When the leaves turn gold and the mountains start to wear their first dusting of snow, the Rockies get a little more magical – and a little more spooky. October is when Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, and Jasper throw open the crypt doors and invite everyone to join in a mix of family-friendly fun, spine-tingling tours, and costume parties that light up the night.
If you’re planning a trip to the mountains this October, here’s your guide to celebrating Halloween in style. From ghost walks in Banff to masquerade balls at Lake Louise and silent discos under Jasper’s stars, the Rockies do October with a flair that’s equal parts spooky and spectacular.
Halloween in Banff
Banff is no stranger to drama. The town sits surrounded by towering peaks and grand hotels that look straight out of a gothic fairytale. Come Halloween, Banff embraces the mood with events ranging from family bonfires to candlelit concerts and costumed extravaganzas.
Family Fun
On Friday, October 25, the town hosts the Great Pumpkin Walk and Community Fire. Families can stroll from Central Park to the Recreation Grounds along a path lit by carved pumpkins. With live local music, hot chocolate, and roaring fires, it’s a warm, glowing start to the weekend. Banff residents can register to carve pumpkins for free, while non-residents can join in for a small fee.
On Sunday, October 26, Banff families head to Sundance Park for Echoes of the Forest Halloween Fest. This free event is perfect for kids, with spooky stories, campfire songs, crafts, and library storytime sessions. Hot cider in hand, it’s the kind of afternoon that makes kids squeal with delight and parents grateful for free entertainment.
For families with slightly older kids, the Banff Ghost Walks run nightly through October. Lanterns in hand, you’ll follow a guide through town, hearing tales of haunted hotels and eerie legends. It’s spooky without being nightmare-inducing, and kids eight and up can join.
Another highlight is the Banff Springs Hotel Ghost Tour, offered on October 26. This 45-minute guided walk inside the famous hotel shares its own haunted legends, from the ghost bride to other eerie tales that linger in its grand hallways.
Nightlife and Adults-Only Events
Banff doesn’t shy away from a good party, and Halloween night is when it truly shines.
The crown jewel is Halloween at the Castle: A Dark Fairytale at the Fairmont Banff Springs. Imagine stepping into an enchanted forest inside a castle, with lavish décor, interactive surprises, and a live DJ. Costumes are strongly encouraged, and prizes await the best-dressed. Tickets sell quickly, so booking ahead is a must.
Not to be outdone, the newly revamped Moxy Banff Hotel (once the Voyager Inn) hosts The Last Haunting of the Voyager Inn Party. It’s 18+, ticketed through Eventbrite, and comes with themed cocktails, DJs, drag performances, and a retro-horror vibe.
If you prefer something a little less wild but equally atmospheric, the Candlelight: Halloween Classics Concert at the Banff Springs Hotel is for you. On October 24, flickering candles set the scene while musicians perform haunting movie themes and classical pieces. It’s elegant, spine-tingling, and perfect for teens and adults.
And of course, Banff’s pubs and bars throw their own Halloween bashes – from bowling alleys turned costume party zones at High Rollers to pub contests with plenty of prizes.
Halloween in Canmore
Canmore may be Banff’s slightly more laid-back neighbour, but when Halloween rolls around, the town comes alive with its own brand of spooky charm. Families get plenty of options, while adults can dance the night away or test their trivia skills with a pint in hand.
Family-Friendly Fun
On October 26, the Canmore Illusions Gymnastics Club Halloween Party brings kids together for a spooky gymnastics circuit, games, temporary tattoos, and even a bake sale. With sessions split by age, everyone from toddlers to tweens gets their turn. Costumes are encouraged, though perhaps leave the oversized witch hat at home if your child is doing cartwheels.
On Halloween itself, downtown Canmore shops often hand out candy in an informal tradition of trick-or-treating. Kids in costume are always greeted with smiles and candy bowls, making the main street a safe and festive stop before heading into neighbourhoods.
For Teens and Adults
October 31 is the night of the Halloween Scare Square Dance at the Bill Warren Training Centre. With live music, a caller teaching square dance moves, and a cash bar for the adults, it’s a quirky, lively way to celebrate. Prizes go to the best costumes, so dust off your cowboy hat or vampire cape.
If you like your Halloween with a pint and some brain-teasers, Trick or Trivia at Sheepdog Brewing on October 30 is a relaxed but competitive night out. In addition to the trivia fun, this year’s event doubles as a fundraiser for CYAN, with a pumpkin painting contest included in the CA$22.63 ticket. Participants receive a pumpkin, painting supplies, trivia rounds, and a chance to win door prizes.
For a darker turn, the Canmore Ghost Walks delivers chilling local tales by lantern light. Teens and adults can join this guided tour through downtown, complete with stories of ghosts said to still haunt the valley.
And for pure nightlife energy, Tavern 1883’s Halloween Rave on October 31 is the place to be. DJs spin into the early hours, there’s a $300 prize for best costume, and admission is free. It’s the town’s most popular Halloween bash, so expect a packed dance floor.
Halloween in Lake Louise
Lake Louise may not have the nightlife of Banff or Canmore, but it brings its own kind of Halloween magic. Here, you’ll find family-friendly activities tied to the iconic Chateau as well as one of the most elegant costume balls in the Rockies.
Trick-or-Treat at the Chateau
On October 31, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise turns into a trick-or-treat haven for guests. Families staying at the hotel can follow maps of treat stations, gathering candy from shops, restaurants, and the concierge. Even if you’re not a guest, you can still admire the Château’s seasonal decorations – pumpkins, autumn displays, and a grand lobby that looks extra festive under the October moonlight.
Masquerade Ball
If you’ve ever wanted to waltz in costume in a grand ballroom, the Falling Star Fantasy Masquerade on November 1 is your chance. This formal gala invites adults to don elegant costumes or masquerade attire for a night of dancing in the Château’s ballroom. Think gowns, masks, and maybe even a phantom or two. Tickets are required and worth snapping up early.
Low-Key Spooky Fun
Lake Louise’s quiet trails can be spooky in their own right. Locals whisper about ghostly figures spotted on the Lakefront trail at dusk or the Wildfire Camp ghost that lingers in village lore. For a DIY thrill, bundle up and walk the shoreline after dark. The silence, broken only by wind and water, is haunting in the best way.
Halloween in Jasper
Jasper has decided that 2025 is the year it fully embraces Halloween. With a brand-new festival called Creatures Return, the town is pulling out all the stops for an October takeover of spooky fun.
Creatures Return Festival
From October 31 to November 2, Jasper transforms into a Halloween hub. The highlight is the Jasper Ghost Stories Theatrical Tour – a 90-minute lantern-lit walk through town where actors bring haunted legends to life. It’s equal parts theatre and ghost tour, bringing history and hauntings to life.
The main pub party happens at the De’d Dog Bar on October 31. DJs keep the crowd dancing, and costume contests with killer prizes mean creativity pays off. It’s free to get in, and the atmosphere is legendary.
Then, on November 1, the festival goes cosmic with a Silent Disco Under the Stars at Commemoration Park. Families have an early session from 7-8 PM, followed by an adult session from 8-10 PM. Everyone wears wireless headphones, choosing their own soundtrack while dancing under Jasper’s famous dark skies. It’s quirky, free, and unforgettable.
Extra Fun
Trick-or-treating in Jasper tends to be a local and low-key affair, with kids going door-to-door in residential areas. Visitors with children are welcome to join in – ask locals where the busiest streets are.
Shops and cafés join in the spirit too, decorating windows and sometimes offering Halloween specials. Jasper’s Candy Bear’s Lair is a must for themed treats like caramel apples and chocolate monster paws.
Wrapping It Up
From Banff’s pumpkin walks and castle parties to Canmore’s hay mazes and trivia nights, Lake Louise’s masquerade ball, and Jasper’s new Halloween takeover, the Rockies are bursting with ways to celebrate October. Whether you’re travelling with kids, a group of friends, or just your best vampire cape, there’s a Halloween event in the mountains to match your mood.
So pack your costume, bring a flashlight, and get ready to make the Rockies your haunted playground this October. The ghosts may or may not be real, but the fun definitely is.