James Day’s Haunted Woods in Kahnawà:ke rebuilds after fire, ready for 20 years of Halloween frights
Posted October 23, 2025 1:00 pm.
Last Updated October 27, 2025 5:52 pm.
On Oct. 17, the James Day’s Haunted Woods in Kahnawà:ke, west of Montreal — a popular outdoor Halloween attraction known for its spooky trails and scares — faced a real-life horror story.
A fire broke out on the site, threatening to end this year’s spooky season before it even began.
Thanks to the quick and dedicated efforts of James Day, the event organizer, and local volunteers, the Haunted Woods rose from the ashes. They worked hard on renovations and improvements, preparing the site to welcome visitors once again for a terrifyingly good time.
“It all happened and everybody was like whoa devastated, like ‘how long is it gonna take to rebuild?’ I said ‘oh tomorrow I’ll do it, it’s done tomorrow,’” said James Day, organizer of Haunted Woods.
New twists and spooky upgrades
Day also took the opportunity to make several upgrades. This year’s Haunted Woods features new paths, a redesigned layout — including the removal of an old wall — and creepy new twists designed to keep visitors guessing.
“I’ve been here for about three or four years, and every year it just gets bigger and bigger and scarier,” said Father Death actor. “And that’s all I look for. I look to put fear in kids and adults and everyone!”
“We had the best of the best always, we got Michael Myers and stuff like that we got custom characters we got clowns, we got Jason, we got Leatherface we got chainsaw’s that are like straight from the movies and stuff like that so we want to give you what you’re looking for,” said Day.
The Haunted Woods will be open on Oct. 30 and 31, ready to deliver scares, thrills and plenty of Halloween spirit.
Thursday’s special show: honouring a father’s legacy
Thursday, Oct. 23, marks the one-year anniversary of the passing of Day’s father, whose memory is closely tied to the James Day’s Haunted Woods. To honour him, Day is hosting a special roadside Halloween show, held outside of the woods.
“This year is a special occasion,” said Father Death actor. “It’s for Jim Bode, who passed away, James Day’s father. And I needed to change this because I felt like we needed to bring the spirits back out. And who better than Father Death to bring the spirits back out?”
“When he passed away I said ‘the show’s got to go on’, I said he wouldn’t not want me not to do that so we pulled the show off we did everything like that,” said Day. “And it was like wow, and then it comes up to the one-year mark coming up and I think it would be cool to honour him and do a haunted drive-by for him, because he loved it.”
The event features a large projector slideshow highlighting 20 years of fears — from 2005 through 2025 — along with 13-foot monster displays towering over the crowd. The tribute will give visitors a chance to reflect on two decades of haunting memories, and the man who helped inspire them.
Haunted drive-bys: spooky fun for everyone
Recognizing that not everyone can navigate the haunted woods — including visitors with limited mobility or those who prefer not to walk through — Day continues to offer haunted drive-bys.
This option allows guests to enjoy the scares and thrills from the safety and comfort of their vehicles, making the event more accessible to all.
Extra frights and free treats
In addition to the main events, Haunted Woods is also running extended shows into November. A special kids’ show will take place on Friday, Nov. 1, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., followed by the final full show from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Guests attending on Friday, Oct. 31, and Saturday, Nov. 1, can also enjoy free food as part of the festivities.
Get ready for a spooky season like no other
For the latest details on event dates, times, and locations, visitors are encouraged to follow the Haunted Woods Facebook page.
Whether you choose to walk the haunted trails or take part in the haunted drive-by, this Halloween promises to be a memorable celebration of fear and fun.
Get your costume ready, hold onto your broomstick and prepare for a night full of chills, thrills and maybe a few friendly ghosts.
“I’ll never stop, I’ll always be here and if I’m not going to be here somebody else will be here to take over my spot,” said Day.
