Halloween, a holiday with origins deeply rooted in Irish and Scottish folklore, has experienced a wild ride of mixed emotions in Australia.
Initially dismissed as UnAustralian due to its Americanised flair, Halloween has embarked on a triumphant cultural breakthrough across the nation.
Research from Australian Retailers Association (ARA) predicts that more than 5.3 million Australians will celebrate Halloween this year, with spending forecast to reach $490 million – up 14% or $60 million on 2022.
The tradition continues to gain traction with 300,000 more Australians this year planning to celebrate on 31st October.
And nowhere is the spooky season’s popularity more evident than in the Wynnum Halloween Parade in Brisbane’s charming Bayside area.
The annual event built in popularity over the years, becoming hailed as “the southern hemisphere’s biggest Halloween parade” and growing to attract tens of thousands of revellers during its 25-year stint in Manly, a neighbouring suburb. Now it has found new life in Wynnum.
The second Wynnum Halloween Parade, on October 28th, promises to turn the seaside suburb into a hub of eerie entertainment.
As well as the parade itself, it will feature a trick or treat extravaganza, sideshow rides, main stage performances, food trucks, markets, and enough treats to sate even the hungriest of werewolves.
The land Down Under is now embracing the spooky spirit with open arms. Beyond the Wynnum Halloween Parade, events all across Australia beckon, from ghost tours to children’s parties.
A Nightmare on Brunswick St, Brisbane, Qld, 28 Oct
This regular Halloween party has been happening in venues in Brisbane’s cool Fortitude Valley district since 2017. At Finn McCool’s, the city’s premier Irish pub, there will be prizes for best dressed, spooky cocktails and DJs playing tunes till late.
Finns Fest Halloween, Finn McCool’s Surfer’s Paradise, Gold Coast, QLD, 27 to 29 Oct
The Irish pub on Surfer’s Paradise is getting ready for its Spooktacular Halloween event of the year! There will be live entertainment all weekend, spooky face painter, spooky cocktails, prizes for best dressed.
Luna Dark at Luna Park, Melbourne, VIC, 27 to 31 Oct
An annual Halloween extravaganza where the iconic Melbourne amusement park undergoes a spine-chilling transformation. Eerie decorations, hair-raising mazes, and ghoulish entertainment await the brave.
Sydney Harbour Halloween Cruises, NSW
Celebrate Halloween in style aboard special themed cruises on Sydney Harbour. Cruise companies deck out their vessels with eerie decor, host costume contests, and treat passengers to breathtaking views of the city’s skyline.
Halloween Twilight Market, Perth, WA, 27 Oct
Join the Halloween festivities at the Halloween Twilight Market in Supreme Court Gardens, Perth. Enjoy a spooky celebration featuring talented crafters, delectable food, live music, and family-friendly activities.
Port Kembla Fear Fest, Wollongong, NSW, 28 Oct
Port Kembla Fear Fest 2023 in the historic town of Port Kembla promises a hair-raising experience. Explore a haunted house, browse Halloween-themed markets, and let the kids enjoy free activities.
Tasmania UNI Halloween Party, Hobart, Tas, 27 Oct
This naughty, bloody, and sexy event brings witches, zombies, and ghosts together for a huge party.
Fright Nights at Movie World, Gold Coast, Qld 6 – 28 Oct
Brace yourself for haunted houses, live entertainment, and spine-tingling thrills.
Spooky Nights at Sea World, Gold Coast, Qld 13 – 28 Oct
A night of family-friendly spookiness. Enjoy the Monster Mayhem Laser Light Show, live entertainment, nighttime rides, and more.
Fearphobia Scream Park, Qld, 20 – 31 Oct
Fearphobia Scream Park in Westfield Helensvale, Queensland, is Australia’s first scream park, featuring 100 performers, freak shows and themed rooms.
Fangtuary at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Qld 26 – 28 Oct
Experience a night of Halloween delights on the Gold Coast. Hop aboard the ghost train, explore a haunted house, enjoy a zombie disco.
Halloween FestEVIL at Aussie World, Sunshine Coast, Qld 27 – 29 Oct
Five hours of spine-tingling thrills. Navigate through haunted mazes, take on spooky rides, savor eerie food, and witness a pyrotechnic light display.
The Haunted Maze – Entrapment, Surfers Paradise, Qld Oct 27-29, & 31
Prepare for a night of spine-tingling terror at The Haunted Maze – Entrapment in Cavill Lane, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast. Navigate through sinister twists, turns, and unexpected obstacles in this chilling maze.
Halloween Spooktacular, Ipswich Showgrounds, Qld Oct 28
Halloween Spooktacular will take over the Ipswich Showgrounds in Queensland on October 28th for a night of thrilling Halloween entertainment.
HALLOWEEN EVENTS
1 OCT Halloween Market, Kingston ACT
4 OCT Halloween Puppets, Katoomba NSW
6 OCT Halloween Faire, Heidelberg Heights VIC
7 OCT The Dark Moon Faire, Coburg VIC
13 OCT Spooky Nights at Sea World QLD
13 OCT Haunted Halloween presented by Spectrum Theatre Group, Pambula NSW
14 OCT Halloween Party, Greenway ACT
19 OCT Halloween mocktails, Munno Para SA
20 OCT Fearphobia Scream Pk, Helensvale QLD
21 OCT Psycho Circus, Perth WA
21 OCT Halloween Ghost Train, Mandurah WA
26 OCT Currumbin Wildlife Fangtuary QLD
27 OCT Halloween at Luna Park VIC
27 OCT Kids Halloween Disco, Lidcombe NSW
27 OCT FestEVIL at Aussie World QLD
28 OCT Electric Storm Halloween, Gardens NT
28 OCT Halloween Spooktacular, Ipswich QLD
28 OCT Halloween Hall, Fortitude Valley QLD
28 OCT Pub Footy Hween Ball, Collingwood VIC
28 OCT Dance of the the Dead Halloween ft. Teddy Cream Adelaide, Adelaide SA
28 OCT Halloween Party Cruise, Sydney NSW
28 OCT Horrorween Festival, Moore Park NSW
28 OCT Trick or Treat at Souths, Mackay QLD
28 OCT Sydney Queer Irish presents Bitchcraft Halloween Party, Darlinghurst NSW
28 & 29 OCT Knightmare after dark at Kryal Castle VIC
29 & 30 OCT Halloween at Kryal Castle VIC
29 OCT Kid’s Halloween Party, Caloundra QLD
29 OCT Halloween Gay Skate at Skateaway, Albany Creek QLD
*This article was first published in the October edition of Anglo&Celtic magazine
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