There’s no way around it: this will be a Halloween unlike any other. With social distancing in full effect, some of our favourite spooky activities have been placed on the back burner. Of course, that doesn’t mean Hamilton families can’t have fun. You’ll still find plenty of safe, Halloween-themed activities to enjoy with the kids this month. All you need to do is take a few precautions and find the perfect costume!
Here are five fun things to do with the family in Hamilton this Halloween…
1) Hanes Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch
There are few things as eerie as a corn maze, and this 20-acre version (which features 12-foot-high walls) delivers. Watch your kids exercise their creative problem-solving skills to win a prize, or take them out to the pumpkin patch to prepare for a night of jack-o-lantern carving. Either way, this Dundas attraction won’t disappoint. Just be sure to make a reservation online, since visitors will be limited due to COVID-19. Admission is $11.00 for kids 3-7, $14.00 for those 8-12, and $17.00 for adults.
2) Downtown Hamilton Ghost Walk
If you’re a fan of both spooky stories and local history, this one’s for you. The ghost walk in downtown Hamilton will be serving up chilling tales of the past. On the evenings of October 16th and 30th, explore some of the city’s creepiest sites—and learn about the local connection to Jack the Ripper! The fun starts at Royal Connaught Courtyard (near the corner of King St E and John St), and there will be several tours running each night. Visit the official website for details.
3) Fall Events at Merry Farms
They’re not exactly Halloween-themed, but the activities at Merry Farms are guaranteed to get your family in the fall spirit. Until October 31st, visitors can enjoy corn mazes, an obstacle course, a climbing mountain, kiddie rollercoaster, giant slides, barnyard animals, and much more. Admission is just $12, and there will be health and safety precautions (including social-distancing rules and hand-sanitizing stations) in effect.
4) Trunk N’ Treat
What is Halloween without trick or treating? While you’ll see fewer packs of kids roaming the streets this year, there are still opportunities to watch your little ones participate in this rite of passage. Drummond Farms in Waterdown is providing a great one. This October 31st, on-site cars will be decked out in seasonal decorations. More importantly, their trunks will be popped—and filled with candy! Put simply, this is an event worth getting your kids dressed up for.
5) Beetlejuice Screening
Do you belong to a family of movie lovers? Check out a creepy classic at Electric Diner. This George Street gem is known for its interactive movie nights—not to mention its tasty comfort food and 80s-themed decor. This October 25th, it’s the place to be if you’re a Beetlejuice fan. This cult flick is rated PG, which means it’s appropriate for most older kids. It’s also a favourite with many adults who came of age with it, so be ready to see some nostalgia unfold.
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