How to celebrate Halloween in Melbourne

Spend Halloween underground at Le Méridien Melbourne’s Dolly with live jazz, tarot-inspired cocktails and tarot readings on October 31. This modern European restaurant and cocktail bar is hosting The Grand Jazz Dinner Show: A Halloween Special, featuring a five-piece band and a four-course dinner with matching wines for $145 per person. At the bar, four limited-edition tarot card-inspired cocktails offer a taste of fate, while tarot reader Kirra will be on hand for relaxed, 20-minute one-on-one readings for $20.

Melbourne Museum's Halloween festivities kick off early this year, with a trifecta of events. Get there on October 23, to explore the vastness of space (adults-only). Then, on October 30, kids and adults alike are invited to check out the creepy crawlies in the museum, while on October 31, the adults-only Halloween Gala has everything from tarot card readings and live performers to DJs and themed cocktails.

Luxury eco-hotel 1 Hotel Melbourne is kickstarting Halloween on October 24 with Bloom After Dark in its Crane Bar and Lounge. You're invited to a candle-lit soirée with a Halloween edge. Start off the evening with DJ Edd Fisher before Client Liaison’s Harvey M keeps the vibes high with pumping beats. Enjoy Halloween-themed cocktails and spooky entertainment galore. The dress code asks you to embrace the spirit of the evening with a touch of theatre. Book your spot here.

From October 22 to November 1, Luna Park is transforming into its spooky alter-ego for Halloween. From Thursday to Sunday for each of these two each week, the terror unfolds after dark. Face your worst fears in the Carnival of Screams: Haunted Maze or Extreme Phobia: Darkness Experience. There are tons of thrilling rides, roaming horror actors, live music, spooky carnival games and much more. Don't worry, little kids can still have their Halloween treats until 5pm. Find out more here.

Kingpin Melbourne is going all out for Halloween, with a week of spooky events taking over its Collins Street venue, from drag trivia and killer darts to a boot-scooting hoedown and dark, fantasy-inspired brunch. It all starts on October 27 with Drag-cula Trivia, a Halloween twist on the weekly drag trivia night. On October 28, Killer Darts brings a spooky spin to Wednesplay, with guests going head-to-head over the dartboard. Come October 31, it’s time to dust off your dancing boots for Spooky Scootin’: A Halloween Hoedown, where Boot Scooting Society will teach dances for beginners and seasoned dancers alike. The Halloween festivities wrap up on November 1, with High Court Brunch, promising a dark, fantasy-inspired experience to round off the Halloween weekend.

Cabaret venue Viva Melbourne turns up the heat for Halloween with its Scandal Halloween Edition. There are four special performances over October 30 and 31, complete with limited-edition Halloween cocktails. Get set for amazing aerialists, powerhouse vocals, jaw-dropping choreography and specialty dark-circus acts, all reimagined with a Halloween twist. Get your tickets here. 

As if the Old Melbourne Gaol wasn't spooky enough, it's getting an extra frightful makeover this Halloween. On October 31, dress up in your Halloween best and roam through the cells that onced housed some of the country's most notorious criminals. This special after-hours event offers a rare chance to explore the iconic site at your own pace. They've also got a photo booth where you can snap a pic as well as a bar to enjoy a drink or two. Bring your little kids during the day (10am-4pm), for encounters with ghostly characters, hands-on activities, photo ops, scavenger hunts and more. Find out more here. 

Calling all witches, zombies, ghosts, skeletons, vampires, monsters and creatures of the night! On October 30 and 31, Halloweenfest is taking over two venues across two epic nights. Night 1 (October 30) takes over all four levels of Inflation Nightclub, while Night 2 (October 31) takes over the full venue at Ballers Clubhouse Melbourne CBD. Come dressed in your scariest best for a massive night of costumes, dancing, drinks and Halloween madness. Get the details here.