Somewhere between the sexy nurse/doctor/cowboy/robot/auditor general costume, Halloween for adults seems to have been lost.
Thankfully here in Winnipeg, there are now numerous attractions that recognize that this is one holiday that’s equally as fun the older you get (without the need to get all smutty about it). For those of you who still relish a creepy clown costume, or the sheer, heart-pounding horror of haunted houses and flesh-eating zombies, be sure to check out some of the Halloween events happening in Winnipeg this year.
No child's play here (unless it's the 1988 thriller featuring Chucky, or perhaps Cult of Chucky which wrapped up filming here in May) — these events are seriously spooky.
Fear the Living Dead at Adrenaline Adventures
This Halloween, Adrenaline Adventures offers two attractions as a part of its frighteningly infamous Fear the Living Dead events.
In the Zombie Chase, tread carefully in groups with a single flashlight through a dark warehouse being used for testing on zombies by hurting, killing, and curing them (if you didn't catch that, this means there are angry, irritable, revenge-seeking zombies in the warehouse with you!) Heads up: this event includes physical elements like crawling, walking, running, climbing and kneeling (and possibly even crying, for some).
In the Coffin Escape, you'll be locked inside of a dark, confined space and forced to solve a variety of games and puzzles with a partner to free yourselves before the 25 minute time limit is up—or you'll be buried alive. It's a physical and mental challenge, not for the faint of heart or for anyone remotely claustrophobic.
Check out the attraction trailer below (warning: it's terrifying)
Fear of the Living Dead is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October.
Stage Frights — A Haunted House Experience at the Burton Cummings Theatre
The historic 110-year-old Burton Cummings Theatre will be transformed into a haunted house for a full week of frightening fun. Stick around for an afterparty on Friday and Saturday nights with a DJ, themed cocktails, and costumes.
Open October 26 to 31. 5-12 pm.
Fright at the Fort: Haunted Circus at Lower Fort Garry
Straight out of American Horror Story: Freak Show, it's a circus gone awry at Lower Fort Garry! The performers have fled, the ringmaster is missing and the animals are on the loose. Explore the abandoned performers’ camp, creep through the frightening fun house, and watch your back for eerie entertainers hiding in dark corners of the stone fort walls. Wander at your own risk.
Open October 13 to 28, various dates. 7-11pm.
A Maze in Corn's Haunted Forest
For something a little less scary and a little more corn-y, wander warily through the Haunted Forest at A Maze in Corn. The maze is kid-friendly during the day, but cranks up the creepiness factor after dark when the forest comes alive and the night creatures come out. This is an outdoor venue, so be sure to dress warmly. Open select dates between Sept 29 and Oct 29.
A Nightmare on Donald Street at the MET
Dress up and discover three floors of fun as the Metropolitan Event Centre transforms into an abandoned theatre run by zombies on October 28. The 23+ Halloween costume party features live DJ sets, drinks, and tons of prizes for best costumes — all inside the total terror and feel of a haunted house.
Frankenstein!! At the Centennial Concert Hall
The HUB, Culture Card, and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra present Frankenstein!! at the Centennial Concert Hall on October 31. The evening starts with Alexander Mickelthwate conducting cacophonous pandemonium in H.K. Gruber’s Frankenstein!! along with A Night on Bald Mountain, followed by a halloween costume party, haunted house, and a fashion show featuring spectacular costumes from Ragpickers.
Face your nightmares at Six Pines as it returns with three new interactive attractions for 2017. Past haunted themes have included The Hood: A Red Riding Hood fairy tale gone very wrong and Freak Show: Fear the Clown.
Arrive early to beat the line—this one’s always popular!
Open October 12 to 31. Various dates and times.