Overview
Want to have your blood curdled, feast like it's your last night on earth or just get scarily sweaty on the d-floor? Lure out your inner ghoul with our top Halloween picks.
Hijinks Halloween
Hijinks has already seen the Festivalists take over the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium once and now they're responsible for Sydney's only underwater Halloween party. In between the search for a sunken treasure, guests can expect voodoo magic tricks, vampire selfie opportunities, Thriller dance-offs and Frankenstein makeover workshops. Matched with interactive art and theatre experiences, appearances from a host of Sydney's favourite entertainers and more surprises along the way, this day-early Halloween event is selling fast.
Thursday, October 30, from 6.30pm at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium. Tickets $25.
Ouija Beats at Luna Park
Free rides, demented circus performers, spooky light shows and a killer program of Australia's best beatmakers including Cosmo's Midnight, Basenji, Panama and more will take over Luna Park this Halloween. The Big Top's first ever Ouija Beats party is the product of FBi Radio, The Music and LPS, who have put their heads together for a contemplation of the paranormal. The Halloween action kicks off at 6pm. Tickets are on sale here.
Friday, October 31, from 6pm at Luna Park Big Top. Tickets $59.
Beetlejuice Halloween Party at Golden Age Cinemas
Practice your most angsty Winona Ryder and slap on some white face paint because Golden Age Cinema and Bar are ignoring their afterlife caseworker this Halloween and turning to Beetlejuice. The party starts with two screenings of Tim Burton's cult classic, after which you could win cocktails and prizes for the best dressed ghost. With music courtesy of Pelvis DJs, you'll be dancing well into the afterlife.
Friday, October 31, from 6.30pm at Golden Age Cinema and Bar. Tickets $20/15.
Nightmare on Stanley Street with Rupert & Ruby
Uniting a handful of the Darlinghurst street's vendors, Nightmare on Stanley Street is the pre-Halloween party for the foodie. Nightmarees can explore both tricks and treats at a haunted mental institution (Kubrick's), the Addams Family mansion (Rupert & Ruby) and a scene from 'Return of the Titanic' (Hazy Rose), with live music from 9.30pm. Tickets include your choice of a Halloween-themed drink or dish at each of the venues.
Thursday, October 30, from 7.30pm at Stanley Street, Darlinghurst. Tickets $60.
Jurassic Lounge: Day of the Dead
Extinction isn't permanent, apparently. Sydney's Night at the Museum-like party, Jurassic Lounge, is being resurrected for a one-off event to celebrate Dia de los Muertos — the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead. Returning to the Australian Museum and tying in with the new Aztecs exhibition, The Festivalists' beloved after-hours event will once again take over the entire museum.
Saturday, November 1, from 6.30pm at the Australian Museum. Tickets are now sold out.
Newtown Hotel's Second Birthday Halloween Party
To celebrate their second year delivering great entertainment night after night, the Newtown Hotel is throwing what can now be called their Annual Halloween Party. So get freaky, get creepy and don your best Day of the Dead attire for a wild night of terror, tunes and treats. Local songwriting talent Andy Golledge will be crooning in rootsy hues, followed by Melbourne rockers Kingswood, who will be dropping hits from their latest album Microscopic Wars. Free drinks start flowing at 6pm.
Thursday, October 30, from 6pm at Newtown Hotel. Entry is free.
Jesse Willesee's The Slenderman Experience
Sydney artist Jesse Willesee is transforming the Kings Cross Hotel again this Halloween, this time into a forest haunted by creepy internet meme Slenderman. The walk-through, four-level experience promises 3D ghost projections, a blood room and live actors doing their very best to freak everybody out. Persist through the four levels to the rooftop, where you can shake off the spooks and sip on some Halloween-themed drinks. Entry is $10 and the haunted forest starts rustling from 8pm.
Friday, October 31, from 8pm at the Kings Cross Hotel. Tickets $10 on the door.
This Thing x The Finer Things Halloween at Goodgod
Hosted by record labels The Finer Things and This Thing, Goodgod Small Club's Halloween shindig is one of the last times Sydneysiders will be able to catch local producer Guerre live. Playing some spine-tingling tunes alongside the spoken word enigma are Wooshie and Silent Jay's new project N.B.L Players (Nothing But Love), Jace XL and Ry 4.
Friday, October 31, from 11pm at Goodgod Danceteria. Tickets $10 or $5 for early birds.
Morning Gloryville Sydney Presents: Fluroween
Halloween doesn't have to be all ghoulish spook and gross fake blood. Morning Gloryville thinks Halloween should include an early morning rave for a good cause where fluro clothes and even brighter dance moves won't be frowned upon. Featuring all the usual healthy goodies as well as Retrosweat's Shannon Dooley and Sydney-based artist Morphingaz, Fluroween is raising money for the Mental Health Association and the Black Dog Institute. The party starts pumping nice and early at 6.30am.
Wednesday, October 29, from 6.30am at UTS Underground (15 Broadway). Tickets $20/$25 on the door.
By the Concrete Playground team.