The last three weeks of October have become the heart of “spooky season,” full of events celebrating Halloween. But if you’re hoping to enjoy some Trick-or-Treat festivities with your dog, you have to sort out which events allow some Howl-and-Woof. Here are some of the dog-friendly Halloween events taking place across Ontario in 2021.
This list is organized in chronological order, but you can also browse by location using the map below.
Pumpkins After Dark - Drive Thru Event
When: September 17 - November 8, 2021, 7:15-11:00pm
You must pre-book a timeslot by buying a ticket online. Last entry at 10:30pm.
Sable looked out the car windows with us as we went through the installations, but she didn't seem as impressed as we were. Still, we were happy we could bring her along.
Where: Milton, GTA - Country Heritage Park, 8560 Tremaine Road, Milton, ON L9T 2X3, Canada
What: A one-of-a-kind outdoor art exhibit featuring thousands of hand-carved pumpkins.
The Pumpkins After Dark experience takes 45-minutes to 1-hour as you drive along the 2.5km route through the park. Tune your radio to 89.1 for the dedicated musical score and enjoy the intricate visual displays. From start to finish, you’ll be surrounded in art installations featuring creepy characters and complex creatures made almost entirely from pumpkins!
*All guests and pets must remain in their vehicles at all times for the events in 2021.
Cost: $40-90 per car, based on number of passengers. Kids age 3 and under are free. Buy tickets online.
Note: Pumpkins After Dark is not to be confused with the “Pumpkinferno” events in Ottawa (Upper Canada Village, Fort Henry) or Penetanguishene (Discovery Harbour). Pumpkins After Dark is priced per vehicle, and is a dog-friendly Halloween event to be enjoyed from the safety and comfort of your car. However, Pumpkinferno events are priced per person and their website specifically states that pets are not allowed.
Monster Month
When: October 1 - October 31, 2021
Where: Elora (and Fergus, Centre Wellington), Ontario, Canada
What: Walk around Downtown Elora to explore a unique collection of lantern sculptures set up throughout the month of October.
Spooky-themed events are being hosted on certain weekdays and every weekend throughout Centre Wellington (Elora and Fergus)! These include a Self-Guided Tour, Spirit and Ghost Walks, Spooky Stables, Lantern Tours, Magicians and a non-motorized parade called “Monster March”. Check the Monster Month event calendar for details on specific events, including whether they are dog-friendly.
Monster Month is a family-friendly Halloween event presented by Sensational Elora. You can follow this annual event on Instagram and Facebook.
Cost: Free to browse the lantern displays set up throughout downtown Elora. Special events may require admission and may not allow dogs - be sure to check the Monster Month event calendar for details on specific events.
Tails & Treats
When: Saturday, October 23, 2021
Where: Downtown Oakville - Centennial Square, 120 Navy St, Oakville, ON L6J 2Z4, Canada
What: Walk around Downtown Oakville to find treats and water bowls merchants put out for your dog to enjoy. Costumes are encouraged! The Humane Society will have a station set up in Centennial Square, where you can make a donation of $5 or more to be entered into a virtual costume contest for a chance to win a $500 gift card for RUFF The Dog Barbershop.
Tails & Treats is a dog-friendly Halloween event hosted by the Downtown Oakville BIA. You can find the Facebook event here.
There is also a Vintage Truck Photo Stop set up in the nearby Towne Square on Lakeshore Rd E for the month of October, where you can snap a few pictures of your pup.
Cost: Participation is free, Costume contest participation $5+ donation.
The Good Earth Farm Halloween Bash
When: Saturday, October 23, 2021 and Saturday, October 30, 2021, Noon until Dusk
The Good Earth Farm is one of Ontario's 30+ dog-friendly farms and has three large pumpkin patches open for pick-your-own!
Where: The Good Earth Farm, 4111 Martin Road, Lincoln, Vineland Station, ON L0R 2E0
What: Family-friendly days of fun at a Niagara region farm! Admission includes hayrides, pumpkin picking from The Good Earth Farm's three huge pumpkin patches, trick or treating in the corn maze, jack-o-lantern carving, games including pumpkin ring toss, a kids Halloween Costume Party, and more.
Local arts & crafts vendors will be selling their wares, and the 905HotDogPound food truck will be selling hotdogs, hamburgers and fries.
The event is pet-friendly so your whole family can join the fun.
Cost: $8-15 per person or $40 Family Pass (includes 2 Adults and their children).
Per Person Admission: Adults $15, Children 3- to 12-years-old $8, Children under 3-years-old are free.
Riverside Howl-O-Ween
When: Tuesday, October 26 - Saturday, October 30, 2021
Where: Riverside, Toronto - Ralph Thornton Community Centre, 765 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H3, Canada
What: Free family- and pet-friendly activities hosted by the Riverside BIA, Ralph Thornton Community Centre, Toronto Public Library (TPL) Queen/Saulter Branch, South Riverdale Child-Parent Centre, and the Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre. Register for free on Eventbrite.
Free Treat Bags & Mini Pumpkins: Register before noon on October 25 for your chance to pick up a free bag of treats from local businesses (150 available) and mini pumpkins (1 per family) while supplies last.
Spooky Lobby & Photo Booth: October 28-30, 9am-9pm. Take your own photos or ask reception staff for help in the haunted lobby at Ralph Thornton Community Centre. Dogs are welcome in the photo booth!
Spooky Fun with SRCPC: Halloween Dance Parties and Circle Time at the Saulter St Parkette (25 Saulter St) at 9:30am on Friday, October 29 and Saturday, October 30 (register here). Online events hosted by @southriverdalecpc on Instagram including Halloween crafts on October 26th at 10am and more to be announced on October 21st and 28th.
Animal Gallery at the Library: *Dogs are not allowed in the library (except service dogs), but without your pet, you can pop in to the Queen/Saulter Library Branch during regular library hours to take photos in the Animal Gallery. Costumes encouraged!
Cost: Free tickets on Eventbrite.
Historic All Hallows’ Eve
When: Friday, October 29 and Saturday, October 30, 2021, 6-9pm
Where: Keene, Peterborough - Lang Pioneer Village, 104 Lang Road, Keene, ON K0L 2G0, Canada
What: Historical tours exploring the origins and traditions of Halloween, hosted at Lang Pioneer Village, a dog-friendly 25-acre site preserving 19th-century history in the County of Peterborough. While some of the stories are quite dark, this event is open to children and pets, and is not intended to be scary. Costumes are welcome.
Dogs are welcome in the village year-round, as long as guests continue to keep the village clean by picking up after them. I reached out and double-checked that dogs are welcome at the Historic All Hallows’ Eve events!
Cost: $7-15 per person or $40 Family Pass (includes 2 Adults and up to 4 Youths). Pre-booking is required – buy tickets online.
Per Person Admission: Adults $15, Students & Seniors (60+) $10, Youths 2- to 14-years-old $7, Children under 2-years-old are free.
Howl-O-Ween Walk
When: Saturday, October 30, 2021, 2:30pm and 3:30pm
Where: Mississauga – precise location to be shared via WhatsApp group chat for registrants.
What: 45-minute Halloween version of Pawsitive Plus Dog Training’s Adventure Walks service. The Howl-O-Ween walks will be for groups of up to 6 dogs and 2-3 pet parents per dog. While the service is primarily for socialization, the group walk will be lead by a trainer who will use different motivational techniques and training methods to guide dogs in positive and rewarding ways.
Cost: $35 per dog. Must pre-book online.
HalloWOOF at Pingle’s Farm Market
When: Saturday, October 30, 2021, 9:30am - sunset
You must pre-book a timeslot by buying a ticket online. Last entry at 4:00pm.
Where: Pingle’s Farm Market, 1805 Taunton Road East, Hampton, ON L0B 1J0, Canada
What: Enjoy a fun-filled day at the farm and enjoy all the festivities of Pingle’s Harvest Festival with your dog, plus hourly dog costume contests and special vendors selling dog treats, apparel and more.
Admission includes 2.5 hours on the farm, a wagon ride, access to the pumpkin patch, a 6.5-acre Alice In Wonderland-themed corn maze, farm-themed playland*, food & drink stations, and live music with picnic table seating.
*Dogs are not allowed on the bounce pad or trike track in the playland area, nor inside the market building where fresh produce and pies will be for sale.
Cost: $15 per person, Children under 2 are free. Buy tickets online.
(If this event gets sold out, you can always check out other dog-friendly farms across Ontario instead.)
Love 4 Paws' Fall Photoshoot Event
When: Saturday, October 30, 2021, 11:00am - 2:00pm
Where: Thorold (near St. Catharines and Niagara Falls) – 543 Allanburg Rd, Thorold, ON L2V 1A7, Canada
What: A fall-themed photo booth and raffles hosted by Love 4 Paws Niagara Spa & Boutique, as a fundraiser for Niagara Dog Rescue. Plus, several other local vendors will have goodies for sale, including The Bagel Oven, SugarBrig, Stevensville Pallet Project, and Wellthy Pets & Parents.
Book a photo time slot by e-mailing Love4PawsNiagara @ gmail.com
You can find the Facebook event here.
Cost: Free Admission. Photos: $15 for 1 photograph or $20 for 2 photographs, taken by R&R Photography. 100% of photo booth proceeds will be donated to Niagara Dog Rescue.
Halloween Pawty at Sunnybrook Dog Park
When: Sunday, October 31, 2021, 1:00-3:00pm
Where: Toronto – Sunnybrook Dog Park, 1132 Leslie St, Don Mills, ON M3C 3L7, Canada
What: The Toronto Corgi Meetup Group is dressing up their dogs in Halloween costumes and meeting at the Sunnybrook Dog Park. The event is primarily intended for corgi owners within the GTA, but it is being held at a large public dog park if you’re interested in attending.
Cost: Free. You can RSVP on Meetup.
DTK Howl-o-ween Pooch Party
When: Sunday, October 31, 12:00-3:00pm
Where: Gaukel Street, Downtown Kitchener, ON N2G, Canada
What: A dog-friendly block party, community pack walk and a costume contest.
The events begin with the walk at noon; registration is required and prizes will be drawn for those who register for and attend the walk. Gifts will be handed out onsite to recognize some of the “Best Dressed” pups in costumes.
Following the walk, there will be a block party on Gaukel Street with live music, beverages, food, and vendors! The block party is drop-in; no registration is required.
This first-ever DTK Howloween Pooch Party is being hosted by Dog Friendly KW, the Downtown Kitchener BIA, and Leader of the Pack KW.
Cost: Free, but registration on Eventbrite is required for the costume pack walk.
Fewer events may be taking place this year, but Halloween 2021 still has plenty to offer!
Hopefully this list of dog-friendly Halloween events will help you celebrate spooky season with your dog.
Did we miss any?
Let me know in the comments below or message me on Instagram @Sable_AdventureDog if you know of any other dog-friendly Halloween events we should share!
🎃 Happy Halloween! 🎃
- Hannah & Sable
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