But as for those confirmed to be running, the list includes the staples–John Adam’s Ghostly Walks, Galey Farms’ Festival of Fear, Ocean View / Saanichton Corn Mazes Fright Nights, The Vic Theatre’s annual Rocky Horror Picture Show and Cinecenta offering some movie marathon. This year is Nosferatu Live!.
Sadly, the organisers behind Fear in the Pier and University Frights Theatre haven’t announced anything. Let’s hope they have something spectre-acular planned when we can truly put the pandemic behind us. But as for what’s new, I’m compiling this list as they become known for the public to purchase tickets in advance for. Thanks go to Theatre Victoria’s Facebook collective for contributing ideas to this list.
New for Bootoria 2022 are:
The Life (and Death) of Francis Rattenbury
October 24 through to 28 at 6:45 pm
This Hallowe’en season, join us on a special, evening, guided tour of BC Parliament Buildings and hear the lurid details of the infamous building’s architect from those who knew him, and those who still wander the back hallways of the Legislature…
This unique tour is offered onsite. The program is free, and registration is necessary. To secure your spot, please register online or call: 250-387-1771.
Dr. Alison Amazed’s Tickle Trunk of Fun n Games! (website)
Victoria Event Centre
Address: 1415 Broad Street
Oct 23, 2022 6:00-9:00 PM
This evening will offer live music, dress-up, food and crafts, and it’s hosted by Minds at Work (Friends of Music) and Dr. Alison Amazed’s Tickle Trunk of Fun n Games! This event is hosted in collaboration with the Greater Victoria Psychosocial Rehabilitation collaborative.
Horsemanship Nights
Ponies and Pipsqueaks (website)
Address: 6044 Oldfield Rd
Oct 29 & 30
Though this event is not necessarily spooky, make this October fun by learning. Horsemanship nights combine education, games, and hands-on horsey time to learn everything from colour, markings, and breeds to first aid and bandaging. This family friendly event is for anyone who loves horses or wants to know more about this four legged wonder.
Disco Tots – Little Monster’s Ball (website)
Juan de Fuca Senior Citizens Association
Address: 1767 Island Highway
Oct 29, 2022 1:30 – 4:30 PM
The Disco Tots-Little Monster’s Ball is in Victoria. You’ve ghost to be kidding me! Get in your favourite costume and glow sticks, pull off your spooky moves, and dance to the Halloween music with friends and family. There is no better way to have a great time with your loved ones. Come and have a blast!
Victoria Highland Dancing Association’s Spooky Competition (website)
Lambrick Park Church
Address: 1780 Feltham Rd
Oct 29, 2022 9:00 AM
End this Halloween in a spooktacular way. Discover and explore the secret that lies beneath the ancient Scottish dance. Witness a variety of Scottish dances from various dance crews as they compete for a prize. Get enlightened and entertained as you create memories. There is no better way to end Halloween in Victoria this year.
Spooky SZN! Drag Show & Dance Party
Victoria Event Centre
Address: 1415 Broad Street (tickets)
Oct 21 from 10 PM to Oct 22, 2:00 AM
GET READY for a legendary SPOOKY THEMED Drag Show & Dance Party hosted by open:ended :: Featuring the incredibly iCONiC duo COCO KLEiN & iLONA VERLEY. Get ready for some devious & sinister performances then dance the night away as we are so excited to announce the Victoria debut DJ set by COCO KLEiN !!
A Freaky Funky Halloween with Astrocolor (website)
Capital Ballroom
Address: 858 Yates Street
Oct 29, 2022 8:00 PM
This adults only event is presented by The Zone at 91-3 and Capital Ballroom. It promises to be huge. It’s one huge dance off that only MRG Live can put on, and as for how crazy it’ll be, that depends on what people want to do to make the season as lively (or undead) that it must become.
Bootoria’s Cinematic and Live Performance Offerings
Carnival of Terrors (website) at the Crystal Garden
Address: 713 Douglas Street
Oct 29, 2022
Passion and Performance Arts’ Carnival of Terrors is billed as an immersive horror experience and includes a massive party too! It’ll take place after the show, and it comes complete with nearly everything that the neighbouring Royal BC Museum once offered, prior to a certain pesky pandemic shutting that down and with it being slated for remodelling. There will be dancing with music spun by DJ Marlon, a photo booth, carnival games, a peep show, incredible food and more. You won’t want to miss this party!
Tickets : Member Pre-sale tickets will go on sale Friday, September 16th*, with ticket sales opening up to the public on Monday, September 19th.
GRIMM
Intrepid Theatre Club
Address: 1609 Blanshard Street
Wed Oct 26th – Sat Oct 29th 2022 8:00 PM
Paper Street Theatre are partnering with Broken Rhythms to teach you a simple lesson: The fairy tales you know aren’t as pleasant as you think. They have a rather grim past. Snow White puts the evil queen in iron shoes and makes her dance until she dies, Cinderella’s sisters get their eyes pecked out by birds, and the Frog isn’t kissed, throwing him against the wall turns him into a prince. Here, this teamup will tell their own, improvised, cautionary tales with some inspiration from you and The Brothers Grimm.
Victoria Symphony Presents: Music That Goes Bump in the Night
Royal Theatre (tickets)
Address: 805 Broughton St.
Oct 30, 2022 2:30-4:30 PM
A symphonic ‘spooktacular’ brings frights and delights with some of the most chilling compositions from the concert hall and silver screen. From Saint-Saëns’ eerie Danse macabre to John Williams’ heart-racing Jaws score, music has the remarkable power to evoke some of our most primal emotions. In this Hallowe’en celebration, we share works that are guaranteed to set your pulse pounding and send chills down your spine.
Frankenstein at Craigdarroch Castle
Address: 1050 Joan Crescent
Oct 14, 15, 21-29, 2022 (various times)
Please check The Castle’s online page for advance ticket purchases.
Actor Jason Stevens, known for his popular one-man production of Charles Dickens’ 1843 classic, A Christmas Carol, is set to bring back Mary Shelley’s horror story in the Castle’s dance hall, located on the fourth floor (there are 87 steps and no elevator in the Castle).
Phantom of the Opera at Christ Church Cathedral
Address: 930 Burdett Ave.
Oct 29, 2022 7:30 – 8:30 pm (tickets)
The Festival of the Dead opens with a screening of the 1925 silent film The Phantom of the Opera. Directed by Rupert Julian and starring Lon Chaney, the film is an early classic of the horror genre. The internationally acclaimed organ virtuoso David Briggs, currently the Artist in Residence for New York City’s Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, will provide a live, improvised accompaniment on Christ Church Cathedral’s magnificent Wolff organ. A performance not to be missed! Co-presented with the Royal Canadian College of Organists.
Atomic Vaudeville’s HALLOWEEN CABARET at the Victoria Event Centre
Pandemonium: Fear Freedom
Address: 1415 Broad Street
Oct 27-31, 2022 (daily show) 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM (tickets)
This locally run fan favourite returns after a three-year absence. Join Victoria’s favourite funny people for a be spooked thrill ride through the comedic nether regions. What’s to be afraid of in this Pandora’s box of entertainment? Only live dance numbers, sexy Brazilian vampires and bone-chilling pop culture references. Snatch up your tickets before they’re gone! This features Indigenous deejay AYAVERSE spinning some tunes throughout most nights!
Honourable Mention (Post Halloween Shows)
There are Rocky Horror Show performances, and the big one to pay attention to is after the season. It’s worth mentioning because it’s being put on the by the VOS Musical Theatre Group from Nov 24 to Dec 4. They have been entertaining the community for more than a decade, and gave a teaser at Galey Farms last weekend. Those who saw it got an early treat! Please follow this link for ticketing information. It’s being performed at the Royal McPherson Theatre.
Also, there’s The Four Suits of Magic on the weekend after. This will take place at the Emily Carr House (Eventbrite), Nov 4 and 5th. As you visit the chamber of each illusionist, they will enthrall you with their mastery of deception. The experience may be like Giggling Iguana’s performances, where you’re wandering through the rooms to get the story. But here, where the wand points depends on where Dave Morris, Justin Louie, Colin Holt, and Derek Johnston–the Four Suits of Magic–wants to send you to!