8 Best Halloween Activities in Adelaide That Got Us Spooked to Our Core!
Halloween will always have a special place in my heart. It’s one of the few times when Adelaide’s streets come alive in a way that’s a little eerie but a whole lot of fun. Bars go all out with spooky makeovers, and there’s no shortage of activities to get you in the Halloween spirit.
If you’re looking to experience a mix of thrills and pleasure this holiday, I have some recommendations. From haunted tours to horror movie marathons, here are the best Halloween activities in Adelaide that’ll get your heart racing!
Unleash your inner emo by dressing up for Emoween
Media From: emonightevents
Where: 1/131 Pirie St
When: October 25
Time: 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Admission Fee:
- Early Bird – $11.29
- General Admission – $32
- Final Release – $37
Time to unleash your inner emo and get a bit spooky at Emoween at Rhino Room. It’s an annual Halloween-themed event hosted by Emo Night Adelaide, combining the holiday’s eerie vibes with emo culture’s angst and style.
Expect DJ sets blasting top emo hits, while you get a creepy transformation at the makeover booth. Try their Halloween-themed drinks like Scream Sour and Frankenstein Fizz—ideal as you dance to the music.
You’ll also want to dress to impress. There will be prizes up for grabs for the best-dressed emos of the night!
We checked the 2024 Emoween, and honestly, it was a weirdly fun mix of moody and energetic. The place was packed with people in black, rocking smudged eyeliner and killer outfits. We’d definitely hit this again!
Tip: Stay until the very end! There are exciting giveaways throughout the event. You’ll never know, maybe you’ll be drawn and get some creepy stuff to take home!
Visit a haunted asylum at Z Ward
Media From: captured_images_by_cheryll
Where: 63 Conyngham St, Glenside
When: October 28
Time: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/event/z-ward-behind-the-walls/
Admission Fee:
- Adult – $20
- National Trust Member – $18
- Children – $15
- Student – $12
Visit the historical site Z Ward, an asylum for the criminally insane. From 1888 until 1973, it housed Adelaide’s insane patients. Today, it’s filled with paranormal activity—perfect for the spooky festival. Plus, the tour is year-round, so you can join even if it’s not Halloween.
The tour allows you to learn about the asylum’s dark past and get to know its patients. You can roam freely in its corridors with a device that detects paranormal activity called EMF. You’ll never know, you might capture an unusual activity as you explore.
I joined one of its tours and boy, my soul left my body. While I was exploring on my own, I heard faint whispers, even if I was alone in that area. The creepiest moment came when something whispered to my ear, “Run,” prompting me to book it out of there and back to my group.
Tip: While you may bring a friend in a wheelchair, the upper level of Z Ward is accessible via stairs only. The sole wheelchair-accessible part of the area is its lower level.
Party like crazy at Cry Baby Bar
Media From: crybabybar
Where: 11 Solomon St
When: October 31
Time: 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Website: https://crybabybar.com.au/
Admission Fee: Free
Head bang and jump around dancing at the annual Halloween-themed event by Cry Baby Bar. The spot, known for its rock and roll mayhem vibes, will be filled with eerie decorations like cobwebs, skeletons, and neon lights during this spooky night.
The bar features live music and themed drinks—ideal for those looking to celebrate Halloween in style. They make a killer witch’s brew—a green cocktail made with vodka, lime juice, and a splash of soda.
Oh, there’s also a costume contest, so best bring your best scary attire and compete for prizes!
I rocked up as Freddy Krueger last time, only to find five other Freddys in the room! Next time, I’m going for something no one else will think of.
Tip: Invite your LGBTQIA+ friends to this event. It’s an inclusive, welcoming party where everyone can have a blast!
Take a paranormal adventure to the Adelaide Gaol Prison
Where: 18 Gaol Rd
When: Various dates around Halloween
Time: 7 p.m.
Website: https://www.adelaidegaol.sa.gov.au/
Admission Fee:
- General Admission – $36
- Concession – $32
A trip to Adelaide Gaol Prison is an experience befitting Halloween. It’s run by the Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society Inc., taking you to one of South Australia’s oldest prisons.
The gaol is one of the most haunted locations in the region after housing over 300,000 inmates and witnessing 45 executions—so there’s no shortage of eerie encounters.
Wander through the dark, abandoned cells while the guides share haunting stories experienced by the staff and visitors. You can also visit the execution sites and learn about the gaol’s grim history.
Plus, you can use ghost-hunting equipment, helping you detect any paranormal activity, adding another layer of creepiness and mystery to the tour.
We joined the tour, and it was one of the creepiest moments in my life. When the ghost detector started going off, we knew we weren’t alone—probably not welcomed either.
Tip: Save up by inviting 10 or more friends to join you. That way, each person will only pay $13.50!
Halloween Skate Party
Media From: adelaidegroupskate
Where: Blackwood Recreation Centre
When: October 26
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Website: http://www.blackwoodrec.com.au/
Admission Fee:
- Skaters – $13
- Spectators – $6
- Kids Under 3 – Free
Celebrate Halloween on wheels at the Halloween Skate Party at Blackwood Recreation Centre. It’s an annual event hosted by the Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue Centre. The party is great for families, friends, and anyone keen for a spooky skate session.
The rink gets a full Halloween makeover, setting the scene for a fun and eerie night. A DJ spins lively tunes, keeping things energetic, while interactive skating games give you the chance to score some prizes.
As a skating fan, this is one of my favourite Halloween traditions. It’s one of the places where I feel totally free to bust out my moves—especially with a DJ who knows how to keep the vibe going.
Tip: Embrace the Halloween spirit by having your face painted with spooky designs in the face painting booth!
Shop at the Craigmore Halloween Market
Media From: bugandwoo
Where: Craigmore Recreation Centre
When: October 27
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission Fee: Free
The Craigmore Halloween Market is a great annual community event during the holiday. It’s a place packed with a variety of stalls that offer handmade crafts, serve delicious food, and offer plenty of Halloween-themed items.
Plus, it’s an ideal spot to trick-or-treat, making it a family activity.
Treat yourself to homemade treats, baked goods, and specialty foods like pumpkin spice cookies, ghostly cupcakes, and spooky brownies that you won’t find in regular stores.
There are plenty of custom-made costumes and accessories for kids and adults on sale, just in case you’re looking for a last-minute outfit for a party.
This is one of the events I look forward to every Halloween. Once, I even scored a skull ring made from wood, which ended up being the perfect touch for my wooden pumpkin costume!
Tip: Adults who are dressed can sometimes receive a goodie or two, so don’t be shy to come here in a scary suit or costume!
Ghost hunt at Port Adelaide
Media From: cityofpae
Where: Port Adelaide
When: Last day of the month
Time: Self-paced
Admission Fee: Free
Port Adelaide is filled with haunted locations, making it a prime spot for ghastly encounters by taking a self-guided walk during Halloween. Run by the City of PAE and researched by Australia’s top paranormal investigator, Allen Tiller, this tour lets you explore the eerie past of the Port at your own pace—if you dare.
You’ll visit 13 haunted locations across the Port, including the Civic Precinct, local pubs, Lipson Street, and the Lighthouse. Along the way, you’ll uncover eerie histories and ghost stories tied to each site, adding an extra chill to your exploration.
I don’t spook easily, but this walk had me questioning everything. While wandering Lipson Street late at night, I swear I saw a shadowy figure—maybe the ghost boy said to haunt the area.
Tip: Not feeling brave? You can do the walk during the day, but let’s be real—it’s way better (and scarier) after dark.
Marathon scary movies at Palace Nova Cinema
Media From: palacenova
Where: 3 Cinema Pl
When: Final Friday of the month
Website: https://www.palacenova.com.au/special-events
Palace Nova Cinema hosts “The Bonfire Horror Club,” a monthly event of watching horror flicks. On Halloween, they turn it into an all-out fright fest, screening a mix of classic and modern horror films to get you to embrace the spooky spirit.
You can dress up while enjoying a marathon of horror movies on the big screen and themed drinks available at the cafe bar. Plus, there are contests from event sponsors that dish out cool prizes like horror merch, books, magazines, comics, and more.
Last year’s lineup was unreal. Classics like Halloween III: Season of the Witch, The Exorcist, and A Nightmare on Elm Street all hit the silver screen. I’d always wanted to see The Shining in a cinema, and when it popped up in the lineup, I knew I was in for a scary treat.
Tip: Get there early for the best seats and enjoy the pre-show activities, including contests and special guest meet-and-greets.
