Email icon Back to Search

The City of Kitchener is excited to host safe and fun Halloween programs for residents that align with Public Health guidelines. Events at community centres, the Kitchener Market and Downtown Kitchener BIA will give residents opportunities to celebrate Halloween safely.

Community centres will be set up with outdoor haunted Halloween displays between Oct. 29 and 31. Residents are invited to visit with members of their immediate household, explore, take photos and take home a bag of treats. Visit www.kitchener.ca/Halloween for locations and details.

At the Kitchener Market, residents will be able to pre-register for a fun night of activities including a spooky science show and a family photo booth. On Saturday, Oct. 31, a special Halloween-themed Kids in the Kitchen cooking program will be livestreamed for free online. Visit www.kitchener.ca/Halloween for dates and details.

On Saturday, Oct. 31 residents dressed up in costumes are invited to take part in a physically distant Halloween Art Walk starting on Gaukel Street. For details, visit www.kitchener.ca/Halloween.

“As much as we all love Halloween, we know it needs to look different this year because of COVID-19. We’re encouraging our community’s ghosts and goblins to celebrate with individual or other safely organized alternatives that keep public health guidelines top of mind,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “We know community members value staying connected during special times of the year like Halloween, but first and foremost we know are a caring community that looks out for each other’s well-being.”

At all staffed events, residents are encouraged to keep physical distance with others, follow ground markings, wear a face covering indoors and stay home if they feel unwell. Gathering limits will be maintained.

For residents who choose to celebrate Halloween on their own, there are many low-risk activities to enjoy with members of your immediate household: carve and decorate pumpkins, host a virtual costume party, have a Halloween movie night, share spooky stories or enjoy an outdoor trick-or-treat scavenger hunt in the backyard.

Region of Waterloo Public Health offers the following guidelines to help limit contact for those who choose to participate in trick or treating:

  • Only go out with members of your immediate household.
  • Physically distance and wear a face covering with anyone outside of your immediate household.
  • Both trick-or-treaters and people handing out candy should wear a face covering, not a costume mask.
  • A costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering and should not be worn over a face covering as it may make it difficult to breathe.
  • Do not leave treats in a bucket or bowl for children to grab. Use tongs, or other similar tools, to hand out treats.
  • Do not congregate or linger at doorsteps. Line up two metres apart if waiting.

For more information, www.kitchener.ca/Halloween.

 

For more information:

Shawn Falcao
Manager, Corporate Communications and Marketing
shawn.falcao@kitchener.ca