Nights of Lights & Pumpkinville Toronto: A Guide to the Fall Festival 🎃✨️
They say that as the days grow shorter, and the world outside begins to whisper secrets on the cold wind, a certain kind of magic awakens.
A magic not quite of this world, nor entirely of the next. And in Toronto, nestled oddly enough in the familiar realm of a shopping center parking lot, this peculiar enchantment finds its truest form. I speak, of course, of Fever Up's Nights of Lights & Pumpkinville.
Okay, okay, deep breaths. While that might sound like the opening to a delightfully eerie tale, this isn't fiction, my friends. It’s an experience. And trust me, it’s one you absolutely cannot miss. This unique festival is back for its 6th year at CF Sherway Gardens (you’ll find it in the outdoor lot, near the old Hudson’s Bay entrance), and it’s hauntingly good now until November 1st.
I recently gathered my own collection of curious companions - a.k.a. my Glam (Ghoul) Friends (@glamfriends.to) for what I anticipated would be a cute, perhaps slightly spooky, evening. What began as a mere curiosity turned into a four-hour odyssey. Time just melted away.
The Ambiance: A Luminous, Otherworldly Glow
From the moment you walk in, you're immersed. We're talking 1.5 million LED lights and over 15,000 pumpkins arranged in the most stunning displays.
What I loved most was the balance. You have these gorgeous, elegant fall displays—think radiant sunflower fields—that are perfect for that cozy, chic autumn aesthetic. Then, you turn a corner and find spook-tacular scenes with playful skeletons and tombstones, setting the perfect Halloween mood.
Naturally, our first stop was the bar for a proper fall beverage. A hot chocolate with a splash of Baileys was the perfect way to warm up. Later, I spotted a drink called the "Witches Brew" and had to try it. It arrived in a stunning skeleton jar, shimmering with iridescent glitter—not only was it incredibly pretty, but it was delicious.
The Full Experience: Food, Finds & Frights
Beyond the lights, there’s a full carnival atmosphere with midway rides and games. We explored the local vendors, and I couldn't resist picking up a beautiful, sparkly pyrite rock. It was a total impulse buy, but it perfectly matched my gold nails, and you know my love for collecting crystals.
And let's talk about the food vendors, because they are not an afterthought. Janviere and I were famished and grabbed hotdogs (my Italian hot sausage was amazing!). But my biggest takeaway? On the way out, I bought three chicken empanadas for $10. I snacked on them when I got home and I am not exaggerating: I WISHed I had ordered ten more. They were that good.
The Highlight: The (Haunted) Maze
But the absolute highlight for me? The (haunted) maze.
I got such a kick out of my girls being half-scared to death. My doppelganger, Betty 2, laughed and said she’s never seen me scared (and we’ve done a haunted house before!), but... maybe being chased by a chainsaw is just my thing now? Kidding! (Mostly.)
In all seriousness, growing up in an Asian Christian household, Halloween wasn't something we really celebrated. So, adult me lives for all things creepy and thrilling in October. This maze was the perfect blend of fright and fun. I was obsessed.,
The Verdict: Is It Worth It?
100% yes. This was our first time going, and it’s already an annual tradition. I love finding an event that truly checks all the boxes. It’s all-ages (kids under 2 are free!), genuinely dog-friendly, and has something for everyone.
Whether you're looking for sophisticated, glowing photo-ops or you're in the mood for something eerie and thrilling, Nights of Lights & Pumpkinville is the one fall event you really can’t miss.
Ready to step into the magic?
Get your tickets here
And a special treat for you: use my promo code BettyLam10 for 10% OFF your tickets.
Don't be a scaredy cat, and go have a FANG-Atastic time!
📍 Sherway Gardens - Outdoor Parking Lot