At Gillette & associates… we love Halloween! It feels like last year's Halloween was completely skipped and we are all ready to play dress-up, eat candy, and partake in festive frights. We have rounded up some of our top tips and venues for making the most out of All Hallows’ Eve this year with the whole family here in Nanaimo.
The RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
If the light ain’t on, don’t come a-knockin’! It’s the Halloween code! A well-lit home, a jack-o-lantern or Michael Jackson's "Thriller" playing from the open window are all signals that there is loot at the end of the walkway. If the porch light is off and it looks like nobody is home, move along to the next Halloween-friendly home. Guiding children to be respectful of other people’s properties is paramount in continuing this time-honoured tradition. This is the opportune time to get to know your neighbours, but bad first impressions tend to be lasting, so guide children to walk on pathways, not to discard candy wrappers on lawns or flowerbeds.
SAFETY FIRST
Some things to keep in mind before heading out on the big night: never go it alone or enter a stranger’s house! Light-coloured costumes or reflective tape are musts for dark nights; always carry a flashlight. Never let your kids eat the goodies until they’ve been inspected. If you’ve got older kids, make sure you know their Halloween plan: Who, What, When, and Where!
WHERE TO TRICK-OR-TREAT
Do you have young ones? Children of all ages are invited to dress up in their Halloween costumes and Trick R Treat in the Old City Quarter on Saturday, October 30th between 11-2pm! Look for the participating businesses that have Black & Orange balloons displayed!
On October 31st you can always do a little indoor trick or treating at the Country Club Centre and its participating stores will be handing out candy to trick or treater’s from 4-5pm on Halloween.
Nanaimo North Town Centre will also be handing out candy to kids dressed in their best costumes from 4-5pm on the 31st!
ALTERNATIVE OUTINGS
The playground at Nanaimo North Centre is getting a spooky makeover just in time for Halloween! Visit the Haunted Playground during Centre hours for some Halloween-themed fun!
Spooktober in the Gallery!
There will be no Haunted Coal Mine event this year, but all this pent-up Halloween spirit still has to go somewhere!
Between October 5 and 30, visit the Museum during open hours to experience Tales from the Vaultkeeper!
The “Vaultkeeper” was inspired by the From the Vault feature exhibit to dig up some creepy crawly treasures from Halloweens past – featuring the popular crime-scene body outline and historical murder investigation boards from the Nanaimo Mysteries exhibit (2019), ghostly videos from Trick or Truth: Haunted Nanaimo (2020), and decorations from Halloweens past (2017-2019).
SPOOKY MOVIE NIGHT : TerrorVision (1986) // Dj Brenda's Brain
Join us for a Spooky Movie Night at The Vault!
Doors @ 8pm
Movie @ 9pm
$5-$10 suggested donation
Pre-sale tickets available now at the cafe
COSTUMES ENCOURAGED!
See you there!
Or visit McMab’s corn maze located south of Nanaimo along Yellow Point Road, is fun for all ages. Put on your boots, grab your punch card, and prepare to get lost (and muddy!). More info here
What’s your favorite way to spend Halloween? Share with us on Facebook. Wishing you all a safe and spook-tastic Halloween from everyone at Gillette & associates!