It’s spooky season! And if you’re feeling afraid of having nothing to do this Halloween, fear not! We’ve found some exciting things to do in Melbourne during Halloween weekend, and on the day itself. From family-friendly events to scary sessions for adults, there’s so much to see and do. Check out our list for your Halloween inspiration.
1. Go on some heart-racing rides at Luna Dark
Dress up in your scariest costume, and bump into other ghouls and gremlins at Luna Park. Scream on the rides, play VR horror games, try on special effects make-up and much more. There will be day sessions for the little ones, and creepy sessions after dark. Luna Dark will run over four days, from Friday October 28 to Monday October 31.
2. Watch the terrifying play, Ghost Stories
Head to the Athenaeum Theatre for a truly unforgettable night. This nightmarish stage play from the UK will take you on an emotional rollercoaster, with haunting actors and chilling stage effects. Ghost Stories is now playing in Melbourne, and will stick around until November 5. Check out our review here.
3. Have a spookily good time at the Astor Theatre
If you love a good scary movie, the Astor Theatre has got you covered this month. For Shocktober, they’re screening some favourites like The Shining, Psycho and The Exorcist. The month will culminate with The Great Astor Spooktacular – The Sequel, a horror-thon that will focus on sequels, including Evil Dead 2 and A Nightmare on Elm Street 3. This event will start on October 29 at 9:15pm.
4. Get in the spirit with HalloScream at Montsalvat
Pop over to Montsalvat for HalloScream on October 31. Visit a pumpkin patch, check out the Haunted Mansion, have your fortune read, join the costume parade and more. There will be heaps to keep the kids entertained, including free face painting and games. Bring a picnic rug and enjoy some food, then end the evening with a screening of Queen of the Damned.
This event will run from 4pm to 10pm. General admission tickets are $15. Learn more here.
5. Feel mesmerised by these special Halloween Candlelight sessions
Listen to a string quintet perform the best tunes from Tim Burton films, such as Corpse Bride, Coraline and The Nightmare Before Christmas. This performance will take place at National Theatre on October 29.
On Halloween, dive under the sea at Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, and listen to some haunting compositions while surrounded by the glow of candlelight.
Learn more about each performance here.6. Embark on a spooky night tour at Old Melbourne Gaol
Are you brave enough to visit Old Melbourne Gaol this Halloween? Go through the spooky halls and do some paranormal investigating. There are two tours available on the 31st, with a 6pm tour for those feeling a little nervous, and an 8pm tour for the brave at heart. Costumes are encouraged, and a prize will be given to the winning costume. If you’re brave enough to enter the infamous haunted cell 17, you’ll also receive a sweet reward.
Learn more here.7. Go for a skate at Rollerween
Collingwood Artisan Market is back on Sunday October 30. Arrive in your best Halloween outfit, get your face painted, and skate in the Rollerween disco. While you’re there, enjoy gourmet food, live music and artisan stalls. This market will run from 11am to 4:30pm.
8. Have fun at the Moon Dog World Halloween Party
Dress up in your best costume and rock up at Moon Dog World’s spooky Halloween party. DJs will spin tunes from 7pm, and there will be plenty of drinks to keep the good vibes going. There will be prizes for best dressed. Entry is free.
9. Visit Cinema Nova for Halloweek
Step into Cinema 4 at this iconic movie theatre and enjoy films like Hocus Pocus, Paranormal Activity, Bram Stoker’s Dracula and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Halloweek starts on October 27 and will continue until November 2.
See more here.10. Discover a nightmare on Elm Street and at Rippon Lea Estate
Spotlight has transformed the historic grounds of Rippon Lea Estate into an interactive Home of Horrors Display. Dress up in your costume, go trick-or-treating and try Halloween-themed arts and craft activities. If you don’t have a costume, you can purchase one from the Spotlight Halloween pop-up shop on-site. There will be goodie bags, performers and activities for the little ones, as well as a coffee cart for the adults. The Rippon Lea takeover will run from 12pm to 8pm, from Saturday October 29 to Monday October 31.
Meanwhile, the neighbouring Elm Street is decked out with Halloween décor, ready to inspire you from now until Monday October 31.
11. Feel spooked at the Old Cheese Factory Halloween extravaganza
This iconic site in Berwick will be transformed into a scary playground, filled with activities and rides. Expect wandering ghosts, a live DJ, a jumping castle, science shows and more cool things to enjoy for the whole family. This event will run from 5pm to 9pm on Monday October 31. Adult tickets are $2.50.
More info here.12. Have fun at Preston Market
Preston Market is throwing a fabulous after-school event on Friday October 28. There will be Halloween-themed craft activities for kids, roving entertainment and the famous trader Trick-or-Treat. Stick around for the first Spooky Disco, filled with dancing, singing, spooky games, creatures and more.
13. March at the Howl-O-Ween Paw Parade
Head to Port Melbourne on Sunday October 30, and let your puppy strut their stuff in the parade. They will look scarily adorable in their costumes, and there’ll be activities and market stalls to keep you and your pooch happy. This event will run from 9am to 1pm.
14. Go on a ghost tour
Are you ready to feel haunted? Explore Pentridge Prison or the ghosts of Old Melbourne on a guided walk with Lantern Ghost Tours on Halloween. There’s also tours of Williamstown and a lunatic asylum in Ararat on the 28th and 29th.
See the list of tours in Victoria here.15. Uncover Melbourne’s haunted past in this city exploration game
Explore the haunted past of Melbourne with your phone on this walking tour. Starting at Flinders Street Station and ending at Cohen Place, you’ll follow clues, solve puzzles, explore hidden laneways and learn about serial killers.
Get your tickets here.16. Play Eastern Market Murder
This murder mystery, augmented reality game will take you through the streets of Melbourne in 1899. Based on a true crime case, you’ll put your detective skills to the test, and try to solve the grisly murder of a fortune teller’s husband. Play the game at home, or visit the real locations in Melbourne, and see the characters some to life.
More info here.17. Skate your way through spooky season at Sk8house
This roller skating rink in Carrum Downs is throwing their first Halloween Spooky Skate session since 2019. Go skating in the rink under some Halloween decorations, listen to music and win prizes for best dressed. This family-friendly skating session will take place on Saturday October 29, from 6pm to 10pm.
18. Enter a Knightmare at Kryal Castle
Drive out to Kryal Castle near Ballarat, and enjoy some spooky fun for the kids during the day. Stick around at night for the adults-only session, and feel terrified by creepy attractions, horror-inspired live music and entertainment, as well as Halloween-themed food and drink. The 18+ event will run on Friday October 28 and Saturday October 29.
More info here.19. Celebrate Day of the Dead at the Arriba! Melbourne Mexican Festival
Embrace Mexican culture and cuisine at this festival in Flagstaff Gardens. There will be a Day of the Dead costume competition and parade, as well as live music, food and entertainment. This festival will run from Friday October 28 to Sunday October 30.
20. Visit this Halloween display in Williams Landing
Every day in October, the Mitchell family has a different Halloween display, creating a local attraction in Melbourne’s west. Check out the final display on October 31, between 4pm and 9pm, and participate in the fundraiser. This year, they’re hoping to raise $10, 000 for Wyndham Health Foundation, to help purchase an automated CPR machine for Werribee Mercy Hospital.
Join the countdown and learn more about the fundraiser on their Facebook group.