Few things can bring people together the way Halloween does. After all, what’s not to love about a holiday that has everything from wholesome family activities, to wild parties and scary thrills? So whether your horror tolerance is more Tim Burton or A24, we guarantee Brisbane has something for everyone!
1. Beware of the shadows at this year’s Haunted Halloween Candlelight Concert
With a mix of haunting classical music and hair-raising modern hits, Candlelight takes over St John’s Cathedral for a spine-tingling Halloween concert.
Forget the tricks because it’ll be time to treat yourself to a night of frightfully spectacular music on October 31 or November 1 as candles flicker, shadows linger, and musicians makes their instruments screech, scratch and scream melodically through the night. Get your tickets on Fever before they vanish without a trace.
📍St John’s Cathedral, 373 Ann St, Brisbane CBD
2. Break the rules at Prohibition’s Halloweekend
Step back in time for All Hallows Eve at Prohibition’s 3 day spook-fest. Let them lure you in with their free pizza, dare to visit their free tattoo and piercing parlour for some new ink or get crowned as supreme monarch of the Underworld — aka best costume — to win a free VIP booth! Get your Thriller on and dance the night away here.
📍206 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley
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3. Wield a knife for pumpkin carving
Get the full Jack-o’-Lantern experience at this Spook ‘n’ Sip workshop at WillowWood Studios throughout October. Not only will you be learning how to carve a pumpkin, but you’ll be able to pick it out yourself to ensure the perfect size and shape for your design. Add a delicious grazing board to refuel and bring a boozy drink to sip on and you get a perfect spooky night. Secure your spot here.
📍74 Bellevue Ave, Gaythorne
4. Soak in the horror at W Brisbane’s float-in cinema
Forget a drive-in, and dive into Halloween classics at W Brisbane’s WET Deck from the comfort of a floating lounger. The special, three-night cinema kicks off on October 28 with a screening of Hocus Pocus, the next day they’ll be showing the 2020 adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Witches and, to round things off, 1991 classic The Addams Family will be playing on October 30. Don’t lose your spot: get your tickets here.
📍81 N Quay, Brisbane CBD
5. Brave Dendy’s House of Horror
For the third consecutive year, Dendy Coorparoo’s screens will be possessed by nightmare-fuel classics. On October 31 from 6pm, dress your spookiest to get a free small popcorn, and get ready to bite your nails through any of these six thrilling horror movies.
You’ll be spoiled for choice between the unmissable Japanese entry Audition, foundational 1922 film Nosferatu, genre-bending Shaun of the Dead, or more conventional horror classics like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Thing and the original Carrie. Book your seat — even if you’ll be on the edge of it — here.
📍Corner of Old Cleveland & Cavendish Rd, Coorparoo
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6. Get chills on a Haunted Brisbane CBD Ghost Tour
If your ideal Halloween activity in Brisbane involves learning, grab a torch because you won’t want to miss this journey through Brisbane’s creepier side, from tragedy to crime, led by authority in all things ghostly, Jack Sim. A fascinating figure himself, the writer, historian and speaker has been researching macabre happenings in the River City for over 25 years, so you know you’ll be in expert hands! Boo-k your tour on Fever.
📍64 Adelaide St, Brisbane CBD
7. Tee off at this spooky putt putt
Victoria Park’s Spooky Putt Putt once again comes back from the dead. Show off your skills at this spine-tingling course, where clowns, aliens and zombies lurk around every corner, and may even shamble up to you! Gather your nerves, maybe with the help of a boozy slushy, and get through all 18 ghoulish holes before they disappear again on November 3. Buy your tickets here.
📍309 Herston Rd, Herston
8. Doughnut hold back your creativity at Krispy Kreme
This October 31, candy is not the only sweet treat for the kids! For $9.50, they will receive two glazed doughnuts at Krispy Kreme and use a range of fun, spooky toppings and icing to decorate them and turn them into a one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Not only that, but if you don’t have time for the 20-minute decorating session, you can get a free Original Glazed doughnut if you show up wearing your Halloween best!
📍Various locations
9. Test your knowledge at the Not On Your Rider Halloween Spooktacular
If you never miss an episode of Spicks & Specks and Never Mind The Buzzcocks but you often find yourself yelling the answers at the TV, Not On Your Rider is for you! You can participate as much or as little as you want at this live music trivia game show. Hosted at The Triffid by The Creases’ Aimon Clark, with team captains Velociraptor’s Jeremy Neale and The Grates’ Patience Hodgson, the show will be taking on a spooky turn on October 31. Expect on-theme questions, décor and surprises along the way! Show off your trivia skills here.
📍7/9 Stratton St, Newstead
10. Glimpse beyond the veil at Séance
Until December 3, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in the supernatural through this 20-minute immersive experience, hosted in an atmospheric shipping container. The performance improves on the concept of a traditional séance using clever sound technology and sensory deprivation, leaving you questioning the blurry line between perception and reality. Let yourself get carried away by the power of suggestion and give in to the unknown here.
📍412 Stanley St, South Brisbane
11. Face your fears at Warner Bros. Movie World
Last chance to haunt and be haunted at Movie World’s Fright Nights. Between terrifying mazes, scare precincts with encounters ranging from goofy to frightening, and a screamingly fun time on your favourite rides after dark, it’ll be a night to remember! Get your tickets for October 31, here.
📍Warner Bros. Movie World, Pacific Mwy, Oxenford
12. Try not to scream in this horror maze
With the tagline “Pay to enter. Pray to leave”, it’s clear that Evilcorp’s horror maze is not for the fainthearted. Deep underground and pitch black, the light at the end of the tunnel is that once you get through it, you can treat yourself to a spooky cocktail to calm your nerves at their themed bar. Get your tickets here for any Saturday in October — if you dare.
📍226 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
13. Or have some wholesome fun at Halloween Spooktacular
If you’re looking for more family-friendly Halloween activities in Brisbane, The Morgue at Rochedale features three different mazes, so you can choose your own haunting adventure: a kids’ maze, a general one for all ages, and another terrifying maze (for those aged 12 and older), if your group is feeling brave. Stick around on November 2 for Family Fright Fest, with market stalls, food trucks, face painting, a bouncy castle and more!
📍Underwood Park, Rochedale South
14. Hop on board a Halloween boat party
It may not be the Flying Dutchman but this ghost ship, leaving from the Botanic Gardens on November 2, promises to be just as legendary. Start thinking of your costume, savour the drink included with your ticket and get your dancing feet ready as you party the night away and take in scenic sights from the Brisbane River.
📍City Botanic Gardens, 147 Alice St, Brisbane CBD
15. Roll up to the Secret Halloween Roller Disco
Don’t be scared of a few brooo-ses, and skate the night away in your most bewitching costume. From 6pm on October 31, Secret Roller Disco is hosting the most haunted roller skate party in Queensland. Lace up your skates because their lively disco tunes tunes, spooky treats and costume contest will have you dancing like there’s no afterlife. Grab your tickets!
📍2 Kilroe St, Milton