Spooky season is upon us, and there’s a slew of things you can do in Brisbane to get into the spirit. Whether it be dressing up and heading to a Halloween party, challenging your mates to a game of spooky putt putt, or catching up on some scary new release movies and TV shows, there’s something for everyone this Halloween.
1. Beware of the shadows at this year’s Haunted Halloween Candlelight Concert
Something wicked this way comes to Brisbane this October when 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 as candles flicker, shadows linger, and musicians makes their instruments screech, scratch and scream melodically through the night.
Halloween Candlelight Specials
2. Enjoy a night of frights at this Halloween festival
Join the Halloween weekend fun at Festival of Frights, coming to Redcliffe Markets on Saturday, October 28.
Enjoy a spooktacular evening featuring the region’s best street eats, live entertainment, family activities and over 200 stalls. Think face painting, scavenger hunts, fireworks and more.
While entry to the event is free, you can register for a ticket here to go in the draw for a prize.
3. Get into the spooky spirit at a pumpkin carving workshop
Spook & Sip is the new paint ‘n’ sip this spooky season in Brisbane, but switch the paint for a pumpkin. Learn how to carve your very own Jack-o’-Lantern whilst enjoying a grazing board or Halloween cookies.
There are several workshops running during October, and it’s BYO, too, so feel free to bring a bottle of wine for the occasion.
Secure your spot at Spook & Sip here
4. Embrace the weird at Westoria
Thanks to the weird and whacky market Westoria, Fridays and Sundays are now a lot more fun.
Your senses will be taken on a journey the moment you walk into the themed spaces, from spooky roving entertainers to live music, fire twirlers, and stilt walkers to set the scene.
5. See a scary movie at the cinema or on Netflix at home
There’s plenty of new spooky flicks you can see at the cinema this Halloween season, including Saw X, The Exorcist: Believer, The Nun II and more.
Netflix is also providing the goods for horror nights at home, with a brand-new Mike Flanaghan series titled The Fall of the House of Usher, as well the critically acclaimed horror film Pearl starring Mia Goth, and plenty of old-school slasher favourites such as Halloween and Friday the 13th.
6. … or at a free outdoor Halloween movie night
Victoria Park / Barrambin’s free outdoor cinema is returning with two spooky Halloween flicks.
Hotel Transylvania will kick off proceedings, followed by Ghostbusters: Afterlife at 8.15pm. Both movies are suitable for kids, so the whole family can join — and so can dogs if you don’t want your furry friends to stay at home. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times, though.
7. Sip a spooky Halloween cocktail in South Bank
South Bank is set to come unalive with a Halloween street party this October 27 and 28. Here, you’ll find Halloween-themed styling, a ‘Trick or Treat’ Trail, kids craft workshops, spooky cinema, roving performances, and spooky cocktails for good measure.
Local venues are serving up a variety of Halloween food and drink specials, so take your pick from Ahmet’s Turkish Restaurant, Brooklyn Depot, Baba Ganouj, Vici Italian, Ole Spanish Restaurant and Mucho Mexican.
Ahmet’s is also doing free Halloween bellinis for anyone dressed up over the Halloween weekend.
8. Face your fears at this underground horror maze
Located in Fortitude Valley in a heritage-listed building, small groups enter into the maze knowing full well that chills await. What they’ll find, or rather what will find them, inside in the dark and in the shadows are some truly terrifying characters. From ghosts and ghouls to zombies and mummies as well as madmen with axes, there’s a fright lurking around the corner.
9. Learn about Brisbane’s dark history on this ghost story walking tour
Brisbane has no shortage of haunting and horror stories to share. But, even better, Brisbane has got a man who has dedicated the past twenty years to uncovering, researching, and narrating stories from beyond the grave. And he’s got the best stories for the scariest of ghost tours.
Fascinating Halloween traditions from around the world
10. Putt your way around giant spooky props at this Halloween-themed mini golf course
Get into the spooky spirit at Victoria Park. The mini golf course has undergone a haunted makeover, decked out with giant props such as wicked witches, spiders, zombies, skeletons, and of course the famous carved pumpkins.
11. Enjoy a smorgasbord of musical comedy and burlesque at Spooktacular
Spooktacular, run by Brisbaret’s Sophie Banister and Thien Pham, is an evening of Halloween-themed fun, from burlesque to musical comedy and more.
12. Dress up for Ghoul-Stock
Looking for an excuse to dress sexy and spooky this Halloween? Look no further than Ghoul-Stock at Backdock Arts in the Valley, a ghoulish-themed party with live bands, burlesque performances, models, story tellers, comedians, roving performances, stalls and more.
This year’s dress theme is kink and cyberpunk.
13. Hop aboard a Halloween boat party
Celebrate Halloween on the river with this spooktacular boat party. Think epic costumes, DJs and more as you take in the scenic sights of the Brisbane River. There are two party boats – one on Friday, October 27 and another on Saturday, October 28 – that will depart from Brisbane Botanic Gardens at 6.45pm and return at 10pm.
14. Escape from Fox In A Box
As far as escape rooms go, it doesn’t get much better than Fox In A Box. Originating in Vienna, they’ve now got over 30 venues worldwide, one of them being in Brisbane City. You can expect high-tech puzzle rooms such as ‘The Zodiac Killer’ and ‘Zombie Lab’ which’ll have you fully immersed. Best of all, the fun can be enjoyed by the whole family.
You can also check out these Halloween parties in the Valley: