The city's young trick-or-treaters had a relatively balmy evening as they moved from door to door on Halloween evening.

The evening temperature had been predicted to be about 12 C, with an overnight low of 2 C, and with nary a snowflake or raindrop in sight.

To compare, the average daytime high for Oct. 31 is 10 C.

Those who wanted to check out an area that is deep into the Halloween spirit should have considered Joseph Duggan Road in the Beaches (west of Woodbine Avenue and north of Lakeshore Boulevard East), where four homes have put on an incredible display.

"The inspiration was my five-year-old nephew at the time had juvenile diabetes, and I wanted to do something," Jonathan Gillingham told CTV Toronto.

For the last five years, the event, which began in 2000, has donated its proceeds to fight juvenile diabetes, he said.

"We hope to raise $20,000 tonight, and we expect over 500 kids."

Another display of an intersection of the spirits of fun and generosity could be seen Friday at Jackman Junior Public School, where costumed fifth and sixth graders sold Halloween sweets to raise money for Plan Canada, which supports children in developing countries.

Kids at the school were happy to help the less fortunate.

Last year's bake sale raised money that helped provide  water pumps and fund education initiatives.

UNICEF is also raising money, with costumed volunteers in subway stations soliciting donations to help fund school programs in Malawi and Rwanda.

Events

If you're looking for something to do, there are numerous commercial parties around town.

Church Street will be shut down between Gloucester and Alexander Streets from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., although Wellesley will still be open for eastbound and westbound traffic.

Here's some other events:

  • Gladstone Cadbury Chocolate Factory (227 Gladstone St.): For every child that shows up in costume to this haunted house, Cadbury will donate a dollar to UNICEF. For every adult, it will donate two dollars. 
  • Fox Theatre (2236 Queen St. E.):  Holiday Hollow Halloween Show offers drop-in costume and face-painting workshops plus live entertainment for $10.
  • Muddy York Walking tours offers the Haunted Streets of Downtown Toronto two-hour walking tour ($10 fee), which leaves from the steps of the Royal Ontario Museum at Queen's Park and Bloor at 7 p.m. 
  • Campbell House Museum (160 Queen St. W.) also offers a walking tour of haunted historic sites. This $15 tour begins at 8 p.m. with refreshments in the museum's historic kitchen. 
  • North of Toronto in Schomberg, Puck's Farm offers some Halloween fun starting at 5 p.m., including a fun house, spooky corn maze, costume parade and trick or treating around the farm buildings. Admission is $8.

Safety

Toronto Fire Services has the following tips to make sure your kids stay safe when they go out:

  • Make sure their costumes are bright and reflective
  • Make sure they have some emergency contact information (name, address phone number) located discretely on their person. Make sure they know to call 9-1-1 in an emergency and that they have their home phone number memorized
  • Agree on a time when they should return home
  • Masks can block eyesight. Consider either makeup or a decorative hat
  • Use only flame-retardant costumes, wigs and accessories
  • Don't send them out with simulated knives, swords or guns -- especially if such props look authentic
  • Don't use candles. Stick with battery-powered lights
  • Make sure your kids know to "stop, drop and roll" if their costumes should catch fire
  • Send them out with a full stomach so they aren't as tempted to fill up on candy
  • Clean up around to eliminate any tripping hazards that might catch excited young children.
  • Think about fire safety when considering home decorations. Don't overload electrical outlets or block emergency exits
  • It might be wise to keep the family pet confined if they get excited by the presence of strangers

With a report by CTV Toronto's Galit Solomon