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This year’s Riverside Halloween Fest was a smashing success — thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy and take part!

Hundreds of families made their way to Riverside Common and Joel Weeks Park in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood on Oct. 27 to participate in some wholesome Halloween fun. 

On behalf of all our partners and vendors, thank you for spending your pre-Halloween Sunday with us. Here are some highlights from the big day:

Our pumpkin patch in Riverside Common was the perfect photo op (we had 150 pumpkins at the start!)

The sun was shining. The skies were clear. It was a boo-tiful day to be out and about.

Kids crafts and activities galore!! Our haunted house, cupcake decorating as well as pumpkin and mask decorating stations were a hit with the costumed kiddos

Check out this life-sized Connect 4 at DUCA Credit Union’s booth. How fun!

DJ Stevie Kicks brought the Halloween tunes to the party!

Setting up the haunted mansion booth required an extra set of hands, as you can see.

If you only saw the queue, face painting by Merlin and Laura proved to be a hit among the kids.

These mini cakes by Amber’s Kitchn are spooky and sweet.

Look at those two working the camera at Fetch’n Pet Photography’s free photo booth. Thanks to Jenny & Shane Sage Real Estate Brokerage for sponsoring the event’s photobooth!

Local resident Simon Wong hosted the dog costume contest in Joel Weeks Park on behalf of the Riverside BIA.  Big thanks Big thanks to all our local judges and contestants who took part, as well as our fabulous audience!

A cereal killer. Get it? This cutie won Most Creative in the dog costume contest.

Our Riverside Ghost Walk led by Shari Kasman. The group stopped for a bite at the Queen Garden Cafe (Photo credit: Selina McCallum @shotbyselina)

But wait! We’re not saying goodbye to the spooky season just yet. We’ve got a couple more events coming up this week, which you can read more about here.

For updates on what’s new and happening in the neighbourhood, follow @riverside_bia on Instagram!

Photos by Christian Jay Quilo

October has been a pretty busy and fun month in Riverside, with events such as Riverside Vintage Crawl – Halloween Edition and Riverside Halloween Fest.

But Halloween in Riverside isn’t over just yet. We’ve got a few more treats in our boo bucket before we bid goodbye to the spooky season.

Check out these events happening in the neighbourhood and by local businesses in Oct 29-Nov 1:

Photo credit: Ralph Thornton Community Centre

Spooktacular Halloween Party

Date & Time: Tuesday, October 29th | 3:30pm-5:30pm

Location: Ralph Thornton Community Centre (765 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H3)

Free goodie bags and fun activities await little monsters (and their guardians) at this ghoulish gathering. This event is presented by the Ralph Thornton Community Centre, Riverside BIA, South Riverdale Child-Parent Centre and Queen/Saulter Library.

Photo credit: Duke’s Riverside

Halloween at Duke’s Refresher + Bar

Date & Time: Thursday, October 31st | 7pm-closing

Location: Duke’s Riverside (709 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H1)

Head over to Duke’s Riverside on the 31st for a night of cocktails, horror movies, raffle prizes and spooky costumes. Come in your best Halloween ensemble and you might just win a special surprise from Duke’s!

Photo credit: The Broadview Hotel

Electric Evenings on The Rooftop

Date & Time: Thursday, October 31st | 7pm-10pm

Location: The Broadview Hotel (106 Broadview Ave, Toronto, ON M4M 2G1)

Catch the last night of The Broadview Hotel’s Electric Evenings. Enjoy delicious drinks, panoramic views and awesome music courtesy of DJ Jonathan Amar at The Rooftop. Don’t worry, there will be heating and blankets in case it gets chilly.

Photo credit: The Opera House

Pep Rally Presents: Circus Halloween

Date & Time: Thursday, October 31st | 9pm-2:30am

Location: The Opera House (735 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H1)

Let loose on the spookiest night of the year at Circus Halloween, a party at The Opera House organized by Pep Rally. Acts include BAE BAE, Bambii, Teeno b2b Chinelo and Ms. Myles. Doors open at 9pm. Get your tickets here.

Photo credit: Riverside BIA

Degrassi Pumpkin Parade

Date & Time: Friday, November 1st | 6:30pm-7:30pm

Location: Degrassi Street Park (125 De Grassi St, Toronto, ON M4M 1R6)

Culminating our series of Halloween festivities is the community pumpkin parade at Degrassi Street Park, where you can give your best jack-o’-lantern the audience it deserves. You can leave your pumpkins for composting by the City of Toronto after the event.

Join our community on Instagram for real-time updates on Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood, from new businesses to fun events!

First off, a huge thank you to all those who came to the first ever Halloween edition of the Riverside Vintage Crawl last Thursday, October 17th.

Your continued support means so much to our BIA members and we look forward to seeing you again at our future events. 

After the success of the first vintage crawl in June, Riverside’s small but mighty group of vintage stores teamed up again for an evening of fashion, discounts, prizes and treats in the spirit of Halloween.

Here are highlights from the Riverside Vintage Crawl – Halloween Edition, courtesy of local content creator Christian Jay Quilo:

Ran’s Closet prepared buckets of candy for shoppers during the Riverside Vintage Crawl.

These racer jackets from Ran’s Closet are such statement pieces.

Spooky yet chic. Well done, Second Voyage!

The shade of orange on these pumps from Second Voyage just screams Velma Dinkley.

If you love bold, funky prints, Good Juice Box has racks of them!

This colour-blocked windbreaker from Good Juice Box instantly reminded me of Stranger Things.

Arts Market did not disappoint with their window display for Halloween.

This boxed set of horror flicks from Arts Market would be perfect for a Halloween movie marathon.

The white floor-sweeping dress from Common Sort is a head-turner for sure.

Local lager and candy, compliments of Common Sort.

Check out our recap on Instagram as well. While you’re at it, follow @riverside_bia so you’re always updated on fun events we have in the neighborhood.

Would you like to see another installment of the Riverside Vintage Crawl — a holiday edition, perhaps?

Photos by Christian Jay Quilo

Check out this round-up of Halloween happenings in Toronto’s Riverside – from costume contests to prizes and more – our local businesses have fun surprises in store to celebrate the spooky season.

Here’s a list of special events and offerings from businesses in Riverside this Halloween:

Photo credit: Duke’s Refresher + Bar

Halloween at Duke’s Refresher + Bar

Address: 709 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H1

Spend Halloween at Duke’s Riverside on October 31 for a night of music and movies. There will be special cocktails, a movie screening at 7pm, raffle and costume contest. The best costume gets a prize so bring your A-game!

Photo credit: The Opera House

Prism Presents: Scream From Hell

Address: 735 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H1

Dance the night away at The Opera House on October 26 with Prism Presents: Scream From Hell. DJ lineup includes GSP, Mohammad and Manzone & Strong. Doors open at 10pm. Get your tickets here.

Photo credit: Blackbird Baking Co.

Blackbird Baking Co.’s Marbled Pumpkin Sourdough

Address: 635 Queen St E Unit 101, Toronto, ON M4M 1G4

Blackbird Baking Co. puts an autumn spin on their bestselling bread with the Marbled Pumpkin Sourdough, made with roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin puree and turmeric. This seasonal offering is only available until the end of October.

Photo credit: Prohibition Social House

Prohibition Social House Halloween Party

Address: 696 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1G9

Come in your scariest, funniest, most creative look to Prohibition Social House’s Halloween Party on October 26 at 9pm. There will be games, food, drinks and music by DJ Kwes. Prizes will be given to the best costumes. Admission is free!

Photo credit: The Broadview Hotel

Electric Evenings on The Rooftop

Address: 106 Broadview Ave, Toronto, ON M4M 2G1

Enjoy awesome music by DJ Jonathan Amar, delicious drinks and breathtaking views every Thursday in October from 7pm to 10pm at The Broadview Hotel’s The Rooftop. Outdoor heating and blankets are available for a cozy night out.

Follow @riverside_bia on Instagram to stay updated on exciting events in the neighbourhood!