In a town like Niagara-on-the-Lake, built on old stories and quiet streets, Halloween isn’t just a date on the calendar — it’s part of the landscape.
This weekend, that landscape stretches from the Legion on King Street to the haunted grounds of Fort George, with parties, live music and a few friendly frights in between.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 124 hosts a costume party Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., giving residents a place to gather, dance and swap stories before the night rolls on.
In St. Davids, Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery adds a touch of drama with its Ravine of Shadows gala in the barrel cellar from 6 to 11 p.m., featuring food, wine and live music.
Also Friday, Spirit in Niagara on Lakeshore Road will hold its Behind the Mask Soirée from 7 to 10 p.m., a 19-plus event with live entertainment and themed drinks.
Families can find their usual stops at the St. Davids Firehall, where the annual party runs from 7 to 9 p.m., and at the Queenston Firehall, which hosts its hour-long celebration from 7 to 8 p.m., complete with a costume parade and free barbecue.
For a louder crowd, the Irish Harp Pub starts its Halloween bash at 7 p.m. and keeps the energy high until close, with music and prizes for best costumes.
For those drawn to history’s darker side, the Friends of Fort George are running ghost tours Friday through Sunday evenings, guiding visitors by candlelight through the fort’s grounds.
Saturday’s lineup includes the St. Davids–Queenston United Church bazaar from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., while B-Y’s Honey Farm continues to accept pumpkin drop-offs daily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., using them to feed farm animals and cut down on waste.
That evening, the NOTL Contemporary at 1425 Lakeshore Rd. hosts Entropy – Urbexhibition from 6 to 9 p.m., a visual arts show exploring the beauty of decay through urban-exploration photography.
And for anyone ready to trade costumes for corks, Taste the Season offers weekend wine-and-food pairings throughout November at participating local wineries.
By the end of the weekend, the ghosts will have had their fun, the neighbours their night out and the town its small reminder that history’s never far away.
