Where to dance, scream, and celebrate with Halloween parties in Montreal

Halloween in Montreal isn't just about spending questionable amounts of money on entry fees and themed cocktails. It starts innocently enough—a haunted maze here, a horror film screening there—but by the time October 31 actually rolls around, the whole city has committed to the bit.

Underground techno raves stretch until breakfast. Cult film screenings require audience participation and prop bags. Dive bars host karaoke in costume. Even La Ronde gets in on it, turning roller coasters into scare zones and hiring a small army of creatures to lurk in the fog.

The result is a sprawling, chaotic celebration where you can spend Halloween however you want: screaming on rides, sweating in a basement, or watching someone in fishnets do the Time Warp for the 50th year running.

Here's where to find it all.

La Ronde Fright Fest: Montreal's biggest haunted playground

La Ronde transforms into a massive open-air haunted house every weekend from October 4 to 26, plus Friday the 24th. Seven distinct scare zones—including the new Clown Carnage—crawl with nearly 100 roaming creatures ready to jump out from the shadows. The Awakening Show returns with a revamped 25-minute production featuring over 50 terrifying performers at Place d'Animation. Beyond the scares, rides stay open in the dark, food stalls serve themed snacks, and you can buy a "No Boo" necklace for scare immunity if that's more your speed. It's part theme park, part horror spectacle, and entirely committed to the bit.

Festival Spasm: Strange cinema gets its Halloween moment

For 24 years, Festival Spasm has been Montreal's home for genre films that refuse to play it safe. Horror, sci-fi, comedy, and the gloriously unclassifiable all get their moment across screenings from October 22 to November 1. This year's Halloween programming includes a double feature on October 31 at Théâtre Plaza—Les Insolites Québécois 2 at 6:30 p.m., followed by the main event. Doors open at 6 p.m., and your ticket gets you both films. The festival thrives on discovery, late-night energy, and audiences who appreciate cinema at its strangest. By Halloween weekend, the theatre feels less like a screening room and more like a carnival of the bizarre.

Vamps vs Witches: Dark pop for the queer dancefloor

L'Idéal becomes a spooky dance party on October 25 with Vamps vs Witches, a queer night dedicated to dark pop hits. Think Lady Gaga, Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, and everything in between, spun by the Glimmering Dolls crew from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Costumes are part of the deal—hot vampires, seductive witches, whatever fits the vibe.

It's a smaller, more intimate party than the massive club nights. The crowd shows up ready to dance, dressed to impress, and committed to making the most of four hours in a room that feels like it was built for this.

Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Ball: The cult classic that never dies

For 50 years, audiences have been doing the Time Warp and shouting callback lines at The Rocky Horror Picture Show. In Montreal, that tradition reaches its peak at the Halloween Ball, the largest Rocky Horror event in the world. This year's edition runs across four nights—October 29 and 30 at the Rialto Theatre, October 31 and November 1 at Decarie Theatre—with shows at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. Hosted by the legendary Peaches Le Poz, the night unfolds like a ritual: costume contest, cheerleading chants of R-O-C-K-Y, then two hours of controlled chaos. The audience becomes part of the show, armed with newspapers, water pistols, and glow sticks. A live shadow cast performs on stage while the 35mm film rolls.

MainLine Theatre's Rocky Horror: The intimate live experience

If you want Rocky Horror without the massive crowds, MainLine Theatre offers an alternative from October 29 to November 1 at Théâtre La Comédie de Montréal. This META-nominated production features a full cast and live band performing the show up close, with the audience still encouraged to participate. Shows run at 8 p.m. most nights, with two performances on Halloween—7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. VIP Golden Tickets ($55) include reserved seating, a participation kit, and a complimentary drink. It's the same camp sci-fi energy and glam-rock soundtrack, just in a space where you can actually see the performers sweat.

SAT's Halloween: Two nights, two floors, no sleep

When SAT commits to a party, it goes all in. This year's Halloween edition stretches across two nights—October 31 and November 1—and two floors, with the SAT Space and Satosphere hosting international electronic heavyweights. Friday brings DJ Minx, Danny Daze, Ayesha, and Mika Oki. Saturday counters with Kittin, Legowelt (live), Kim Ann Foxman, and Sunil Sharpe. The music ranges from techno to bass to house, but the thread connecting it all is energy—relentless, hypnotic, and perfectly calibrated for a crowd in costume with no intention of leaving before sunrise. The bar stays open until 6 a.m.

Graveyard Shift: Two nights of underground techno

Dream Room becomes the city's after-hours headquarters for Graveyard Shift, a two-night marathon running October 31 and November 1. Presented by Homegrown Harvest, the party stretches from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Halloween night, then 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Saturday. The lineup leans deep into techno and house, with 11 DJs including Ciel, Dileta, Moaad Bkr, Tama Sumo & Lakuti on night one, and Cori b2b No Police, Elise Massoni, Frankie Teardrop b2b Donotstealmyname, and Lauren Flax on night two. The bar stays open all night, and the vibe is exactly what you'd expect from a party named after the graveyard shift.

Cirque de Boudoir's Cabaret du Diable: Montreal's kinkiest Halloween

Montreal's most provocative Halloween party returns to Cabaret Lion d'Or on October 31 with Cirque de Boudoir's signature mix of burlesque, fetish performance, circus acts, and electronic beats. Costumes aren't optional—they're the entire point. The crowd dresses to push boundaries, and the performers match that energy with acts that blur the line between seduction and spectacle. It's equal parts playful and provocative, a space where creativity, sexuality, and performance art collide in ways that feel distinctly Montreal. If you're looking for a Halloween party that fully commits to being unapologetically itself, this is it.

Otaku Manga Lounge: Cosplay, karaoke, and mocktails

Otaku Manga Lounge throws a Halloween party for Montreal's anime and cosplay community on October 31. Show up in your best cosplay, sip on Japan-inspired mocktails (acidic, icy, or mysterious), and belt out anime openings during the karaoke portion of the night. Prizes go to the top three cosplays, judged on creativity and execution. The vibe is less nightclub, more community hangout—friendly, enthusiastic, and unapologetically nerdy. Entry is $5, free for Sensei members. It's the kind of party where everyone knows the lyrics to the Cowboy Bebop theme and no one judges you for it.

Taverne Cobra: Karaoke with ghosts and cheap beer

If there's something strange in your neighbourhood, Taverne Cobra wants you to sing about it. Halloween falls on a Friday this year, and Cobra is leaning into it with a costume karaoke party on October 31. The bar's usual crowd—rowdy, affectionate, and not particularly precious about hitting the right notes—will be out in full force, dressed up and ready to massacre their favourite songs. It's unpretentious, sweaty, and exactly what a neighbourhood bar should be on Halloween. Show up early if you want a spot near the stage, or hang back and watch the chaos unfold from the safety of the bar.

VV Taverna: Costume contest with serious cash prizes

VV Taverna goes all out for Halloween with $850 in costume contest prizes—$500 for first place, $250 for second, $100 for third. DJs spin from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m., the bar serves themed Halloween cocktails, and a photographer roams the venue capturing the best costumes. The second-floor space gets decked out with immersive decor, and the energy stays electric all night. If you're competitive about costumes or just want to see what people come up with when real money is on the line, this is worth the trip. Tickets for the event on October 31 are moving fast.

Gore en Esti: Doom metal and fake blood at Foufs

Extensive Enterprise presents the goriest Halloween party in town at Foufounes Électriques on October 31, headlined by doom metal legends Dopethrone, plus Warkrusher and Seum. Doors open at 7 p.m., music starts at 8 p.m., and the night includes custom gore decorations, a free photo booth, and a contest for the most brutal costume. Expect fake blood, heavy riffs, and a crowd that treats Halloween like a religion. If your idea of a perfect Halloween involves sludgy guitars and a mosh pit, this is your church.

My Haunted Haus: House music all night at Le Red Room

Le Red Room's annual house music Halloween party returns on October 31 with a lineup of local DJs including Truwayz, Sam Chef, Walji, Shaco, and Horizon24 featuring MVGIKA, RedKey, BPlease, and Miss Skkye. Happy hour runs until 11 p.m., then the music goes until 3 a.m., powered by PK Sound. Free RSVP is available until October 15 for those who plan ahead. It's house music in its purest form—no gimmicks, just solid beats and a crowd that came to dance.

Newspeak Halloween: Danny Avila spins for a decade celebration

Newspeak celebrates 10 years with a Halloween blowout on October 31, headlined by Spanish DJ Danny Avila. Supporting acts include ArioVistus b2b Infiltr, Ben Jaber, and Ludo Lacoste. Doors open at 11 p.m., and the bar stays open all night. Newspeak has been a fixture of Montreal's electronic scene for a decade, and this anniversary party feels like both a celebration and a reminder of why the night has lasted this long. Expect a packed room, high-energy sets, and a crowd that knows exactly what they came for.

Blood Moon: Bass music gets brutal at Club Soda

Alpha Squadron presents Blood Moon 2025 on November 1 at Club Soda, featuring PhaseOne—the Australian producer known for blending bass music with metal in what's been described as "a symphony of filth." Supporting acts include Codd Dubz, Muerte, Shanghai Doom, Code: Pandorum, and local favourite Humansion. The venue gets transformed with immersive decor, lights, and PK Sound. Costumes are highly recommended, and the crowd tends to lean into the horror aesthetic. It's the fourth edition of Blood Moon, and it keeps getting bigger.

Where: Club Soda
When: Saturday, November 1, 9:30 p.m. doors, 10 p.m. show
Tickets: $50, available at bit.ly/bloodmoon25

Sabbatica at Piranha Bar: Black Sabbath tribute on Halloween

Piranha Bar hosts a double bill on October 31 with Sabbatica—a Black Sabbath tribute covering the Ozzy Osbourne era—alongside Deceiving Exhort, a local metal band with two albums and a reputation for trenchant riffs. Following the recent death of Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness, Sabbatica's set takes on added weight, delivering a faithful recreation of Sabbath's mythic sound with full stage presence. Costumes are strongly encouraged, and the Halloween atmosphere is guaranteed. It's a night for metal purists and anyone who wants to headbang in a cape.

Derek Falls Band at Smoke Meat Pete: Blues, soul, and costumes

The Derek Falls Band brings blues, R&B, and soul to Smoke Meat Pete in Île-Perrot on November 1 for a Halloween celebration that runs from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Derek Falls—a Montreal performer whose style blends Santana's guitar work with the vocal tones of Lenny Kravitz and Seal—leads the band through an evening of covers and originals. Costumes are encouraged, and the venue's food (smoked meat, naturally) pairs well with the party. It's a more laid-back Halloween option for those who want live music without the club scene intensity.

Robin des Bois: New wave Halloween with Geneviève Borne and Brendan Kelly

Robin des Bois hosts a Halloween new wave party on October 31 with DJs Geneviève Borne and the Montreal Gazette's own Brendan Kelly spinning British new wave classics and old-school disco from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Expect The Cure, Smiths, Depeche Mode, The Human League, Soft Cell, David Bowie, and a few Gothic gems to honour the Halloween spirit. Kelly, a co-founder of the Montreal Mirror, has been running his High Fidelity nights since 2018. Borne, a former MusiquePlus VJ, has been DJing since age 10. Together, they create a nostalgic, dancefloor-friendly vibe that feels less nightclub, more community celebration. Costumes encouraged.

Bram Stoker's Dracula at Cinéma du Parc: Gothic cinema perfection

Cinéma du Parc closes out its mythical creatures cycle with Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula from October 31 to November 2. The 1992 film—a baroque, blood-soaked gothic masterpiece—screens in its original English version, just in time for Halloween. Coppola transforms the vampire predator into a tragic, lovelorn rebel, emphasizing emotion and instinct over logic. The visuals remain stunning, and the film's influence on gothic cinema is undeniable. For those who want their Halloween scary but stylish, this is the move.