DARK at Fort Edmonton Park: The Ultimate Haunted House Experience in Edmonton
If you’re looking for something truly spooky to do in Edmonton for spooky season, DARK at Fort Edmonton Park is a must-visit.
This annual Halloween event transforms the historic village into a terrifying after-dark playground filled with walk-through haunted houses, creepy street performers, and eerie surprises around every corner.
Whether you’re a horror fan or just want to experience a unique Halloween attraction in Edmonton, DARK is the place to be.
About the Event
DARK takes place every October at Fort Edmonton Park, a living history museum that recreates old Edmonton from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s.
For Halloween, the park completely changes its atmosphere — vintage streets become fog-filled, haunted walkways, and actors roam around in realistic costumes that make you jump when you least expect it.
Tickets this year were $50 per person, plus tax and service fees. It’s best to arrive right when gates open at 6:30 PM, because later in the evening, lines can stretch up to two hours long. Edmonton nights can get very chilly in October, so I highly recommend to wear something warm!
Before the Fear: Meeting the Horses
Before entering the park, I had a sweet encounter with the horses near the bus stop.(Yes, we took public transit to the park. They also have lots of parking spaces)
A calm and unexpected moment before stepping into the chaos of the night.
Inside the Park: Chills Everywhere
Once inside, you’ll find clowns, towering monsters, and even ghostly hockey players wandering through the streets.
Some creep out of the shadows, others come right up and start talking to you — all part of the fun.
The park’s historic architecture adds so much realism to the horror. Even when you’re not inside a haunted house, you’ll find small surprises and spooky setups hidden throughout.
The Haunted Hotel Experience
One of the highlights is the haunted hotel, rumored to have real paranormal activity.You can actually stay there overnight!
During the DARK season, Fort Edmonton Park even sells hotel packages that include a Fast Pass for skipping the haunted-house lines — perfect for hardcore fans.
Drinks, Snacks & Atmosphere
DARK is recommended for ages 14 and up, and yes — they serve alcohol.
After showing your ID at the entrance, you’ll get a wristband that allows you to buy drinks inside.Expect local craft beer, spooky-themed cocktails, and several food trucks serving comfort food and desserts.
It’s not just about scares — it’s also a fun night out with friends.
The Haunted Houses: Which One Was the Scariest?
This year’s DARK featured four haunted houses, including two brand-new themes.The most intense one was definitely ACID TRIP — reminded me of nightmare straight out of The Purge.
You walk through glowing rooms filled with masked figures, narrow balloon tunnels, smoky subway cars, and flickering strobe lights.
It’s chaotic, colorful, and terrifying in the best way possible.
I loved it so much that I went twice!
The second time, my husband and I were allowed to go in alone, which made it even scarier.
(Unfortunately, photography inside the haunted houses isn’t allowed — you’ll have to experience it for yourself.
Where to Rest and Warm Up
If you need a break, the movie theater area allows food and drinks inside and is a cozy place to warm up and watch movies.
The cleanest washrooms are here and in the hotel bar — avoid the outdoor portable toilets if you can.They were clean but no lights inside
The Zombie House
The final haunted house of the night was zombie-themed, and it easily had the longest line — around a 65-minute wait.I believe this was also the largest attraction of the entire event.
If you’re planning to visit DARK, I highly recommend starting your night with the biggest haunted house first to avoid the long lineup later in the evening.It’ll save you time and let you enjoy the other attractions more comfortably.
The set design and makeup were impressive, but the scare factor dropped when we got paired with three joking guys who couldn’t take anything seriously.
Still, it felt like walking through a scene straight out of some zombie movies
Final Thoughts: DARK Keeps Getting Better
Compared to two years ago, DARK has expanded across a larger area of Fort Edmonton Park, added more food trucks, and created even more immersive haunted attractions.
It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Edmonton in October, especially if you love horror, Halloween vibes, and a bit of adrenaline.
I would like to check out DEADMONTON sometimes in future, another popular haunted house in the city — but for now, DARK remains my top Halloween pick in Edmonton.
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