Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, so there’s really no excuse not to get dressed up.
From a free family festival in the city to drag, dancing and a full afternoon of bar-hopping, here’s where to celebrate Halloween in Canberra this year.
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Ghosts in the City
Got little monsters in tow? Start in the city, where City Walk and Petrie Plaza will be taken over by a free Halloween festival from 4pm.
There’ll be trick-or-treating, a haunted house, face painting and costumed characters roaming the crowd, before the Ghost Carousel starts spinning after dark, with free rides all evening.
At 8.30pm, the Monster Parade takes over the city, followed by a Zombie Shuffle and best costume competition. Anyone in costume can join the parade, so this is one Halloween where getting the whole family dressed up is highly encouraged.
Location: City Walk and Petrie Plaza, Canberra City
Dates/Times: Saturday 31 October, 4pm–10pm
Ticketing/Booking: Free entry. $18.14 for Monster Experience Pass and $32.97 for Ultimate Monster Pass. Register here.
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FRUITBOWL: Tutti Spooky Party
Canberra’s monthly LGBTQIA+ dance party is getting into the Halloween spirit.
Drag performers Aries Khaos and Virgolicious are on the bill, while DJ Burger Queen will keep the dance floor going until 2am.
Come spooky, come sparkly, or find a way to be both.
Location: ChiChiz Bar, 32 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City
Dates/Times: Saturday 31 October, 9pm–2am
Ticketing/Booking: $20pp. Book here.
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Canberra’s Biggest Halloween Party
If you can’t wait for the weekend, Fiction is getting into the spooky spirit a little early, taking over two dance floors for a huge Halloween party on Thursday night.
Expect DJs, free Halloween makeup and treats, plus a photobooth and photographers on hand to capture your best Halloween look.
Location: Fiction, 50 Bunda Street, Canberra City
Dates/Times: Thursday 29 October, from 9:30pm
Ticketing/Booking: Early bird tickets $12.49. 18+, ID required. Book here.
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Día de los Muertos x Halloween at Blackbird
Blackbird is combining Halloween with Day of the Dead for a late-night party full of Latin beats.
Your ticket includes entry and a welcome cocktail, with free candy skulls and face painting available until midnight. There’ll also be Latin DJs, live congas, dancers and prizes for the best dressed and best dancer. Beware though, it runs until 4am so you’ll need to pace yourself!
Location: Blackbird, 114 Alinga Street, Canberra City
Dates/Times: Saturday 31 October, 9:30pm–4am
Ticketing/Booking: Early bird tickets $15. 18+. Book here.
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The Fright Crawl
Prefer to keep moving? The Fright Crawl is taking Halloween across four or more Canberra City bars, with one wristband getting you into every venue on the route without any extra cover charges.
The crawl runs from the afternoon into the evening, giving you plenty of time to work your way through the city before settling in somewhere for the night.
There’s also a second crawl running on Friday 30 October if you want to start the Halloween celebrations early.
Location: Canberra City (venues TBA)
Dates/Times: Saturday 31 October, 1pm–8pm
Ticketing/Booking: Early bird tickets $17. 18+. Book here.
Event details, prices and times were correct at the time of writing but may change, so check with each venue before you head out.
