Watch a cult classic movie at The Grand Theatre
When: October 10
No Halloween season is complete without watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show at least once. Dressing up as your favourite character is strongly recommended, and be ready to sing along with the crowd at The Grand. The Waffles & Chix food truck will be serving up fresh food in the lobby. The Grand will also be showing a few other Halloween movies throughout October, including Beetlejuice, The Exorcist and more.
608 1 St. S.W., 403-205-2922, thegrandyyc.ca
Prepare for a few jump scares at a haunted house experience
When: October 10 and 11 (plus, multiple other dates throughout October)
Screamfest is back with seven of the scariest haunted houses around to explore. The haunted houses are full of actors who will do everything in their power to scare you, and have spooky themes like Bates Motel, zombie outbreak and more. There will also be Halloween-themed carnival games and rides, entertainment, horror film screenings and more throughout the experience.
GMC Stadium, 3 St. S.E., screamfest.ca
Chow down on fried chicken and waffles at a new restaurant
Cluck Clucks is a Toronto-born restaurant chain serving up one of the greatest food combinations: fried chicken and waffles. It recently opened its first Alberta location in Calgary, where you can try a variety of fried chicken sandwiches served between buns or jalapeno cheddar waffles or opt for one of the classic chicken and waffle dishes. The menu also has a few loaded fry options like poutine or the Cheesy Cluck Fries topped with fried chicken and cheese sauce.
50 Sage Hill Passage N.W., 825-205-5335, cluckcluckschicken.com
Rewatch The Princess Bride as the soundtrack is played by a live orchestra
When: October 10 and 11
Brought to you by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, this performance features a screening of the classic film The Princess Bride while the award-winning score is played live by the orchestra. There will be two screenings at Jack Singer Concert Hall — one at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 10 and one at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 11.
225 8 Ave. S.E., 403-571-0849, calgaryphil.com
Go on a spooky walking tour
When: October 10, 11 and 12 (plus, multiple other dates throughout October)
Calgary Ghost Walks offers some excellent walking tours taking you past the most ghostly buildings in historic parts of Calgary. There are a number of tour offerings throughout October, including a few in the Beltline, Kensington and Inglewood over the long weekend. Check the website for the full tour schedule.
Check out a new spa with beer and seaweed bath experiences
Drift Away Wellness is a new Calgary spa offering a number of different treatments, including various saunas, a salt chamber, a hot tub and a cold plunge. The spa also offers wellness bath therapy where you can try a beer bath or seaweed bath experience.
324 58 Ave. S.E., driftawaywellness.ca
Visit the Harvest Fair at Granary Road
When: October 11 and 12
Head to Granary Road for the Harvest Fair, a celebration of autumn harvests like apples, pumpkins and garlic. There will be face painting, local food producers and growers, and the annual Pumpkin Hunt.
226066 112 St. West, 403-453-7623, granaryroad.com
Explore a massive pumpkin display
When: On now until October 31
Featuring more than 10,000 hand-carved pumpkins, Pumpkins After Dark is one of Calgary’s biggest Halloween events. Held Thursdays to Sundays at Winsport, Pumpkins After Dark invites you to walk through the extravagantly designed pumpkin displays while taking in music and special effects.
88 Canada Olympic Rd. S.W., calgary.pumpkinsafterdark.com
Eat at a new Latin American and Japanese fusion restaurant
Orijins is a new tapas restaurant helmed by chef Francis Martinez (formerly of FinePrint). The restaurant specializes in food inspired by Nikkei cuisine, a style that originated in Peru and was created by Japanese immigrants. The food at Orijins combines Japanese sensibilities and techniques with Latin ingredients and flavours through dishes like octopus with sake-soy glaze, yuzu and ají amarillo chile, and grilled half chicken with sweet miso, salsa verde and chicken chicharon.
1A, 8330 Macleod Tr. S.E., orijinsyyc.com
Watch the Canadian premiere of a play about two brothers running a paranormal investigation business
When: Various showtimes until October 26
On now at Vertigo Theatre, The Brothers Paranormal is a great play to watch during the Halloween season. In the show, two brothers with a paranormal investigation business attempt to help a loving couple being haunted by a ghost, but quickly realize they’re in over their heads.
Playhouse, Vertigo Theatre, Suite 161, 115 9 Ave. S.E., vertigotheatre.com
