Halloween in Pretoria: Where to go and where to get your costume

• Friday 30 October, 6pm
• Location: Traders Times Square, Aramist Ave, Menlyn, Pretoria
• Cost: R100 - R150 via Howler

Are you dressing for heaven or hell this Halloween? Fratt Haus is bringing Saints & Sinners to Menlyn with an angels-versus-demons theme, giving you the perfect excuse to go all out with your look. Come for the Amapiano, hip-hop and club anthems; stay for the DJs, live performances and elaborate production. There are also dedicated photo spots, so you'll have somewhere to show off all the effort you put into your Halloween costume. Looks like even the angels will have to loosen their halos for this one.

• Saturday 31 October, 1pm
• Location: Heartfelt Gardens, 1000 Voortrekker Rd, Thaba Tshwane
• Cost: R349 - R449 via Howler

If guitars, heavy riffs and bass-heavy beats are more your thing, Silverstein's Halloween show at Heartfelt Gardens is worth a look. The Canadian post-hardcore band will share the stage with Ruff Majik, known for its fuzz-heavy rock, and PHFAT, whose bass-driven hip-hop brings a different sound to the bill. More local and international rock, punk and metal acts round out the day's programme. Between sets, grab a bite, visit the bar or pick up some merch from your favourite band. Since it's Halloween, why not lean into the occasion with a look that would feel right at home in a horror film?

• Saturday 31 October, Various Times
• Location: Irene Village Theatre
• Cost: R50 via Quicket

Forget watching horror films from behind a cushion. Pretoria Youth Theatre is turning Irene Village Theatre into a walk-through Halloween attraction, where visitors make their way through a graveyard filled with ghosts and skeletons before moving into a haunted hospital and, finally, a haunted house. Live actors are part of the experience, with spooky surprises waiting along the way, so you won't know what's around the next corner. There’s no complicated concept here, just a classic haunted house for anyone who’d rather spend Halloween screaming than dancing. 

• Saturday 31 October, 7pm
• Location: Starts at Huckleberry’s Restaurant
• Cost: R329 - R399 via Quicket

Think Pretoria's old buildings are only good for a history lesson? Think again. The city's ghost stories bring tales of restless spirits and strange encounters to life, particularly after dark. Erasmus Castle, also known as Die Spookhuis, is one of the stops on Mystery Ghost Productions' tour of Pretoria's eerie side. Other locations include the old railway station, Victoria Hotel and Church Square, each with its own tales of unexplained encounters. Before setting off, participants get an introduction to the tour and a demonstration using dowsing rods. They then follow the guide in their own vehicles, stopping at selected locations along the way. You don't have to believe in ghosts to enjoy the tour, but don't be surprised if Pretoria's old buildings feel a little different on your next evening out.

• Saturday 31 October, 3pm
• Location: Prison Break Market
• Cost: R150 - R700 via Quicket

If a genuinely scary Halloween is what you’re after, this is one to consider. The Haunted Forest takes you through different horror-themed worlds, with creepy characters, eerie sets and a few nasty surprises waiting for you. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Haunted Forest is bringing seven horror realms to the experience, along with a separate Haunted House for anyone who really wants to test their nerves. 

There’s a little more to it than getting scared. Horror movies, food, vendors and entertainment give you a chance to take things easy, while younger visitors have their own Trick & Treat experience. With so much happening in one place, this is more of a full Halloween outing than a quick stop at a party.

• Saturday 31 October, 1pm
• Location: Ivy Cafe Hazelwood, Cape Connection Lifestyle Village
• Cost: R295 via Art in the Garden

Ghosts aren't for everyone, and neither are Halloween parties. Art in the Garden and Ivy Cafe are offering another way to mark the occasion with a botanical paint-by-numbers session in Hazelwood. No fancy painting skills needed here. You'll have a pre-drawn design, numbered sections and pre-mixed paints to help you bring your botanical artwork to life. Your ticket covers the painting materials, a cold drink and a light meal, and there’s a prize up for grabs for the best-dressed guest. Bring your best Halloween look, settle in with a paintbrush and enjoy a slower-paced way to celebrate the occasion.