Orillia lights up for Halloween with dazzling displays

As found on OrilliaMatters.com

.

.

.

Halloween spirit has taken over Orillia once again, as front yards across the city transform into glowing, ghost-filled spectacles in the final days of October.

From Warminster to the waterfront, homeowners have gone all out this year, building haunted houses, projecting movie characters, and turning their lawns into spooky works of art that capture the season’s imagination.

On Ashton Street, the city’s most famous Halloween destination, nearly every home is decorated. From eerie inflatables to elaborate lighting displays, creating a walkable stretch that feels like a neighbourhood-sized haunted carnival.

At the centre of it all is the return of the House of Horrors at 20 Ashton St., the long-running home haunt that opens on Oct. 31 from 6 to 10 p.m. The attraction, which has become a community fixture, blends heart and horror with intricate props, lighting, and jump scares that draw hundreds each Halloween night.

Across town on Dale Drive, a different kind of Halloween magic glows against the night sky. A projection of popular movie and television characters lights up the front of a brick home, bringing them to life with a cinematic twist. The creative setup has become a local favourite, offering a family-friendly spectacle that celebrates one of the season’s most beloved films.

The last night to catch it is Saturday, Oct. 25, from dusk to 11 p.m. On Martin Drive, the spirit of adventure takes centre stage. For the fifth year in a row, Natalie McGregor and her family have built a life-size pirate ship that draws thousands of visitors throughout October.

Constructed over months, the ship is equipped with fog-blowing cannons, skeleton sailors, and eerie lighting that creates an otherworldly glow.

“It’s a nightly October tradition for a lot of people to come see the ship,” McGregor said. “Kids and adults look forward to seeing it completed in its entirety on Halloween night.”

Elsewhere around Orillia, residents have embraced creativity in every form. On Andrea Crescent, towering ghosts and skeletons stand guard under purple lights, while on Bond Street, you can find the iconic Haunted Bill's. On Rosemary Road, a giant skeleton is breaking through the roof of a family home, and around the corner on Toboggan Hill Drive, you'll find one home that has transformed into a full graveyard. 

A short drive to Warminster reveals a Beetlejuice-themed display on Demont Drive, glowing in pink and purple hues as the iconic characters come to life. And for those exploring downtown, a stop along Penetang Street offers a tribute to The Nightmare Before Christmas with life-sized figures of Jack and Sally perched on the porch.

From glowing pumpkins to giant reapers, these displays have turned neighbourhood streets into destinations for Halloween fans, young and old alike. Together, they capture the creative spirit and community pride that make Orillia one of Simcoe County’s most spirited Halloween cities.

Those looking to tour this year’s top displays can explore this interactive map of more than 30 decorated homes across Orillia and area.