October is pulling out all the stops for Montreal families. Whether you’re chasing glowing dinosaurs through an illuminated trail, boarding a Halloween ghost train south of the city, or catching the Als play Thanksgiving Monday football, there’s a lot happening that the kids will still be talking about in November.

Festilumi at Marché Central

A 1.5-kilometre illuminated trail winds through Marché Central with glowing dinosaur sculptures, a fluorescent maze, and more than a dozen light installations spread across the outdoor space. The whole thing is walk-at-your-own-pace after dark, which makes it easy for younger kids to set the speed and older ones to run ahead between stops. The glowing dinos alone are worth the trip.

📍 Where: Marché Central, 9189 Acadie Blvd, Montreal
🗓️ When: Nightly through October 26, from dusk (check festilumi.ca for exact hours)

Lune Noire at Parc Jean-Drapeau

A Halloween adventure takes over Parc Jean-Drapeau from October 9 through the 31st, with haunted paths, costumed performers, themed zones, and plenty of atmosphere. It’s designed for families with older kids who want the Halloween experience without the extreme-horror intensity of the adult-oriented events — though younger ones can still do it with a hand-holding parent close by.

📍 Where: Parc Jean-Drapeau, Île Sainte-Hélène, Montreal
🗓️ When: October 9–31, select nights (check lunenoire.ca for schedule and tickets)

Ramen Ramen Festival

If the Halloween events have you craving something warm, the Ramen Ramen Festival runs October 12–25 and brings a lineup of ramen vendors under one roof. A dozen broth styles, a toppings bar, and kids who are reliably enthusiastic about noodles — it’s one of the better Thanksgiving-week restaurant-alternative outings in the city. Check ramenramenfestival.ca for the venue and tickets.

📍 Where: Montreal (location at ramenramenfestival.ca)
🗓️ When: October 12–25

Alouettes vs. Ottawa Redblacks — Thanksgiving Monday Football

Thanksgiving Monday football at Percival Molson Stadium is one of the best family sports outings in Montreal. The Als host the Ottawa Redblacks on October 13. Stadium food, a holiday crowd, and the Als have had a solid season — this is the kind of afternoon you’ll be glad you planned.

📍 Where: Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, 475 Ave des Pins O, Montreal
🗓️ When: Monday, October 13 (Thanksgiving) — check cfl.ca for kickoff time

Le Carnaval d’Halloween at CF Fairview Pointe-Claire

The West Island’s big mall Halloween event takes over CF Fairview on October 17 with costume contests, candy stations, photo ops, and kids’ entertainment. Free to attend, easy parking, and a solid Friday afternoon option if you need something that doesn’t require a trek downtown.

📍 Where: CF Fairview Pointe-Claire, 6801 Trans-Canada Hwy, Pointe-Claire
🗓️ When: Friday, October 17

Railway Ghosts at Exporail

Worth planning ahead for: Exporail in Saint-Constant does a Halloween train event on select dates in late October and early November. Decorated vintage rail cars, costumed characters, and an outdoor Halloween village make this one of the most memorable family fall outings in the greater Montreal region. About 35 minutes from downtown, and genuinely worth the drive — especially for kids 5 to 12.

📍 Where: Exporail, 110 Saint-Pierre St, Saint-Constant (South Shore)
🗓️ When: October 24–25, 31 and November 1 (tickets at exporail.org)