Little Local - October 23

Author

Little Local
October 23, 2025

We’re just over a week from Halloween and feeling all the festive vibes! My 3-year-old still can’t decide whether to be a dinosaur, a unicorn, or a firetruck… time’s running out, my friend!

There are plenty of family-friendly events happening in the lead-up to Halloween. We’ll be downtown on Sunday for Wicked. And if you’re up for a spooky evening drive or walk, check out our Spooky Houses of Victoria Map!

Spooky House Map of Victoria

We’re getting so much joy from all of the decorated houses around town! The boys have been squealing and shouting every time they spot another yard full of skeletons, inflatables, and giant spiders.

You may have seen our recent post on Instagram calling for “spooky houses” to add to our community map. The response has been amazing, and we’ve put together a growing list of homes that have gone all out with their Halloween décor.

Some pins are from last year so if you spot a new one or can confirm a returning favourite, let me know! For now, I’ve added “*to be confirmed for 2025” in the pin description.

If you’re looking for something festive and free to do in the lead-up to Halloween, grab some hot chocolate, pile into the car, and explore our Spooky House Map of Victoria.

Have fun!

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🍁 A little something to look forward to after Halloween… 

Once the costumes are packed away and the candy stash is gone (who are we kidding), we’ve got a new family adventure coming your way…

Little Local’s Guide to Downtown Victoria! 

It’s a map packed with our favourite downtown spots to eat, play, and explore with the family, plus we have a Fall/Winter BINGO card for a little extra fun and adventure.

👀 Subscribers will get first access, so keep your eyes peeled!

Want to spread the good word about your business, a hire, or just want to say hi to 2,500 local Victoria families?

🎨 Birdhouse Creative Studio: In this bright art + play studio, kids of all ages explore, experiment, and get messy. Birdhouse offers creative classes, open studio time, and birthday parties!

🌱 Park Lane Preschool: Led by an award-winning team, Park Lane blends nature school, early literacy, and social-emotional learning to nurture curious, confident little learners. Each day brings outdoor discovery, early reading, and friendship, all in a calm, caring environment near Royal Jubilee. Half + full day programs available. Email Kristin to book a tour: [email protected] 

Wicked Victoria

📅 Sunday, Oct 26 | 10:30am-3:30pm
📍Government Street, Downtown Victoria

This Sunday, Downtown’s Government Street will come alive with music, costumes, and Halloween fun for the whole family. This free community festival transforms the city core into a pedestrian-only street party with live entertainment, dance performances, trick-or-treating at local shops, and plenty of festive photo opportunities.

Kids can join in crafts, games, and costume parades, and grown-ups can enjoy local vendors and tasty street eats. It’s one of downtown’s most spirited days of the year. Don’t miss the magic!

Want to promote your event? Use this link.

📅 This Weekend

🎬 Free Indoor Family Movie – Saanich Fairgrounds
Friday, Oct 24 | 7pm
Cozy up indoors for a free family movie night at the Saanich Fairgrounds. Bring blankets and your crew! Free popcorn will also be served! [Info]

🎃 Make Good Party – Halloween Edition
Saturday, Oct 25 | 3–11pm
Head downtown for a lively Halloween celebration in Market Square with costumes, music, and festive fun for all ages. The kids zone is open from 3-8pm [Info]

🎨 Pumpkin Carving & Crafts – Vic West Community Centre
Saturday, Oct 25 | 10am–2pm
Get creative with a morning of pumpkin carving and family-friendly crafts. Tools and supplies provided while they last! [Info]

🐙 Museum Tots: Spooky Sea Halloween
Saturday, Oct 25 | 10:30–11:15am
A Halloween twist at the Maritime Museum of BC. Explore the spooky side of the sea through stories and crafts. [Info]

🐴 Trick or Trot
Saturday, Oct 25 | 10am–12pm
Join the first-ever Trick or Trot, a festive Halloween fundraiser at Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association in Saanichton. Enjoy crafts, barn tours, horse bingo, photo ops, and treats. Costumes encouraged! [Info]

🚣 MAR Be A Kid: Canoeing & Pumpkin Carving
Saturday, Oct 25 | 10am–2:30pm
Join Moms Against Racism at Elk/Beaver Lake for a fun-filled day on the water, on the trails, and at the carving table. [Info]

🎃 Halloween at the Farm
Saturday, Oct 25 & Sunday, Oct 26 | 11am–5pm
Celebrate the season with pumpkin hunts, kids’ crafts, and fall treats at Bilston Creek Farm. Free admission; activity tickets available. [Info]

👻 Halloween Market YYJ
Saturday, Oct 25 | 11am–5pm & Sunday, Oct 26 | 11am–4pm
Shop spooky and seasonal creations from local makers at the Da Vinci Centre this weekend. Expect handmade crafts, treats, costumes, and festive fun for the whole family. [Info]

⛸️ Spooky Everyone Welcome Skate
Saturday, Oct 25 | 1–2:20pm
Skate to spooky tunes under twinkling lights at Panorama’s Halloween-themed family skate. Costumes welcome! [Info]

🚗 Trunk or Treat at Colwood Church
Saturday, Oct 25 | 3:30–5:30pm
Enjoy safe trick-or-treating from creatively decorated car trunks, plus games and family fun at this free community Halloween event designed for kids. [Info]

⛸️ Halloween Skate
Thursday, Oct 30 | 4-5pm
Dress up and hit the ice at Archie Browning Sports Centre. Enjoy a frightfully fun family skate with music, costumes, and prizes! [Info]

🎃🍬Halloween: Friday, Oct 31st

Sweet Street Halloween Spooktacular In Sidney (4:30–6pm)
Downtown Sidney transforms into a sweet lover’s paradise with candy, costumes, and family fun.

Trick-or-Treat on the Avenue (2–5pm)
Bring your costumed crew for an afternoon of trick-or-treating at more than 50 local businesses on Oak Bay Ave! Enjoy live music, treats, and a festive village vibe.

Halloween on the Boolevard (3-6pm)
Bring your little ghosts and goblins to Uptown for a festive afternoon of trick-or-treating along The Boulevard. Enjoy candy, costumes, music, and photo ops in a fun, family-friendly setting.

Indoor Trick-or-Treating at Westshore Town Centre (3:30–5pm)
Little ones can collect sweets from participating shops in this cozy indoor setting—perfect for staying dry while still joining the fun.

Haunted Parliament – BC Legislature (3–4:30pm)
Visit the Parliament Buildings for a rare peek inside, complete with Halloween crafts, treats, and costumed fun for families.

Treat Street – Langford Station (5:30–8:30pm)
Downtown Langford transforms into Treat Street! Expect live music, food, and plenty of candy as businesses and community groups hand out goodies.

Treat Street – Luxton Fairgrounds (5:30pm-8pm)
Enjoy free trick-or-treating, hot dogs, hot chocolate, and live entertainment at this fun family event. Non-food treats available and donations for the Goldstream Food Bank encouraged.

📅 Ongoing

🌽 Saanichton Corn Maze
Weekends in October
Wander through twisting trails, meet friendly farm animals, and take in the fall farm vibes. Great for families with kids of all ages. [Info]

🎃 Pumpkinfest at Galey Farms
Weekends in October
Pick a pumpkin, ride the train, explore the corn maze, and enjoy classic fall fun at one of Victoria’s favourite family traditions. [Info]

👻 Festival of Fear at Galey Farms
Evenings in October
For families with older kids and thrill-seekers. Explore haunted houses, spooky mazes, and eerie train rides after dark. [Info]

🎃 Historical Halloween Hunt at the Sidney Museum
Throughout October
Step back in time for a spooky scavenger hunt through the museum’s exhibits. Find hidden Halloween surprises and learn a little local history along the way. [Info]

🕯️ Ghostly Walks – Halloween Tour
Until Nov 2
Join Victoria’s famous storytellers for chilling tales of ghosts, murders, and mysteries on this popular guided walking tour. [Info]

🎃 Lohbrunner Pumpkin Fest
Every Sat & Sun in October | 10am–4pm
Pick the perfect pumpkin, wander the patch, enjoy hay bales and photo ops, and take in the autumn scenery at Lohbrunner Farm. [Info]

📅 Upcoming

👽 E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in Concert
Nov 1 & 2
Experience the magic of E.T. on the big screen at the Royal Theatre with live orchestral accompaniment by the Victoria Symphony. [Info]

💥 Pumpkin Smash – Colwood City Hall
Sat, Nov 1 | 12–2pm
Smash your pumpkins responsibly! Bring your old jack-o’-lanterns for composting and enjoy the satisfying smash.

Little Local is a free, local independent newsletter. If Little Local has helped your family discover new places and experiences this year, consider supporting our work so we can keep growing. Thank you!
–Sarah

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.