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Parade of Lost Souls in East Vancouver 2026
The Parade of Lost Souls is back for 2026 with the theme “Trickster’s Treat,” an East Vancouver Halloween tradition of performance, music, and art. It is a grassroots festival planned, organized, and performed by and for the community, and everyone is welcome to join in, because “if we are lost, then we are lost together.” This year includes a new collaboration, to be revealed at midnight on the night before Halloween. A family-friendly Parade of Little Souls opens the evening at 7 PM, followed by hourly processions of the Parade of Lost Souls and an after-party.
- When: Saturday, October 31, 2026 | Parade of Little Souls 7:00 PM | Parade of Lost Souls 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM, with processions hourly at 8 and 9 PM
- Where: East Vancouver, BC | Exact start locations to be announced
- Cost: Free to watch; $10 suggested donation per person
- Hosted by: Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret Society
- Website: Parade of Lost Souls
The Parades
Parade of Little Souls
October 31, 7:00 PM
A family-friendly procession for all the wee children who want to join the colourful, dazzling festivities. May the little souls in your life light up the night. The procession starts at 7 PM at a secret location revealed the night before.
Parade of Lost Souls
October 31, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Processions run hourly at 8 PM and 9 PM. Everyone is welcome to take part in the performance, music, and art. The parade location is revealed on the parade’s page after midnight on October 31, so check back that night.
Lost Souls After-Party
October 31, after the parade
The party continues through the night with DJs playing live instruments, the Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret’s signature Weird Go-Go, and burlesque performances. All proceeds go toward producing the parade, so an after-party ticket is also a donation to a non-profit. Details are to be announced, and tickets are available by text at 604-700-8528.
Donate to Keep the Parade Alive
The parade runs only on community donations, with a suggested donation of $10 per person. It costs many tens of thousands of dollars each year to cover permitting, insurance, security, artist fees, and built infrastructure. You can donate online through PayPal or Eventbrite, by e-transfer to dustyflowerpotcabaret@gmail.com, or on site at the Dusty Flowerpot Studio (call 604-700-8528 to come in).
Workshops
All workshops are open to anyone, with donations welcome, and are a way to take part in the parade itself.
Lost Souls Parade Workshop
October 9, 16, and 23 | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Join a group of ghost-like parade participants and design and make costumes while working on theatrical, vocal, and movement elements. The group will share a unified look for a strong visual impact. The workshop is held at the Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret Studio, by donation, with no need to pre-register, and you can come to one session or all of them.
Parade Dancers Workshop
Sundays, October 4 – 25 | 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Learn simple dance choreography to go along with the parading Carnival Band and help lead the parade. Artistic Director Kat Single-Dain teaches it, and it suits all ages and experience levels. Later sessions are practice sessions, so try to attend the first one. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
Do the Time Warp
Sundays, October 4 – 25 | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM | Ages 19+
Learn the original choreography to “The Time Warp” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, then perform it in the parade night flash mob alongside professionals who have played the lead roles. Dress as one of the movie’s characters. Come to at least two rehearsals if you can.
Thriller Flash Mob
Sundays, October 4 – 25 | 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM | All ages | $10 suggested per session
Learn the original choreography to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” taught step for step as in the original, and join the zombies in this yearly parade tradition. Kat teaches it from scratch every time, so anyone can join any session.
The Parade Dancers, Time Warp, and Thriller workshops take place in the cafeteria of Britannia High School, 1001 Cotton Drive, Vancouver, V5L 3T4. Look for the football field, and the cafeteria is next to it.
Open House Costume Sale
Fridays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Drop in at the Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret Studio, 2050 Scotia Street, Vancouver, to make, buy, or rent a costume, help with set decoration, meet collaborators, and talk with the parade crew. There is also a DJ, a tour of the studio’s new improvements, and a swing lesson at 6 PM. The entrance is the glass door next to the loading bay at the back of the Artiste Building.
Get Involved
The Parade of Lost Souls is made by the community, and more help is always welcome. You can:
- Take part in the workshops
- Bring a shrine or make an installation
- Create a costume for the parade
- Come as an artist and do your thing
- Help build, craft, and paint
- Talk to the organizers if you have a band or a sound installation
