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What is Halloween?

Posted on: October 16, 2017

Halloween in VancouverHalloween is a very exciting time of year for many in Canada. Halloween falls on October 31st every year. It was believed that the spirits of the dead could visit the human world and bring them back to the underworld. To stop this from happening, people dress up in costumes to disguise themselves and confuse the spirits.

To prepare, many people decorate homes, schools, and businesses with spider webs, witches, goblins, black cats, zombies, bones and monsters, or anything else that appears spooky or scary. They carve pumpkins with faces or Halloween themed patterns and place a candle inside to light it up. Many scary movies or stories generally come out at this time of year. Orange and black are the colours of Halloween – orange representing the fall harvest, and black signifying death.

Schools usually have students dress up in costumes on Halloween day. Students will then parade from classroom to classroom to show others their costumes and participate in Halloween classroom activities. Around 6:00 pm, many families will take their children out in their neighbourhoods and have them walk door to door calling out “trick or treat.” People who are home will open their doors and give the children goodies – candy, chocolate, chips, or small toys.

 

Where to celebrate Halloween in Vancouver

If you’re new to Halloween in Canada, don’t be afraid. It is a very fun day and there are many libraries and businesses that offer Halloween themed events for you and your children to take part in.

  • Friday, October 27th: The West Vancouver Memorial Library offers a Halloween Puppet Show filled with spooky fun for 3-5 year olds.
  • Friday, October 27th: The City of Surrey is hosting a Halloween Family Dance with music, crafts for kids, and prizes for best costume. Dress up and gather your friends and family for some festive fun. Register in advance to book your spot!
  • Monday, October 30th: The Surrey Libraries (Semiahmoo branch) has a Halloween Special on October 30th from 3:00-4:00pm, with a Halloween program full of stories, songs, puppets and a dance party. Wear your Halloween costume if you wish.
  • Tuesday, October 31st: The Vancouver Public Library is offering a program called Stories That Haunt Us: A Halloween Storytime for Adults. Renowned local storytellers Mary GavanShane Sableand Michael Sladewill petrify you with blood-chilling tales of the macabre and supernatural. Costumes are encouraged and goosebumps are guaranteed!

 

Happy Halloween to you and yours!