Halloween in Quebec is just around the corner, but that doesn’t mean every kid will hit the streets in search of candy on October 31. In some areas, the trick-or-treating tradition is shifting to a different night this year.
This isn’t the first time that Halloween has taken an unusual turn in Quebec. Mother Nature rained on our in 2019 and pandemic restrictions threw a wrench in trick-or-treating plans the following years.
But now, the trend of changing spooky season celebrations is continuing.
With Halloween falling on a Thursday this year, a number of Quebec municipalities have opted to push candy collections to the weekend before or even the day after — mostly for logistical and safety reasons.
Several towns in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, including Amos, Barraute, Berry, Landrienne, Preissac, and Saint-Marc-de-Figuery, have announced that trick-or-treating will happen on November 1, 2024. So, if you’re in these areas, don’t be surprised when ghouls and goblins show up a day late!
Senneterre has taken it a step further, resolving to change the date for the next three years. “The municipal council has adopted a resolution setting Halloween on the Friday closest to October 31, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., for the years 2025, 2026 and 2027,” reads the town’s Facebook page.
In Rouyn-Noranda, Halloween has already been celebrated on the Saturday closest to October 31 for almost 30 years. This year’s festivities are set for Saturday, October 26, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Residents of Dolbeau-Mistassini, in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, are also accustomed to donning their costumes on a date other than October 31, and history repeats itself this year as trick-or-treating takes place on November 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Chibougamau, in Northern Quebec, is doing the same — pushing the door-to-door candy hunt to the following evening.
Despite these examples illustrating a growing trend across Quebec, many municipal administrations maintain October 31 as canon for all festivities. It’s best to check with your city or its social networks to find out what’s in store for your neighbourhood in 2024.
And hey, if you’re feeling adventurous, why not celebrate Halloween twice in two different towns? More time for candy never hurts. Happy Halloween, Quebec!
This article’s cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
This story was adapted from the article “Plusieurs villes au Québec reportent l’Halloween et voici ce que tu dois savoir,” which was originally published on Narcity Québec by Ariane Fortin.
