Halloween lands on Saturday this year, so make room for costumes, candy and plenty of neighbourhood fun. From a downtown Hamilton celebration on Friday to family-friendly trick-or-treating around Burlington and Hamilton on Saturday, here are some of the best Burlington events this weekend and Hamilton events this weekend.
Check each organizer’s page before heading out. Details, capacity and weather plans can change.
6 Halloween weekend highlights
1. Downtown Hamilton Halloween Spooktacular
Friday, October 30 | 5–8 p.m. | Gore Park, Downtown Hamilton
Kick off the weekend with a free, all-ages celebration in the heart of downtown. Expect face painting, kiddie rides, a photo booth, strolling entertainment, pumpkin decorating and a candy giveaway. Costumes are encouraged, and no ticket is required.
- Official event details and admission information: free; no ticket required.
2. Ottawa Street Halloween Haunt
Saturday, October 31 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Ottawa Street, Hamilton
Bring the kids for a morning of trick-or-treating at participating local businesses. The Ottawa Street Haunt is a fun way to explore this established shopping district while picking up treats and enjoying Halloween activities. Admission is free, and no ticket is required.
- Event details and admission information: free; no ticket required.
3. Halloween Celebration at Hamilton Farmers’ Market
Saturday, October 31 | 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m. | 35 York Blvd., Hamilton
Make a market visit part of your Halloween plans. Families can join a free pumpkin-carving workshop with Zac’s Jacks, take part in a costume parade with Hamilton Central Public Library, and trick-or-treat with participating vendors. Bring a pumpkin to carve, or buy one from a market vendor. The pumpkin scavenger hunt also runs through October.
- City of Hamilton event details
- Market Halloween program and admission details: free; no ticket required.
4. Burlington Centre Halloween Spooktacular
Saturday, October 31 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | 777 Guelph Line, Burlington
Choose an indoor trick-or-treating option at Burlington Centre. Participating stores will welcome costumed visitors, making this a handy pick for families who want to keep the candy hunt out of the weather. The event is free, and no ticket is required.
- Burlington Centre’s event information: free; no ticket required.
- Burlington Centre events page
5. Burlington Public Library Halloween Party & Parade
Saturday, October 31 | 10:30–11:30 a.m. | New Appleby Branch, 5151 New Street
Head to the New Appleby branch for a family Halloween party with music, crafts, games and a costume parade. The library notes that space is limited, so arrive early. Check the library’s listing for current capacity and any registration updates.
6. Concession Street Halloween Parade
Saturday, October 31 | Assemble at noon; parade starts at 1 p.m. | Hamilton Mountain
The Concession Street BIA confirms the 2026 parade for Halloween Saturday. Meet at 555 Concession Street, near Summit Avenue; the route runs between Upper Wentworth and East 25th. The event page also lists trick-or-treating and a magic show. Review the organizer’s page for the latest program information and any RSVP requirements for individual activities.
More Local Events This Weekend
Look beyond the main Halloween celebrations for farm outings, community programming and fall walks. Confirm operating hours, admission and ticket availability directly with organizers before travelling.
- Mountsberg Skelebration, Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31, 4:30–10 p.m. Make the most of the final evenings of this family-oriented night walk at Conservation Halton’s Mountsberg Conservation Area. Event information and tickets.
- Hamilton Day: Halloween Edition, Oct. 29–Nov. 1. Explore the city-wide celebration of Hamilton businesses, with local entertainment, neighbourhood activities and shopping. Check the site for program updates. Hamilton Day details.
- Hamilton Day: Art and Book Fair, Sunday, Nov. 1, 12–5 p.m. Browse the fair at the Art Gallery of Hamilton; check the gallery page for event details and admission information. Art Gallery of Hamilton event page.
- Dyment’s Pumpkin Patch: Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31. Check for pumpkin-patch activities, wagon rides and seasonal farm fun, and confirm the day’s hours before setting out. Dyment’s pumpkin patch information.
- Hutchinson Farm pumpkin patch, through Halloween. Visit the Burlington farm for pumpkins and seasonal displays; check the farm’s page for hours and access details. Hutchinson Farm.
- Springridge Farm fall visit: Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31. Shop the farm market and check what’s open in the Fun Farmyard during the final weekend of the harvest season. Fun Farmyard details and Springridge Farm.
- Hamilton Marathon Road2Hope: Saturday, Oct. 31. Find race-day schedule and event information for the Confederation Park races. Road2Hope race weekend.
- Royal Botanical Gardens fall trails: Oct. 30–Nov. 1. Get outside for late-season colour and a peaceful walk; check current trail conditions and hours before visiting. RBG October trail notes.
- Halloween Party & Parade at Burlington Public Library’s Central branch, Saturday, Oct. 31, 10:30–11:30 a.m. Check the listing for event information and space updates. Central branch event details.
- Halloween Party & Parade at Tansley Woods branch, Saturday, Oct. 31, 10:30–11:30 a.m. Find details and attendance information on the library page. Tansley Woods event details.
- Halloween Party & Parade at Aldershot branch, Saturday, Oct. 31, 10:30–11:30 a.m. Check the official listing before attending. Aldershot branch event details.
- Halloween Party & Parade at Brant Hills branch, Saturday, Oct. 31, 10:30–11:30 a.m. Confirm capacity and event details with the library. Brant Hills branch event details.
- Halloween Party & Parade at Alton branch, Saturday, Oct. 31, 10:30–11:30 a.m. See the library listing for current information. Alton branch event details.
A couple of seasonal timing notes: the RBG Great Pumpkin Trail and Hamilton’s Fall Floral Mum Show finish before this weekend, so plan those for an earlier date next year. The Burlington Centre Lions Farmers Market’s 2026 season also ends before Halloween weekend. And while the Hamilton Film Festival runs in October, its 2026 dates end on October 25.
Plan for the clocks and the dark
Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 1, 2026. At 2 a.m., clocks go back one hour. Even with the extra hour, sunset arrives earlier by the clock after the change. Wear bright or reflective clothing, keep children close near roads and carry a flashlight if you’re walking after dusk.
From Gore Park to Ottawa Street and Concession Street, these events offer a lively look at the communities that make Hamilton and Burlington feel connected. Local markets, walkable main streets, parks and family activities can all help you get to know an area beyond a quick drive-through. If you’re exploring a move, Team Smulders can share local neighbourhood insight across Burlington and Hamilton and help you find a home that suits the way you want to live.