Spooky season is here! 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 the Halloween period, including events on October 31 itself, and others than run into the weekend. 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, and don’t forget your costume!
Melbourne’s best Halloween activities for 2025
1. Spend Halloween at Old Melbourne Gaol
Do you dare to roam the halls of the Old Melbourne Gaol on Halloween? Stay close to your Ghost Guide as they lead you past the cells – including the truly eerie Cell 17, which you can pop your head into if you’re brave enough – and share spooky stories along the way. You’re welcome to dress up and take a mugshot at the photo station. It’s all happening on Friday, October 31, between 6pm and midnight, and returns after a sellout event in 2024. More info here.
đź“Ť377 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000
2. Hear horror movie classics at Melbourne’s spookiest Candlelight concerts
Melbourne’s regular Candlelight concerts are a spine-tingling musical affair, but this one – presented in association with Warner Brothers – will be even more special. The programme is filled with spooky scores from WB’s most infamous horror films, including The Exorcist, The Conjuring, Friday the 13th, and The Shining. The fact that it takes place surrounded by the ocean tank at Sea Life Aquarium Melbourne only adds to the atmosphere, so if you see something move out of the corner of your eye, it’s probably just a fish.
3. Dress up for Halloween at the Museum
As is now an annual tradition, Melbourne Museum is transforming into a supernatural space for Halloween, with separate levels of spook for adults and for kids. The family-friendly part of Halloween at the Museum will feature a monster disco, spooky science, face painting, and a cuddly snake pit. Meanwhile for adults, there’s bloody popcorn and slime shots at the candlelit bar, tarot readings and palmistry at The SpellBox, and an outdoor horror film screening. Both events run from 7pm to midnight on October 31, so pick your poison.
đź“Ť11 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053
4. Enter a horror story at Prison Island
Prison Island is an electrifying, immersive experience that fuses the excitement of escape rooms with the challenge of obstacle courses. This high-octane, 90-minute gameplay will put your team’s strategy, intelligence, and agility to the test.​ And this Halloween, the cells aren’t empty. Brave Melbourne’s most haunted escape adventure, if you can handle it. There’ll be live actors, eerie lighting, and a few… unexpected guests.
đź“Ť440 Docklands Dr, Docklands VIC 3008
5. Go on some heart-racing rides at Luna Dark: Carnivale of Screams
Dark delights and thrilling rides await at Luna Park – or more accurately, Luna Dark – this Halloween. Dress up in your scariest costume, and bump into other ghouls and gremlins amongst the live performers that will populate their ‘Carnivale of Screams’. Once the sun goes down, visitors will scream to their heart’s content on the unlimited rides, enter a terrifying haunted house, and step onto a tram of nightmares (where you certainly won’t be the only passenger). For the first time since 2019, the Haunted Spirits bar will make an appearance, allowing over 18s the chance to sip themed drinks. It runs on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays between October 23 & November 1.
đź“Ť18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182
6. Swing by Spiegel Haus Melbourne for a dramatic dreamscape
Head up to the rooftop of Spiegel Haus Melbourne, sip on cocktails and dance the night away with DJ sets and live soul, jazz and broken beat. Costumes are encouraged! It’s free to attend, and on from 7pm till late on October 31. Learn more here.
đź“Ť217 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000
7. Join a thrilling city exploration game with a Halloween twist
There’s something especially invigorating about the city after dark, and these spine-tingling games will help you see it in a whole new light. Or should that be dark?
Try the spooky Halloween Ghost Hunt, where you’ll need to explore ten haunted locations, smartphone in hand, to solve puzzles and find clues. Costumes are very much encouraged, and it’s suitable for ages 12+, making it a nice family activity for Halloween. Alternatively, try the Haunted Melbourne city exploration game, where you’ll hear tales of serial killers, spirits, and hidden places as you explore the city’s landmarks.
8. Feel fierce at Scream Queen
Back for another deliciously devilish Halloween bash, Drag Race’s top horror queens are heading to a new venue – Chasers nightclub on Chapel Street – for this year’s Scream Queen. Tiara Skye takes on hosting duties for the 2025 edition, and queens such as Yvie Oddly, Naomi Smalls, Sigourney Beaver, Plastique Tiara, and Kyran Thrax will be serving all night long. Costumes are definitely recommended for this one; you’ll find it at Chasers on October 30.
đź“Ť386 Chapel St, South Yarra VIC 3141
9. Have a spookily good time at the Astor Theatre
If you love a good scary movie, then the Astor Theatre has got you covered. Always game for Halloween specials, they’re kicking things off on October 23 with a double feature of Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight and The ‘Burbs, and continuing with screenings of the utterly iconic Scooby-Doo & Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, an Evil Dead triple feature, The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a live shadow cast, and more. Our pick has to be a special screening of UK cult hit Attack the Block on October 30, which also features an appearance by, and meet & greet with, the film’s star (and Star Wars Resistance hero), John Boyega.
đź“Ť1 Chapel St, St Kilda VIC 3182
10. Dare to try a frightful Darkfield experience
Step into a shipping container at Arts Centre Melbourne, and feel swept away on an immersive audio journey. Darkfield is back in town with a new experience. In Invisible, you’ll be guided by The Invisible Man as he teaches you how to disappear, and the consequences. Otherwise, try discover two worlds, to realities and two outcomes to your journey on the popular Flight experience. Learn more about it here.
đź“Ť100 St Kilda Rd, Southbank VIC 3004
11. Embark on a Halloween adventure at Metartworld
Metartworld has some frightfully fun Halloween additions to explore from October 18 to November 2, handily with two levels of fright for all you scaredy-cats. Pop by for a haunted house, ghost parade, 9D cinema experience, face painting and more during the day. Then, return after dark for some scary night parties, where the fright level has been dialled up a couple of notches.
đź“Ť155 Boundary St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207
12. Make your way to Monopoly Dreams for a ghoulishly good time
Monopoly Dreams is getting a spooky makeover for Halloween. Kids are welcome to go on the Monopoly Trick-or-Treat Trail, where they can collect lollies and limited-edition Halloween Monopoly Cards at themed stations. Meet Mr. Monopoly, who will be dressed in a spooky costume, and see plenty of themed decorations. Visitors are welcome to dress up too, and entry for kids is free on Halloween. The festivities are on from October 27 to November 2. See more here.
đź“ŤLower Ground Floor, Melbourne Central, 290 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000
13. Join the festivities at 1 Hotel Melbourne
On Halloween night, Crane Bar & Lounge at 1 Hotel Melbourne will transform into a spooky playground, with tarot and crystal ball readers and DJ sets. Sip on a bespoke Halloween cocktail menu, then slip Upstairs and discover a themed cocktail bar. This event will run from 7pm to midnight. Learn more about it here.
đź“Ť9 Maritime Place, Docklands VIC 3008
14. Spend Halloween on Lygon Street
Lygon Street will light up with fun for the whole family on Halloween. Children are invited to pick up Trick or Treat treasure maps from Readings Kids, and collect goodies from participating local businesses. There will also be face painters, balloon twisters, slime making and roaming characters along the street, such as spooky stilt walkers and vampires. At 6pm, end the night with a screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas at Cinema Nova for $9. It’s all happening from 4pm on October 31. Read more about it.
đź“ŤLygon St, Carlton VIC 3053
15. Sip in secret on a hidden bar tour with a Halloween twist
Taking you around three of Melbourne’s secret bars, the Hidden Bars & Creepy Tales tour will let you in on city secrets, test your knowledge on a pub quiz, and maybe even introduce you to your new favourite watering hole. Tours run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and you can book here.
16. Join the madness at The 86
Last year, Tales from the Drain sold out The 86 in Fitzroy – so it’s only natural that hosts Azcadelia and Pomme de Terrorise return with the utterly ghoulish Tales from the Grave. See Halloween drag, cabaret, burlesque acts and more unfold on stage, and continue the party with a costume competition (with prizes for the best dressed) and creepy cocktails. There are two events this year, on Thursday, October 30 and Friday, October 31.
đź“Ť185 Smith St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
17. Enter the Carnival of Art & Thrills at the Museum of Desire
This Halloween long weekend, the Museum of Desire comes alive with the Carnival of Art & Thrills, a seductive after-dark celebration running Fri 31 Oct to Mon 3 Nov, from 6pm until close. Step into a world of eerie elegance and temptation, featuring Shibari Rope Tying with Barefoot Juliette, Maya Irving painting with her naked body, and Top Secret Life Drawing, where hauntingly beautiful performers reveal all for art. Add in Foxy Moron’s cheeky magic and comedy, and you’ve got a weekend of wicked delights. With new artists each night, this Halloween at the Museum of Desire is one you won’t forget — but you’ll need to book fast before it disappears into the dark.
đź“Ť92 Rupert Street, Collingwood
18. Go for a Halloween-inspired high tea
Treat yourself to a fancy day out at Mary Eats Cake. They’ve created a menu inspired by the spooky season, with yummy treats like spiced pumpkin tart, a Halloween cupcake and a mystical cocktail or mocktail on arrival. This high tea is available from now until November 2. Learn more here.
đź“Ť558 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056 and 13 Leith Rd, Montrose VIC 3765
19. Feel spooked by horror films at Lido Cinemas
If you do nothing else to celebrate Halloween this year, at least catch a vaguely spooky film. Lido Cinemas have plenty of them in their annual Halloween Horror series, which runs from October 24 until November 3 – think Frankenstein (both the 1931 and the 2025 version), Scream, Pyscho, Corpse Bride, and Death Becomes Her.
đź“Ť675 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122
20. Dare to spend Halloween in Hell Division at Pentridge Prison
Wander through the cells of the notorious H-Division at Pentridge Prison. Once known as Hell Division, this section was home to some of Australia’s most feared criminals. Go on a self-guided tour, or add an audio tour to the experience for an extra $5. You’re welcome to dress up in costume, and it all goes down on Friday, October 31 from 6pm to 10pm.
đź“Ť1 Champ St, Coburg VIC 3058
21. Skate your way to Caribbean Rollerama
Caribbean Rollerama is bringing all of the spooky fun to their adults-only Halloween event on Thursday, October 30, which will turn up the chills and thrills from 7pm to 10pm. All-ages Halloween celebrations, meanwhile, take place on October 31 and November 1.
đź“Ť1298 Ferntree Gully Rd, Scoresby VIC 3179
22. Visit Little Shop of Horrors
If you’re in need of a costume, or craving a shopping experience like no other, you should check out the Little Shop of Horrors Costumery & Pop Culture Emporium in Mornington. This spectacular space has 21 themed rooms, inspired by favourites like Star Wars, Beetlejuice and more. Find plenty of licensed costumes and merch. Dare to go down Nightmare Alley, a year-round walkthrough filled with animatronics, a jail cell, a coffin you can climb into and more. For something less scary, pop into the Princess Boutique, try a Wizardry Workshop, get a Movie Makeover and more. Start planning your visit here.
đź“Ť16 Bennetts Rd, Mornington VIC 3931
23. Visit the haunting Blackwood Hotel
Established in 1868, The Blackwood Hotel is serving up pub favourites with a side of history. During the gold rush era, this particular pub also served as the local morgue. Swing by this Halloween for a tour of the morgue space, listen to ghostly stories and go trick or treating. Learn more here.
đź“Ť1 Golden Point Rd, Blackwood VIC 3458
24. Find gothic enchantment at Kryal Castle
Drive out to Kryal Castle near Ballarat and take part in the family-friendly Trick or Treat program on Saturday November 1 and Sunday November 2. The kids will have fun with potion making, face painting and more.Â
Older guests are invited to the All Hallows Court Fantasy Ball. Dress in your best gothic ball attire, then wander the Labyrinth, discover secrets in the Torture Dungeon and see plenty of fire, burlesque and circus performances. There will be tarot reading and dancing until late. This event is on from 6:30pm on Saturday November 1. Learn more here.
đź“Ť121 Forbes Rd, Leigh Creek VIC 3352