While Halloween 2024 has officially come and gone — heralded by Mariah Carey’s annual TikTok proclaiming that Christmas is officially upon us — the vivid memories and sore spots from a night spent at Toronto‘s largest Halloween street party will linger for quite some time.
This beloved tradition, rooted in the vibrant history of the city’s 2SLGBTQ+ community, began as a liberating platform for self-expression and has since evolved into a grand annual celebration, drawing in tens of thousands of revelers from Toronto and beyond, reminiscent of the Pride festivities.
This year, I found myself among those thousands for the first time, and the experience left me grappling with a whirlwind of emotions.
Halloween on Church is iconic for its extravagant costumes.
I am passionate about Halloween — truly passionate — so as I sat on the subway surrounded by at least 50 other adults adorned in elaborate costumes, I was filled with excitement and anticipation for the night’s adventures.
Upon exiting Wellesley Station and embarking on the short, two-minute walk to the heart of the festivities at Church and Wellesley, I trailed behind an ominous Michael Myers and the menacing Leatherface, all to the cheerful tune of “Monster Mash” playing from the performance stage stationed in front of the Second Cup. In that moment, I felt completely in my element.
Almost instantaneously, I was met with a sea of exuberantly costumed individuals, each showcasing their creativity in a variety of ways. Families with costumed children and even dogs mingled in the crowd, while lines of adults patiently waited at the neighborhood’s cherished spots like The Drink, Church Street Garage, and Crews and Tangos.
In the early days, the event unfolded along Yonge Street, where iconic venues like the Parkside and St. Charles Taverns hosted Halloween Balls. During those nights, attendees felt free to express their identities, embracing drag in a costume context, with societal or legal repercussions firmly set aside.
Gradually, the event transformed into an opportunity for those outside the community to witness the vibrant spectacle, and as Church and Wellesley solidified their status as Toronto’s gay village, the festivities increasingly concentrated in that area.
The enchanting Sanderson Sisters cast their spell.
Today, the event’s allure has shifted from merely observing the 2SLGBTQ+ community to genuinely celebrating the astonishing array of creativity on display — and it’s not hard to find remarkable costumes, if you look closely.
As I continued to wander, I noticed a particularly intricate trio exquisitely portraying the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus pass by. Their presence reaffirmed the significance of drag as the lifeblood of this event. Moments later, I was captivated by someone representing Carol Burnett’s legendary curtain dress.
Even those not adopting drag attire showcased their creativity enthusiastically, injecting vibrancy into the event.
He-Man and She-Ra are ready for battle.
One duo, embodying He-Man and She-Ra, shared that they had devoted countless hours since February to develop their handmade costumes, materializing magnificently crafted designs from floor mats and an astonishing quantity of hot glue.
“I love Halloween,” He-Man expressed with a bashful smile, proudly noting that this event has been a staple for him since 2017.
Don’t feed the plants!
A first-year student at TMU enthusiastically shared their experience as they donned a homemade costume inspired by the carnivorous plant from Little Shop of Horrors, excitedly noting that it was their inaugural visit to the event.
“It’s our first time downtown for Halloween, so we wanted to check it out,” they explained, adding that although their group struggled to stay together in the bustling crowd, they were genuinely “loving it so far.”
Some costumes were so intricately constructed that their wearers required stationary setups, in contrast to the other wandering ghosts and ghouls that roamed the street.
Anxiety from Inside Out 2 showcases the commitment on display at Halloween on Church.
One such astonishing creation, a towering twelve-foot tall depiction of Anxiety from Inside Out 2 made entirely of balloons, commanded a dedicated space between Pocha 1989 and The Cherie, posing for photos with bewildered attendees, while across the street, a particularly committed Beetlejuice struck a pose in front of an inflatable sandworm.
By 8:30 PM, I — along with hundreds of fellow attendees who had already reached their limits of revelry — began to yearn for the cozy escape of a scary movie on my couch. However, I found myself wedged within a throng of people, pressed tight between the display window of Glad Day Book Shop and an overwhelming crowd, at least 30 deep.
You might think the Beatles had come to town, but the traffic jam was actually caused by Toronto-based Filipinx Drag King, Kreme Inakuchi, performing a Screamo rendition of Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me,” which completely halted movement on the street.
Scenes from the vibrant crowd.
Undeniably, Halloween on Church stands as a significant and jubilant event for the city, luring visitors from different regions and even countries, uniting to celebrate the holiday while honoring the vibrant queer community.
However, this year’s iteration fell victim to disorganization — with tens of thousands squeezed into only six city streets, it seemed inadequate to have just one main stage and a sparse offering of portapotties. This organizational flaw resulted in an excruciatingly long 45-minute struggle to exit the event, amid thousands attempting to enter, and the following morning, I felt the physical reminders of that crush with deep bruises.
Perhaps, fueled by my love for all things eerie, I will one day return to Halloween on Church, but with any luck, the event will expand to better accommodate its large crowd, growing even grander than before.
Check out our slideshow of the best costumes at Halloween on Church 2024 here.
Seasoned Halloween enthusiast — found myself enthralled by the energy surrounding me. Eager to explore the hearts behind the costumes, I decided to chat with a few fellow revelers to hear their thoughts on the event.
**Interviewer:** “What inspired you to come to Halloween on Church this year?”
**He-Man:** ”I’ve been coming here since 2017! The vibe is just unmatched. It’s like everyone is celebrating creativity and freedom to express themselves, and I love being a part of that.”
**Interviewer:** “Your costume is incredible! Can you tell me more about the process of making it?”
**He-Man:** “Thanks! We put in over a hundred hours since February, crafting it from floor mats and buckets of hot glue. It’s a labor of love, but seeing everyone’s reactions makes it all worth it.”
**Interviewer:** “What has your experience been like?”
**First-Year Student (TMU):** “This is my first time at Halloween on Church, and I’m loving every moment! It’s so vibrant, but we’re struggling to stay together in the crowd. Still, the atmosphere is infectious!”
**Interviewer:** ”What do you think sets this event apart from others?”
**First-Year Student:** “There’s this sense of community and inclusion that makes it special. I feel like I can fully express myself here without judgment. Plus, the creativity really shines!”
**Interviewer:** “Have you met anyone particularly interesting or seen any memorable costumes?”
**First-Year Student:** “Absolutely! I saw a giant balloon sculpture of Anxiety from *Inside Out 2* that was just massive, and everyone was so excited to take pictures with it. It captures the spirit of the event perfectly.”
**Interviewer:** “Any plans to come back next year?”
**He-Man:** “Definitely! It’s already marked in my calendar. It feels like this event just gets better every year!”
The passion and enthusiasm from everyone I spoke to highlighted the essence of Halloween on Church — a celebration of community, creativity, and inclusion that transcends mere observation and truly embraces the vibrant spirit of its diversity. As I navigated the colorful chaos, I understood why this event has become such an iconic part of Toronto’s cultural landscape.
