This Halloween, visit Quebec’s museums for your fill of spooky experiences!
Nathalie Lampron, museologist and writer
Come celebrate this festive autumn event at a museum! On the program: iconic pumpkins, intriguing characters, scary stories and original creations. It's all part of a goosebump-inducing assortment for the whole family or grown-ups only!
Don't forget to reserve your place, where required.
Pumpkin Madness
Invite the family to come explore the fascinating world of Cucurbitaceae, which includes the famous pumpkin and its sisters, squash and zucchini!
At the Musée du Château Ramezay, until November 3, stroll through the Jardin du Gouverneur with a game booklet and broaden your knowledge of orange-hued pumpkins and various varieties of squash.
Also in Montreal, Espace pour la vie is inviting you into a bewitched Botanical Garden—featuring curcubits—to experience a series of spooky adventures until October 3: fascinating characters, an outdoor maze and plant potions are sure to delight children and parents alike.
Want to decorate your own squash? On October 26 and 27, head on out to Musée Armand-Frappier in Laval, where you’ll have the opportunity to choose one of these locally grown vegetables and have fun decorating it as you wish. You’ll go home with a “vegetable artwork” sprung from of your imagination!
Strange Creatures and Curious Traditions
In the Eastern Townships, invite your kids aged 3 to 10 to get dressed up and go to the Centre culturel Yvonne L. Bombardier in Valcourt to hear the story of the witch Baba Yaga. Also on October 26, a workshop will introduce families to the Mexican cultural tradition of the Day of the Dead, a celebration in which colourful flower wreaths are combined with very ancient rituals.
This Mexican celebration, the Día de los Muertos, is also highlighted at the Musée régional de Vaudreuil-Soulanges on October 27. Bring the whole family and make masks in the image of this joyous over 3,000-year-old festival, which takes place in early November.
Over in Bécancour, the Musée de la biodiversité du Québec is sure to give you goosebumps with its exhibition Cauchemars ou merveilles? Do spiders, garter snakes and bats make you shiver? Don’t be afraid to visit the Museum: who knows you may learn how to overcome your phobias… On weekends until November 3.
At Musée des Ursulines de Trois-Rivières, on October 26 and 27, participate in the monster ball! Accompanied by their parents, youngsters aged 3 to 6 can take on some fun challenges during this self-guided indoor course, where various creatures are hiding and waiting to be spotted. As a bonus, make your own Halloween monster mask.
Also in Trois-Rivières, at the Centre d’exposition Raymond-Lasnier, parents and children 5 and up can create an original Halloween bag by using illusions and trompe-l’œil! The work shop will take place on October 27.
Colourful Nighttime Celebrations for the Whole Family
At the Maison Léon-Provancher, in Cap-Rouge, enjoy a magical evening on October 26, with outdoor storytelling, bouncy castles, a campfire, scientific activities and candy giving!
In Charlesbourg, the Halloween Festival will take place on October 26 at the Moulin des Jésuites. Pirates are on the guest list! Every family member can enjoy the fun with musical theatre, aerial acrobatics by FLIP Fabrique and even a pirate concert.
Over in Granby, the Centre d’interprétation de la nature du lac Boivin is presenting Le Carnaval du Chaos on October 26. Short theatrical performances and educational activities will showcase the talents s of the Centre's animals. Carnival games and circus shows will also be on the program!
At Musée de la civilisation, in Quebec City, the evening of November is shaping up to be a spectacular Mexican wrestling-inspired event featuring shows, arts and crafts, piñata battles, dancing and acrobatic combat... including mariachi music!
In Gatineau, the Symmes Inn Museum is extending Halloween celebrations with a “Shivers and Sweets” event on November 1st. In a dark and mysterious atmosphere, come listen to a story, try out a themed photo booth and leave with a few extra treats!
Tales of Fears and Ghosts… for grown-ups
In Trois-Rivières, at Musée POP, come visit the Old Prison at night on November 2. In this atmosphere of gloomy cells and dark dungeons, the stories you'll hear are sure to send shivers down your spine!
At the Citadelle de Québec, Musée Royal 22e Régiment, by the light of a lantern, explore the fortress… in the company of the resident ghosts! On October 25 and 26, November 1 and 2, learn about the people who left their mark on the citadel’s history.
On the evening of October 25, hop on board for a unique bus tour of Magog's ancient cemeteries. Maison Merry invites you to learn all about Victorian funeral rites and the history of the Merry family.
October 31, a Night of Celebration!
At Pointe-à-Callière, in Montreal, let yourself be bewitched by the Witches’ Night Out! Get to know these mythical figures from the past and the present. Divination and enchantment rituals will also be on the evening activity and workshop program!
At MEM Centre des mémoires montréalaises, don’t miss this off-the-wall evening dedicated to the colour orange. Must be pumpkin orange? Wrong, it’s the orange of the (in)famous Montreal cones! Dress up accordingly and visit the museum at your own rhythm. Surprises await you over the course of the evening!
Happy Halloween in Québec’s museums!
