What to know
- The City of Toronto is hosting lantern-lit tours at four historic sites throughout late October.
- Tours will explore everything from paranormal activity and restless spirits to historic battles, burial grounds and Victorian death practices.
- Fort York, Montgomery’s Inn, Colborne Lodge and Todmorden Mills are all hosting their own themed tours.
- Tickets range from $20 to $25, with tours taking place between Oct. 22 and 31.
Looking to get spooked this fall? This lantern-lit Toronto tour will get you into the season’s spirit while teaching you all about the city’s darker history.
Lantern Tours at Fort York: After Dark
Fort York might be known for its former military sites and violent battles that gave birth to this city as we know it.
Illuminated solely by a lantern, tour goers will hear about the site’s eerie tales, the bloody Battle of York, and a haunted lighthouse.
The tour also offers a chance to explore a military burial ground, and walk through creepy 200 year-old buildings while learning about its paranormal mysteries.
The tour starts at the West Gate of the Fort York National Historic Site at 100 Garrison Rd., and takes place between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 22, 23, 24, 29, and 30.
Lantern Tours at Montgomery’s Inn: Beyond Mourning
One of the tour’s creepiest sites, the Montgomery Inn invites tour goers to explore its dark history from walking through its dimly lit historic house to the Islington burial ground.
The lantern-lit tour walks residents through Victorian death practices and new stories that connect to Toronto’s history.
Beware that this tour touches on some sensitive topics including death and illness, and is only recommended to attendees aged 14 and older, while those under 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
The tour starts at 4709 Dundas St. W. in Etobicoke, and happens from 6–7:45 p.m. and from 8–9:45 p.m. on Oct. 24, 25, 29, and 30.
Lantern Tours at Colborne Lodge: The Unexplained
Decide for yourself what still lingers at the Colborne Lodge in High Park by visiting the museum’s darkest corners and uncovering its hidden history.
Those who attend the dimly-lit tours can visit the gravesite of John and Jemima Howard and walk through the museum while learning about true tales of paranormal activities and diving into ideas of death and the afterlife.
The tour begins at the Colborne Lodge Museum at 11 Colborne Lodge Dr., and takes place indoors and outdoors. There are three sessions each day to enjoy the tour, including at 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m., which will happen everyday from Oct. 27–30.
Lantern Tours: Macabre Tales at Todmorden Mills
The eerie tour is not over yet, as there is still another site to visit to get into the Halloween spirit.
Tour goers can head to East York for an unforgettable dark evening, where they will hear about creepy stories set from the 1890s to present day.
The stories will be accompanied by a tour of the historic Helliwell House and the Cottage, where the chilling tales will come to life. Attendees are then invited to warm up and enjoy a cozy beverage at the Brewery Building.
This tour begins at the Todmorden Mills Heritage Site at 67 Pottery Rd., and takes place from Oct. 28–31 at 6:30–8 p.m.
Tickets for each tour range from $20–$25, and are available on the city’s website.
