Hey Sydney, are you ready to get spooky? Well, Halloween is just around the corner, and our most haunted precinct is gearing up to transform into a playground for all ages with the return of Ghost in The Rocks. Following a spook-tacular launch last year, the festival returns to The Rocks and Circular Quay in 2025 for four thrilling days and nights between Thursday, 30 October and Sunday, 2 November.
Expect the spirits to conjure up gruesome surprises among the historic cobblestoned laneways, with glowing markets, fierce feasting, mind-blowing tipples, demonic dancefloors, soul-stirring live music, eerie entertainment, immersive experiences and theatrical storytelling that draws on Halloween traditions and Sydney’s own creepy histories.
So, with so many thrills in store, where do you even start? Well, step away from that Ouija board and put down that blinking EMF reader—we’ve deciphered the ancient scrolls for you, with the best events to monster mash your way through at Ghost in The Rocks.
Poliakov Haunted Woods: Hunt Down Spooky Culinary Creations And Unholy Beats
A ring of haunted wood cabins marks the spot for this hub of after-dark energy. Feeling peckish? You’ll be lured in by a smorgasbord of spooky culinary creations from the likes of Messina, Gong Cha, and other culinary legends who are dishing out tasty (and Insta-worthy) Halloween-themed treats, from blood-red burgers to sweet surprises. Over at Messina, you'll find devilishly good treats like the Blood Shot, a waffle cone filled with cream cheese gelato, chunks of red velvet cake and red velvet topping, while Gong Cha will be pouring special Halloween-themed bubble teas.
At the centre of the action, the Poliakov Vodka Main Stage will be keeping this monster mash pumping with free electronic and house DJ sets and menacing musical acts to draw in hordes of undead dancers, while over at the Poliakov Vodka Bar, “crazy scientists” will be pouring out bone-chilling cocktail concoctions to help you survive the night.
THE DETAILS
What: Poliakov Haunted Woods
Where: First Fleet Park and Tallawoladah Lawns (find it between Circular Quay Station and the MCA)
When: Thursday & Friday 4pm–11pm, Friday, Saturday & Sunday 12pm–11pm
Cost: Free to enter
Find out more over here.
Trick Or Drink: Crawl Your Way Through Haunted Joints
Trick or treating for grown-ups, this bar crawl takes you through four seriously spooky bars, where you'll find a signature potion and a cheeky trick or two waiting for you in each. Ready to scare yourself silly? Round up your crew (of up to eight) and prepare to creep your way through the Zombie Apocalypse, an Abandoned Asylum, a Slaughter Bar, and before finishing up at the mystical Ouija Bar.
What: Trick Or Drink
Where: The Rocks
When: Thursday, Friday & Saturday, 4pm–11pm, Sunday 4pm–10pm.
Cost: $54
Book your crawl here.
Murder Bar: A Secret Cocktail Lounge to Die For (Where You Can Also Take A Stab At A Murder Mystery)
Ready to raise some spirits? Secreted away amongst the shadows of The Rocks’ most haunted (true) laneway, this hidden cocktail bar for the bold is popping up exclusively for four days only.
Expect 1930s speakeasy vibes with red velvet, gramophones, and a ghostly piano that plays on its own. Seek and you shall find live retro music and cocktails to die for—from blood-red brews to ghostly elixirs, there are twelve curated libations on offer, each more wicked than the last. How can you resist the call to have a taste?
Want to take it up a notch? Entry to the bar is free, but if you’re feeling lucky, you can also get your claws on tickets for the Murder Mystery Party. Back by deadly demand, this thrilling experience is led by a dedicated gamemaster who invites you to unravel a twisted tale inspired by one of Sydney’s most chilling real crimes. Sip, sleuth, repeat—before the clock (or the killer) catches up. Tickets for this event quickly vanished in 2024, so act fast if you don’t want to miss out.
THE DETAILS
What: Murder Bar
Where: Kendall Lane, The Rocks
When: Thursday to Sunday, 4pm–11pm
Cost: Bar entry is free, Murder Mystery tickets are $149.
For more information, check here.
The Dark Dinner: Feast In The Shadows
Prepare to engage your senses with a decadent, 4-course theatrical feast for The Dark Dinner, where each dish reveals a new secret or surprise. Grab a seat at the candlelit table, sip on devilishly good wines and cocktails paired with each course, and experience Halloween like never before with live performances, creepy storytelling and immersive theatrics.
THE DETAILS
What: The Dark Dinner
Where: Foundation Park, The Rocks
When: Friday to Saturday, 7:30pm–10pm
Cost: $209
To secure your seat, head here.
Ghost Cinema: Scream Under The Stars At This Haunting Movie Experience
Do you like scary movies? Well, grab some popcorn and gird your loins, because you haven’t experienced horror quite like this before. This immersive outdoor cinema experience mixes a selection of cult-favourite horror movies with the chilling ambience of the Rocks' ghostly history.
Take a seat in your deck chair and settle in for some cinematic thrills in an eerie open-air setting where candles flicker and shadows whisper—but keep an eye over your shoulder, because you might notice live performers roaming the aisles mid-scream.
With everything from more family-friendly film selections like Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, through to terrifying selections from the cinematic universes of The Conjuring and Anabelle, plus hot new horror flicks like Weapons—there are sessions to tempt thrill-seekers and film lovers of all stripes.
THE DETAILS
What: Ghost Cinema
Where: Cadman’s Cottage, 110 George St, The Rocks
When: Thursday to Saturday 6pm–10.30pm, Sunday 7pm–9.30pm
Cost: $39
Check out the screening program and book in over here.
House of Horror Party: Dance All Night In A Real Haunted Mansion
Hand on heart, can you say that you’ve partied the night away in a real haunted mansion? Well, you can now. After selling out last year, this multi-level event is back to transform Sydney’s most haunted heritage building into a super spooky tech house temple. Gather your crew, dress to thrill in an eye-catching costume, and get ready to cut some shapes on the dancefloor as you roam between immersive themed rooms (take your pick from an abandoned hospital, vampire den, slaughterhouse and ghost room) and discover live techno, tech house and R&B DJ sets, fortune tellers, a chilling Ouija room, and many more endless thrills, chills, and supernatural party vibes.
THE DETAILS
What: House of Horror Party
Where: 47 George Street, The Rocks
When: Thursday to Saturday, 8pm–1am
Cost: from $55 (early bird price)
Find out more and book over here.
Sydney’s Halloween Market: Discover Wicked Wares And Bewitching Surprises In The Laneways
Bubbling over with tricks and treats galore, the Halloween Market is the main artery of The Rocks’ spooky transformation—a space where the dead come to eat, drink and shop, and where magic hides around every corner.
During the day, you can explore a charming showcase of artisan stalls and family-friendly delights, from pumpkin-spiced treats to handmade wares, bubbling brews and magical trinkets.
Then, as night falls, and the fog creeps in, things take on a darker light—witness as witches gather in the shadows, and black magic meets boutique shopping. You can expect to find handmade potions, dark chocolate spells, curious creations from some of Sydney’s most bewitching makers, and hearty bites and potions to feed your body and soul.
THE DETAILS
What: Halloween Market
Where: Playfair Street, The Rocks
When: Thursday & Friday 4pm–11pm, Friday, Saturday & Saturday 12pm–11pm
Cost: Free to enter
Find out more over here.
Reese's Ghoul's Gate: Immortalise Your Darkest Look In 360-degrees
Everyone is encouraged to rustle up their best creepy costumes when the Halloween Parade—Sydney’s biggest Halloween march—takes over the streets on Old Hallow’s Eve (Friday, 31 October). But the spine-chilling (fashion) spectacles don’t start and end there. Before you scamper off to strutt your stuff, hit the dance floor, sip some potions, or solve a murder, make sure you stop by this 360° video booth experience. Presented by Reese’s (of the chocolate and peanut butter cup treat fame), this is equal parts photo moment and costume competition.
Strike your pose, claim a complimentary treat, and get your Halloween look auto-shared across Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Only the most striking costume will win the ultimate prize: the honour of leading the Halloween Parade in front of thousands of festival-goers in a celebration like no other.
(Hot tip: You can level up your look by booking in for an undead makeover at The Crossing Lane. Starting at $29, professional makeup artists will be conjuring up full SFX transformations for all the monsters, witches, zombies, and beasts out there. Find out more and book here.)
THE DETAILS
What: Reese's Ghoul's Gate
Where: George's Street, The Rocks
When: Thursday to Sunday, 4pm–11pm
Cost: Free entry
Find out more here.
Ready to get spooked? Find more information about Sydney’s biggest Halloween festival and grab tickets for special events here.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Ghost In The Rocks and proudly endorsed by Urban List. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who make Urban List possible. Click here for more information on our editorial policy.
Images: supplied