Pumpkin patches, haunted houses, crafts, games and treats: find family

Halloween fun happening in and around Vancouver this October:

Haunted Vancouver Trolley Tours

Oct. 17 – Nov. 1

These two-hour trolley tours take you to locations like the Mountain View Cemetery and the autopsy room of the Vancouver Police Museum. Tickets are $28 at www.ticketmaster.ca, ; more info and schedule at www.vanmuseum.bc.ca.

Potters House Of Horrors

Oct. 15 – Oct. 31, 6-10 p.m. nightly

This year the haunted house features five spooky themed rooms, a 17 foot tall Pumpkin King monster, and Tom and Jerry, two vicious wolves. If you want to bring the kids, come between 6 and 7 p.m. for the tamer family hour. Tickets are $12/10; find info at www.pottershouseofhorrors.com.

Potter's Nursery (12530 72^nd Ave., Surrey)

Stanley Park Halloween Ghost Train

Oct. 10 to Nov. 1, 2008, 6-10 p.m. nightly

The Mortal Coil Performance Society presents a pirate-themed Halloween adventure with lots of actors and performers for this swordfighting, storytelling tour on the Stanley Park Miniature Railway. Also check out the Haunted Children's Farmyard. Get more information at www.vancouverparks.ca and tickets for $9/5.50 at www.ticketmaster.ca.

Fright Nights At The Pne

Oct. 16 to Nov. 1

Fright Nights at the PNE has five new haunted houses, a Nightmare Maze, and access to four shows and Playland rides. It's not for kids 12 and under, seniors over 65, people who are sensitive to strobe lights, or those with heart conditions, high blood pressure, or pregnant women. You're also not allowed to wear costumes. Find more info at www.pne.ca; tickets are $25/20.

Halloween Spooktacular

Oct. 25, 2008, 1-3 p.m.

Play carnival games, make scary crafts and enjoy a Halloween performance by the Ta Da Lady at this afternoon at Trout Lake Community Centre (3350 Victoria), for children three to 10 years old Tickets are $5 per child (must be accompanied by a parent); get more information at www.troutlakecc@vancouver.ca.

Lucha Libre Mask Making Workshop

Oct. 25, 2008, 2-5 p.m.

Going as Nacho Libre this Halloween? Or maybe you just want to learn how to make and customize your own Mexican wrestling mask. The workshop takes place at Blim (197 E. 17^th) and is instructed by Justin Ray; tickets are $45.

Bootiful Botany Haunted Halloween Event

Oct. 25, 2008, 12-3 p.m.

Join in on an afternoon trick-or-treat scavenger hunt that educates kids on plants, followed by treats, Halloween crafts and games. Admission is free.

UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research (6804 SW Marine).

Halloween Party On Ice

Oct. 25, 2008, 7:30-10 p.m.

See the Canada Ice Dance Theatre and BC150 present an 1860s costume party, along with skating, entertainment, games, and refreshments. Get more information at www.canadaicedancetheatre.com.

Tickets are $15 and include refreshments.

West End Community Centre Ice Rink (870 Denman)

Halloween Hunt

Oct. 25, 2008, 12-3 p.m.

Go trick-or-treating, see magic shows, get your face painted, and decorate a pumpkin. Find more information at www.mycitysquare.com.

City Square Shopping Centre (555 W. 12th)

Wild Things

Oct. 25, 2008, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Discover the creatures that go bump in the night at this family walk in the forest.

Free admission; Richmond Nature Park (11851 Westminster Hwy.)

Bmo Boo-la-thon

Oct. 25, 2008, first time slot 6-7:20 pm, second time slot 7:30-9 pm

A Halloween-themed bowling night at The Zone Bowling Centre (150–14200 Entertainment Blvd., Richmond) to raise money for the Kids Help Phone. Make sure to register your team at least 48 hours before event day. Find out more information at www.kidshelpphone.ca/boolathon.

Parade Of The Lost Souls

Oct. 25, 2008, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

This Vancouver favourite is a walking parade with music and costumes that celebrates life and death, Halloween, the Day of the Dead, and All Saints Day as a torch procession down Commercial Drive. Admission is by donation and the parade starts at Grandview Park (1657 Charles at Commercial); find out more at www.publicdreams.org/

Of Horrors And Heroes

Oct. 26, 2008, 11:30 am–4 pm

A model competition and day of model demonstrations, monster trivia, sculpting and panels on toy and model collecting. Admission is $3/1, or free for anyone wearing a costume.

Heritage Hall (3101 Main St.)

Dance With The Dead

Oct. 26, 2008, doors 6:15 pm, ritual 7 p.m.

Come to a ritual and spiral dance at the Maritime Labour Centre (1880 Triumph St.), presented by The Wiccan Earth Based Rites Alliance. Tickets are $20/10, you can find out more information at www.vancouverreclaiming.org.

Terror Hall Maritime

Oct. 28-31, 2008

Come out to a haunted house and support the B.C. Cancer Agency, presented by Richmond Steel Recycling Limited. Admission is just $2.

East Richmond Community Hall (12360 Cambie Rd., Richmond).

Flaming Angels Halloween Party

Oct. 31, 2008, 8 p.m.

See a fashion show by gothic clothing company Flaming Angels Boutique and listen to various Djs, get candy bags and win prizes. Tickets are $15, costumes are mandatory; more information at www.flamingangels.net.

Flaming Angels Boutique (644 Seymour)

Pumpkin Patches

Spend a day picking out the perfect pumpkin to carve up a Halloween masterpiece:

Laity Pumpkin Patch: 21145 - 128th Avenue, Maple Ridge 604-467-4302

Chu Lin Farm: 17535 - 40th Avenue, Surrey 604-574-0268

Grant's Farm: 2420 Burns Road, Port Coquitlam 604-941-2474

Richmond Country Farm: 12900 Steveston Highway, Richmond 604-274-0522

Dave's Orchard: 5910 - 216th Street, Langley 604-534-9979

Law Pacific Vegetables Ltd.: 4586 - 176th Street, Surrey 604-574-7708