The Stanley Park Ghost Train is a favourite family-friendly activity in Vancouver featuring Halloween fun and magical scenes.
Over the years the ride has included skeletons, monsters and other ghoulish characters. Some years it has leaned into fairy-tale themes. In 2024, the attraction ran from October 10 to 31, with a “Ghosts in the Graveyard” theme.
As of fall 2025, the Ghost Train will NOT operate this year. The Vancouver Park Board has suspended train operations for the year due to safety concerns with the railway’s aging systems. Park Board staff are exploring new operating models and partnerships for the train’s long-term future.
Other top family-friendly Halloween attractions that happen around this time of year are Fantasy Farms, Maan Farms, Taves Family Farms, and the Chilliwack Corn Maze in the Fraser Valley. In Metro Vancouver there is Howl Over Canada at FlyOver Canada, Harvest Days at VanDusen Garden, Canyon Frights at Capilano Bridge, and Fang-Tastic Halloween at the Britannia Mine Museum. There are also fireworks at events like Celebrate the Night in Maple Ridge.
See our articles about Halloween Events and Halloween Activities for Children to learn about the above and other family-friendly activities this time of year. Below you will find what the event was like in past years and alternatives for 2025.
This article contains the following information about the Ghost Train:
Halloween Train Schedule in 2025 | Train Video | Other Stanley Park Halloween Activities | Directions | Other Information
Ghost Train at Stanley Park
Stanley Park is a popular place to visit. In October, parts of it become wonderfully spooky (but in a child-friendly way).
When it ran, the train rides at Halloween could be a bit scary, but nothing compared with many of the Lower Mainland’s ultra-scary Haunted Houses. Some years the event was not even that frightening. It was usually a fun experience, especially at night.
The Ghost Train returned in 2024 having not run since 2019. However, train operations are suspended for 2025. The Stanley Park Miniature Railway typically hosts other seasonal rides that will also not take place this year.
When the Ghost Train was in operation, trips lasted about 12 minutes and featured spooky music and themed Halloween scenes.
Ghost Train Halloween Schedule in 2025
The Stanley Park Ghost Train is not running in 2025.
In past years, the attraction ran most days in October with daytime matinees on weekends and scarier night rides featuring live actors and special effects.
Matinee Trains for Little People
There are no matinee trains in 2025. When the Ghost Train ran, matinee rides operated on Saturdays and Sundays from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. They offered a gentler daylight option, free from ghoulish lighting and live actors, and were popular with younger children.
Halloween Ghost Train
There is no Halloween Ghost Train in 2025. When it ran, night rides operated most evenings in October from 6:00 to 10:00 pm, except on the Thanksgiving Monday.
The experience featured live performers, themed lighting and spooky scenes. It was still family-friendly, but better suited to older children. Typical prices were about $17 for adults and $14 for children ages 3 to 12.
For future updates, check the official Stanley Park Miniature Train website.
Halloween Train Video
Check out the following video for an idea of what the train was like at Halloween. The clip was filmed at night in 2018 when the theme was “Jack O’ Lantern’s Journey through the Dark Forest.”
As you will see, the ride was not very scary. It was magical and entertaining. Each year used to have a different theme, and some were more frightening than others.
Live actors appeared at night. After dark was usually the most atmospheric time to ride, unless young children were afraid of the dark or the year’s theme was spookier than usual.
Other Stanley Park Halloween Activities
In years when the Ghost Train operated, the event also featured extras including as a walk-through maze and live entertainment. Performances varied each year, with everything from jugglers to magicians.
These activities added to the festive atmosphere, but are not expected to take place in 2025 due to the train’s closure.
Stanley Park Maze
The Stanley Park Halloween event has previously included a walk-through maze. It was a fair size with high black walls, suitable for all ages. There were dead ends, but nothing scary, and no live actors jumping out. The maze did not appear to be part of the event in 2024, and there is no maze in 2025 due to the train’s closure.
Halloween Live Entertainment
In past years, the event has sometimes featured live entertainment near the train plaza. Entertainment included magic shows, storytelling and character appearances (for example, the Queen of Hearts in 2019).
These short performances added to the atmosphere but are not expected in 2025, while the Miniature Railway remains closed.
Directions to the Stanley Park Train
The Ghost Train happens in Stanley Park just off Pipeline Road, which cuts through the centre of the park east of the Stanley Park Causeway (which connects Vancouver’s Georgia Street with the Lions Gate Bridge). If using GPS and needing a physical address, type 690 Pipeline Road and it’ll get you pretty close.
If driving from downtown Vancouver along Georgia Street, keep right and enter Stanley Park. At the roundabout, take the second exit and go straight along Pipeline Road. The closest parking lot to the train station is a short distance up on the right.
Other Information
As the Stanley Park Ghost Train is not running in 2025, below are some alternative family-friendly ideas:
If you enjoy child-friendly Halloween train rides there is also the Halloween Pumpkin Express and Haunted Forest Scream Train at Bear Creek Park in Surrey, running from around the second week in October until Halloween. Click Surrey Miniature Railway for details.
Another best place for children of all ages is Burnaby’s Haunted Village which takes place for a few days at the end of October. Here you’ll find an old-fashioned carousel instead of a train.
If the Stanley Park Miniature Railway reopens in the future, rides are also typically available at Easter and Christmas. For more information, click Stanley Park Ghost Train.
Check out the following for other ideas on things to do in October:
- Vancouver Children’s Halloween Activities
- Vancouver’s Best Places in Autumn
- Halloween Haunted Houses (not for young children)
- Vancouver October Calendar
