Halloween was never something we really celebrated growing up in Australia. It always felt like a spooky North American tradition that didn’t quite fit our sun-soaked springtime. But spending October in Canada changed that forever. After one magical Halloween season in Edmonton, Alberta, our kids were officially obsessed — and honestly, I got swept up in the excitement too.

From the creative costumes to the endless candy and the incredible decorations, Halloween in Canada is on another level. And if there’s one place that captures the true spirit of the season, it’s the Haunted Pumpkin Festival at Prairie Gardens Adventure Farm – one of Alberta’s most beloved fall attractions.

Why We Never Really Celebrated Halloween in Australia

Back home in Perth, Australia, Halloween has never been a big deal. It falls in spring, not autumn, so instead of crisp air and fallen leaves, there’s sunshine, blooming flowers, and rising temperatures.
There are no giant pumpkins on porches or spooky jack-o’-lanterns lighting up the streets. On the rare occasion trick-or-treaters knocked on the door, I’d rummage through the pantry for leftover lollies and call it a night.

But Canada? That’s a whole different story.

How Big Is Halloween In Canada?

Halloween in Canada is huge. Here are a few simple observations:

• 2 weeks of non-stop horror movies on cable TV
• New release horrors in the cinema
• Vibrant fall colours everywhere, with golden leaves carpeting the ground
• We witnessed ginormous pumpkins taking over a friend’s garden. And pumpkins started popping up on doorsteps, in restaurants, on shop displays, and at even the front of Walmart (for just $2!)
• Dedicated Halloween pop-up stores opened, as well as entire departments in stores dedicated to all things Halloween (like my preferred costume for Josh – the whoopee cushion)

When October hits, the whole country transforms into a Halloween wonderland. Yeah. It’s big here.

What Is Prairie Gardens Adventure Farm?

Located just 25 km north of Edmonton, Prairie Gardens & Adventure Farm is a 35-acre working family farm that’s been welcoming visitors since 1956. Every fall, it becomes the ultimate Halloween destination with its famous Haunted Pumpkin Festival – one of Alberta’s most popular autumn events.

This year marks nearly two decades of family-friendly Halloween magic, with more than 50 attractions and activities to enjoy. Visitors can explore the pumpkin patch, tackle the corn maze, meet friendly farm animals, and take part in unique fall experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

Each year, Prairie Gardens grows around 300,000 – 400,000 pounds of pumpkins across its 10-acre patch. The “less-than-perfect” ones? They get a starring role in the Haunted Pumpkin Festival, adding character to every corner of the farm.

The farm is also known for its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, connecting local families to fresh, locally grown produce year-round.

What Can You Do at The Haunted Pumpkin Festival?

There’s no shortage of things to see, make, and do at Prairie Gardens Adventure Farm – and we couldn’t fit everything into just one day. But here’s a taste of what made our Halloween experience unforgettable:

Make-Your-Own Pizza Workshop

We started the day in the outdoor picnic area, creating our own pizzas from scratch. The ingredients came straight from the garden – even the roasted tomatoes for the sauce were grown onsite. The kids picked edible flowers as toppings before sliding their creations into a wood-fired oven.

I am usually not a fan of tomatoes. But the roasted tomatoes fresh from the garden that were used to make the simple pizza sauce was so divine I could have eaten it by the bucket load. The kids stretched the pizza dough and created all sorts of shapes and sizes. After the adornment, the tray of pizzas went into the outdoor wood-fired pizza oven.

Afterward came a slice (or two) of freshly baked pumpkin pie — a Canadian fall tradition that takes a bit of getting used to, but definitely worth trying at least once. Now other than a dubious version we had tried during our first Thanksgiving in Chiang Mai, Thailand back in 2012 with a few American friends, I had never eaten proper pumpkin pie. It was good. Not great, but good. Kinda weird – I prefer my pumpkin roasted and savoury.

Haunted Halloween Fun

The farm’s Haunted House was just the right mix of spooky and silly — ideal for younger kids. We met a zombie balloon artist who twisted up incredible Halloween-themed balloon creations and had a blast making our own scarecrows to take home.

Pumpkin decorating was another favourite — no carving knives needed! With markers, glitter, stickers, and glue, even the shyest kids got creative.

And then came the grand finale: the Pumpkin Cannon. Each child loaded a mini pumpkin into the launcher, aimed at a pirate ship in the field, and fired. The laughter (and shrieks of delight) said it all.

More Fall Fun

Outside of the Halloween activities, there’s plenty to explore:

• Pan for gems in an old-fashioned mining stream

• Pet goats, rabbits, and other farm animals

• Hop on a tractor or train ride around the property

• Get lost (and found) in the corn maze

• Toast marshmallows and sip hot chocolate by the fire

As the sun set, we huddled around the campfire, sticky fingers and full hearts, soaking in the perfect fall evening.

The Verdict: A Boo-tiful Canadian Halloween Experience

Our first real Halloween was a huge success. The kids loved every minute, and the attention to detail at Prairie Gardens Adventure Farm made the entire day magical.

If you’re in Alberta this fall, don’t miss the Haunted Pumpkin Festival 2025 — it’s one of the best family-friendly Halloween experiences in Canada. From hayrides to haunted fun, pumpkin picking to wood-fired pizzas, this is where Halloween truly comes alive.

Where Should You Stay In Edmonton?