As the spooky season lurks around the corner, it’s time to prepare for what’s always billed as the scariest night of the year – Halloween.
Although it is most recognised as an American tradition, every year on 31 October Australians all over the country participate in the festivities by carving pumpkins, stocking up on candy, decorating their houses and dressing up in their best and scariest costumes to go trick-or-treating.
If you want to get into the spirit this year, we’ve created a list of some of the best Halloween-related events, activities and festivities taking place around Canberra and the region.
For the kids
If you’re looking for places to take the kids, here are some of the best and most scream-worthy houses and streets worth visiting. Many will have their decorations up from 30 October.
Northside
- 30 Rich Street in Higgins
- Corner of Hodges and Pennefather Streets in Higgins
- 24 Moroney Street in Fraser
- 18 Spica Street in Giralang
- Birchgrove Complex – Unit 7/14 Earle Place in Page
- Allnutt Crescent in Forde
- Unit 5/ 70 Bourne Street in Cook
- Freda Bennett Circuit in Nicholls.
Did we miss any houses or streets? Let us know in the comments below!
Southside
- Cardell Place in Richardson
- Canberra Halloween house in Wanniassa, Osmand Street in Wanniassa
- 4 Tyner Street in Calwell
- 3 Saswicki Place in Gordon
- Popplewell Place in Gordon
- Dalyell Street in Chisolm
- Stacy Street in Gowrie
- Jarrahdale Street in Fisher
- Dead end at Ammon Place in Kambah, (walk through on Sunday and Monday from 12 pm both days. Four houses will be decorated).
Are you dying to have some fun this Halloween with the kids? Googong is hosting its annual ‘Boogong’ Halloween event.
As one of the biggest parties in the region, Boogong returns on Saturday, 29 October, at Rockley Oval in Googong from 5 pm to 9 pm with more than 10 food vendors offering a variety of different foods and cuisines ranging from Mexican to Greek street food, and Thai and Indian, with plenty of entertainment for the whole family.
There will also be performers roaming around the oval, live music and entertainment including the spectacular Sydney Fire Dancers, aerialists, a comedy axe juggler and local DJ Clique to provide music throughout the event.
A best-dressed costume competition will also take place, so get your best and spookiest Halloween costumes ready!
To see the full program of spooky events, visit Boogong.
Celebrate the spookiest day of the year in style, in your own car at Waves Carwash in Phillip. They will be bringing back their annual Halloween Haunted Wash Tunnel.
Taking place on Saturday 29 October and Monday 31 October from 6 pm, will you dare to drive through the tunnel? Tickets are $30 each and can be paid for on the day.
Taking place at Lollipop’s Playland and Cafe is a special, three-day Halloween party just for the kids. For $17.95 per person, kids can attend the Freaky Friday event on Friday 28 October, the Spooky Saturday event on Saturday 29 October and the Halloween Monday event on Monday 31 October.
Each Halloween party will kick off at 6 pm and feature a disco, crafts, party games and prizes.
Bring the kids to Queanbeyan this Halloween for Halloween at Riverside, a special trick-or-treat scavenger hunt. Taking place on Saturday 29 October, and Sunday 30 October on Halloween Eve, kids are invited to grab a free Halloween bag from the front of EB games, which will contain an instruction card.
They will be invited to trick-or-treat their way around the centre, solving riddles and collecting stamps along the way. As they solve the riddles, they will earn special treats, and will also get the chance to win one of five $30 gift cards. With costumes strongly encouraged, this event will take place across both days from 11 am to 2 pm.
For the adults
If you’re familiar with Nightmare on Elm Street, then prepare for Nightmare on Northbourne – an event that’s expected to rattle your bones.
On Saturday 29 October Token Cbr will transform into a dark, smoke-filled dungeon and play nothing but emo, pop punk, rock, indie, metal and goth hits with DJ Black Temple.
Reload Bar and Games will host their own spooky session and play non-stop dance floor fillers, and 1UP will be open to the public with pool tables and the karaoke room on free play.
As well as playing killer tracks all night, there will also be special Halloween cocktails on offer, a photographer taking photos to capture the night and there will be prizes for the best dressed.
This is strictly an over-18 event. To book tickets, visit Nightmare on Northbourne.
Calling all freaks, ghosts and monsters, it’s time to celebrate the spookiest day of the year in style at Kingpin with their special Freak Show Halloween Party.
For only $65 per person, you’ll get a Halloween-themed welcome drink on arrival, a choice of one activity (either five-frame bowling, 20 minutes of karaoke, 30 minutes of games timed play or 30 minutes of table tennis), canapes, a $20 drink voucher and a free turn on the ‘ghoulish’ e-claw machine.
This night will feature DJs, dancers, makeup artists and more, and is one that you won’t want to miss. This event is strictly an over-18 event. Book your tickets now.
One of Australia’s premier university networks is also getting its freak on this festive season by taking over Mile High Club with Canberra’s Biggest Halloween Party and you’re all invited.
Join more than 500 people and dress in your best costumes, receive a Halloween treat upon entry, take pictures in the complimentary photo booth, get your makeup done by professional makeup artists and dance to some of the best music provided by various DJs across two arenas. Tickets start at $22.87 and can be purchased here.
Original Article published by Evelyn Karatzas on Riotact.