Whether they go around saying the traditional “La charité s’il-vous-plaît” or the more generic “Happy Halloween”, Québecers know how to get the most out of Halloween. The following activities are just a handful of the goodies Québec has in store for the Halloween weekend, for both children and adults.
Soak up the sun (or some moonbeams) atop Mont-Tremblant, where you’ll find the Tremblant Symphony of Colours Festival concluding. This is the last weekend to enjoy the spectrum of fall colours of the Laurentians Valley and to enjoy the final festivities of the Mont-Tremblant Ski Resort. Both youngsters and the young at heart are invited to dress up in their Halloween getup for trick-or-treating in the Tremblant village from 10am to 2pm on October 30, and later can participate in a treasure hunt. Grown-ups will have a ghoulishly good time in Tremblant the night before, when the bars of the resort will be hosting a “Burlesque” Halloween bash, theme nights, and costume contests.
You might be too old for trick-or-treating, but everyone loves a good treat! The Choco-musée Érico offers an array of chocolates in the spirit of the holiday, including chocolate coffins, ghosts, witches and pumpkins. The store also features a Halloween-themed chocolate display, but let’s face facts: chocolate is good all year round. Érico is part chocolatey goodness emporium and part educational museum, where admission is free and visitors learn all about chocolate. Oh, did I mention free samples?
There’s definitely something fishy over at the Aquarium du Québec. ‘Hybrid monsters’ are walking around, paths are lit by torches, and the snacks are bugging me out (literally, some of the snacks are actual insects!). The Aquarium’s “Night of Troubled Waters” is October 28 and 29, offering moon bounces for children and an adult section for, well, adults. The terrifying section for those 18 years and older is new to the program this year, leaving all to wonder what spectacular surprises will ensue.
In a classic who-done-it, la Citadelle de Québec is hosting a murder mystery dinner on October 28, enticing all those who wish to satisfy their appetites with both suspenseful thrills and hearty cuisine. The “Les vengeances de Champlain” murder mystery is an interactive play, allowing attendees to question the actors and actresses after the show (Was it Hélène in the cuisine with the couteau?). Based on historical facts from 1692 New-France, the murder mystery is as suspenseful as it is informative. The entire show is conducted in French, so brush up on your “Quelle Surpise!”.
Don’t let those friendly Canadians fool you- they can whip up some scary Halloween festivities! And if you are of the scaredy-cat variety, opt out of the spooky stuff and enjoy the other treats Québec has to offer. Just make sure to say “La charité s’il-vous-plaît”!
Mont Tremblant Ski Resort
http://www.tremblant.ca/index-e.htm
Choco-musée Érico
Aquarium du Québec
http://www.sepaq.com/ct/paq/index.dot?language_id=1
La Citadelle de Québec