The Weekday Edit: 10 Things to Do in Edmonton This Week, October 26–30
Halloween lands on Saturday, but the spooky stuff starts early. This week brings two nights of horror classics at the drive-in, ghost stories turned into improv and a chocolate tasting where you leave with your own perfume. Plus free comedy to save your Monday and a $5 escape room for the whole crew.
Here are the Best Things to Do in Edmonton This Week, October 26–30, 2026
Sip Horror-Movie Cocktails at Dolly’s Horror Hotel
Through Halloween, Dolly’s turns into a horror-movie hotel, and the cocktail menu is the star. Bartender @mkenzo has built a lineup of drinks inspired by favourite horror films, with spooky snacks from chef @chefbakedbri to match. Classic scary movies play on screen, soundtracks set the mood and the whole room is dressed for the season.
When: Daily through October 31, from 6 p.m.
Where: Dolly’s, 9902 109 Street
Cost: $$
Escape the Arctic for $5 at the U of A
A blizzard is closing in on a remote Arctic research station, your team has vanished and the emergency beacon is down. You’ve got one hour to crack the codes and get the signal back up. The best part: one $5 ticket covers your whole group, and you won’t be paired with strangers.
When: Daily through November 6, with daytime slots between roughly 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. (times vary by day)
Where: Carlson Quiet Room, lower level of the Students’ Union Building, 8900 114 Street
Cost: $5 per group of 2 to 8
Talk Monster Novels Over Snacks at Food for Thought
This book club gives food lovers and book lovers something to share, with a new theme each month. October’s theme is monster novels: bring any book on the topic, swap recommendations and dig into a snack inspired by the month’s spooky reads.
When: Monday, October 26, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Where: Stanley A. Milner Library, downtown
Cost: $5
Laugh Through Monday at Free Rough Cut Comedy Night
Monday nights in this city are usually a write-off. Not this one. Rough Cut puts on free stand-up in the room beneath the Starlite, with a lineup that changes every week and a reputation for comics who’ve gone on to bigger stages. Get there early if you want a seat.
When: Monday, October 26 at 9 p.m.
Where: Starlite
Cost: Free
Support Local Kids at Evening of Opportunity
BGC Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area is hosting a night of food, drinks and a silent auction with gift cards, artisan goods and local experience passes. The highlight is the raffle: buy a “key” and you could unlock one of several grand prizes on stage. Proceeds go to mentoring, Club programs and wraparound supports for local kids and youth.
When: Thursday, October 29, 2026
Where: Bison Lodge
Cost: $150
Taste Chocolate and Make Your Own Perfume at Delavoye
This one’s a treat for the senses. You’ll taste Delavoye chocolates and truffles while exploring gourmand perfume notes like cacao absolute, vanilla, coffee, rose, sandalwood and amber. Then PURA Botanicals walks you through traditional French perfumery, from balancing top, heart and base notes to building a scent. Everyone goes home with a custom fragrance inspired by the tasting.
When: Thursday, October 29, 7–8:30 p.m.
Where: Delavoye Chocolate Maker, 10639 124 Street
Cost: $135
Pay What You Can at The Ha-Ha-Haunting of Strathcona
Real ghost stories from Old Strathcona’s past get handed to a stage full of improvisers, who spin them into something closer to a campfire tale gone sideways. Rapid Fire Theatre teams up with the writer behind Dead Centre of Town, so the history is real even when the scene isn’t.
When: Thursday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Rapid Fire Exchange, 10437 83 Avenue
Cost: Pay what you can
Watch Halloween Classics at the Valley Zoo Drive-In
Horizon Drive-In is taking over the Valley Zoo for back-to-back nights of Halloween movies, from family-friendly picks early in the evening to proper scares after dark. You’ll need a working FM radio to hear the movie.
Thursday, October 29: Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo! (7 p.m.), The Addams Family (9:30 p.m.), Halloween (11:45 p.m.)
Friday, October 30: The Nightmare Before Christmas (7 p.m.), Beetlejuice (9:30 p.m.), Final Destination (11:45 p.m.)
Where: Edmonton Valley Zoo, 13315 Buena Vista Road
Cost: $10 to $15 plus fees
Pack the Car for Titanic at the Drive-In
Titanic is hitting the drive-in screen for a special Pay the Carload night, so the more people you fit in the car, the better the deal.
When: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Edmonton Valley Zoo
Cost: $32/carload
Play for Prizes at a Halloween Uno Tournament
Come with friends or show up solo for an Uno tournament on Whyte. Everyone plays five round-robin games, so one bad hand won’t knock you out, and the top players move on to the finals for prizes. New to tournament play? They’ll walk you through the rules.
When: Friday, October 30, 4–7 p.m.
Where: Hudsons Whyte Ave, 10307 82 Avenue
Cost: $5 (free for MacEwan Uno Club members); 18+ with valid ID
