October evenings at Exhibition Place take on a different character entirely. While the grounds host cheerful daytime events year-round, Friday nights this month reveal the site’s darker history through guided Ghost Walk Tours that blend rigorous historical research with spine-tingling storytelling. These 2-hour explorations transform Toronto’s beloved events district into an atmospheric journey through 150 years of reported supernatural encounters.
Following Phantoms Through Historic Ground
Steve Collie leads visitors through five reportedly haunted buildings where Toronto’s past refuses to stay buried.
The tours, guided by Steve Collie of After Dark Tours, visit Exhibition Place’s most historically significant—and allegedly haunted—structures. Starting at the General Services Building, groups move through Stanley Barracks (dating to the War of 1812), the Horse Palace, Enercare Centre, and the Horticulture Building, which once served as a temporary morgue.
Each stop combines documented history with eyewitness accounts from staff who work these buildings daily. The experience balances entertainment with education, making complex historical narratives accessible through atmospheric storytelling that appeals to both believers and skeptics.
Key Details:
- Every Friday in October (3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st), 7-9 PM
- $15 per person, minimum age 10 (not suitable for younger children)
- Proceeds benefit United Way Greater Toronto
- Tours run rain or shine, cancelled only during thunderstorms
- Comfortable shoes required due to stairs and uneven terrain
Eighteen Years of Archival Ghost Stories
Collie’s research-driven approach distinguishes these tours from typical Halloween entertainment.
Since launching in 2006, Collie has built his reputation on meticulous research rather than theatrical scares. He draws from Toronto Star archives, Exhibition Place historical documents, and Board of Governors reports to construct narratives that satisfy both skeptics and believers.
According to visitor feedback, Collie incorporates firsthand experiences shared by Exhibition Place employees who’ve reportedly encountered unexplained phenomena in their daily work. One recurring account involves staff members experiencing unexplained cold spots and the sound of footsteps in empty corridors at the Enercare Centre, particularly during evening hours when the building appears deserted.
The tour concludes at Scadding Cabin, Toronto’s oldest surviving building, where participants warm up with hot apple cider while processing the evening’s revelations. Over 10,000 visitors have taken these walks since inception, making them as much a Toronto October tradition as falling leaves.
For families seeking Halloween atmosphere without jump scares, Exhibition Place’s Ghost Walk Tours offer something genuinely educational wrapped in seasonal mystery.
