If you’re looking to celebrate Halloween in Sydney this year, you’ve got a few choices ahead of you. The city is really stepping it up when it comes to the spookiest day of the year, with parties all over the city for both kids and adults.
As All Hallows’ Eve rolls around, the city is about to be flooded with frightening events designed for all ages. There’s late-night haunted raves in historic buildings, halloween parades in The Rocks, massive lolly hunts for the kids, and an entire island on Sydney Harbour with tunnels of terror.
The city’s collection of Halloween events has never been more diverse, or interesting, so make sure you’ve got your best Halloween threads (ie, your best Moo Deng costume) and crawl through these sinister soirees, many taking place in the lead-up to October 31.
If events aren’t your thing, you might want to check out the most haunted places in Sydney instead.
Best Halloween events in Sydney for adults
1. The House of Horrors
As part of Sydney’s inaugural Ghost in the Rocks event, The House of Horrors will take over the heritage Old Merchants House for a four-storey rave stretched over three nights from October 31 to November 2.
While Ghost in the Rocks takes over the historic neighbourhood with family-friendly events, this one is strictly just for the adults with the themed rave split across four levels with distinctive vibes like The Ghost Room, Slaughterhouse Room, and the upstairs Vampire Den (where blood bag cocktails are served from a coffin-shaped bar). Some of Sydney’s best DJs will be on hand to make sure it all goes smoothly, throwing out everything from techno to R&B.
Built in the early 1880s, Merchant House is one of the major stops on any ghost tour in The Rocks so you might feel more than just the vibe when you’re raving across those creaky floors. As the story goes, a rich businessman who once occupied the building chased and strangled his wife after finding her in bed with another man. Sightings of the victim have been reported several times, with most saying the housewife’s ghost can be seen walking up and down the staircases.
If you take your rave with a side of possible demonic possession, then this one is for you.
Where: Merchants House; 43-45 George St, The Rocks, NSW 2000
When: October 31 – November 2
Price: $69
2. Screamfest 2024
Head along to Manning Bar at the University of Sydney for Screamfest on October 26. The multi-level venue, plus the surrounding area, will be completely transformed into an immersive adults-only Halloween experience with spooky dancefloors, costume competitions, circus performances, and even a pop-up church so guests can get “married” by a zombie priest.
Manning Bar’s signature Halloween event has been steadily growing into something sinister over the past few years and it looks like 2024 will be the biggest run yet for Screamfest. You can dance at a neon-lit, science-themed rave with cocktails mixed by “mad scientists”, party at the Bacardi Graveyard Stage with a frame of tombstones, fog and spin-chilling visuals backed by some of the best local DJs, or stumble upon a dark, twisted carnival with funhouse mirrors, pyro shows and circus acts.
Where: Manning Bar; Manning Rd, Camperdown NSW 2050
When: Saturday, October 26
Price: $56
3. Halloween at Funlab
Sydney’s premier amusement precinct, an industrial area in Alexandria taken over by Funlab’s several concepts (think Holy Moley, Hijinks Hotel and Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq), is joining on the frightening fun this Halloween with creepy challenge rooms, spooky mini golf, and a haunted laser tag area.
The best part is that it’s already started. Funlab’s Halloween takeover runs from now until November 3 at all the company’s venues. But we recommend heading along to the Alexandria precinct so you can easily crawl between the immersive Hijinx Hotel, play some golf at Holy Moley, and then end your night at Archie Brothers’ glitzy arcade (where said haunted laster tag will be). Look out for roaming performances and circus acts during “witching hour” each night from 6pm to 10pm
Where: Sydney Corporate Park; 196 Bourke Rd, Alexandria NSW 2015
When: October 4 – November 3
Price: Prices differ by venue but there is no extra charge for the Halloween activities
4. Party at Argyle Asylum
The Argyle has always hosted one of Sydney’s best halloween parties and we doubt this year will be any different. Over one massive nights, the historic sandstone building will be a seat of absolute terror with multi-sensory parties turning the typical weekend at The Argyle into a freakish scene of performers, artists, entertainers and costumes.
Argyle Asylum always puts on a show, plus it doesn’t clash with The House of Horrors so you could just string together a series of parties in The Rocks if you really want to turn the end of October into a party.
Where: The Argyle; 18 Argyle St, The Rocks NSW 2000
When: October 25; 8pm – 3am
Price: $16
5. Emoween
There’ll be plenty of panic on the dancefloor as Oxford Art Factory hosts a series of Halloween parties this month. And the first off the bat is Emoween, screaming into Sydney with one epic night of definitive emo tunes from the likes of The Used, Simple Plan, Fall Out Boy, Taking Back Sunday and Bring Me The Horizon.
If that’s your vibe, you’ll want to grab an $11 ticket, break out your best all-black fit, and join the rest of Sydney’s emo crowd as DJs splinter different eras of emo music throughout the night, right up until a “freak on the leash” finale (which we assume is them playing Korn’s monster hit on repeat). All the typical Halloween party beats will be present: themed decor, special drinks, and a nice little $100 bill for the best dressed.
Where: Oxford Art Factory; 38/46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
When: Saturday, October 19; 8pm – 3am
Price: $11
6. A24 Halloween Sydney
A week after they host Emoween, Oxford Art Factory will be putting on yet another Halloween party. This time, it’s all about indie film company A24, which has been responsible for some of the best horror films of the past couple of years. And yes, it’s yet another highly themed Halloween party but with an audio-visual bent with iconic A24 hits mixed in while DJs pump through the latest dancefloor fillers.
OAF will also give away a $100 voucher to whoever comes dressed in their best, ideally inspired by A24 films like The Lighthouse, The Witch, X, Midsommar, Killing of a Sacred Deer, Talk to Me, Tusk, It Comes at Night, and of course the almighty Hereditary.
Where: Oxford Art Factory; 38/46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
When: Saturday, October 26
Price: $30
6. HalloQween
Sydney’s most beloved party starters, Poof Doof, aren’t about the be outshined and outclassed this Halloween. To help drum up some scares, the team will be taking over ARQ for one very late night of fabulously themed fun where “doomsgay” is imminent, costumes are mandatory, and the night is directed by the “4 whores of the apocalypse”—Danni Issues, Daphne Gaye, Ivy Leaguee, Karna Ford.
Where: ARQ Sydney; 16 Flinders St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
When: Saturday, October 26; from 9pm
Price: $33
Best Halloween events in Sydney for kids and families
7. Ghost in the Rocks
Ghost in the Rocks is shaping up to be Australia’s biggest Halloween festival: a multi-day event taking over Sydney’s charming old town and painting those cobblestoned streets red with events inspired by the area’s many ghost stories.
The historic precinct will be transformed into an immersive ghost town with zombie discos, ghost cinemas, halloween parades and roving performances with most of the haunted happenings suitable for big and little kids alike. And it all carries on over four days, with each bringing different experiences to the table. Make sure you rock up in your best Halloween costume as well as there’s bound to be a few prizes for those making the effort.
Where: The Rocks NSW 2000
When: October 31 – November 3
Price: Free (some events ticketed)
8. Fear Island
Cockatoo Island is full of Sydney’s most piercing ghost stories so it’s only right the former convict penal establishment goes all out for Halloween. We’re talking tours through eerie dark corners, blood-bag cocktails, food stalls, and two curated immersive tunnel experiences inspired by the island’s history.
The first tunnel—”The Haunted”— is fairy self explanatory: we expect actors jumping out of dark corners and spine-tingling art. The second will be inspired by one of the many past lives this island has been filtered through, specifically nodding to the late 1800s when the island was used as an asylum for orphaned girls.
If you want to take the family along, take note that Fear Island will host “family friendly sessions” from 4pm – 5pm on Saturdays and 2pm – 3pm on Sundays.
Where: Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour
When: October 24 – 26 & November 1 – 3
Price: From $40
9. Halloscream
Luna Park Sydney is ditching its candy-coloured, kid-friendly schtick for something more… malevolent this month. Sydney’s premier amusement park has been going through a lot of changes lately, so they’ll be showing off the best of all the new attractions with unlimited rides, plus a special sneak peek of Squid Game: The Experience, a Forgotten Funhouse intertwined with tales of lost clowns, and a new audio-visual horror experience inside the immersive Sonic Neon space.
Luna Park is recommending the event for 14 years old and up but kids of all-ages are welcome as well, participating will just have to be at your own discretion.
Where: Luna Park Sydney; 1 Olympic Dr, Milsons Point NSW 2061
When: October 25 – 31; 6pm – 10pm
Price: $100
10. Festival of Fisher’s Ghost
Western Sydney’s premier Halloween event is back as Campbelltown Showground turns into a haunted fun park for Festival of Fisher’s Ghost. Based on the suburb’s resident ghost, Fred Fisher, the multi-day event plays like the a spooky version of the Easter Show with family-friendly experiences, rides and a bewitching fireworks display on the two most popular days (Saturday, November 2 and Saturday, November 9).
The maleficent carnival kicks off on Halloween and runs through to Sunday, November 10 so you’ve got plenty of chances to take a dip into one of Campbelltown’s most atmospheric annual events, which has been running since 1956 and is attended by over 250,000 guests each year.
Where: Campbelltown Showground; King St, Campbelltown NSW 2560
When: October 31 – November 10
Price: Free
11. Owloween
Drive the kids to the town of Barlo, which is just of an hour outside of Sydney CBD, for the most unique Halloween event in the state. The Australian Wildlife Sanctuary will spread its wings for Owloween, theming an entire kid-friendly Halloween party on the eponymous nocturnal creatures and throwing in a bunch of trick or treating fun to bring the entire park to life.
The sanctuary will blend animal encounters with ghoulish fun, filling two nights with everything from a squirrel glider survivor show and a special craft corner to themed areas like the Witches’ Cave, Creepy Critter House and Skeleton Forest. Ticket prices include free face painting and air brush tattoos, but note you’ll need to fork out extra for all the food and drink stalls scattered around the park.
Where: Australian Wildlife Sanctuary; 3105 Remembrance Driveway, Bargo NSW 2574
When: October 25 – 26; 6pm – 9pm
Price: $29
12. Allen’s Giant Trick or Treat
With Ghost Festival taking over The Rocks, there are a few iconic Aussies brands wanting to jump on board to help turn this into something special for all ages. While adults rave over at the Old Merchant House, kids can participate in a giant trick or treat treasure hunt with all of Allen’s classic sweets scattered around the area.
Participants will be given of a map and follow a dedicated trail with spooky surprises along the way, collecting sweets from six mystery retailers on the way. Note that participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and the whole ordeal will be running constantly between 10am and 8pm on the Saturday and Sunday.
Where: The Rocks, Sydney NSW 2000 (the festival’s info booth is the starting point)
When: October 2 – 3; 10am – 8pm
Price: Free (5,000 free tickets available daily; reservations essential)
Read More
- These are the best things to do in Sydney this October
- There are the best concerts to see this October
- These are the best stage shows to see in October
