Spooky Season in Nova Scotia

Fall

Fall in Nova Scotia is best known for majestic colours, apple and pumpkin u-picks, winery visits and bountiful harvests. But as Halloween approaches, so do eerie experiences to help get you in the spirit of the season… if you’re brave enough. Here are a few spine-chilling favourites to check out if you dare!

Ghost walks and tours

Nova Scotia is steeped in mysterious tales and folklore, including a few ghost stories. Head out after dark and dare to be scared as you hear local stories about creepy occurrences. Explore the historic streets of Lunenburg on a Haunted Lunenburg Tour or let Jerome the Gravekeeper guide you during Valley Ghost Walks. In Pictou, your tour guide shares stories of spooky goings-on during a Pictou Ghost Walk. Hear haunted tales of the town and county during a lantern-lit Haunted Walk in Antigonish.

In Halifax, explore dark tunnels and hear haunted history by candlelight during Halifax Citadel Ghost Tours, or walk the spooky streets with The Halifax Ghost Walk. If you’re in Cape Breton, be sure to enjoy the seriously sinister North-End Wicked Walk with Haunted Sydney Ghost Tours. For a bonus fright, dine at The Five Fishermen Restaurant in Halifax, long said to be home to multiple ghosts that have been seen by staff over the years.

Head to Sherbrooke Village Museum to experience The Shadow. Step into The Legend of Sleepy Hollow as a “Wayfarer,” cloaked in custom-made period attire and carrying a lantern to guide your path through the Village.

Haunted houses, trails and wagon rides

If you’re looking for bone chilling fun, check out the haunted house at Noggins Corner Farm. Tour the Haunted Mansion at Alderney Landing, be scared stiff at The Haunted Barn in North Sydney, and give yourself nightmares after an immersive horror experience at The Phantom’s Freakshow, created by special effects make-up technicians in Kentville.

Traipse through terrifying trails during Fright Night at Two Rivers Wildlife Park and while visiting Brine Farm’s Haunted Halloween Trail. Pay a visit to the Fear Farm where the (fictional) Bloodfield family seeks revenge for the deaths of their children at Riverbreeze Farm near Truro OR, head to Shelby Ranch in Scotsburn for haunted wagon rides through fields of fright.

Ghost Ship Party Cruise

Experience a Halloween party like never before–on the water! Set sail around Halifax Harbour on the Harbour Queen during this unique event happening for two nights only in 2025. As night falls, the DJ will get the adults-only (19+) party started during this two-hour cruise of spooky-good fun. Amp up the festive spirit by wearing a costume (although it’s not required).

Festivals, events and Halloween activities

Spooktacular Splash at Atlantic Splash Adventure
Weekends in October 2025
Check out costume contests, pumpkin painting, scavenger hunt, spooky decorations and more.

Alderney Landing Bluenose Ghosts Festival, Dartmouth
October 4-5, 9-12, 16-19, & 22-31, 2025
Explore a haunted mansion, haunted escape room and a simulated casket ride. Have a spiritual reading with a medium and snap a selfie at the Haunted Selfie Park.

Kentville Pumpkin People Festival
October 4–26, 2025
For a not-so-spooky family friendly outing, head to Kentville and check out the Pumpkin People throughout town. This year’s theme is “Game Night”.

Esther Fest, Amherst
October 17–30, 2025
Check out this annual celebration of the paranormal inspired by the Great Amherst Mystery!

Fright Night at Two Rivers Wildlife Park
October 10 & 11, 17 & 18, and 24 & 25, 2025
Take a walk along this haunted trail if you dare. Twenty-five scary scenes in the dimly lit woods around the Mira River will get your blood pumping.

Haunted Village at Le Village historique acadien de la Nouvelle-Écosse, Lower West Pubnico
October 18 & 19, 2024
Enjoy a haunted tour of the Village decorated for Halloween. Reservations required.

7th Annual Haunted Trail Twisted Fairy Tales, Blandford
October 24, 2025
Take a guided spooky stroll to celebrate the Halloween season.

Haunted Barn at Pictou Exhibition Grounds
October 24–25 and 31– November 1, 2025
Enjoy a family-friendly haunted barn between 2-5pm on October 24 & 25, or visit after dark for a scary good time.

Jack o’ Lantern Walk – Nine Mile River
October 25, 2025
Bring the family to stroll this looped trail (20-30 minute walk) and take in the pumpkins along the way. Visit after dusk for a magical glow of jack o’ lanterns along the trail.

Witch Walk and Haunted House, MacDonald Museum, Middleton
October 25, 2025
Head out on a witchy walk to celebrate the Halloween Season, costumes recommended! Don’t miss the haunted house following the walk back at the museum.

BRICKSPLOSION 2025: Halloween LEGO® Fan Event
October 25–26, 2025
Atlantic Canada’s most anticipated LEGO® extravaganza is back for year three—this time with a haunting twist! Prepare yourself for eerie encounters and bone-chilling builds like you’ve never seen before.

Sinister Soiree at Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site
October 25, 2025
Dress in costume for this Halloween party of historic proportions. Explore the historic streets of Louisbourg while enjoying ghost hunting, dancing, and a Tarot Card reading. Adults only.

Oidhche nam Bòcan | Night of the Spirits at Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village Museum
October 24 & 25, 2025
Explore the village by lamplight during this family friendly Halloween event. Enjoy storytelling, skits, fuarag and oatcakes.

Halloween at the Museum, Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
October 25, 2025 from 1 pm to 2:30 pm
We’re ending the season on a spook-tacular note! On Saturday, October 25, join us for our last day of the season as we celebrate Halloween at the Museum! Come dressed in your Halloween costume, complete a Halloween search-and-find, and get some candy! All ages are welcome. Normal admission rates apply. While supplies last.

SpooktacuROAR, Fundy Geological Museum
October 25 from 1 pm to 2:30 pm
Join us for an afternoon of games like pumpkin patch mini golf and candy corn ring toss; crafts, including Halloween chalk art, Mad Scientist Oobleck and writing invisible spells. Head out on spooky travels. Can you get past the Haunted Shipwreck? Will you get lost in the Ghost Woods? Be sur to take a selfie with our Scarecrow Docent.

Halloween Fun at Museum of Natural History, Halifax
October 26, 2025
Put on your costume and join us for some not-too-spooky Halloween fun! There will be something for every little ghost and goblin from puppet shows and creepy crafts to spooky stories and bug cooking.

Lego Halloween Build, Museum of Industry
October 26, 2025 Two sessions: 1:00 p.m. or 1:30 p.m.
Boo! Get spooky with Lego at the Museum of Industry on Sunday, October 26! Ghosts, goblins, and young builders ages 6 to 12 are invited to create their own Lego Hallowe’en mini-model to take home. We’ll supply all the Lego pieces and step-by-step instructions! Choose from two sessions: 1:00 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. Space is limited, so be sure to pre-register by calling 902-755-5425. This program is included with Museum admission.

Monster Fest, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax
October 28–31, 2025
Take part in horror trivia, film screenings, academic panels, public lectures, a Bazaar of the Bizarre, a Monster Ball costume celebration and much more.

Haunted Hike – Tkipok Trail, Hebron
October 30, 2025
Wander eerie trails packed with spooky scenes, creepy characters, and jump-worthy surprises. Enjoy family-friendly hours or dare the scarier version if you’re feeling brave.

The Rocky Horror Show + Dance, Old Confidence Lodge, Riverport
October 30, 31 (with dance) and November 1, 2025
In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker and a creepy butler. Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular person named “Rocky.” Starring an all South Shore cast!

updated October 22, 2025