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If you’re a Halloween lover, you know that spooky season actually begins on Oct. 1. But sometimes you need a little inspiration to get your ghoul on. Here are 16 incredible events, shops and shows in Toronto to get you into the Halloween spirit just in time for the big night.
1. Summon the dead
Prepare for Halloween by getting an education in necromancy — the practice of communicating with the dead. The Rock Store, set in a hundred-year-old two-storey French-inspired mansion and selling crystals, meditation tools, healing literature, ritual items and yoga items, has an Oct. 22 class that will have you entering the spirit world with ease.
2. Try tarot reading
Learn the basics of fortune-telling with a tarot workshop at the Hermit’s Lamp. Find out how to read the cards and then whip them out at your next Halloween party for some oohs and ahhs.
3. Experience a time warp takeover
This month, come up to the lab and see what Toronto has in store for fans of Halloween cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show. On Oct. 21, prepare to sing along to “Dammit Janet” at Roy Thomson Hall for a special 49th anniversary tour — featuring the original Brad Majors, Barry Bostwick, plus a memorabilia display and a costume contest. Excited Mental State will also take the stage at Fox Theatre and Hot Docs cinema for four live performances alongside a screening of the original movie as Toronto’s only Rocky Horror shadow cast on Oct. 25, 36 and 31.
4. Home of the occult
Whether you’re planning to banish evil spirits, cast some spells or arm yourself against errant ghosts this Halloween, visit the Occult Shop — around since 1979, pagans, Wiccans and spiritual folks know this is the real deal.
5. Embrace the metaphysical
Get in touch with your spirit side with Happy Soul, a store that specializes in metaphysical products, with most of its goods also incorporating educational instructions. The sizable freebies help to draw in customers looking for candles, incense, tarot oracle cards, sound bowls and other products.
6. Become a spiritual healer
At Shanti Baba Trading, they believe that the power of healing comes from within. However, they also believe that it can be harnessed and channelled through the use of shamanic and spiritual tools. From crystals and minerals to aromatic smoke products, Shanti Baba Trading offers a wide range of items that can help to improve your mental, physical and emotional well-being.
7. Horror hot spot
The home of Toronto Indie Horror Fest, Eyesore Cinema also happens to be the city’s top horror video store. With its over 2,000 frightening films available, rent a bunch and have a macabre marathon to get in the spooky spirit.
8. Halloween in a museum
Embrace the Halloween spirit at ROM After Dark’s special event on Oct. 25, RAD: Halloween, a costume-friendly party that transforms the entire museum into a spooky wonderland with activities like face painting, photobooths, crystal ball readings and a thrilling pumpkin scavenger hunt, all while enjoying live music.
9. Rent your costume
Halloween costumes are often sadly one and done, so opt for a rental instead. Woodbridge Costumes often supplies the film and theatre industry and stocks everything from superheroes to TV stars.
10. Get a taste of a bloody bakery
Be prepared for any Halloween party thanks to the Grand Order of Divine Sweets — this Queen West bakery makes everything from bloody brain cupcakes to Beetlejuice chocolate bars and Pennywise cakes.
11. Lucha de los muertos
What says Halloween better than a Mexican wrestling extravaganza! Lucha De Los Muertos returns on Oct. 17 with an awesome night of masked grapplers flinging themselves around the squared circle with reckless abandon. Features special guests Jody Threat and Stallion Kid.
12. Chilling curiosities
If Halloween is more about magic and witchcraft than demons and gore for you, visit Curiosa. From mystical jewelry to fantastical movie memorabilia, this shop has everything you need to make this thrilling season a success.
13. Horrors from the past
A Toronto Halloween tradition since 1999, Eldritch Theatre has always presented Doc Wutherloom’s Here There Be Monsters, where Doctor Pretorious Wuthergloom, the infamous necromancer and arcane medicine showman, regales audiences with ghoulish tales. But this year, they’re going even more ghoulish with Phantasmagoria 3D! Using the 18th century discovery of horror theatre and combining it with the live 3D technology of the 21st century, prepare for arcane rituals, subterranean creatures resurrecting and so much more!
14. Candy heaven
B.C.’s biggest candy store opened in Toronto this summer, just in time for your Halloween haul. Ricardo’s Kandy Korner features a bulk section of over 450 varieties, hard-to-find novelty sweets and wacky flavours.
15. All the scares
The Revue Cinema is the place to be for two+ weeks of horror flicks and special events, including the classic Prince of Darkness, The Fly, a 50th anniversary screening of Young Frankenstein on Oct. 31 and recent body horror hit film The Substance.
16. Mind-bending shenanigans
Join Mysterion Mindreader at The Comedy Bar on Oct. 31 for a spine-chilling Halloween celebration featuring a full séance with the infamous “Walt the Doll,” known as “Canada’s Annabelle,” and experience Mysterion’s mind-bending psychic entertainment.
