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Did you know Montreal is home to some of the most haunted sites in Canada? From the Old Sainte Antoine Cemetery to the infamous Rialto Theatre, this city is crawling with spirits. Or so the legends say.
It only stands to reason, then, that this city would make the perfect backdrop for hosting this year's Halloween festivities. Whether you're just in town for a visit or call Montreal home year-round, we have a few ideas of how you can transform an event space into something dark and twisted. Victorian-era estates or underground speakeasies, the choice is all yours.
We know you’ll want to keep some space in your budget to dress up and stock up on candy, so we intentionally keep costs as low as possible while maintaining superb value. We promise that renting with us is the ultimate budget hack that won’t wind up with scary consequences.
Ready to be haunted by dreams of the perfect party venue? The Giggster app is oozing with creepy, old, gothic spaces that are sure to bring your nightmares to life.
Have your party stand out amongst the rest by throwing an event space you wouldn’t expect into the mix. Here are some of our favorite ways to celebrate Halloween that will impress even the most obsessed attendees.
Have you considered a Halloween wedding in a castle? Dripping in diamonds and antique furnishings, and screaming royalty and scandal, a European hotel circa 1800s Montreal could also fit the bill. No upcoming nuptials? These feats of historical architecture would also make a dramatic backdrop for a Halloween ball or the trendiest pop-up event in the city.
Who says Halloween needs to look like costumes and cheap tricks? A murder mystery party in a wine cellar with velvet-backed chairs, brassy candelabras, and good vintages flowing may be exactly what your sophisticated, adult life calls for. Don’t forget to embrace the satin gloves and full tuxedos for a different kind of dressing up.
Are you someone who believes Halloween is simply an excuse to gather with your crew? Gaming lounges, billiards, and golf simulators offer low-pressure socialization for the nerds and misfits, but also the “too cool” crew who can’t buy into the “camp” of it all. Find the freakiest video game on the market or turn down the lights and engage in some friendly competition—you’d be surprised what you can do in a costume!
Throw a good old-fashioned Halloween party like the cool, rich kids. These lofts and penthouses are all the fun of your high school and college parties but in a more “adult” atmosphere. Gather round, sip from a ghoulish punch bowl, and scream out loud at a scary movie marathon.
Looking for a versatile space where you can build a DIY haunted house or host a large-scale all-ages party? A warehouse event venue is the blank canvas you need. As an industry pillar, these venues also typically offer in-house catering, AV tech, and bartending, or at least partnerships with local vendors that make piecing your event together a bit simpler. Don’t forget the dessert bar of candy corn, caramel apples, and a self-serve trick-or-treat station of seasonal minis!
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Stretching from Old Port to Saint Laurent, we’ve got 257 to choose from that are guaranteed to give you goosebumps. What’s not so scary? The top-tier level of service we promise every client.
Hassle-Free Booking: You may want your Halloween party to be filled with spooky surprises, but your booking process shouldn’t be. From clear communication to transparent pricing ($31/hour and up), the Giggster app promises that you know exactly what you’re going to get before you make a big commitment.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: If things start happening that are out of your control, you can breathe a sigh of relief- we give you up to 24 hours (as long as your party is 48+ hours away!) to cancel without complications because hey, life happens. No spooky policy traps around here!
Platform Protections: Want to avoid a legal jump scare? The key is to prepare for the worst and add a protection plan to your rental of downtown Montreal event spaces like Enticing Tasting Room in Montreal . That way, when November rolls around and everyone turns their attention towards Christmas, you’re not stuck navigating a mess of damage and liability issues.
The scariest thing about Halloween night shouldn’t be navigating the streets of haunted Montreal. Here are some things we think you should know about the city so you can enjoy a fun, stress-free weekend with your loved ones.
Advantages
Montreal is a city teeming with historic architecture, much of which has that European, Victorian-era style that so closely matches the Halloween aesthetic.
The nightlife scene is quite vibrant, but they also have beer available in corner stores so you can stock up for your pre-party, Halloween gathering, or after-party quickly and cheaply.
The entire city is pretty well bilingual, so you should be able to find vendors and service providers who can cater to you and your guests in French, English, or both.
The city’s crime rates are 30% lower than the national average.
Disadvantages
The Canadian climate is not known for being overly kind or predictable at this time of year. While you might get an unusually warm, sunny day to end October, Halloween snowfall is not uncommon. You’ll probably want to have your party indoors (or at least some heaters on hand), especially if showing off your costume is important to you.
The public transit system is known for being unreliable and taxis around the city are pretty expensive, which can be a downer at the end of the night when you need DD.
To make matters worse, traffic congestion will not be your friend when trying to get around.
The right location is an absolute necessity when it comes to setting the scene for a Halloween haunt. Besides going on a ghost walk or launching full-blown paranormal investigations with your friends, here are some of our favorite ways to commemorate the holiday:
Victorian Estates – The O.G. Haunted House. Mansions with an eclectic array of chandeliers and chaises make up some of the oldest homes in the city. Look, we’re not saying they’re haunted, but we’re not saying they’re not haunted either. While they may not be creepy in the light of day, we’d say they’re utterly chilling when the dark sets in. Just apply some cobwebs and you’ve got yourself the gothic-chic, maximalist venue of your dreams!
Cocktail Lounges – Art Deco Underground. A speakeasy is just perfect for a Halloween haunt, don’t you think? With dimly lit, antique decor, live piano music, and dramatic steampunk furnishings, the moody vibes are off the charts! Just pair it with some signature cocktails, and some aptly named hors d'oeuvres and you’re party-ready.
Farmhouses – Autumn Fun For Everyone. Countryside estates with some acreage, rustic barns, and little stone cottages (that yes, look like they could have a ghost or two) are the perfect place to relive the Halloween shenanigans of your childhood. When planning your festivities for the whole family, be sure to include corn mazes, pumpkin picking, bobbing for apples, and maybe even a PG-rated scare zone!
Nightclubs – Dance the Ghouls Away. Why go trick or treating when you can go out dancing? A fast-paced, high-intensity environment with a full-service bar is ideal for a frat party event, a ticketed money-making enterprise, or the joint effort of a friend group who live for a good time. With blood-red neon lights, a smoke machine, and a DJ blasting Michael Jackson’s "Thriller," we think a dance party is the most insane option out there (in a good way).
Hosting is no easy feat, especially when the party comes with a big, expectation-riddled theme like Halloween. Give your event an edge by using these pro planning tips to your advantage:
Brush Up on Your Ghost Stories – Everyone wants a good fright or two. Whether you are emceeing with a mic or simply worried about a lull in conversation, it’s worth having a spooky tale to whip out on standby.
Organize a Costume Contest – Assuming you want people to dress up (which you probably do), find a good prize for the best costume, and don’t forget a worthy entry for yourself!
Set the Mood with the Right Lighting – A Halloween party is meant to be dark and a little goth—don’t ruin it with bright lighting. Whether you opt for ominous red LEDs, a swath of flickering candles, or rave-inspired glowsticks and blacklights, give the vibe of your lighting some thought.
Sort Out Your Goody Bag Situation – We may not feel like favors are always necessary, especially when your budget is tight. But on a holiday that revolves around receiving special treats, you can’t really get away with skipping out.
Especially when theatrics and thrills are involved, hosting a memorable Halloween party can be kind of expensive. We’d recommend keeping costs down with some of these budget tips so you don’t wind up with a scream-inducing party bill:
DIY some ooey-gooeys.
Whether you're planning a Fear Factor-inspired mystery touch box or just want to add some gore to your decor, you can make a lot of slime, fake blood, and more with a trip to the bulk food store. Grossness guaranteed.
Reuse your Thanksgiving decor.
In Canada, the feasting holiday will preempt this spooky one, which means most of your autumnal decor from your Thanksgiving dinner can be repurposed. Even if you didn’t go all out with scarecrows and fall foliage wreaths, you should take some time to carve those pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns.
Head to Costco (or another wholesaler) and stock up on chow for a crowd.
Pizzas, Chinese food, and even ballpark-sized hotdogs and nachos will do. The nostalgic, and frankly commercial, essence of Halloween doesn’t call for a five-course plated meal. Go simple and affordable when it comes to feeding your friends. Popcorn, chips, and punch bowls will also go a long way.
From nightclub parties blasting hip hop at under-the-radar bars to a karaoke competition in a private loft, your Halloween party can fit into any scheme you've got up your sleeve. Especially with Giggster on your side, Montreal is the perfect host city: it's so good we could scream!