Halloween Fun and Fall Traditions Bring Sooke Together This October

As the leaves change colour, pumpkins appear on doorsteps and costumes take shape, Sooke is getting ready for a season of spooky fun, community traditions and family-friendly celebrations.

From the return of Sooke Spook, enhanced this year with the Great Gourd Showdown, to neighbourhood trick-or-treating, the much-loved Halloween Bonfire and Fireworks at Camp Barnard and the Spooky Pumpkin Walk, there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate the season close to home.

Behind these events are dedicated volunteers, community organizations and neighbours who help make Sooke such a special place to live. Whether discovering a new tradition or returning to a family favourite, there's something for everyone to enjoy this Halloween.

Sooke Spook Returns with the Great Gourd Showdown – October 24

On Saturday, October 24, the Sooke Region Museum, 2070 Phillips Road, will once again transform its grounds for Sooke Spook, a free, family-friendly Halloween celebration from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Visitors are invited to explore the museum grounds, where characters from Sooke's past may make a spooky appearance. With stories inspired by local history brought to life by the Sooke Harbour Players, the event offers a playful way to connect with the region's heritage.

Families are encouraged to come in costume and join the fun, including a costume parade. A concession will also be available.

This year, the festivities begin a little earlier with the Great Gourd Showdown, presented in partnership with the Sooke Fall Fair.

Gardeners and growers of all ages are invited to bring their biggest gourds, squashes and pumpkins to the museum between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. for a friendly competition celebrating the growing season.

The official weigh-off begins at approximately 3:30 p.m., with ribbons and rosettes presented at 4:45 p.m., just before Sooke Spook gets underway.

Together, these events offer an afternoon and evening of harvest fun, local history and Halloween imagination.

Learn more: Sooke Region Museum

A Halloween Night Tradition at Camp Barnard – October 31

On Halloween night, Saturday, October 31, the Otter Point Firefighters Association will welcome families back to Camp Barnard, 3202 Young Lake Road, for its annual Halloween Bonfire and Fireworks.

Running from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., this free community celebration features a bonfire, hot chocolate, hot dogs and Halloween candy bags for children. At 7:30 p.m., a fireworks display over Young Lake will light up the evening sky.

For many families, gathering around the bonfire and enjoying the fireworks has become a cherished part of Halloween in the Sooke region.

The event is also a wonderful example of the community spirit and volunteer dedication that bring people together year after year.

The District of Sooke extends its appreciation to the Otter Point Firefighters Association and everyone who helps make this longstanding tradition possible.

Learn more: Otter Point Fire Department

One More Halloween Tradition: Spooky Pumpkin Walk – November 1

The seasonal fun doesn't end on October 31!

On Sunday, November 1, the Friends of Sooke Parks Society invites residents to give their jack-o'-lanterns one last opportunity to shine at the annual Spooky Pumpkin Walk at Pineridge Park, 6600 Rhodonite Drive.

Residents can drop off their carved pumpkins at the park anytime after 1:00 p.m., then return between 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. to enjoy a magical forest trail illuminated by glowing pumpkins.

This free, family-friendly event is another wonderful example of community volunteers bringing neighbours together while encouraging environmental stewardship.

It's also a timely reminder that pumpkins are wildlife attractants. Leaving jack-o'-lanterns outdoors after Halloween can draw bears and other wildlife into residential neighbourhoods, increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflict.

Through the Spooky Pumpkin Walk, residents can extend the enjoyment of their Halloween creations while supporting responsible pumpkin disposal. Following the event, collected pumpkins are directed to a local farmer for animal feed, helping keep wildlife attractants out of neighbourhoods.

Enjoy the Magic of Neighbourhood Trick-or-Treating

Of course, Halloween wouldn't be complete without the excitement of trick-or-treating!

Across Sooke, neighbourhoods will come alive with costumes, decorated homes and the familiar excitement of children travelling from door to door.

As families prepare for October 31, the District of Sooke and Sooke Fire Rescue encourage everyone to help make the evening safe and enjoyable.

A few simple reminders can make a big difference:

• Be seen: Choose bright costumes, add reflective tape to clothing and treat bags, and carry a flashlight or glow stick.
• Stay together: Young children should be accompanied by a responsible adult. Older children should travel in groups and agree on a route and return time.
• Cross with care: Use sidewalks and marked crossings where available. Look both ways before crossing and avoid crossing between parked vehicles.
• Drive with extra caution: Motorists should slow down, stay alert and watch for children who may be excited or difficult to see, particularly in residential neighbourhoods.
• Celebrate fire safety: Choose battery-operated candles for jack-o'-lanterns and decorations. Consumer fireworks are prohibited within the District of Sooke.
• Be wildlife aware: Bring pumpkins and other food-based decorations indoors when not in use, and dispose of them responsibly after Halloween to avoid attracting wildlife.

With shorter days, wet weather and increased pedestrian activity, a little extra care helps everyone enjoy the evening safely.

Celebrating the People Behind Sooke's Traditions

While costumes, pumpkins and fireworks add to the excitement, it's the people behind these celebrations who make them memorable.

From volunteers preparing the museum grounds and growers proudly sharing their harvests to firefighters welcoming families around the bonfire and neighbours creating glowing pumpkin trails, these events reflect the generosity, creativity and community connections that help define Sooke.

The District of Sooke thanks the Sooke Region Museum, Sooke Fall Fair, Sooke Harbour Players, Otter Point Firefighters Association, Friends of Sooke Parks Society and the many volunteers and community members who bring these traditions to life.

From spooky stories and giant gourds to neighbourhood trick-or-treating, bonfires and glowing pumpkin trails, Sooke's Halloween traditions offer more than seasonal fun. They bring neighbours together, celebrate the generosity of local volunteers and remind us that caring for our community includes looking out for one another and the wildlife that shares our surroundings.

However you celebrate, enjoy the festivities, stay safe and help keep Sooke a welcoming place for people and wildlife alike.

For more community events, visit sooke.ca/events.