What to know
- The TTC’s Halloween Fest returns Oct. 24 and 25 at the Danforth Garage, located at 1627 Danforth Ave.
- The event runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 24 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 25.
- Admission costs $7, with free entry for children under two.
- Activities include a haunted bus, trick-or-treating, a Halloween carnival, a maze, a bounce house and a barbecue.
- All admission proceeds will go to United Way Greater Toronto. The event is cashless, with card payments accepted for admission, food and merchandise.
Already making Halloween plans? The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is hosting its annual spooky celebration, but this time, in a century-old garage.
Those who have spent Halloween in Toronto know that there is no shortage of things to do in the city during the spookiest season of the year, with plenty of events taking place, including the TTC’s annual haunted party.
The TTC has announced it will once again be hosting the two-day spooky party, this time with a change of venue. The Halloween Fest will now be held at the Danforth Garage, a 100-year-old TTC facility located at 1627 Danforth Ave.
The year’s Halloween Fest is taking place on Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission is $7, while children under two years old can get in for free.
The event was previously held at the TTC’s inoperative Lower Bay Station, located under Bay Station, but was cancelled last year due to accessibility concerns over the venue. Now, the fest is making a comeback.
The transit agency is inviting Torontonians to see the facility in a whole new way. The garage, formerly named Danforth Carthouse, was in service starting in 1915. From then until 1921, it was used to serve streetcars for Toronto Civic Railways. After that, the TTC took over the facilities and introduced the new Peter Witt streetcars.
Once the Bloor-Danforth subway opened in 1966, the facility became a bus garage, operating until 2002. Since then, it has been home to heritage barns and an office for subway operations.
What can attendees expect?
Having become a staple of Toronto’s Halloween celebrations, the fest invites Torontonians to welcome the spooky season and see its facilities under a new light, while raising money for a good cause.
Attendees will have a chance to explore a haunted bus bay, go trick-or-treating and take part in Halloween-inspired and family-friendly activities.
This year, the fest’s activities include a Halloween carnival, a barbecue, a maze, a bounce house, and other fun activities. Guests can also visit the children-friendly bus bay and a creepy haunted bus, packed with scares.
Although costumes are not mandatory, attendees could dress up as their favourite Halloween character. The TTC will also be selling its merchandise on-site.
All money raised with admissions to the fest will be donated to the United Way Greater Toronto.
Attendees should also note that the event is completely cashless, so payment for admission, food, or merchandise will only be accepted by card.
“I encourage everyone to come see how our staff and pensioners transform our Danforth Garage into a one-of-a-kind Halloween destination that is both terrific and terrifying. Join us for a frightfully fun weekend of monsters, ghouls, fun characters, and trick-or-treating while raising money for an important cause,” TTC CEO Mandeep Lali said in a statement.
Event previously cancelled for accessibility concerns
The TTC announcement comes after its Halloween Fest was cancelled last year due to accessibility concerns on Lower Bay Station.
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At the time, the agency said it was re-evaluating the fest’s accessibility, as the abandoned station had no operating escalators or elevators and was only accessible by stairs.
Staff had also said the TTC would bring back the event this year after a re-evaluation.
