It’s that time of year when the shops are packed with costumes, lollies and spooky decorations. The kids are just about to start asking about Trick or Treating and you’re wondering if there’s anything family-friendly you can do to embrace Halloween.
While there are a few events on for the kids, there’s also a few for the adults to help get into the spirit (pun intended) around the Heritage City including ghost tours, movie screenings and even a spooky disco!
Hardcore Halloween
You can shoot zombies and hang out with Batman in the staging area at Hardcore Blasters’ Halloween event. They have created a few Halloween specific game modes to run in addition to your favourites.
Dressing up is encouraged and there will be prizes for those who commit to their characters and put in the effort.
Bookings are essential.
Ghost tours
This Halloween learn about the ghosts of Ipswich with an interactive ghost tour.
On Friday October 27 hear haunted histories from around the city on a walking Ipswich CBD tour, then on Saturday October 28 take a 7.30pm ghost tour at the Ipswich or Goodna cemeteries.
For Halloween (Tuesday October 31) there’s a special Ipswich CBD Ghost Tour running at 7.30pm.
There’s also a special bundle deal available – do all three Ipswich tours for the special price of $59, available to be booked until October 31.
Sketch and Sip in the cellar
The Rusty Nail are hosting a Halloween-themed Sketch and Sip class with Chris Corish Art on Thursday October 26.
This event will see the cellar decorated for Halloween and includes an expert tutor to guide you through sketching a model in “captivating fancy dress”.
The class will run for two hours and includes all art materials and a glass of bubbles on arrival. Book here.
Watch a cult classic horror movie
Head to Limelight Cinemas to see a special interactive Halloween screening of the classic Rocky Horror Picture Show. Just like previous years you are invited to throw your rice, blow up your party poppers and strap on your party hats.
On the big screen, Friday October 27 at 7pm.
Spook-tacular Disco
Enjoy a fab-boo-lous night of zombie beats and monster mash at the Spook-tacular Halloween disco at Tulmur Place in the Nicholas St Precinct. Little ghosts and goblins can dance the night away with Poppy from Trolls and roving ghouls, and enjoy a range of fang-tastic activities including Mad Scientist workshops and trick or treat.
Dress up in your spookiest costume and visit on October 27 and October 28 (Friday and Saturday nights) from 5pm-8pm. Grab some dinner from the food trucks on site, or at one of the nearby restaurants.
Also on the Saturday night Park and Pose will be on with a range of classic and muscle cars on display.
Halloween trivia
Enjoy a night of trivia at Studio 188 with a Halloween theme on Friday October 27. Hosted by local Matt Simpson and featuring two hours of general and spooky-focused Trivia questions, this is the perfect night out with friends.
Doors and bar will open at 7pm and trivia starts at 8pm. First prize is six tickets to an Ipswich Civic Centre show and six complimentary drinks!
Sip ‘n’ Dip Halloween Night
A Halloween themed Sip ‘n’ Dip event is being held at the Coffee Club at Orion Springfield Central on October 27 and 28.
On October 27 a Dragged Out Halloween Edition event is being held. Your ticket includes an opening drag queen performance, one glass of beer or wine and discounted cocktails all night, dinner from the Sip ‘n’ Dip menu and a Halloween-themed paint class. There is also a prize for most spooky dressed.
Then on October 28 you can learn to paint Pumpkin Purr at the Coffee Club or glow in the dark candy skulls. You can paint your friend or just follow the teacher’s instructions to create a masterpiece under the black lights.
Your ticket includes all the materials you need, dinner from the Sip ‘n’ Dip menu and a glass of wine (or something else) to drink.
Halloween Spooktacular market
Get the Ghouls together for a fang-tastic night at Ipswich Show’s Halloween Spooktacular.
There will be fa-boo-lous entertainment, a wicked sideshow alley, bloodcurdling Haunted House, monster disco, best dressed competition, and spooky vendors offering ghoulish delights and devilish dishes to sink your fangs into. Your little monsters will have a hoot.
Shake the webs off your broomsticks for frights and fun between 4pm and 9pm, entry is $5pp with under 12s for free.
Supernatural in the Swich
Arttime Gallery is celebrating Halloween with a newly created exhibition, Supernatural in the Swich – a special collection of newly created local works depicting local encounters with the supernatural. Whether it’s a haunted building, urban legend or personal spooky encounter, local artists have really embraced the theme and are excited to present the supernatural side of Ipswich.
The Arttime Gallery store will also be decorated for Halloween!
Heavy metal Halloween concert, Halloween Karaoke and Boo Light Disco
Banshees Bar and Artspace will hold their annual Halloween spectacular on Saturday October 28. The event is called Heavy Metal Halloween and features themed drinks, face painting, prizes for best dressed and more.
Artists featured include DisKust, Adriatic, Krave and Head 1$t. Book here.
In the days leading up to Halloween they are also hosting a free Halloween Karaoke, 8pm on Thursday October 26 and a Boo Light Disco with 90s and 00s music on Friday October 27 from 7pm until late (also free entry).
Dress up for Halloween or Day of the Dead at Montezumas
Montezuma’s Ipswich are celebrating Halloween and Day of the Dead with free Churros. To receive the churros, come dressed up in your Halloween or Day of the Dead costume and order at least two adult main meals. This is available on Saturday October 28 and Sunday October 29, Tuesday October 31, Wednesday November 1 and Thursday November 2.
Halloween Karaoke
The Mihi Tavern will be hosting an 18+ Halloween karaoke event on Saturday October 28 from 7.30pm. There will be prizes for best dressed.
Escape the executioner
Race the clock to see if you can escape the Executioners Toolshed or Atonement before it’s too late at Seraphim Escape Rooms. These are great to do with a group of friends and even more fun on Halloween!
Fangtastic Halloween FUN
Riverlink is celebrating all things spooky from Saturday 28 October until Sunday 29 October with free shows throughout the centre.
- See the Creepy Crawly Show (30 minute show) in the East Mall at 10am, 11am, 12pm and 1pm.
- Watch the Ooky Spooky Contortionist Show (five minute show) outside iPlay at 10am, 11am, 12pm and 1pm.
- Get your face painted for free from 10am – 2pm outside iPlay.
- Enjoy the Treats no Tricks Tours 30 minute show also outside iPlay every 30 minutes at 10am, 10:30am, 11am , 11:30am, 12pm, 12:30pm, 1pm, 1:30pm. Book here.
- Take part in the Trick or Treat Spin & Win between 10am and 2pm in front of Lowes and Bakers Delight.
- Enjoy Punk Ball from 10am-2pm in the food court.
- Gather round for a spine-chilling spectacle like no other as the Wheel of Death stunt show is unleashed outside Reject Shop at 11am, 12pm and 1pm. Prepare to be mesmerized and terrified with this 15 minute show.
Boovalloween
Calling all ghouls, ghosts and little monsters! You’re invited to a free spooktacular trick or treat trail running across two epic days at Booval Fair. Follow the spooky trail on Saturday October 28 and Sunday October 29 from 10am to 1pm to collect candy and find out what’s behind two haunted doors. Will you be brave enough to knock?
There will also be freaky face painting and balloon twisting. Dressing up is encouraged!
Halloween Haunt Ipswich
Halloween Haunt Ipswich is back this year with theatrical light shows, interactive scarers, a private maze and much more!
The event will be running on Monday October 30 and Tuesday October 31 from 6pm-9pm.
Halloween Haunt has been running for over 12 years raising money for Palliative Care at the Ipswich Hospital, gold coin donations are appreciated.
Visitors are encouraged to dress up – will you be brave enough to ask “trick or treat”?
