Sydney Halloween weekend: free events and after-dark plans
Planning Saturday 31 October or Sunday 1 November 2026? Compare ten Sydney Halloween outings, with clear dates, session times and entry conditions. Ghost in The Rocks continues on Sunday; the other listed events finish on Saturday or run only that day.
Edition · First published · Updated · Latest source review
Most of these plans are for Saturday 31 October. If you want a Sunday outing, start with Ghost in The Rocks, which continues until 1 November. Five of the ten options have free entry, while tours, the boat party, cinema and Luna Park have separate booking conditions. Check the organiser before travelling: ticket availability can change quickly.
Who this is for: Students, newcomers and other readers planning Sydney Halloween outings on 31 October–1 November 2026. Only Ghost in The Rocks among these ten events continues on Sunday. Event-specific dates, sessions, booking and entry conditions apply.
1. Still on Sunday: Ghost in The Rocks
Dates: Thursday 29 October–Sunday 1 November 2026.
Festival times: 4–11pm daily.
Where: The Rocks, including Playfair Street markets and the stage at First Fleet Park.
Entry: Free street-festival entry; selected experiences are ticketed. Food and drinks cost extra.
Market hours are separate: Friday 30 October, 4–10pm; Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November, 10am–10pm. Check individual cinema and experience bookings separately rather than using the market hours as their session times.
2. Saturday daytime: Halloween at Darling Square
Date: Saturday 31 October 2026 for the free hunt and face painting.
Time: Noon–3pm.
Where: 35 Tumbalong Boulevard, Haymarket.
Entry: Free trick-or-treating and face painting.
Pick up a map at the Trick or Treat Station and follow the hunt. The precinct’s broader promotion runs 19–31 October, but its separate $30 retail-spend condition does not apply to the advertised free hunt.
3. Saturday community party: Newtown
Date: Saturday 31 October 2026.
Time: 4:30–7:30pm.
Where: 11–13 Darley Street, Newtown.
Entry: Free and alcohol-free.
Newtown Neighbourhood Centre’s street party includes live music, a haunted house, pumpkin decorating, face painting, games and a costume parade. The council also lists a free barbecue, popcorn, fairy floss and Halloween treats.
4. Saturday waterfront: Skeletopia
Date: Saturday 31 October 2026.
Time: 4–8:30pm.
Where: Town Square at Cockle Bay Wharf, 201 Sussex Street.
Entry: Free.
Face painting runs 4–7pm, giant Day of the Dead puppets appear 5–7pm, and roaming skeleton performers are scheduled 5:30–8:30pm. Giveaways are available while stocks last.
5. Saturday dancing: Day of the Dead at Hay St Market
Date: Saturday 31 October 2026.
Time: From 5pm until late; beginner salsa at 6pm, DJs and Latin dance from 7pm.
Where: Hay St Market, Haymarket.
Entry: Free; food and drinks cost extra.
Costumes are encouraged. Check the venue’s age conditions before bringing a group.
6. Saturday sailing: Halloweenfest Sunset
Date: Saturday 31 October 2026.
Time: 3:30–7:30pm. Arrive between 3pm and 3:15pm for boarding.
Where: King Street Wharf 3, Darling Harbour.
Entry: Ticketed, ages 18+. Check the current final-release price and booking fees.
Bring valid physical photo ID. The organiser states no refunds. Final-release Sunset tickets were shown when checked; the separate After Dark sailing was sold out. Confirm your sailing and current availability before paying.
7. Final Halloween tour night: Q Station
Dates: Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October 2026 only. Saturday is the remaining Halloween-tour date in this guide.
Time: Tours for ages 15+ depart at 7:30pm, 8pm, 8:30pm, 9pm and 10pm. Separate family tours depart at 6pm, 6:30pm and 7pm. Each tour lasts 90 minutes.
Where: 1 North Head Scenic Drive, Manly.
Cost: The 15+ Halloween tour is $53 including the fee. Family-tour listings show $53 per adult or child, or $157.94 for a family booking.
Select Saturday 31 October when booking. Check departure availability, family-ticket inclusions and suitability for your group before paying.
8. Saturday late-night film: The Babadook
Date: Saturday 31 October 2026.
Time: 10pm. Allow for the 94-minute film and an approximately 10-minute introduction by director Jennifer Kent.
Where: Playhouse, Sydney Opera House.
Cost: $30 standard or $26 concession, plus an $8.95 booking fee per transaction. Classification: MA15+.
Check concession eligibility and admission conditions. Plan your journey home around the late finish.
9. Final night: Halloscream at Luna Park
Dates: Thursday 29–Saturday 31 October 2026. It does not continue on Sunday.
Time: 6–10pm each night.
Where: Luna Park, Milsons Point.
Entry: Ticketed. Saturday general admission is sold out; limited VIP tickets for ages 18+ were shown when checked.
Check the remaining ticket category, current price and availability before arranging a group outing.
10. Saturday live music: Halloween Havoc
Date: Saturday 31 October 2026.
Time: From 8pm. BIFTER is listed at 8pm, Amammoth at 9pm, AGLO at 10pm and Sundowner at 11pm.
Where: The Duke of Enmore, 148 Enmore Road, Enmore.
Entry: Price and age restrictions are not stated in the gig guide. Check with the venue; do not assume free entry.
Before you head out
Choose one main event rather than trying to fit everything in. Budget for transport, food and drinks, check accessibility and age requirements, and read boarding or arrival instructions carefully for ticketed activities.
All dates are in 2026, times are Sydney AEDT and prices are in Australian dollars. Event dates, sessions and the stated prices and ticket status were checked on 31 October 2026. The Sunset boat-party price has not been reverified, so check its booking page. Prices, schedules and availability can change; follow the official links before travelling or booking.
Photo: Gabby Orcutt / Unsplash. Original photo, under the Unsplash Licence. Illustrative pumpkins, not a photograph of a listed event.
Official sources
- Official event details
- Inner West Council listing
- Official Skeletopia listing
- Official Day of the Dead details
- Official Ghost in The Rocks listing
- Official Sunset event and booking page
- Official Halloween tours page
- Official screening details
- Official Halloscream page
- Official gig guide
- Venue details
- Gabby Orcutt / Unsplash
- Unsplash Licence
- NSW official event listing
- Luna Park operating hours