Spooky Halloween homes in and around Montreal
Posted October 26, 2023 12:26 am.
Last Updated October 31, 2023 7:30 pm.
It’s the most boo-tiful time of the year!
With Oct. 31 creeping up on us, Halloween décor can be seen in and around Montreal.
Many homes transformed into haunted houses, and we’ve listed you some here — aren’t they fang-tastic?
Rivière-des-Prairies
Halloween Fright Night
12615, 71ᵉ Avenue, Montréal, QC H1C 1K8
Date: Oct. 31, 2023
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
“It is funny, but I never actually loved Halloween,” said Anthony Borsellino, organizer of Halloween Fright Night, a Montreal home being transformed into a haunted house. “I just loved the spirit of gathering people together.”
Back for its third – and possibly last – edition, this home will be filled with characters and jump-scares. The entry fee is $5 as Borsellino and Centre Caballus are raising funds for Montreal’s L.I.N.K.S. High School, an alternative high school for exceptional needs.
“We want to give as much support,” explained Borsellino.
“Even if you’re afraid of haunted houses,” he added. “You can always come for a coffee and donuts and still donate to the cause.”
Montreal North
Albert-Duquesne Avenue
For nearly 40 years, Patty Smyth and her family have transformed their home on Albert-Duquesne Avenue into a spook-tacular setup.
“Some came as kids and now they bring their kids,” said Smyth.
Last year, she received over 700 trick-or-treaters. And during the day, hundreds of students visited — from two elementary schools.
“Each year we try to add new features,” explained Smyth. “My parents always had parties for all the neighbourhood kids when I was young.”
“The spirit stayed with me.”
Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension
House of the Dead
7265 Rue Louis-Hémon, Montréal, QC H2E 2T8
Date: Oct. 31, 2023
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
“Halloween is my favorite time of the year,” says Pat Petraccione, whose been creating Halloween displays at his home for nearly 30 years.
“The area has changed but my Halloween spirit is still the same.”
His yard, filled with zombies — some are décor, while others might be Petraccione, his family, and friends in disguise.
Every year, the spook-tacular team collects funds for the CHU Sainte-Justine.
“Happy Halloween to all,” said Petraccione. “Keep the Halloween spirit alive.”
Dorval
Ivan & Joelle’s Haunted House
580 Bd Pine Beach, Dorval, QC H9P 2J6
Dates: Oct. 29 & 31
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
“People never forget a really good Halloween house,” said Ivan Dow, who starts decorating his home in September, though many items in his garden are permanent.
“This is a 15-minute walk through,” he explained. “The people are in the effects all around them.”
Funds are raised for two charities: Sun Youth, and the West Island Citizens Advocacy.
Dow encourages donations, but explains that they are not compulsory to enjoy the haunted house.
“If you feel like passing by, great!”
Danny Perreault’s Haunted House
365 Av. Lake, Dorval, QC H9S 2J2
Dates and Times:
-Oct. 28 & 29 from 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
-Oct. 31 from 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
“I always loved Halloween,” said Danny Perreault, whose haunted house is also located in Dorval.
This year, Perreault and his family began constructing their masterpiece mid-September.
“We started this more during the pandemic,” he explained. “We decided to give people a reason to smile.”
Kirkland
Daniel Bock’s Haunted House
“I was originally a Christmas fanatic,” said Daniel Bock, whose home receives an average of 750 trick-or-treaters every year. “But when I moved to Montreal and snow covered my elaborate displays […] I gravitated to Halloween instead.”
Due to the numerous visitors he receives on Halloween, Bock didn’t disclose his address, adding:
“I believe Montrealers should take the time to venture out in search of Halloween displays. It’s like a treasure hunt often rewarded when they stumble across a house owned by a fanatic like myself.”
Decorating his home for over 20 years, Bock describes it as a canvas — a new theme for his house every spooky season.
“I guess in a weird way,” he explained. “It is my way of giving back and providing happiness to my community.”
Kahnawake
James Day’s Haunted House
Dates and Times:
Oct. 28 & 29 from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. & 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Oct. 30 from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Oct. 31 open all day!
“I love Halloween because it brings so many families together,” said James Day, creator of the James Day’s Haunted House in Kahnawake. “We’re making core memories.”
Celebrating its 18th year, the set up is constantly being re-built when September comes around.
“I love decorating because I get everyone involved,” explained Day. “It brings out the true spirit in Halloween.”
Day adds that it’s open to all ages, and funds are collected for the Kahnawake Food Basket.
“It’s a must see in person.”
La Prairie
La Prairie Haunted House
120 Bd Pompidou, La Prairie, QC J5R 5X7
“You can be fun, entertaining and scary all at the same time,” said Neil Sakaitis from the La Prairie Haunted House. “It is my favourite holiday.”
The home is part of the Canadian Haunters Association, where Halloween enthusiasts come together — sharing tips on home haunting, building props, and giving out awards.
“We have won best exterior décor for Canada in 2016, 2019 and also 2022,” explained Sakaitis. “It brings smiles on people’s faces, and screams.”
“This is our 18th year for decorating,” he added. “But it is way more than just decorations.”
The haunted house takes about two months to assemble, has pneumatic and animatronic monsters that move — these are controlled by a “sophisticated computer controller.”
Sakaitis and his family have raised close to $80,000 for the Make-A-Wish foundation over their 17-year run. Entry is free, but donations are encouraged.
“The event attracts thousands of visitors each year,” added Sakaitis. “So get there nice and early.”
Laval
Halloween at Amanda Carzoli’s
1339 Av. Olier-Payette, Laval, QC H7L 0A6
“Ever since having a child of my own, I love seeing the smile on kids faces on Halloween,” said Amanda Carzoli, whose home in Laval is decorated by her daughter and father-in-law.
“My father-in-law loves Halloween,” she explained. “This used to be his house.”
Since her family recently moved into the home, they thought decorating together would be a “lovely family activity.”
“On Halloween night we will have more lighting to finish the effect,” Carzoli said. “But people are able to drive by whenever they want.”
Adding: “They won’t ring my doorbell (before Halloween) right? My dog will go crazy.”
Terrebonne
La Maison Hantée du Domaine du Parc
200 Rue de la Buse, Terrebonne, QC J6V 0C3
“I get so much support from the surrounding neighbours,” said Peter Capuano, father of three and creator of La Maison Hantée du Domaine du Parc. “It brings the community together.”
Capuano always loved decorating as a child, but the passion was reignited when he moved into this home.
“The home we actually purchased was the house known for Halloween décor in the neighbourhood,” he explained. “I actually purchased the old owners decoration and I added my own to it.”
Last year, Capuano received about 1,700 trick-or-treaters.
The house has been eerie-sistable, and is a way for his family to raise funds for The Montreal Children’s Hospital — on behalf of Capuano’s daughter who was diagnosed with Stickler syndrome.
“There is a saying,” said Capuano. “You don’t choose your home, the home chooses you.”
“It was faith for my family to purchase this specific home.”
If you have a haunted house to share, email us: tips@montreal.citynews.ca
Witch-ing you a Happy Halloween!
