Legend has it that at summer’s end or ‘Samhain’—the inspiration behind Halloween traditions—the veil between the world of the living and the underworld is at its thinnest. The dead will walk. And when they do they’re going to want to know where all the most blood-curdling shindigs are because if we know anything about the dead, it’s that they love to be the spirit of the party.
We’ve looked in every dark corner and down every dark alley to bring you a head-rolling Halloween extravaganza of events, from petrifyingly perfect parties and kid-friendly festivities to creepy crafts, deathly dodgeball, monstrous markets, and more.
Here are the best Halloween parties and events in Auckland to hit this year. Cobweb up and dress for the devil. You’re in for a fright.
Spookers Scream Nights
Karaka, Fridays And Saturdays Throughout October
A Halloween round-up wouldn’t be complete without a hair-raising event by Halloween royalty, Spookers. Enter: Spookers Scream Nights, your ticket to terror. Risk everything as you enter the former Kingseat Hospital, a psychiatric hospital known to be one of the most haunted locations in Aotearoa. Today, it’s brimming with a litany of monsters straight out of your nightmares. Attempt to survive The Haunted House, Disturbia, The Woods and The Fog in a spine-chilling quadruple threat. BYO torch, you’re going to need it.
Paintvine
Various locations until 31 October
There’s no question that wine and paint make for a great celebration no matter the occasion, and Halloween is definitely not an exception. The good spirits at Paintvine are putting on an array of fantastically Halloween-themed events throughout October so it’d be rude not to get involved. From neon sugar skulls and quirky clay jack o’ lanterns to watercolour pumpkins and a haunted house. Come through.
The Wedding
Auckland CBD, 25-29 October
If your perfect Halloween celebration involves laughing, perhaps maniacally, you’ll want to nab yourself a ticket to the gothic-horror-comedy gig The Wedding at Basement Theatre. Set in a church where a man has begrudgingly agreed to marry his distant cousin come with plenty of gasps, you’ll need them.
Jump Scare
Avondale, 28 October | Kid-Friendly
YMCA’s youth programme Raise Up is holding a freaky fundraiser for young people at Jump Avondale Trampoline Park. Dress up and get your bounce on at Jump Scare, scoring prizes, snacks and maybe even making a new friend or two. All proceeds go towards supporting the YMCA in their work with young people.
Candlelight Halloween
Auckland CBD, 28 October
Weta Workshop Unleashed’s getting lit, candlelit, that is, with Candlelight Halloween, a haunted evening of classic compositions performed live by a string quartet. Listen out for literally hair-raising bangers including the them.
Spooky Lantern Pottery Workshop
Ponsonby, 28 October | Kid-Friendly
Hand-build a monstrous lantern or oil burner at this Spooky Lantern pottery workshop with Falcon Grey Ceramics. Mount your broom and fly over to Studio Toi Tū to learn the technique of slab building and get to explore different finishes for aesthetics and functionality. Your kooky creation will then be bisque and glaze-fired in the fiery pits of Hell. Suitable for ages 8 and above.
NYMPHO
Karangahape Road, 28 October
Bloodcurdling debauchery awaits you at NYMPHO, a dance-focused queer club night where art meets high-energy DJ sets. The lineup includes Allyxpress, Race Banyon, Samara Alofa, Zeki and more. You know it's going to be fire.
Nightmare On Beresford Square
Auckland CBD, 28 October
Ethical concept store Crushes is taking over Soap Dancehall with a “hauntingly hawt Halloween humdinger” that promises to put the boo in boogie and we’re hella excited. Dress up essential with prizes for best dressed, entry is free.
Ignite Halloween
Karangahape Road, 28 October
Dress up just right and shake ‘dem bones at Studio The Venue’s Ignite Halloween—two stages of tunes and visual experiences sure to get you frothing. The lineup includes headliners Just A Gent and Blaine Stranger with support from Mylky, Cheff, Mylen, CSM, Scarfie, Cortr, George.e, HRTFLT, and more. Get it.
Bayswater Halloween Trail
Bayswater, 28 October | Kid-Friendly
Another family-friendly Halloween event, The Bayswater Halloween Trail is a walk or bike adventure around the green trail at Bayswater Park. Complete with tricks, treats, prizes, coffee and a free sausage sizzle you’re sure to have a spooktacular time.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show With Hot And Flustered
Devonport, 28 October
If you haven’t yet experienced The Rocky Horror Picture Show (or even if you have), there’s no better time to do so than Halloween. Rock up to The Vic Cinema clad in your favourite Halloween or Rocky Horror character get-up and experience this iconic film brought to life, live, by The Hot & Flustered Shadowcast. Interactive prop kits are available with $1 from each kit being donated to New Zealand AIDS Foundation, and there are prizes up for grabs sponsored by Adult Toy Mega Store and Demon Energy Drink. Devilish.
Harryween: Harry Styles Halloween Party
Ponsonby, 28 October
Your prayers have been answered, or it’s your nightmare incarnate. Either way, Harryween is one of the best Halloween parties to raise the dead at in Auckland. Harry Styles meets Halloween in this sensational Harry Styles tribute party by Superficial, a creator of inclusive, judgment-free and bullshit-free events. Dress up in a Halloween or Harry-themed costume, storm the dance floor like tomorrow’s apocalypse and soak up all that Harry Styles, One Direction, and poppy goodness.
Dead Witch Halloween
Auckland CBD, 28 October
Witches are undeniably on brand when it comes to all things Halloween so where better to spend the lead-up to the day than at Dead Witch? Located upstairs at Ding Dong Lounge—Aotearoa's premier rock bar—Dead Witch will be ensnaring souls with performances by Pale Flag, Wolves, Pressure and Mark of Shame. Get amongst… if you dare.
Halloween Flash Party
Auckland CBD, 29 October
The spooky season will leave a mark this year, and it'll be deliciously permanent. Blood will run at New Vision Ink’s Halloween Flash Party so bring a body (preferably your own) to their studio on Elliott Street for a day of ink, flash games, snacks drinks and banter with the artists from 10am ‘til late. First come, first served so get your A into G and get illustrated this Halloween.
Addams Family Halloween
Ponsonby, 29 October
Get ready for goosebumps. Hoppers Garden Bar is throwing a gin-laced Addams Family Halloween that’s sure to get your skin crawling in the best way. With a potions menu featuring Hendricks Gin Lunar, Hendricks Gin Neptunia, Fireball and Monkey Shoulder, circus acts, stilt walkers, and fire breathers (oh my!), this has got to be one of the best Halloween parties in Auckland.
Luxe Masquerade
Auckland CBD, 29 October
Don your best black tie and a mask and make for SkyCity’s cocktail bar twentyone for a night of Latin dance at Aluxer’s Luxe Masquerade. Pop in early to brush up on your dance moves with special edition zouk, bachata, and urban kizomba dance workshops, then strut your stuff on the dancefloor. Reooow.
Halloween In The Park
Mt Eden, 29 October | Kid-Friendly
Auspiciously returning for its 13th year Halloween In The Park is a free event just for families. With spot prizes galore, spooky science with Dr Frankenstein, spell-casting with Egor, fortune telling with Freakella the Fortune Witch, graveyard tunes and a zombie make-over with the transformation Transylvania witches, there are loads to get amongst. So gather up your ghouls and head to The Village Green from 12 ‘til 2pm.
FREAKOUT
Karangahape Road, 29 October
The entirety of Karangahape Road is pulling out the stops this Halloween for what they’re calling FREAKOUT, an all-night disco bloodbath that'll surely be one of the best Halloween events this year. Think weird and wonderful sounds at SOAP Dancehall’s Club Ritmo and a spicy tequila-spiked hallucination of gin-spun cocktails at Bozo, freaky hairstyles, a Halloween market, spider dancers from Dance Plant Collective, a Halloween caricaturist, Aotearoa’s biggest gay party Propaganda Halloween, and more.
The Dark Eighties Halloween Party
Auckland CBD, 29 October
You might just feel called to the Mothership this Halloween. Specifically, their Dark Eighties Halloween Party where the DJs will be slingin’ everything from cult 80s hits to obscurities, deathrock, Italo-disco and goth. Haunting the old Impala/Code on Shortland Street Mothership is the newest club in the CBD so you’re going to want to rock a solid lewk. Word on the street is they’re after space-themed ‘fits.
Beetlejuice At Palmer
Auckland CBD, 29 October
If you hadn’t heard, cocktail darling Palmer Bar is doing movie nights every Saturday in October and for Halloween, they’re screening cult-classic Beetlejuice. Tickets include Palmer Bar canapés and a cheese board, a cocktail on arrival and a personalised movie ticket. Oh, and a lolly trolly—this is not a drill. Their plush cinema is an intimate experience with only 20 seats up for grabs so if Beetlejuice is your jam, you'd better get in quick.
Donut Decorating & Face Painting
Karanagahape Road, 29 October | Kid-Friendly
Part of Karangahape Road’s FREAKOUT mega-party is a kid’s (and a big kid’s) Halloween dream—donut decorating and face painting at The Pie Piper, to be exact. Decorate your donut, maybe laying on a hex or two for good measure then reward yourself for all that mahi by feasting on haunted treats. Who knew Halloween could be so tasty?
Halloween Dodgeball
Northcote, 29 October
Possibly the least expected, but definitely one of the best Halloween events in Tāmaki Makaurau, dress up in your scariest or most ridiculous Halloween garb and pelt strangers with balls at Halloween Dodgeball. Hosted by YMCA North Shore and run by Auckland Dodgeball, there’ll be prizes for best dressed and after-event drinks at Beerspot Northcote.
The Spooky Sheds Tour
Northcote, 29 - 31 October | Kid-Friendly
From a Halloween house built in the Shewan family’s backyard to the ever-popular Spooky Sheds Tour, head to the Northcote Rugby Club for a truly terrifying night. $2 entry, food and refreshments along with treats for children will be available at the rugby club. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
BnB Fright Night Halloween Party
Cross Street, 29 October
The souls behind Beats’N’Brushes are temporarily retiring the brushes and are bringing the creep to Cross Street with FRIGHT NIGHT, an epic Halloween costume party at the BNB studio. Dress up, or not, and head along for good times, doomed DJs Seymore, Onyeka, Ethan James, Poppa Jax and Jamal (SWIDT), and one helluva Halloween vibe.
Trancevaders Halloween Boat Party
Hauraki Gulf, 29 October
Round up your favourite poltergeists and set sail on a five-hour Halloween harbour cruise aboard the luxe Ocean Eagle Catamaran packed to the brim with enough psytrance to stir the Kraken. Tickets to the Trancevaders Halloween Boat Party include a welcome glass of bubbles, a grazing dinner and exclusive access to the official after-party at Parked Up.
Altitude Halloween
Takapuna, 29 October
Get freaky at Altitude Pole’s Halloween Party and revel in a night of breathtaking pole performances, spooky beer pong, nibbles and good vibes. Altitude is known for jaw-dropping pole feats, sensational spins and, of course, their killer sound system, so you know this party’s going to be legit AF.
Haunted House Halloween Party
Mt Eden, 29 October
Face your fears in Mt Eden this Halloween with an immersive Haunted House Halloween Party in the basement of The Horse & Trap. Battle it out for best dressed to score yourself a cheeky bar tab, sip on the secret cocktail menu and craft beer on tap, and party hard as DJ Yids spins bone-rattling vibes on the decks.
80s Halloween Night
Milford, 29 October
Resurrect David Bowie, Izora Armstead, The Pointer Sisters and Loalwa Braz and have a ghostly good time at The Hub Milford’s 80s Halloween Night. With Maskara serving classic rock and DJ Melicious spinning pop bangers you’re in for the night of your life. P.s. the first 50 tickets sold at the bar get a free drink, and there’ll be bar tabs up for the best dressed.
Halloween Marathon: Beyond The Spirit Realm
Auckland CBD, 30 October
As far as Halloween traditions go, a horror movie marathon is right up there and this year Academy Cinemas is treating us to a Halloween Mystery Movie Marathon. Promising eight consciousness-crushing classic tales of psychics, mediums and telekinetic terror culminating in a midnight screening, this is a Halloween event you won’t be able to forget… even if you want to.
Halloween Market At Drifters
Orewa, 30 October | Kid-Friendly
The good souls at Drifter Coffee up Orewa way are celebrating their favourite time of year (Halloween, obvs) with a spooky Halloween Market. Their markets are pretty legendary and are always packed to the brim with plants, creativity and, perhaps most importantly for Halloween, coffee so powerful it'll revive the dead.
Halloween Country Park Market
Matakana, 30 October | Kid-Friendly
Little spooks will feel right at home at the Halloween Country Park Market in Matakana from 8.30am-1pm. Along with browsing a delightful array of stalls, there’s a Trick or Treat SpookHunt at noon and face painting to get amongst, plus two passes to Action Ninja World to be won.
Halloween At Cordis
CBD, 30 October | Kid-Friendly
Eight Restaurant at Cordis has put together a special Halloween menu for one night only. Dress to impress in your best spooky attire and receive a complimentary Magic Potion on arrival then tuck into all manner of creepy creations from devil’s risotto with hell sausages, and ghost pizza to gnocchi with smelly socks, witches blood marinated beetroot, and so much more. End the night with a Bloody Surprise… Already booked for Halloween night? Swing by on Saturday for a Black Widow cocktail made of crushed cranberries and vodka, garnished with an eyeball at Our Land Is Alive.
Catalina Bay Halloween Farmers Market
Hobsonville Point, 30 October | Kid-Friendly
Yet another wicked market, reroute your broom to the Catalina Bay Halloween Farmers Market for live music, face painting, food trucks, boo-tique stalls and spot prizes for best dressed. Even if you're not into Halloween (who are you though) this market is a must-visit—Hobsonville Point is simply stunning.
Dungeons And Dragons
Mt Albert, 31 October
Think you’ve got what it takes to survive a quest in the belly of the beast? Whether Stranger Things piqued your curiosity for all things DnD or if you’ve been rolling like a pro for a while now you might like to don a costume and make a beeline for The Zookeeper’s Son to partake in a Dungeons and Dragons night hosted by The Dragon Keepers.
Halloween At The Stoned Cow
Browns Bay, 31 October | Kid-Friendly
Browns Bay art-cafe gem The Stoned Cow is throwing a Halloween Party fit for the whole family with party games for children and adults alike. Dress up your kin, get amongst the Halloween platters, treats, drinks and cocktails, and let your little monsters loose on the haunted cafe treasure hunt. It’s sure to be a blast.
Halloween House Decorating Contest
Devonport, 31 October | Kid-Friendly
If your coven resides in Devonport, Stanley Bay, Narrowneck, Belmont or Bayswater, you could get amongst Clean for Good’s Halloween House Decorating Contest giving your house a spooky makeover that’ll have passersby quivering in fear. Ghost cars will be driving by between 4 and 7pm on the day to judge and the most haunted house will get to nominate a local project which Clean for Good will contribute to.
Hell-bent on winning that costume competition? Check out these Halloween costume ideas.
Image credit: Spookers, Falcon Grey Ceramics, Ruan Richard Rodrigues, Auckland Dodgeball, Cottononbro, Eight Restaurant.
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