1. Trick-or-treating: Children dress up in costumes and go door-to-door in their neighborhoods, saying "Trick or treat!" to request candy or other treats from residents. This custom is very popular among both children and adults alike.
2. Costume parties: Adults and children attend Halloween costume parties where they dress up in elaborate or creative costumes, ranging from traditional spooky figures to pop culture characters. Many businesses and organizations also host Halloween-themed events and parties.
3. Jack-o'-lanterns: Carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns is a popular activity. People display these lit-up pumpkins on their doorsteps or windows to create a festive and spooky atmosphere.
4. Haunted houses: Many communities set up haunted houses or provide haunted hayrides and corn mazes to offer a thrilling experience for those seeking a bit of a scare.
5. Ghost stories and folklore: Sharing ghost stories or tales of local folklore are commonly enjoyed traditions around Halloween.
6. Candy and Treats: Many households go all out and provide a variety of treats beyond the classic chocolate to kids that knock on their door (often alongside toys, stickers, glow sticks, etc.). Some communities also run contests in different neighbourhoods of who offers the "best treat". Additionally, it's customary for homes to put out pumpkins on their doorstep which indicates that they "are giving out treats", while homes without a pumpkin usually indicates trick-or-treaters should skip visiting those particular household. Trick-or-treating typically begins once it's dark so parents accompany their kid(s) in a group from the ages of roughly 5 - 12 with many teenagers getting "too cool" to continue but there's nothing stopping adult "kids" in university that like dressing up too!
7. Bonfires and fireworks: Some regions organize public bonfires and firework displays, but with safety measures and regulations always a consideration.
8. Community events: Cities and towns across Canada hold public Halloween-themed events such as parades, pumpkin carving contests, and trick-or-treat trails. This can draw big crowds, especially within a particular neighbourhood within any given municipal boundary.