Winnipeg Halloween Guide 2026: Family Fun, Trick-or-Treating & Pumpkin Composting 🎃
Porches dressed up in cobwebs, little ones practising their “trick or treat,” and neighbours catching up between candy stops. There’s something pretty special about Halloween in Winnipeg.
With Halloween falling on Saturday, October 31, 2026, there’s room for a little extra fun this year! Whether your family loves glowing pumpkins, costume parties or a familiar neighbourhood route, here are a few ways to celebrate and give your pumpkin a useful second life afterward.
👻 Family-Friendly Halloween Events in Winnipeg
Boo at the Zoo
Assiniboine Park Zoo | Select dates through October 31
The Zoo has become Spookyville, with themed displays, entertainment, interactive activities and fair rides included with admission. It’s designed for family fun without jump scares, although some sights may still feel spooky to younger visitors.
New this year, October 31 runs from noon to 9 p.m., with trick-or-treat stations and Halloween activities. Tickets are date and time specific, so plan ahead.
Admission: $17.50 plus GST for ages 3 and up. Children 2 and under are free but still need a ticket.
Plan your visit to Boo at the Zoo
Pumpkins After Dark
Assiniboia Downs, 3975 Portage Avenue | October 15–31
If your ideal Halloween outing involves glowing pumpkins rather than haunted houses, this one belongs on your list. Walk through illuminated pumpkin displays, watch live carving demonstrations and stop for a seasonal treat along the way.
The event is family friendly with no jump scares, and tickets have timed entry. Bring your camera and an extra layer!
Halloween Howl at the Children’s Museum
45 Forks Market Road | October 23, 24, 30 & 31
Looking for an indoor option? Halloween Howl brings trick-or-treating into the museum galleries, along with dancing, science activities, animal encounters and hands-on fun.
Choose an evening event on October 23, 24 or 30, from 6:30–9 p.m., or a Halloween Day session on October 31, from 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. or 2–4:30 p.m.
Admission: $20 plus GST per person, with a 10% discount for members.
See Halloween Howl details and tickets
Witchy Wonderland
Red River Exhibition Park, West Gate | October 22–25 & 29–31
Witchy Wonderland has a new look this year, trading midway rides for inflatables, interactive activities and a Halloween train ride. Expect plenty to keep little witches and goblins busy, including the Boo-Bounce inflatable park and Pumpkin Patch Express.
Admission: $20 including GST for ages 3 and up. Children 2 and under are free. Activities are included, with food and face painting extra. Hours vary by date, so check before heading out.
Plan your Witchy Wonderland outing
Event details and ticket availability can change. Check the organizer’s website before making your plans.
🍬 A Little Neighbourhood Halloween Magic
Sometimes the best Halloween plans are right outside your own front door.
Start with a familiar route, invite another family along and leave time to enjoy the decorations. A few blocks, friendly neighbours and a bucket of treats can be more than enough for little ones.
A few simple ways to make the evening easier:
Keep the route manageable. Plan a short loop with an easy trip home.
Make room for layers. A Winnipeg costume sometimes needs to fit over a winter jacket!
Bring a flashlight and use sidewalks and marked crossings.
Visit homes with their porch lights on and respect homes sitting out the festivities.
Offer a non-food option. Stickers, pencils or little activity books give more children something to enjoy.
Handing out treats? Clear your walkway, turn on the porch light and make a little room for neighbours to stop and say hello. Those small connections are part of what makes a neighbourhood feel like home.
🌱 After Halloween: Where Should Your Pumpkin Go?
Once your jack-o’-lantern has finished its front-step duties, give it a second life through composting.
Put it out with your yard waste
The City of Winnipeg accepts pumpkins without paint, candles or decorations in its yard waste collection.
Use a brown paper yard waste bag, cardboard box or reusable container without a lid. Check your address’s collection schedule before setting it out, as pickup happens every two weeks during the collection season.
Check Winnipeg’s yard waste guidelines
Visit a 4R Winnipeg Depot
Missed your pickup? Yard waste can also go to a City 4R Winnipeg Depot. Check the current locations, hours and accepted materials before loading up.
A tip for next year: Carve your pumpkin and use removable decorations so it can easily go into the compost afterward.
💚 A Little Less Waste, Just as Much Fun
Halloween doesn’t need to mean buying everything new. Swap costumes with friends, bring out last year’s decorations and use a reusable treat bag. Small choices can become great family traditions.
At AVDB & Associates, we love the creativity and generosity this season brings out in our communities. From the neighbours decorating their front steps to the people making every little trick-or-treater feel welcome, you help make Winnipeg a wonderful place to call home.
Wishing you a fun, safe and happy Halloween! 🎃
AVDB & Associates | Amber van den Broek | Erika Graveline | Kristy Fillion
ambervandenbroek.com
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