Step aboard Toronto’s spookiest train, if you dare …
This weekend the doors to a long-abandoned subway station will creak open as the TTC hosts Halloween Fest, a hauntingly fun, all-ages fundraiser for United Way of Greater Toronto, featuring candy-filled train cars and ghastly characters lurking within Toronto’s spookiest train.
Halloween Fest, held at the rarely opened Bay Lower Station, is a family-friendly event running from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 28, and from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sun., Oct. 29. Admission to the event is $5 per person (cash only). Kids under two years of age can enter for free.
“On behalf of the City of Toronto, I thank the hardworking frontline staff at the TTC for volunteering countless hours into transforming Bay Lower Station for Halloween Fest,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “TTC volunteers have gone above-and-beyond in staging this ‘spooktacular’ event for everyone, especially children, while raising important funds for United Way.”
“Thank you to all of the TTC volunteers for opening Bay Lower Station this weekend, and providing a unique Halloween experience for everyone,” said TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. “The TTC has truly amazing employees, filled with community spirit and dedicated to our city which they serve so well each and every day.”
“I want to thank all of our dedicated employees for volunteering their time and energy into staging Halloween Fest,” said TTC CEO Rick Leary. “Halloween Fest is a grass roots, employee-led initiative, raising much needed funds for United Way of Greater Toronto. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to Bay Lower Station to experience all the fun of Halloween this weekend.”
The festivities include a trick-or-treat train for kids to fill their bags with candy. And, as witching hour approaches, those who dare to cross the platform can step aboard a spooky train, featuring everyone’s favourite Halloween characters. While the scares will be tailored to the audience, parental discretion is advised.
Halloween Fest attendees can also explore the history of Bay Lower Station. From starring roles in music videos and Hollywood blockbusters, to eerie urban legends, Bay Lower Station is a hidden treasure, deep beneath the streets of Toronto. Bay Lower has not operated as a subway station since 1966.
Attendees can enter through the Cumberland street level automatic entrance on the south side of Cumberland St., west of Bay St. For accessible access to activities on Bay Station’s concourse level, attendees should use the Cumberland Terrace elevator and ramp, located at 2 Bloor St. W. Please note that activities in Bay Lower Station are only accessible by stairs.
Costumes are welcomed but optional and there will be TTC-themed merchandise available to purchase, along with hidden gems at a special garage sale.
The TTC is proud to support United Way of Greater Toronto and wishes everyone a fun and safe Halloween.