Instead of Fright Nights at Vancouver’s Playland a couple of years ago, the PNE had amusement rides at Slayland and drive-thru trick-or-treating at Halloween.
Neither Slayland nor Fright Nights happened in 2021. Instead, that year the PNE hosted a modified event called Playland Hallowed Eves.
In 2022, the good news is that Fright Nights is back again in its regular pre-pandemic format with both rides and haunted houses. Capacity restrictions will apply, however, so you’ll want to get your tickets sooner than later!
For details about this year’s Halloween activities at the PNE, see our article about Fright Nights or visit the official frightnights.ca website.
To learn more about the event in 2022 see the Fright Nights website.
PNE Halloween Events
Halloween at the PNE in 2020 wasn’t the same as it is during normal years. Two different events were still scheduled though, and both were designed to help Vancouverites enjoy Halloween in a fun and safe environment.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the PNE was unable to host its usual Halloween Fright Nights event in 2020. Instead, Playland transformed the PNE grounds into Slayland for most of October last year, and a Drive-Thru Tricks & Treats event was set for the end of the month.
Slayland ran on select dates between October 9th and the 31st in 2020. It featured twenty of Playland’s most popular rides as well as lots of cool Halloween decor. On the last three days of the month there was the Taste of the PNE drive-thru trick-or-treating event.
Even though Slayland offered rides and a haunted outdoor experience, physical distancing and face coverings were still required.
Slayland: Night of a Thousand Screams
The first and larger of the two Halloween events at the PNE last year was called “Slayland.” It was essentially a Halloween-themed Playland. The event featured rides, people in costume, festival foods and a haunted outdoor walk. Slayland was recommended for folk over 8 years of age and it was open on select dates between October 9th and 31st.
Twenty rides were open during this Halloween season, highlighted by AtmosFear, the Beast and the Wooden Roller Coaster. Rides that were at Slayland in 2020 are listed in the table below.
| AtmosFear | The Beast | Breakdance | Gladiator |
| Music Express | Pirate Shop | Revelation (additional cost) | Wooden Roller Coaster |
| Scrambler | Balloon Explorers | Bug Whirled | Dizzy Drop |
| Flutterbye | Honeybee Express | Kettle Creek Mine Coaster | Merry-Go-Round |
| Rock’n’Cars | Sea-to-Sky Swinger | Tea Cups | West Coast Wheel |
Costumes were allowed for the first time ever at the PNE during Slayland! In fact, there were different themes each week that guests were encouraged to follow. Themes for 2020 were Superheroes, Fantasy and Retro.
Slayland replaced Fright Nights last year, but still promised to be fun and spooky. The outdoor haunted walk celebrated Halloween with a horror experience reminiscent of those in previous years at the PNE.
Slayland 2020 Dates and Prices
Admission to the event included access to rides and the haunted walk. Slayland was open from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm on the following Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October:
- October 9th to 11th
- Superheroes Costume Theme
- Tickets cost $39.50
- October 16th to 18th
- Fantasy Costume Theme
- Tickets cost $39.50
- October 22nd to 25th
- Retro Costume Theme
- Tickets cost $39.50
- October 29th to 31st
- No Costume Theme
- Tickets cost $44.50
Note: No costume face coverings were permitted and visitors were required to keep their eyes visible at all times. COVID-19 masks were required, however, and each paid admission included a complimentary PNE mask (while supplies lasted). Prices were subject to change.
Tickets were only available online, and were especially limited in number due to COVID-19 safety precautions.
A Taste of the PNE: Drive-Thru Tricks & Treats
The second event at the PNE last Halloween season was the “A Taste of the PNE: Drive-Thru Tricks & Treats Edition”. It was intended for families looking to trick or treat in a fun and safe way. The driving route passed by Halloween decorations, people dressed in costumes, and more.
Admission to the drive-thru event included one trick-or-treat bag of popcorn, cotton candy, mini donuts and a candy apple.
Guests were required to stay in their cars, but they could come to full stops at each entertainment area to fully enjoy and appreciate the experience.
Drive-Thru 2020 Dates and Prices
Separate from Slayland, A Taste of the PNE: Drive-Thru Tricks & Treats Edition operated on the following days and times:
- Friday, October 30th
- 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm
- Saturday, October 31st (Halloween)
- 11:00 am until 8:00 pm.
Tickets on either day cost $25 per carload, and included one trick-or-treat bag. Extra bags of treats could have been ordered separately for $15 each.
Note: Tickets had to be purchased online in advance.
Other Information
For more details regarding Halloween events at the PNE, visit the official PNE Website.
To read about what the PNE is usually like during this time of the year, click Fright Nights at the PNE.
Other articles that may be of interest include:
- Pacific National Exhibition
- Events at the PNE
- Vancouver Halloween Events
- Vancouver Haunted Houses
- Halloween Activities for Kids
- Lower Mainland Pumpkin Patches
- Lower Mainland Corn Mazes
- Vancouver Autumn Activities
