From bone-chilling ghost tours and haunted saloons to lively Día de los Muertos parties and a Wicked-themed afternoon tea, here’s a roundup of Fairmont’s best Halloween festivities for 2023. Just watch out for things that go bump in the night!
Haunted History Tours at Hallowed Claremont Club & Spa
With a storied history dating to 1915, it’s no surprise Claremont Club & Spa has its share of spooky tales. A grand, Tudor Revival-style resort in the hills overlooking the San Francisco Bay, this Berkeley icon is rumored to host a handful of ghostly visitors who are reluctant to check out.
Over the years, guests have reported all manner of otherworldly occurrences and eerie sounds. There’s the six-year-old girl said to perch quietly on your bed and gently touch you as you sleep (her way of saying “hello”). Then there’s the chattering baby, heard behind the locked door of a supposedly empty room.
If you dare investigate these paranormal happenings, sign up for the Haunted History Tour. Led by the hotel’s loyalty concierge, these hair-raising experiences take place every Friday and Saturday in October, beginning Friday the 13th and culminating with a particularly petrifying Halloween tour on the 31st. Creep around spaces not normally open to the public, including the hotel’s most haunted room, and then settle your nerves with a themed cocktail in the historic Lobby Lounge.
Spooktacular Events at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Fall brings a raft of enticing activities to Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Topping the bill for lovers of all things scary is Nightmare on Princess Drive, a can’t-miss annual Halloween extravaganza. This year’s bash, themed “High Noon at the Haunted Saloon,” sees The Plaza Bar transformed into a spooky hangout in a Wild West ghost town. As the sun dips below the desert horizon, the town’s spectral cowboys and outlaws are expected to awaken from a year-long slumber to settle old scores. Held beneath the stars on October 28, the 21+ event is guaranteed to be an enthralling evening, with specialty cocktails, beats by DJ Outlaw and a rootin’ tootin’ costume contest.
For a bewitching dining experience on a starlit patio, La Hacienda is celebrating Día de los Muertos with a festive menu October 3 through November 5. Acclaimed for its elevated cuisine, the hotel’s sophisticated Mexican restaurant promises to transport diners on a gastronomic journey that hovers between the physical and spirit worlds. Helmed by Chef Richard Sandoval, the culinary team will work their magic to create innovative dishes like pastel de queso and empanada de muerto. Pair your meal with El Tequileño Reposado, a 100% agave tequila with delicious hints of oak and vanilla.
Family Halloween Fun at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Crisp days, fewer crowds and heated patios make fall one of the best times to visit Lake Louise. Opt for the Good as Gold Offer, and you’ll enjoy luxurious Fairmont Gold accommodation as well as access to an exclusive cozy lounge, complete with complimentary breakfast, snacks and evening canapés.
Kids young and old can get in the mood for Halloween with the hotel’s exciting program of seasonal activities. First up is “mystery monster,” a creepy sensory experience where you try to figure out which creature you’re touching by identifying mysterious limbs, scales or fur. Next, turn your hand to pumpkin decorating. With lots of cool materials on hand, you can sculpt an artistic masterpiece worthy of Michelangelo … or just create the wackiest gourd imaginable!
If you have the nerves to brave the chilling whispers and unseen forces, you definitely deserve a pint or craft cocktail afterwards at Alpine Social. The hotel’s mountaineering-inspired bar and eatery also pours inventive kids’ tipples like blueberry ginger fizz and watermelon cucumber crush.
Día de los Muertos at Fairmont Banff Springs
Mark your calendar for an unforgettable Halloween soirée at Fairmont Banff Springs, Canada’s iconic castle in the Rockies. This lavish Día de los Muertos celebration is certain to be a seasonal highlight!
On arrival, you’ll step into the chic Rundle Bar, decked out with colorful ofrendas, marigold flowers and sugar skulls. Immerse yourself in Mexican culture by watching traditional dancers and listening to a captivating Mariachi band, and then transform your look with complimentary calavera (skull) face painting. Also included in your ticket is a tasty welcome drink (served in a keepsake themed vessel) and mouthwatering canapés, while a live DJ keeps the atmosphere buzzing all night.
Throughout the evening, you can treat yourself to tequila-based cocktails from the premier Mexican label El Tequileño and themed dishes from a special menu (additional cost). Taking place on October 27, these vibrant festivities will run from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Scoop up tickets early to bag your spot.
“Spirits of Boston” at Fairmont Copley Plaza
Nearly 400 years since the city’s founding, Boston has racked up a whole host of ghostly legends and apparitions. As the nights draw in and a chill hits the air, October is a suitably sinister time to delve deeper into these ghoulish tales. The best way to do this? Book the Spirits of Boston package at Fairmont Copley Plaza for a night to remember.
Kick off your investigation into the paranormal with a ghostly-themed Skeleton Key cocktail in your elegant guest room. Combining Maker’s Mark bourbon and Geijer falernum with a tantalizing blend of lemon, honey and ginger beer, this Halloween concoction is the perfect precursor to an evening of grisly sagas.
For the next part of your adventure, Ghost City Tours will lead you on their “Death and Dying Ghost Tour.” Filled with stories about death and the afterlife in Colonial America, the adults-only guided walk visits sites like King’s Chapel Burying Ground, the resting spot of John Winthrop, Massachusetts Bay Colony’s first governor. The cemetery is believed to be one of Boston’s most haunted places, with visitors reportedly seeing apparitions move through the tombstones.
Fairmont’s special offer includes overnight accommodations for two adults, two in-room cocktails and tickets to the tour.
A Wickedly Good Time at The Plaza, New York
Fans of the hit musical Wicked are in for a treat at The Plaza this fall. For an indulgent tradition with a seasonal twist, the hotel will whisk you off to Oz with a “Defying Gravi-Tea” Afternoon Tea at The Palm Court. Celebrating 20 years of the show on Broadway, the menu will feature delectable sweet and savory delights such as “Look To The Brest’ern Sky” pâte à choux and the “Flying Monkey” Macaron. Dine beneath the Palm Court’s signature stained-glass dome in a timeless room that’s welcomed diners for over 115 years. The themed tea is available October 6 through October 31.
Come to the tea’s opening afternoon on the 6th, and you’ll enjoy an extra-memorable occasion. From 3:30-4:30 p.m., you’ll have the unique opportunity to receive a signed copy of the Wicked Afternoon Tea menu from the stars who play the beloved characters of Elphaba and Glinda.
The ultimate thrill for super fans is the hotel’s one-of-a-kind Emerald City Experience. For one night only (October 29), you can immerse yourself in all things Wicked, sitting down to afternoon tea and attending an exclusive performance. Emerald-green florals and a cast-signed playbill await you in your stylish room, and a house car will take you to the legendary Gershwin Theatre for the 20th-anniversary “Green Performance” of the show.
Are you ready to scare yourself silly this Halloween? Book one of these unforgettable experiences with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts today.