Halloween is close, and Greater Montreal is packed with ways to celebrate the season as a family. From illuminated pumpkin fields in Laval to a full-on Halloween theme park on Ile Ste-Helene, here are five picks worth circling on the family calendar for the rest of October.

La Ronde Halloween: Kids’ Pumpkin Festival

La Ronde goes full October mode with its annual Pumpkin Festival, offering gentler rides, costumed characters, and seasonal treats alongside the thrill-seeker attractions the park is known for. The setup works well for families with younger kids who want a safe, festive atmosphere without the intensity of full-scale haunted attractions.

WHERE: La Ronde, Parc Jean-Drapeau, Ile Sainte-Helene
WHEN: Through October 25. Check laronde.com for hours.

Gardens of Light: Halloween Shivers at the Botanical Garden

The Montreal Botanical Garden’s annual nighttime lantern festival takes on a spooky tilt in late October with Halloween Shivers. The illuminated displays run after dark, making this a particularly beautiful outing for kids who love the wow factor of glowing botanical installations. Dress in layers; the path is outdoors.

WHERE: Jardin botanique de Montreal, 4101 rue Sherbrooke Est
WHEN: Through November 1. Evening hours; check montreal.ca for the schedule.

Festiween at the Cosmodome (Laval)

A 1,000-plus illuminated pumpkin display anchors this family-friendly Halloween festival at Laval’s space museum. The Cosmodome keeps the scares age-appropriate, making it a strong pick for families with younger children who want the full Halloween aesthetic without the nightmare fuel. Worth planning a Laval afternoon around.

WHERE: Cosmodome, 2888 avenue du Cosmodome, Laval
WHEN: Through October 31. Visit cosmodome.org for tickets and hours.

Halloween Quest at Granby Zoo

The Granby Zoo’s Halloween edition transforms the zoo grounds with themed zones, costumed characters, and activities designed for families. It runs on weekends through November 1. The drive is roughly 90 minutes from downtown Montreal, so make a day of it. Tickets start at $32.99 and sell quickly on fall weekends.

WHERE: Zoo de Granby, 525 rue Saint-Hubert, Granby
WHEN: Weekends through November 1. Book ahead at zoodegranby.com.

Tranquille a Roulettes Roller Disco

Not Halloween-specific, but the outdoor roller disco at Esplanade Tranquille has become a genuine Montreal season highlight. The atmosphere is festive, the music is fun, and kids who can skate (or are willing to wobble their way through it) have a blast. It closes October 25, so time is running short.

WHERE: Esplanade Tranquille, 1209 boulevard Saint-Laurent
WHEN: Through October 25. Check esplanadetranquille.com for session times.