South Africans have embraced this North American holiday creating a number of ways to celebrate. Hit the dance floor, walk through a haunted forest or watch a movie at an outdoor cinema. These events offer plenty of treats and costumes tricks.
With Halloween taking place this Saturday, 28 October, here are 10 ways to get spooky in Joburg and Cape Town.
Party the night away
1. Day of the Dead at HQ
On Saturday, 28 October, Cape Town steakhouse, HQ brings back their popular Day of the Dead party where theatrical costumes and make-up are used to celebrate the Mexican holiday known as ‘Dia de los Muertos’. There will be Don Julio cocktails on arrival and make-up artists will be on standby to help you keep with the theme. DJs will be at the Courtyard and HQ dance floors throughout the night. The Day of the Dead event is free, but you must book before attending.
Contact: Email [email protected] and follow the event on Facebook for more information.
‘Dia de los Muertos’ is usually celebrated after Halloween on 2 November. Photo by HQ Restaurant
2. Alice in Wonderland Halloween Party
Railways Cafe and Alt.Market in Centurion has a Halloween party that takes you down the rabbit hole. Expect live music, a beer garden and a market that starts at 11:00 and goes until late. Not forgetting a food truck from Babbaque and a food trailer from Tasty Tornado. General tickets are R120 and will be R150 on the day. Tickets for the market are R20 during the day. The Alice in Wonderland Halloween Party starts at 10:00.
Contact: Check Facebook for the event and tickets and email [email protected] for enquiries.
Get spooked in a forest
3. The Haunted Forest
The theme of this year’s Haunted Forest event is ‘Theatre Bizarre’ and involves fire-eaters, performers and other extraordinary acts in a transformed forest at Riversands Farm Village. If you have a ‘ghoulish’ or ‘bizarre’ costume, put it on and pack a picnic basket. Tickets cover a two-kilometre forest walk, a film and parking. There will also be food vendors and a bar.
The Haunted Forest is hosted by Picnics in the Park, themed picnics for communities and families. The Haunted Woods is the kid-friendly equivalent of the Haunted Forest and where there will be a two-kilometre forest walk with lots of thrilling surprises on the way. A big screen will show movies and there’ll be face painting too. The bar will be open to keeping parents entertained and if you don’t have a picnic basket there’s food on sale.
Contact: Check Facebook for more information and ticket prices.
Play dress-up as you run
4. Halloween Night Run
Holla Trails presents their Halloween Night Run on Friday, 27 October at 19:00. Create a team of four and compete in a relay race – you can choose between a five kilometre or three-kilometre route. For this fun trail run, you’re encouraged to dress up in your most hair-raising costume. There will be live performances, makeup artists and a photographer.
Contact: Check the Facebook event for information on tickets or email [email protected].
The jack-o’-lantern was inspired by an Irish legend and was originally made using turnips or potatoes. Photo by Steve Snodgrass
5. Halloween Park Run
Join this Park Run with a twist at Bramley Park Run. It wouldn’t be a Halloween celebration without dressing up in a costume so make sure you wear one for the run. The event will be on Saturday, 28 October at 09:00.
Contact: check the Facebook event for updates.
Watch a creepy movie
6. Galileo Halloween Screening
The Bloemendal Wine Estate is the venue of a Halloween movie screening with a package that includes entrance, blanket, backrest and treats. The movie starts at 19:45, but doors open at 18:00 and the movie that will be showing is Dawn of the Dead.
Contact: thegalileo.co.za
The Rocky Horror Picture Show holds the record for the longest theatrical release in history.
7. The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Constitution Hill
Joburg will be brimming with Halloween festivities, but for a tamer evening catch this cult classic on 27 October. The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be shown at Constitution Hill for an event hosted by Urban Reel Cinema. Tickets are R80 per person, but are R40 if you purchase using the Masterpass app. A food market and full-service bar will also be at the open air cinema, but everything is cashless. The event starts at 18:00 and ends at 23:00. There will be prizes for the most creatively dressed and keep in mind the film is rated 18+.
Contact: See the event on Facebook for more information.
Celebrate as a family
World Zombie Day is celebrated on 8 October. Photo by Zombie Walk (Cape Town)
8. A Night at the Museum
An adventure awaits at Maropeng in a spooky celebration fit for the whole family. At the Cradle of Humankind, you’ll go through a scary exhibition, watch a creepy movie and eat some Halloween-themed treats. The ticket includes access to the interactive Maropeng exhibition and the internationally-known ‘Almost Human‘ exhibition on Homo Naledi. Night at the Museum is on Saturday, 28 October from 17:00 to 21:00. Don’t forget to arrive in your costume!
Contact: For more information, follow the event on Facebook.
9. Halloween train
The famous Blue Train becomes the Ghost Train for a thriller of an evening. Imagine choo-chooing through troll tunnels, random zombie attacks and entertainers dressed in the most frightening garb. Added to the fun is a jumping castle, face-painting and trick-or-treat booths. R15000 worth of prizes can be won for the best dressed. Comedian Brendan Murray is sure to have everyone in stitches (the laughing kind) as he entertains as Count Dracula.
The Ghost Train awaits its passengers on 28 October and operates from 16:00 to 20:00. It will be at the Blue Train Park next to the Green Point Light House. The cost is R120 per person.
Contact: Call 0823389227 or visit kidsdreamfest.co.za
10. Zombie Walk
The country’s biggest Halloween event is in its eighth run this year and returns on 28 October. When organisers say it’s for the whole family, they mean it. There are no age restrictions and even pets are allowed. The Zombie Walk is a one hour stroll – or lurch – that starts at 18:00 at Madison Avenue in Cape Town’s city centre. It’s a non-alcoholic event, but if you want to celebrate with spirits there is an afterparty with local talents (you must be over the age of 18). The Zombie Festival raises funds to support charities such as the Luck Lucy Foundation. So while you have fun, your money goes to a good cause. Looking like a zombie character worthy of any horror movie is a must!
The early bird tickets are sold out, but you can still get those decaying hands on the late bird tickets (R80) or pay more for the last minute tickets (R100).
Contact: Call 0609961477 or email [email protected].
