This guide brings together confirmed 2026 Halloween events and regular ghost tours worth considering, with practical suggestions for dinner, accommodation and planning an enjoyable night out.
Booking information: Details were checked against organisers’ published information on 30 September 2026. Prices are in Australian dollars, and all event times are local Melbourne time. Check the linked organiser pages for availability, booking charges, inclusions and changes before paying.
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains Expedia affiliate links. Brighton Savoy may receive a commission when you book through them.
Planning a Bayside weekend? Compare Brighton accommodation on Expedia and check your evening transport before choosing where to stay.
Compare Halloween events and experiences in Melbourne
Start with the kind of evening you want. A family costume event, a theatrical scare attraction and a guided ghost walk offer quite different experiences.
| Experience and location | Dates or availability | Published ticket price | Suitability and atmosphere |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luna Dark nights St Kilda |
22–24 and 29–31 October; 6pm–midnight | Check selected session | Stronger scares; organiser recommends ages 14+ |
| Luna Park Halloween days St Kilda |
24, 25 and 31 October; 1 November; 11am–5pm | Check selected ticket | Family format; individual attraction restrictions apply |
| Halloween at the Museum: Family Event Carlton |
30 October; 6pm–9.30pm | Adult $39; child 16 and under $25 | All ages; costumes, science and activities |
| The Haunted Gala Carlton |
31 October; 7pm–11pm | Adult general admission $85; adult Full Moon package $150 | 18+; costume party and performances |
| Halloween at Old Melbourne Gaol Melbourne CBD |
31 October; 6pm–10pm; last entry 9pm | Adult $30; concession $25 | After-dark exploration; confirm age suitability with organiser |
| A Spooky Escape Old Melbourne Gaol |
31 October; 10am–5pm; last entry 4pm | Adult $38; child $22; two adults and two children $90 | Family activities, clues and crafts |
| Ghosts! What Ghosts? Old Melbourne Gaol |
Selected departures; one hour | Adult $45; concession $40; booking fees apply | 16+; dark rooms and sometimes graphic stories |
| Hidden Melbourne ghost walk Melbourne CBD |
Check departures; 90 minutes | Check live booking price | 8+; operator rates scare level moderate |
| Ghosts of the Old City Williamstown |
Check departures; two hours | Check live booking price | 8+; operator rates scare level high |
The descriptions above summarise advertised formats; they are not standardised scare ratings. A minimum age does not tell you whether an individual child will enjoy the experience. Member and concession prices may differ. Regular tour listings do not confirm an available departure on 31 October.
Confirmed Halloween events in Melbourne for 2026
Luna Dark and Halloween day sessions at Luna Park
Luna Park in St Kilda offers two distinct Halloween formats. Luna Dark night sessions combine rides, scare attractions, roving performers and live entertainment. The six evenings run on 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31 October, from 6pm to midnight.
For a gentler outing, the Halloween day sessions run on 24, 25 and 31 October and 1 November, from 11am to 5pm. The programme includes puppets, music, costume activities and rides. The daytime Harvest of Horrors maze is aimed at older children, with supervision required for younger visitors.
Luna Park recommends its evening sessions for ages 14 and over. Choose the session that suits your group, check ride restrictions and read the costume rules before planning elaborate props.
Planning suggestion: Keep dinner in St Kilda so you can enjoy the evening without adding a cross-city transfer.
See Luna Dark’s official programme or check the Halloween day sessions.
Halloween at the Museum: Family Event
Melbourne Museum’s family celebration takes place on Friday 30 October, from 6pm to 9.30pm, at 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton.
The programme brings together science activities, creature encounters, a trick-or-treat trail, a costume parade and dancing. It is an option for families who enjoy dressing up and exploring together.
Published standard tickets are $39 for adults and $25 for children aged 16 and under, with separate member, concession and student rates. Budget for the accompanying adults as well as the children.
Planning suggestion: Arrange an early meal and decide how late your youngest guest is likely to last. An enjoyable two-hour visit can be better than trying to stay until closing.
Check the museum’s family event details and tickets.
The Haunted Gala at Melbourne Museum
For an adults-only Halloween outing, Melbourne Museum’s new Haunted Gala is scheduled for Saturday 31 October, from 7pm to 11pm.
The 18+ event features costumed arrivals, DJs, live performances, roaming characters and after-dark science talks. It lends itself to a dressed-up date night or a group celebration.
Standard adult general admission is advertised at $85. The adult Full Moon package is $150 and includes a selected drinks package and additional experiences. Check the precise food, drink and access inclusions for your ticket.
Planning suggestion: Set a total budget covering tickets, dinner, transport and costumes before deciding whether to upgrade.
View The Haunted Gala programme and ticket options.
Halloween night at Old Melbourne Gaol
Old Melbourne Gaol’s Halloween evening is scheduled for Saturday 31 October, from 6pm to 10pm. Timed entry is offered between 6pm and 9pm.
This is a self-guided Halloween experience with themed attractions, photo opportunities and an evening bar. Standard tickets are advertised at $30 for adults and $25 concession.
The venue is at 377 Russell Street in the CBD. There is no on-site parking, and accessible entry is limited to the ground floor. Confirm suitability with the organiser if you are considering taking children.
Planning suggestion: Build dinner around your allocated entry time and distinguish this event from the Gaol’s separately ticketed guided night tours.
Check Halloween at Old Melbourne Gaol.
A Spooky Escape at Old Melbourne Gaol
The Gaol also has a daytime family event on Saturday 31 October, from 10am to 5pm, with the final entry at 4pm.
A Spooky Escape uses clues, crafts and a scavenger hunt to create an activity-led visit. Children complete challenges as they explore, with costumed characters and Halloween games adding to the atmosphere.
Published prices include $38 for adults, $22 for children and $90 for two adults and two children. Entry is staggered, and bookings are essential.
Planning suggestion: Choose comfortable shoes for the uneven surfaces. Families with mobility requirements should check the ground-floor access arrangements before booking.
View A Spooky Escape’s activities and tickets.
Ghost tours for a spooky Melbourne night out
A guided ghost tour can work well if you prefer storytelling and a smaller group experience. The tours below have current operator listings, but you need to check their booking calendars for your preferred October date.
Ghost stories are part of the entertainment. Treat accounts of hauntings as folklore or reported experiences, and look for guides who make clear where documented history ends and local legend begins.
Ghosts! What Ghosts? at Old Melbourne Gaol
This one-hour guided night tour is advertised for ages 16 and over, with stories that can include graphic material. It takes place in darkness and includes confined spaces.
The current advertised price is $45 for adults or $40 concession, plus booking fees. The operator asks guests to arrive 15 minutes early and notes that access to some areas is restricted by stairs and upper levels.
Consider it if the stories and setting are the main attraction for you. It requires its own booking.
Check guided ghost-tour departures.
Hidden Melbourne with Lantern Ghost Tours
Lantern Ghost Tours’ Hidden Melbourne walk is a 90-minute street tour, covering approximately two kilometres. The published meeting point is outside Young & Jackson at the corner of Flinders and Swanston streets.
The operator lists an 8+ minimum age and a moderate scare level. Its storytelling draws on the city’s darker tales and ghostly legends.
A dinner-and-tour option is also advertised. Check availability, the meal timing and the joining instructions before deciding whether a package suits you.
View the Hidden Melbourne tour.
Ghosts of the Old City in Williamstown
Williamstown offers a waterfront setting for an evening of ghost stories. Lantern Ghost Tours advertises a two-hour experience, with approximately two kilometres of walking and a mixture of indoor and outdoor locations.
The listed meeting point is the Hobsons Bay Visitor Information Centre on Nelson Place. Although the published minimum age is 8+, the operator rates the scare level high, so consider the experience carefully for younger guests.
A dinner option at the Steampacket Hotel is advertised. Check current inclusions, availability and the separate tour meeting time.
Check the Williamstown ghost tour.
Halloween date-night ideas in Melbourne
The most enjoyable plan usually has one main activity and enough time to relax around it. Choose dinner near your event, leave room for a change of clothes if needed and agree on how much fright you both want.
Dinner and a city ghost walk
Book an early CBD dinner, then join a tour with a departure you have already confirmed. Keep the restaurant within an easy walk of the meeting point and tell staff when you need to leave. Comfortable footwear will matter more than an elaborate costume during a walking tour.
A dressed-up evening in Carlton
Use the Haunted Gala as the centrepiece of the night and arrange dinner beforehand. Coordinated outfits can make the occasion feel special without requiring matching costumes. Choose something you can walk, sit and dance in comfortably.
St Kilda dinner and rides after dark
Combine a meal in St Kilda with a booked Luna Dark evening. Leave space in the plan to enjoy the attraction rather than trying to fit several venues into one night. If you are staying elsewhere, decide how you will get back before the evening begins.
Extending the trip? Our Melbourne bucket-list guide has ideas for the rest of your visit. For a Bayside base, compare Brighton accommodation on Expedia.
Family Halloween activities and lower-cost ideas
For children, choose the format before the venue. Think about darkness, sudden noises, costumed performers, walking distance and bedtime. An advertised age threshold is only one part of that decision.
If you are keeping costs down, you can create your own celebration around a short local outing:
- Make a Halloween treasure hunt: Hide clues and small treats around your home or garden, with a costume photo at the finish.
- Plan a themed picnic: Take homemade snacks to a suitable public picnic area during daylight, subject to the forecast and local rules.
- Host a costume supper: Keep the food simple and let each guest bring a character, a short story or a favourite game.
For trick-or-treating, confirm participating homes through your local community and respect households that are not taking part. Check ingredients before sharing treats with children who have food allergies. Avoid relying on an old online street list as proof that residents are participating this year.
Halloween and Derby Day share the same Saturday in 2026
Victoria Derby Day at Flemington is also scheduled for Saturday 31 October 2026. That is useful to know even if you have no plans to attend the races.
With both occasions on the calendar, it is sensible to compare accommodation early and allow a generous buffer between bookings. If you are combining the races with a Halloween event, account for leaving Flemington, returning to your accommodation, changing and eating. A tight connection to timed evening entry could leave you rushing.
For the wider calendar, see our Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival guide.
Where to stay for a Halloween weekend in Melbourne
Choose your accommodation around the event that finishes latest. A convenient return journey is often more useful than being close to the first daytime activity.
Melbourne CBD or Carlton: Start here if the Gaol, Melbourne Museum or a city ghost walk is your main booking. Compare the exact walking route and transport options from each property.
St Kilda: Consider a local stay if Luna Dark is the focus of your weekend. Check the hotel’s location relative to Luna Park, parking arrangements and any room requirements before booking.
Brighton and Bayside: This can suit a trip that also includes the beach, coastal walks and a quieter daytime itinerary. Allow for the journey to and from city events, particularly late at night.
Use our guide to where to stay in Melbourne to compare areas, or explore Brighton accommodation options.
Before you book your Halloween outing
- Check the exact event and session: Daytime admission, a Halloween party and a guided night tour can be separate products at the same venue.
- Compare the full cost: Include booking fees, meals, drinks, transport, parking and any ticket upgrades.
- Read costume rules: Venues may restrict props, masks and bulky outfits. Choose footwear that suits the activity.
- Plan for the weather: Check the forecast close to your visit and bring a layer or rain protection for outdoor queues and walks.
- Ask about accessibility: Historic buildings and atmospheric events may involve uneven floors, stairs, low lighting or sound effects. Confirm the particular route or session you intend to book.
- Plan the journey home: Use Transport Victoria to check your route and service changes, especially if you are returning to Bayside or another suburb late at night.
Frequently asked questions about Halloween in Melbourne
When is Halloween in Melbourne in 2026?
Halloween is on Saturday 31 October 2026. Some celebrations run on other dates, so check the specific event rather than assuming everything happens on Saturday night.
What are some family-friendly Halloween options?
The confirmed options in this guide include Melbourne Museum’s family event, Luna Park’s Halloween day sessions and A Spooky Escape at Old Melbourne Gaol. Choose according to your children’s interests and comfort with spooky settings.
Is there an adults-only Halloween event in Melbourne?
Melbourne Museum’s Haunted Gala is advertised as an 18+ event on Saturday 31 October. Check its current ticket page for availability and package inclusions.
Can I take a ghost tour outside Halloween night?
Yes, the regular tours listed here advertise selected departures beyond a single Halloween event. Availability varies, so check the operator’s calendar for the date you want.
Should I book Halloween tickets in advance?
Book ahead when a venue requires timed entry or an advance reservation. Secure the main activity first, then arrange dinner and transport around its confirmed time.
Where should visitors stay for Halloween?
Base the decision on your main evening booking. Compare CBD or Carlton properties for city attractions, St Kilda for Luna Park, and Brighton for a broader Bayside stay with planned transport to evening events.
