Lunch + Cheese Spot. Have you tried NICO yet? This new, independent kitchen and deli recently opened inside Farmy on Foul Bay Road, serving up delicious sandwiches, cheeses, charcuterie and cookies. A great little spot to know about for an easy and delicious lunch!

This Weekend

✈️ BC Aviation Museum Halloween Haunt
Friday, October 23 | 10am–4pm
Ghosts and ghouls are taking over the BC Aviation Museum in Saanichton! Explore the museum on a spooky scavenger hunt, collect treats and venture aboard the Haunted Viscount aircraft. Regular admission applies. [Info]

🦋 Meet the Keeper: Curious Crawlies
Friday, October 23 | 11am–2pm
Get up close with some fascinating creepy crawlies and learn about the tiny creatures that call Victoria Butterfly Gardens home. Regular admission applies. [Info]

🐙 A-scare-ium of the Salish Sea
Friday, October 23 | 4:30–8pm
Explore the aquarium after dark with eerie displays, underwater jack-o’-lanterns and trick-or-treating at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. Costumes welcome! Suggested donation is $5–10 per person. [Info]

🎃 Vic West Halloween Fun Day
Saturday, October 24 | 10am–2pm
Head to Victoria West Community Centre for a free afternoon of pumpkin carving, Halloween crafts, games, face painting and treats. A fun community celebration for the whole family. [Info]

🌿 Soil Superstars at Swan Lake
Saturday, October 24 | 11am–12pm
Discover the amazing creatures living beneath our feet at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary. A hands-on nature program exploring the fascinating world of soil, designed for kids ages 5–10. [Info]

🎃 The Great Gourd Showdown
Saturday, October 24 | 2–5pm
Who's grown the biggest pumpkin? Head to the Sooke Region Museum for a giant gourd weigh-off, featuring locally grown pumpkins and squash competing for top honours. Weighing begins at 3:30pm, with ribbons awarded at 4:45pm. Free admission. [Info]

🍬 Colwood Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 24 | 3:30–5:30pm
Dress up and collect treats from creatively decorated vehicles at Colwood Church. Enjoy crafts, family activities and food at this free, kid-friendly Halloween event. [Info]

👻 Sooke Spook
Saturday, October 24 | 5–7pm
Explore the Sooke Region Museum after dark, where characters from local history come back to life! Dress up for the costume parade at 5:30pm, enjoy a family-friendly performance and make a corn husk doll. Free admission, with food available for purchase. [Info]

👻 Wicked Victoria
Sunday, October 25 | 10am–3pm
Government Street transforms into a Halloween celebration with costumes, live entertainment, trick-or-treating, vendors and family-friendly activities. This free downtown event is a favourite for little ghosts and goblins. [Info]

Upcoming

🐙 Halloween Under the Sea
Tuesday, October 27 | 10:30–11:15am
Little ocean lovers can enjoy Halloween-themed stories, crafts and activities at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea in Sidney. For ages 3–5 with an adult. Included with admission. [Info]

🎃 Boo Bash Kindergym
Thursday, October 29 | 9:30–11am
Dress up your little ones for Halloween activity stations, paint tattoos and Kindergym play at Greenglade Community Centre in Sidney. [Info]

🌲 Trek or Treat
Friday, October 30 | 10am–12pm
Join Wild Child Victoria at Highrock Park for pumpkin painting, Halloween songs, stories and outdoor play. Costumes encouraged! [Info]

🏛️ Trick or Treat at the Parliament Buildings
Friday, October 30 | 3–4:30pm
Head to the BC Parliament Buildings in costume for an afternoon of Halloween treats and festive activities. No registration required! [Info]

⛸️ Halloween Costume Skate
Friday, October 30 | 6–7pm
Get dressed up and hit the ice for a Halloween-themed skate at G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre! Wear a costume for free admission. Skate rentals are extra. [Info]

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Final Note: I do my best to keep everything accurate, but I am only human so the odd mistake might sneak in! If you catch one, feel free to let me know.