Halloween HauntUP 2026: Free Toronto Halloween Parade, Giveaways & Costume Contests

Celebrate Halloween HauntUP in Toronto on October 31, 2026! Free parade, treats, giveaways and costume contests at 20 Castlefield Ave, 10 AM–3 PM.

Original promotional illustration for Halloween HauntUP at Uptown Yonge on October 31, 2026, featuring free Halloween activities, a marching-band parade, giveaways and costume contests.
Original WTFToronto promotional illustration; not a photograph of the 2026 festival.

5th Annual Halloween HauntUP! 2026 at a glance

Saturday, October 31, 2026 · 10 a.m.–3 p.m. · Basketball court — Uptown Yonge · 20 Castlefield Avenue

Halloween HauntUP runs October 31 from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at 20 Castlefield Avenue. The parade gathers at 2300 Yonge Street from 9:30–10 a.m. and starts at 10:30 a.m.; contest entry uses separate organizer forms.

What's actually free?

  • Festival admission
  • Parade viewing

Paid or optional

  • Sidewalk-sale and participating-business purchases; activity pricing is not specified

Limited or conditional

  • Giveaway items and quantities are unspecified.
  • Activity pricing and participation conditions are not fully stated.
  • Event-specific accessibility details are not confirmed.
  • No map pin is published because a precise point has not been reviewed.

Festival and parade locations

The main festival runs 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at the basketball court, 20 Castlefield Avenue, Toronto, ON M4P 2H7. The parade has a separate meeting point outside Aroma Espresso Bar at Yonge Eglinton Centre, 2300 Yonge Street. Gather there from 9:30–10 a.m.; the procession begins at 10:30 a.m. and travels north along the west side of Yonge Street toward the festival court.

Costume contests

The pet contest runs 12:15–1 p.m.; the kids' contest runs 1–2 p.m. for ages 0–17; and the adults' contest runs 2:15–3 p.m. for ages 18+. Each uses a separate organizer registration form. A general admission RSVP is not stated.

Treats, giveaways and activities

Treats and giveaways are advertised, but items, quantities, distribution times and conditions are unspecified. The poster also lists music, buskers, games, face painting, bouncy castles, crafts, decorated Halloween houses, trick-or-treating and sidewalk sales. Do not assume every activity is free or every business participates.

Frequently asked questions

Is Halloween HauntUP free?
Yes. Festival admission is free. Sidewalk-sale and participating-business purchases cost extra.
When is Halloween HauntUP?
Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where is the new festival location?
At the basketball court, 20 Castlefield Avenue, Toronto, ON M4P 2H7.
Where does the costume parade start?
Outside Aroma Espresso Bar at Yonge Eglinton Centre, 2300 Yonge Street. Gather from 9:30 to 10 a.m.; the parade starts at 10:30 a.m.
Will there be free giveaways?
The organizer confirms treats and giveaways, but specific items, quantities and distribution conditions have not been announced.
What time is the kids' costume contest?
It runs from 1 to 2 p.m. for ages 0–17.
What time is the pet costume contest?
It runs from 12:15 to 1 p.m. The organizer provides a separate registration form for pets.
What time is the adult costume contest?
It runs from 2:15 to 3 p.m. Contestants must be at least 18.
Is registration required?
The organizer provides separate sign-up forms for costume contest participants. A mandatory RSVP for general festival admission is not stated.
Will there be trick-or-treating?
The organizer advertises trick-or-treating along Yonge Street. Participating businesses and distribution times are not fully specified.
Is there face painting?
Yes, face painting is advertised. Individual participation or pricing conditions have not been confirmed.
Is it rain or shine?
Yes, according to the organizer's revised 2026 poster. No rain date or indoor alternative is announced.

Verified by WTF Toronto. Last checked 2026-10-20. Read the official Uptown Yonge event details.

Original promotional illustration for Halloween HauntUP at Uptown Yonge on October 31, 2026, featuring free Halloween activities, a marching-band parade, giveaways and costume contests.
Original WTFToronto promotional illustration; not a photograph of the 2026 festival.

Event details

Categories: EVENTS · Halloween Events

When: · 10 a.m.–3 p.m. EDT

Where:

Basketball Court — Uptown Yonge, 20 Castlefield Avenue, Toronto, ON M4P 2H7

Sankofa Square venue guide

Cost: Free admission

About the event

Halloween HauntUP returns to Uptown Yonge on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fifth annual free community festival is centred at the basketball court at 20 Castlefield Avenue, Toronto, ON M4P 2H7. It is organized by the Uptown Yonge Business Improvement Area and is planned rain or shine.

The day includes a Halloween costume parade led by the North Toronto Collegiate Institute Marching Band, contests for pets, children and adults, games, face painting, music, buskers, bouncy castles, arts and crafts, a jack-o'-lantern contest, decorated Halloween houses, trick-or-treating along Yonge Street and sidewalk sales.

Quick details

  • Festival: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at the basketball court, 20 Castlefield Avenue
  • Admission: Free. No mandatory general festival RSVP is stated.
  • Parade assembly: 9:30–10 a.m. outside Aroma Espresso Bar at Yonge Eglinton Centre, 2300 Yonge Street
  • Parade start: 10:30 a.m.; it travels north along the west side of Yonge Street toward the festival court
  • Costume contests: Pets 12:15–1 p.m.; kids 1–2 p.m. (ages 0–17); adults 2:15–3 p.m. (ages 18+)
  • Weather: Rain or shine, according to the organizer's revised 2026 poster

Start at the right place for the parade

The parade does not start at the festival basketball court. Parade participants should gather outside Aroma Espresso Bar at Yonge Eglinton Centre, 2300 Yonge Street, between 9:30 and 10 a.m. The procession begins at 10:30 a.m., led by the North Toronto Collegiate Institute Marching Band, and follows the west side of Yonge Street north toward the festival site at 20 Castlefield Avenue. Visitors going directly to the festival activities should head to the Castlefield Avenue court.

Free treats and giveaways

The organizer advertises treats and giveaways, but specific items, quantities, distribution times and eligibility conditions have not been announced. Availability may be limited; this listing does not promise candy for every visitor, gift bags, branded samples or guaranteed merchandise. Purchases at sidewalk sales and participating businesses cost extra.

Enter one of the costume contests

The festival is free to attend. Contestants have separate organizer forms; these are not general admission registration. Check each form for current participation instructions. This listing does not claim that places remain or that walk-in contest entries will be accepted.

Spooky Pets Costume Contest — 12:15–1 p.m.

The pet contest is scheduled at the festival main stage. The organizer's form accepts a range of animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and reptiles, so it is not a dog-only contest. The form asks for pet and owner details, a costume description and consent. Prize inventory and judging criteria have not been fully published. Bring only a pet that can safely handle crowds and noise, and follow local animal-control rules.

[Register for the pet costume contest (12:15–1 p.m.)](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYlxc8N_lTpU0Z-q-KyQZoqsTRGUa1Ivo3z82KMDEFGHGeeg/viewform)

Spooky Kids Costume Contest — 1–2 p.m.

The kids' contest is scheduled at the main stage for ages 0–17. A parent or guardian's information and consent are requested on the organizer's form. Prize details, judging categories and capacity are not fully specified; registration does not guarantee a place if capacity is reached.

[Register for the kids' costume contest (ages 0–17, 1–2 p.m.)](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe2aM3R0Rlnu5nadyoaKVHuti3k-O2uI8NS3C58C4SMh5zccg/viewform)

Spooky Adults Costume Contest — 2:15–3 p.m.

The final scheduled costume contest is for adults 18 and older. The organizer's form requests participant and contact details, a costume description and consent. No cash prize, gift card or specific award is promised here.

[Register for the adults' costume contest (ages 18+, 2:15–3 p.m.)](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-llkLmgo08aEczZmcETJBPhX-IRvbHFZG5tkyBh9lsBhjUA/viewform)

More festival activities

The revised event poster lists DJ entertainment, games and prizes beginning at 10:30 a.m. Live music, buskers, face painting, bouncy castles, games, arts and crafts, spooky activities and a jack-o'-lantern contest are also advertised. Specific performers, hourly stage times, activity fees, equipment restrictions, pumpkin supplies and participation conditions have not been published. Do not assume face painting or every activity is free.

Decorated Halloween houses and trick-or-treating along Yonge Street are part of the advertised neighbourhood atmosphere. The exact participating businesses, house addresses, candy-distribution hours and any walking map have not been confirmed. Follow organizer signage and participating stores' instructions; the whole street or every business is not guaranteed to participate.

Getting there

The main festival is at the basketball court, 20 Castlefield Avenue, Toronto, ON M4P 2H7, north of Eglinton Avenue in Uptown Yonge / Yonge–Eglinton / Midtown Toronto. TTC service includes Eglinton Station; check current TTC advisories before travelling. Nearby parking is subject to posted terms. Do not park on the active festival court or assume parking is free.

The parade meeting point is separate: outside Aroma Espresso Bar at Yonge Eglinton Centre, 2300 Yonge Street. Gather from 9:30 to 10 a.m. for the 10:30 a.m. parade.

This is a public outdoor celebration and the poster says rain or shine. Detailed event-specific accessibility arrangements have not been confirmed; contact the Uptown Yonge BIA about accommodation needs. No indoor alternative or rain date has been announced.

Frequently asked questions

Is Halloween HauntUP free?

Yes. Festival admission is free. Sidewalk-sale and participating-business purchases cost extra.

When is Halloween HauntUP?

Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where is the new festival location?

At the basketball court, 20 Castlefield Avenue, Toronto, ON M4P 2H7.

Where does the costume parade start?

Outside Aroma Espresso Bar at Yonge Eglinton Centre, 2300 Yonge Street. Gather from 9:30 to 10 a.m.; the parade starts at 10:30 a.m.

Will there be free giveaways?

The organizer confirms treats and giveaways, but specific items, quantities and distribution conditions have not been announced.

What time is the kids' costume contest?

It runs from 1 to 2 p.m. for ages 0–17.

What time is the pet costume contest?

It runs from 12:15 to 1 p.m. The organizer provides a separate registration form for pets.

What time is the adult costume contest?

It runs from 2:15 to 3 p.m. Contestants must be at least 18.

Is registration required?

The organizer provides separate sign-up forms for costume contest participants. A mandatory RSVP for general festival admission is not stated.

Will there be trick-or-treating?

The organizer advertises trick-or-treating along Yonge Street. Participating businesses and distribution times are not fully specified.

Is there face painting?

Yes, face painting is advertised. Individual participation or pricing conditions have not been confirmed.

Is it rain or shine?

Yes, according to the organizer's revised 2026 poster. No rain date or indoor alternative is announced.

Frequently asked questions

Is Halloween HauntUP free?
Yes. Festival admission is free. Sidewalk-sale and participating-business purchases cost extra.
When is Halloween HauntUP?
Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where is the new festival location?
At the basketball court, 20 Castlefield Avenue, Toronto, ON M4P 2H7.
Where does the costume parade start?
Outside Aroma Espresso Bar at Yonge Eglinton Centre, 2300 Yonge Street. Gather from 9:30 to 10 a.m.; the parade starts at 10:30 a.m.
Will there be free giveaways?
The organizer confirms treats and giveaways, but specific items, quantities and distribution conditions have not been announced.
What time is the kids' costume contest?
It runs from 1 to 2 p.m. for ages 0–17.
What time is the pet costume contest?
It runs from 12:15 to 1 p.m. The organizer provides a separate registration form for pets.
What time is the adult costume contest?
It runs from 2:15 to 3 p.m. Contestants must be at least 18.
Is registration required?
The organizer provides separate sign-up forms for costume contest participants. A mandatory RSVP for general festival admission is not stated.
Will there be trick-or-treating?
The organizer advertises trick-or-treating along Yonge Street. Participating businesses and distribution times are not fully specified.
Is there face painting?
Yes, face painting is advertised. Individual participation or pricing conditions have not been confirmed.
Is it rain or shine?
Yes, according to the organizer's revised 2026 poster. No rain date or indoor alternative is announced.

Find it under: FREE EXPERIENCES · FREE STUFF · Halloween Events · Free Experiences · Free Stuff · Uptown Yonge · Yonge–Eglinton · Midtown Toronto · Family-Friendly · Trick-or-Treating · Costume Contest · October 31, 2026

Official sources and Toronto discovery

Check the official Uptown Yonge event details — Event facts follow the supplied approved brief and revised organizer poster. Giveaway quantities and activity conditions remain unspecified.

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