A Guide to Halloween in Canada for Newcomers
Welcome to Canada! As the leaves turn vibrant shades of orange and red, Canadians prepare for one of the most exciting holidays of the year: Halloween. If you're new to this spooky celebration, here’s a guide to help you embrace the fun!
When is Halloween?
Halloween is celebrated on October 31st. While it is not a public holiday, many Canadians enthusiastically participate by decorating their homes, carving pumpkins, and enjoying trick-or-treating.
Children often have celebrations and costume contests at school during the days leading up to Halloween, and trick-or-treating starts in the evening on the day of.
Trick-or-Treating
In the months leading up to Halloween, stores stock their shelves with a variety of Halloween candies. On the evening of Halloween, children dress up and go door-to-door in their neighborhoods, saying “trick or treat” to collect candy. If you have kids, it's a great way to meet your neighbors.
Trick-or-treating safety tips:
Ensure your children are always supervised
Have children wear reflective clothing or glow sticks, and/or hold flashlights
Educate children on the importance of always using sidewalks and cross walks
When it comes to giving out candy at your door, here are some important guidelines:
Never give out homemade or unwrapped treats—store bought is standard
Avoid treats containing common allergies like peanuts
Leave lights on near your door so that trick-or-treaters know you are home and ready to give out candy
Decorations
Many Canadians love to decorate their homes with Halloween-themed decor, from jack-o'-lanterns to skeletons, to spooky lights, and more! Walk around your neighbourhood to see how your neighbours have set up decorations. If you want to partake, visit local hardware shops or craft stores to find decorations, or make your own with your family.
If You Don’t Want to Celebrate
It is perfectly fine if you prefer not to participate in Halloween celebrations or want to avoid trick-or-treaters from ringing your doorbell. Here are some things you can do:
Turn off the lights on your front porch, and make sure your house appears dark from the outside
Don’t put out any Halloween decorations on your front door
Halloween is a vibrant celebration filled with creativity and community spirit. Embrace the festivities, enjoy the treats, and have a spooky good time! Happy Halloween!