Insider's Guide to Halloween in Whistler
Posted by: Feet Banks
Guest Author: Andrew Mitchell
Halloween has always been a big deal in Whistler, surpassed only by New Year’s Eve for the title of biggest party night of the year. From neighbourhood events to nightclubs, Whistler locals have a lot of spare time to work on costumes in October and come month’s end everyone comes out to put the “Boo” in “Booyah.”
Halloween 2015 promises to be an even bigger deal than usual, taking place on Saturday night under an almost full moon. If you’re wondering what to do for everyone’s favourite pagan festival, Whistler does not disappoint. Here are some of the highlights:
Pre-Halloween Fun
A Haunting on Easy Street
October 28-31, 2015
Just a short walk from Whistler Village, a regular Whistler home located at 6344 Easy Street is getting a top to bottom spooky makeover and hosting a haunted house fundraiser as a lead up to Halloween. Entry is by donation ($10 minimum) with the proceeds going to help local Brendan Cavanagh in his recovery from a snowboarding accident last season. For years, Cavanagh had been running a haunted house for the community in Brio to support the local food bank, and now Whistler is stepping up to support him.
As usual, there are two versions of the Haunted House. The scary but more family friendly edition runs from 5 PM to 7 PM and things crank up to “Full Scare” from 7 PM to 10 PM On Halloween Day, the family version will run from 2 PM to 8 PM —overlapping with Tapley’s annual Halloween festivities — with the grown-up version running from 8 PM to 10 PM.
There’s no official website for the event, but there is a Facebook page.
Ghostbusters at the Whistler Public Library
October 29, 2015
The Whistler Public Library and Whistler Arts Council are presenting a free screening of Ghostbusters on Thursday, Oct. 29, starting at 8 PM. This 1984 classic stars Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd, Ernie Hudson and Harold Ramis as a team of professional paranormal investigators without a lot of professionalism. It rules on so many levels but be warned, Ghostbusters is rated PG and not recommended for younger children. More info.
WORCA Halloween Costume Ride at Lost Lake
October 29, 2015
Sponsored by the Whistler Brewing Company, Whistler’s mountain bike community has been hosting this after-dark cycling event for over a decade. The Lost Lake trail selection isn’t overly technical, but good quality lights are a must. Costumes should allow you to see clearly and ride safely without getting your costume caught in your spokes.
You need to be a WORCA member to take part, and event memberships are available at the start. Sign-in starts at 5:30 PM at Whistler Passiv Haus, with the ride getting underway at 6 PM as the sun is setting. The route is marked with glowing pumpkins and reflective arrows. More info.
Pumpkin Carving at Tapley’s Pub
Thursday October 29, 2015
Drop by Tapley’s Pub in the village for a pumpkin carving event, starting at 8 PM. The pumpkins will be on display for the main event on Oct. 31, when Tapley’s will be hosting a party with live music by Aluminum Kitty, scary brews, and a costume contest. For a more dance-party scene, Garinkel’s is billing Thursday as “the locals Halloween” and hosting an Insane Asylum-themed party. More info on Garf’s Party.
Heavy Hitting Horrorfest
Friday October 30, 205
This year marks the 13th edition of Heavy Hitting Horrorfest’s B-Grade Throwdown, an annual contest to see who can make the best/scariest short horror film. But while the films are the main attraction, it’s the sideshow that keeps people coming back – Halloween and horror film fanatics decked out in the craziest, most gruesome, most elaborate Halloween costumes you’ll find anywhere.
Set, as always, for Devil’s Night –October 30—this year the Horrorfest is a closed-door cast-and-crew party but there will be a remote live-stream screening at Garfinkel’s Whistler to pick up the slack and give the public a chance to get horrorific and watch some of Canada’s best short horror films. Tickets are $20. Doors open at 6 PM, and the show starts at 7 PM. This one is 19+, adults only.
More info.
THE BIG NIGHT
Halloween at Tapley’s Farm
Saturday October 31, 2015. Whistler Cay
Converging on this Whistler neighbourhood loop for a night of ghouls, ghosts and good times is a 34-year local tradition in Whistler. And the whole town bands together to create an amazing experience for young Trick-or-Treaters. The main street (Easy Street!) is closed to traffic starting at 5 PM with limited parking, but the municipality and BC Transit provide a free “Park and Spook” shuttle from Whistler Marketplace between 5 PM to 9 PM, decorated by students at the Whistler Waldorf School. At 7:30 PM there will be a fireworks show sponsored by Nesters Market and presented by the Whistler Fire Rescue Service.
Providing hundreds of trick-or-treaters with treats is a big job, especially if guests from out of town are factored in. As such, participating families are asked to make candy donations to bins at Nesters, IGA and The Grocery Store. Those shops also kick in to support the fun. And don’t forget to bring some non-perishable items, or cash, to support the annual Tapley’s Food Bank Drive. More info.
Local Nightclubs Parties
Saturday October 31, 2015. Whistler Village
Whistler nightclubs always throw down for Halloween but having it on a Saturday night means every single club and bar will be up to something good. There are civilized cocktail events, a Glow party, multiple DJ throwdowns, spooky drinks and tons of “best costume” prizes to be one. There’s even an official 5-venue Bar Hop planned to help you take it all in.
Sandwiched in between the end of bike season and the beginning of ski season, Halloween in Whistler is definitely not “slow” season. Nobody does Halloween like Whistler. And if you are looking for real ghosts, we have those too.
Weekly event listings, accommodations, activities and all kinds of fun can always be found at Whistler.com
Helpful Links:
Whistler Taxi: 604.932.3333
Last Minute Accommodation Deals
Map of Whistler Valley
Article source: http://www.whistler.com/blog/post/2015/10/22/whistler-halloween-guide.aspx
