Ah, can you smell it? That lovely hint of decay in the air? Whether it be flowers, leaves, or flesh; it means October is officially here. Everywhere you look this month you’ll see orange, black, pumpkins, fake cobwebs and all things Halloween. Sure, it’s also the month for Thanksgiving here in Canada and the start of Fall, but we’re mostly focused on the fun of dressing up as our favourite characters, creatures, ghouls and other ghastly things (Miley VMAs, anyone?). But where’s the fun in dressing up if you don’t know where to go to show off your amazingly grotesque costume? (ok, it doesn’t have to be grotesque – it can be pretty, too) Here’s a list of 6 Halloween events and parties going on in Toronto this month that you can’t miss.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival – No need to dress up for this one (although, if you want to dress up, you most certainly can!). If you’re looking for a more laid-back Halloween event where you can watch all the horror, action, sci-fi and cult classics and munch on snacks late at night, this is the event for you.

Where: Scotiabank Theatre,
When: October 17th-25th. Showtimes TBD
Cost: $143 for all-access pass to screenings on all days (you also earn 2,000 Scene points). Individual tickets are $13 and go on sale Oct 3^rd.

Church Street’s Halloween Night Block Party - With three blocks of the Church and Wellesley area closed off from vehicular traffic, the annual Church Street Halloween Night Block Party is one of the biggest outdoor Halloween events in the city.  Peruse the streets in your best costume,  check out other great costumes, have a few drinks and party in one of the liveliest neighborhoods in Toronto.
Where: Church and Wellesley
When: Thursday October 31st. 7pm-2am
Cost: Free

Halloween Haunt @ Canada’s Wonderland – Every weekend evening in October, Canada’s Wonderland hosts their annual Halloween Haunt. You can run through mazes, be chased by nightmarish demons and killers, or go on their terrifying adrenaline-pumping rides. Just remember that those people chasing you through the maze are actors – they won’t harm you, so don’t try to defend yourself by, lets say, knocking them out with your fist (yes, it has happened).

Where: Canada’s Wonderland, 9580 Jane St., Vaughan, ON
When: Weekend Nights in October until Sunday, Oct 27^th. 7pm-12am
Cost: $29.99 online or $37.99 at the park

Toronto Zombie Walk – The internationally famed Zombie Walk is coming to Toronto on October 26^th. The pre-show starts at 2pm, with the actual walk starting at 3pm. We recommend getting there at 12, so you have plenty of time to check out the different vendors, take pictures of zombies and mingle amongst your fellow living dead. For full details and a map of the walk, visit the website. This is strictly a cannibal-free event.

When: Saturday October 26^th, 2013 12pm
Where: Nathan Phillips Square
Cost: Free

Screemers – The legendary Screemers has been around for 21 years and is known as Canada’s #1 haunted indoor park. The park features live actors, special effects and images that will keep you up at night for the next month. If you get scared easily or have a weak heart, we wouldn’t recommend Screemers. The live actors make the experience all too real. We have to stress this again, however: they’re actors and they will not harm you! We promise.

Where: Screemers, 160 Princes Blvd, Toronto, ON
When: Every Friday and Saturday from Oct. 11^th to Nov 2^nd 7pm-12am.
Special Halloween hours: Wednesday Oct 30^th 7pm-11pm & Thursday Oct 31^st 7pm-12am
Cost: $24.95 online w/ $5 off coupon

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1. High Park: Grab some friends and head to this urban nature sanctuary. Have a picnic, go for a hike through the park’s multiple trails, enjoy the beautiful lakefront views and visit the zoo (it’s free!). The only thing you might spend money on is the TTC to get there and back. (1873 Bloor St. W.)

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2. Thursdays & First Tuesday of every month @ Madison Avenue Pub: If you’re on a budget but love to go out (in Toronto, this can be a deadly combination), then hit up the Madison on a Tuesday. It’s a multi-level pub that was built out of three Victorian homes and houses a piano room, dance-floor, and four more pubs that suit your comfort level. They’re celebrating their 30^th Anniversary by offering prices from their menu in 1983 on every first Tuesday of the month. You can enjoy bar rail drinks, burgers, pints, grilled cheese sandwiches and many more for only $3. If you can’t go on a first Tuesday of the month, they offer $3 drinks every Thursday. (14 Madison Ave.)

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3. Half-priced Cinema Tuesdays: Next time you want to watch a movie without breaking the bank, go to the theatre on a Tuesday. They only charge 50% of the admission price, so you can get away with going to the movies for under $10. Unfortunately, they don’t offer 50% off the food (they’ll still charge you an arm and a leg for popcorn and drinks).

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4. Kensington Market: One of our favourite neighbourhoods, Kensington Market is a great place to explore unique shops, art galleries, coffee shops and parks. It’s free to walk around, window shop and see the multi-colored homes and graffiti. (Btwn Bathurst St. and Spadina Ave., Dundas St. and College St.)

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5. The Green Room: Located in a back alley by Bloor and Bathurst, the Green Room is a super-hip dive bar that is very easy on the wallet. Their appetizers are all in the $3-$5 range (with the exception of a few), and their entrees are in the $7 range. Every day of the week they have drink deals like Beer Bottle Tuesdays with imported bottles at $4.50. With those prices, you can eat out and have drinks without feeling guilty or overspending. (296 Brunswick Ave)

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6. The Java House: Don’t shy away from this place when you see the mismatched wallpaper and furniture inside. What it lacks in décor, it makes up for in cheap drinks and cheap food. Their meals don’t go over ten bucks, and their pitchers aren’t over $14. Just don’t go there expecting the same service you would get at a high-end restaurant. Bonus: they have a great patio! (537 Queen St. W.)

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7. The Distillery District: Home to many designer boutiques, cafes, restaurants and venues, exploring The Distillery District is a great and affordable way to spend an afternoon. For $19 (+Tax) you can get the 60 minute Historic Walking Tour and learn more about the history of the district, prohibition, alcohol production and more. If you don’t want to spend any money, you can walk around for free and check out the vintage buildings and boutiques in the district. (Btwn Parliament St. and Cherry St. & just south of Mill St.)

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8. Wednesdays @ The AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario): Head to the gallery on a Wednesday between 6 and 8:30 and you won’t have to pay for admission. On any other day (the gallery is closed on Mondays, though), admission costs $19.50 for adults and $11 for students (with valid ID). And don’t worry; you don’t have to be an art fanatic to enjoy the gallery. The AGO offers various exhibitions and displays for everybody to enjoy! (317 Dundas St. W.)

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9. Scarborough Bluffs/Bluffer’s Park:Don’t be afraid to venture outside the confines of Downtown Toronto. Scarborough Bluffs are an escarpment with climbable cliffs that rise 65 metres from the water and the park has trails, picnic areas and beaches. From the top of the cliff you can enjoy gorgeous views of Lake Ontario (and more on a clear day). (1 Brimley Rd. S.)

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10. Canadian Broadcasting Centre Museum: Check out Canada’s history in broadcasting at the CBC Museum. Admission for the museum is free at all times, and their hours of operation are Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. (250 Front St. W.)

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11. Polson Pier: To get the best views of downtown Toronto, go to Polson Pier (especially at night or on a clear day). If you have some extra cash, check out Polson Pier Go-Karts while you’re there. It costs $2.50 per lap, or $23 for 20 minutes (about 17 laps). They currently have a Manager’s Special. When you buy 20 minutes of Go-Karting between Monday-Friday you get an extra 10 minutes free!  (190 Cherry St.)