B.C. gears up for first Halloween weekend without pandemic restrictions since 2019

After two years of celebrating Halloween under COVID-19 restrictions, people across the province are preparing to party like it’s 2019.

Capacity limits, vaccine passports, and mandatory masking have largely been lifted, and many industries across B.C. are hosting events welcoming the comeback.

Vancouver’s Rio Theatre says their iconic showings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show will be packed.

“[It’s] one of our busiest, if not our busiest season, and we’re just happy to be back and that people are so excited,” Rachel Fox, a spokesperson for the theatre said.

Although they didn’t cap the limit of seats, Fox says tickets for the six showings are already sold out.

HALLO-WEEKEND FUN AT THE RIO! – Costumes welcomed at all shows! Beetlejuice, The Exorcist, The Addams Family, House, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Hocus Pocus, Hellraiser, Suspiria, Carrie & more! https://t.co/BHUwZMTVUb pic.twitter.com/81pXFg7lg6

— Rio Theatre (@RioTheatre) October 28, 2022

The popular event has been a Halloween tradition for many Vancouverites, with the theatre seating over 400 people.

“So it’s a really special time for us…people want to see [Rocky Horror Picture Show] in particular so much,” Fox said.

“It’s such a festive film, interactive, and dynamic,” she added.

Nightclubs and bars prepare for weekend

Jeff Guignard with the BC Alliance of Beverage Licensees expects pubs and nightclubs to be packed, though staffing issues could be a challenge for the industry.

“We don’t have to worry about social distancing, or masks, or any of those COVID protocols. So everybody’s organizing parties this weekend, and we expect it’s going to be a really good time,” he said.

“We’ve had a rough go for the past couple of years, and then we also had a [BC General Employee’s Union] strike that was closing off access to alcohol for a while.”

Guignard adds Halloween weekend is typically one of the busiest, and most profitable, times of the year.

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“We know folks that have been selling tickets to Halloween parties and hearing directly from their customers that they want to go out again. We expect the pubs and bars will be filled this weekend,” he said.

With parties planned over the weekend and into Monday, the Abbotsford Police Department says they are also preparing to be busy.

“We’re expecting an increase in the number of calls,” Cst. Art Stele explained. “With house parties, as well as the use of fireworks, and just late night get-togethers.”

He says additional officers will also be patrolling over the weekend to help deal with complaints.

“We have increased the number of uniform officers on the road, specifically for those targeted days, and then have officers specifically dedicated to call types. For example house parties, noise complaints,” Stele said.