By Jenny Corry
Halloween is a time of year filled with thrilling excitement and eerie tales, and Burlington is no exception. When the leaves turn brown and the air grows crisp, the city transforms into a hauntingly beautiful place for various Halloween events. From family-friendly activities to spine-chilling ghost stories, Burlington offers a unique blend of festive fun and local lore. Let’s dive into the area’s vibrant Halloween happenings, chilling tales, and ghost sightings. Get ready to embrace the spirit of Halloween in Burlington!
There are many child-friendly events for the season including spooky family story times at the Burlington Public Library and Kilbride Firefighters Association Haunted House from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. as well as a variety of fun activities for adults to enjoy such as costume parties at The Port House Burlington and guided ghost walking tours downtown where you can tour the spots where spirits haunt the city!
Activities aside, Burlington also has plenty of spooky history and lore, making it a perfect backdrop for the season. With tales of haunted sites and encounters, the city’s past adds an extra layer of excitement for those looking to explore the scarier side of Halloween. Let’s take a look at a couple of ghoulish sites.
The lighthouse located at the Burlington Canal is one spot in the city that is rumoured to be haunted! Built in 1858, it has a rich history that draws in ghost hunters and other curious folks. William Nicholson was the first keeper, but it was John Thompson, who worked there for 29 years, that really kicked off the spooky stories. He reported hearing strange voices and footsteps echoing inside the tower. This 90-foot limestone lighthouse replaced the original wooden one that burned down in 1856, and it’s actually the oldest lighthouse in Ontario. Even though it was deactivated in 1961, it still stands abandoned with the light keeper’s red brick house nearby. People say they’ve seen Thompson’s ghost still keeping watch over the waters.
The Waterfront Hotel in downtown Burlington is another local spot you might not have known has a ghostly past! Over the past years, the hotel staff has experienced some pretty strange stuff, like phones mysteriously dialing 911 on their own, cold drafts, and doors opening and closing without anyone around. They’ve even heard footsteps going up and down the stairs to the meeting rooms and seen ghostly images, including a woman, popping up around corners.
The most famous ghost is Elisa, also known as the “Grey Lady,” who is said to be haunting not only the hotel but the Joseph Brant Museum as well! She’s often spotted in a long, white gown appearing in the meeting rooms or at the bottom of the stairwell before vanishing. Some even say they could smell her perfume.
These are just some of the stories that Patrick Cross, Burlington’s resident ghost-walk leader and paranormal investigator may regale you with on some of his walks. For more information on Burlington Ghost Walks, click here; to read the Local-news.ca interview with Patrick Cross, click here; or for some spooky stories as told by Cross himself, click here and here.
Whether you are looking to celebrate the season with fun local activities, or by learning about the spooky history of the city, Burlington has something for everyone this Halloween! How will you celebrate?
