British Columbia

5 Lower Mainland haunted houses that will get you into the Halloween spirit early

If your pumpkins are carved and your costume is ready, the only thing missing is a trip to your local haunted house.

Haunted houses across the lower mainland to scare you silly this Halloween

A miniature train enters a skull-like gate in a park.,
This year's theme for the Stanley Park Ghost Train is Day of the Dead. (Peter Scobie/CBC)

The wait is almost over. Monday's Halloween celebrations will bring trick-or-treaters and fireworks lovers out in droves. So if your pumpkin is already carved and your costume is already prepped, round out your hallow's eve revelry with a trip to your local haunted house. Here are five around the Lower Mainland that are sure to frighten and delight.

Haunted Circus

Location: The Beaumont Studios, 316 West 5th Avenue Vancouver

Dates: On now until October 31, not open October 29 - 12 p.m. PT or 3 p.m. PT until midnight, depending on date

Tickets: $5 - $10, prices vary based on time of day and age of visitor

Calling itself Vancouver's newest haunted house, the Haunted Circus in support of B.C. Women's Hospital features ghoulish performers, chainsaw-swinging clowns, and 2,500 square feet of creepy corridors. It's so scary they recommend leaving the kids at home if you plan to show up after 6 p.m.

Stanley Park Ghost Train

Vibrant props set the stage for Vancouver's version of the Mexican celebration. (Peter Scobie/CBC)

Location: Stanley Park

Dates: Open now until October 31 - 5:30 p.m. PT until 9:30 or 10 p.m. PT, depending on date

Tickets: Free to $11, prices vary by age of visitor

A Vancouver classic, this year's Day of the Dead theme brings La Llorona, La Catrina and other trickster spirits from Mexico to the Lower Mainland. Most of these ghosts are friendly souls, so kick back and enjoy being serenaded by a Mariachi band along with your train ride.

Potter's House of Horrors

Potter's House of Horrors began scaring visitors 13 years ago. (pottershouseofhorrors.com)

Location: Potter's Nursery, 12530 72 Avenue, Surrey

Dates: On now until October 31 - 7 p.m. PT to 10 p.m. PT, additional hours for children and families

Tickets: $14 - $30, prices vary based on date and visitor age

Dark, labyrinthine corridors connect themed rooms like Zombie Town, Clown Central and the Sewer of the Damned. Pouncing animatronics and live performers bring 15,000 square feet of haunted house to life, but if that sounds too scary for the little ones, there are also special hours dedicated to children and families.

Reaper's Haunted Attraction

Reapers Haunted Attraction's visitors - or 'victims', as organizers call them - have thousands of square feet of indoor and outdoor terror to explore. (reapers.ca)

Location: 9423 Gibson Road, Chilliwack

Dates: On now until October 31 - Opening and closing times vary by date

Tickets: $11 for haunted house, $11 maze of terror, $20 for both. $1 discount with donated, non-perishable food item

This massive attraction affectionately calls visitors to its insane asylum themed haunted house "victims," but the term certainly applies to those who enter to the Maze of Terror as well, since it's guarded by one creepy character roaming the paths with a real chainsaw. 

Fright Nights

The PNE's Fright Nights and its seven haunted houses rely on a legion of live performers to scare its tens of thousands of yearly visitors. (PNEclips/YouTube)

Location: Entrance at East Hastings and Windermere St.

Dates: On now until October 31 - 7 p.m. PT to midnight or 1 a.m. PT, depending on date

Tickets: $29 - $39, prices vary by date and method of purchase

Playland's yearly event is so popular it almost doesn't need to be on this list. But the effort put into each of the fair's seven haunted houses meant it couldn't be left off. The scare factor varies between them, so even the most squeamish should find something for them. With the park's usual attractions, this is also the priciest haunt on our list.