Vancouver Halloween Parade and Expo
Photo: GoToVan | Flickr
Now that Thanksgiving is officially over and we’ve finished off the last of the turkey leftovers, it’s time to start focusing on the true highlight of October: Halloween! This year, the festivities come early with the third annual Halloween Parade and Expo kicking off this Thursday, October 13 and running until Sunday, October 16.
Reminiscent of the popular Vancouver Fan Expo (coming next month), the Vancouver Halloween Parade & Expo is heavy on the Cosplay, Comics, and Anime. But, it packs a whole lot into its event and even includes an amazing parade that will include Stormtroopers marching next to Sailor Moon and the Ghostbusters bringing up the rear!
Image courtesy of PatLoika | Flickr.com
Billed as a four day festival of Arts, Performances, Cosplay, Films, Comics, Anime, Games and Makeup, the Halloween Parade and Expo has something for everyone. The festival is open to the general public and has attracted up to 100,000 spectators.
The variety of events offered at the festival is amazing and will definitely keep you entertained. A sample of each day’s scheduled programming include:
Thursday, October 13, 2016 at the Tom Lee Music Hall (3rd Floor, 929 Granville Street)
- Video Game Music Show
- Japanese Taiko Drumming
- Alice in Wonderland Dance Performance
- More information about Thursday’s events is located here
Friday, October 14, 2016 at the Tom Lee Music Hall
- Halloween’s Got Talent Music Performance
- Flying Dance Kpop
- Lumi Starlight musical performance
- More information about Friday’s events is located here
Saturday, October 15, 2016 at Robson Square (800 Robson Street)
- Caracas Latin Punk Rock performance
- A video game room
- Art Workshop
- Sailor Moon concert
- And many more workshops, performances, and events. More information about Saturday’s events is located here
Sunday, October 16, 2016 at Robson Square (800 Robson Street)
- Maid Cafe musical performance
- Puppet Show workshop
- Tabletop game room
- Cosplay Contest
- And many more workshops, performances, and events. More information about Sunday’s events is located here
Image courtesy of Vancouver Halloween Parade and Expo
The grand parade on Sunday, October 16 at 11am
The grand culmination of events occurs on Sunday with the grand parade taking place at 11am from Howe Street to Granville Street (along Smithe and up Granville). Ever seen Darth Vader walking with Pikachu? Now you can at the Halloween Expo and Parade happening rain or shine on Sunday afternoon.
Tickets to the events happening during the feestival are available online and cost $25 per day, or you can splurge and grab a super pass for $40. This option gets you access to all of the Halloween Expo events, optional entry to walk in the parade (and who wouldn’t want to participate in a parade!?), and optional entry to join the Cosplay contest. There is no charge for watching the parade, so grab a seat along Granville Street and prepare to be entertained!
Have you figured out your Halloween costume yet? Let us know in the comment section below!
