Fall festivals and spooky events in and around Calgary this autumn

An undated photo of Fall Lights at the Calgary Farmyard. (Facebook/Calgary Farmyard)

If you’re a fan of fall, there are several autumn-themed events in Calgary and the surrounding area to take in – some of which are even spooky!

Fall Days and Harvest Nights at the Calgary Farmyard

• What: Take in Fall Days or Harvest Nights at the Calgary Farmyard. Fall Days features pumpkin displays perfect for family photos – and the pumpkins are also available to purchase if you’re hoping to carve a Jack-O-Lantern. Harvest Lights happens once the sun has set, illuminating the park with a colourful light display featuring thousands of bulbs.
• When: Fall Days are on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting Sept. 11. Harvest Nights are Friday and Saturday evenings starting Sept. 11.
• Where: Calgary Farmyard, 284022 Township Rd. 224, Rocky View County.

Haunted Mini Golf

• What: WinSport’s 18-hole outdoor mini-golf course will be decorated with Halloween décor to become Haunted Mini-Golf. The mini golf course is now licensed, so you can grab a brew while you try for some birdies.
• When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays – and 1 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays – from Sept. 19 to Oct. 31.
• Where: Winsport, 88 Canada Olympic Rd. S.W.

Where Dark Things Dwell

• What: An outdoor escape room has taken over the historical village at Heritage Park. Where Dark Things Dwell is an immersive escape experience from Secret City Adventures, pulling guests deep into a chilling story filled with live actors, mind-bending puzzles and secrets waiting to be uncovered.
• When: Select evenings until Oct. 31.
• Where: Heritage Park, 1900 Heritage Dr. S.W.

Pumpkins After Dark

• What: Pumpkins After Dark returns to Calgary this autumn. The event lets visitors walk along a pathway of lit pumpkin sculptures and displays featuring more than 10,000 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns.
• When: Sept. 25 – Oct. 31.
• Where: Winsport, 88 Canada Olympic Rd. S.W.

Pumpkins in the Dark at Granary Road

• What: Have some fall fun at Granary Road. There’s tractor rides through the pumpkin patch, a pumpkin scavenger hunt, pumpkin putting, caramel apple decorating and more.
• When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 26 and 27, and Oct. 3 and 4.
• Where: Granary Road, 226066 112 St. West, Foothills County, Alta.

Harvest Pumpkin Fest at Butterfield Acres

• What: Butterfield Acres hosts its annual Harvest Pumpkin Fest, featuring fall photo ops, pony rides and tractor-pulled wagon rides through Scarecrow Alley.
• When: Saturdays and Sundays in October.
• Where: Butterfield Acres, 254077 Rocky Ridge Rd. N.W.

Screamfest

• What: Screamfest has seven different haunted houses for attendees to check out – including Zombie Outbreak, the most extreme of the houses. Aside from the haunted houses, there are also rides, monster trucks and a ‘midway of mayhem.’
• When: Oct. 9, 10, 16, 17, 22 (adult-only night), 23, 24, 25, 29, 30 and 31.
• Where: GMC Stadium at Stampede Park, 2200 Stampede Tr. S.E.

Train of Terror (18+)

• What: The Train of Terror is billed as Canada’s only moving haunt, as it takes place on a train. It lasts about two hours in total and includes three mazes and a 1.5-hour train ride. Officials warn the event is not a “run of the mill haunted house” as performers are allowed to touch, grab and follow attendees. “This is not for the faint of heart, and intended for an 18+ audience,” warns the website.
• When: Weekends from Oct. 1 to 31.
• Where: Aspen Crossing Train Station in Mossleigh, Alta.