Halloween Events Canberra 2026 + Costume Ideas
Halloween falls on Saturday 31 October 2026. It isn't a public holiday in the ACT, but the weekend timing gives Canberra a full run of spooky events, from a candlelit concert at the National Gallery to after-dark train rides, a Halloween night at the zoo and a city-wide bar crawl.
This guide covers the best options for kids and families as well as adults, plus costume ideas to suit each event. Every event below has been checked against the venue's or organiser's own booking page.
Canberra Halloween 2026 at a glance
SAT 24 OCT Candlelight concert THU 29 TO SAT 31 OCT The Fright Crawl (18+) FRI 30 OCT Spooktacular at the Zoo FRI 30 AND SAT 31 OCT Spooky train rides
Jump to: Kids & families Adults FAQs
Halloween Events for Kids and Families in Canberra
Canberra's confirmed Halloween events for kids and families in 2026 are Spooktacular at the National Zoo & Aquarium on Friday 30 October and Halloween night at the Canberra Miniature Railway in Symonston on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October. More family events usually announce in mid October, and this guide will be updated as they confirm.
OCT
30
FRI
Spooktacular at the National Zoo & Aquarium
📅 Fri 30 Oct, 5.30pm to 8.30pm | 📍 National Zoo & Aquarium, Lady Denman Drive | 🎟 See booking page | 👶 All ages
A family Halloween night at the zoo with games, scavenger hunts, crafts, a dance floor and plenty of lollies. Every child gets a Halloween gift bag, and zookeepers treat the animals to some Halloween fun too. Proceeds support wildlife conservation.
What to wear: there are prizes for Best Dressed, so go big. Animals & Bugs suit the setting perfectly.
Book on the Zoo websiteOCT
30 & 31
Canberra Miniature Railway Halloween
📅 Fri 30 and Sat 31 Oct, 5.30pm to 9.30pm | 📍 Canberra Miniature Railway, Symonston | 🎟 Single $5, Unlimited $18 | 👶 All ages, under 3s free
Spooky decorations light up after dark while families ride miniature trains around the track. Tickets cover unlimited rides and are valid all night, so there's no need to arrive at 5.30pm. The canteen serves hot food, cold drinks and ice creams. The venue is card only.
Good to know: enclosed shoes are required to ride, so pair costumes with sneakers rather than sandals or costume slippers.
Book on TryBookingEvent
Date
Suburb
Price / Ages
Spooktacular at the Zoo
Fri 30 Oct
Weston Creek
See booking page / All ages
Canberra Miniature Railway Halloween
Fri 30 and Sat 31 Oct
Symonston
Single $5, Unlimited $18 / All ages
Kids' Halloween Costume Ideas for Canberra Events
Classic looks never go out of style, and witch costumes, ghosts and ghouls and skeletons are easy wins for any Halloween night out. Heading to the zoo? Pick something cute or creepy from the Animals & Bugs range. This year's favourites include K-Pop Demon Hunters, Paw Patrol and Bluey Halloween, which sits in the latest arrivals. For the littlest trick-or-treaters, the Babies & Toddlers range has soft, comfortable options, and families who want to dress up together can find coordinated looks in Family Costumes.
Halloween Events for Adults in Canberra
Canberra's confirmed Halloween events for adults in 2026 include Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics at the National Gallery of Australia on Saturday 24 October and The Fright Crawl, a Halloween bar crawl running from Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 October.
OCT
24
SAT
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
📅 Sat 24 Oct, 8.30pm | 📍 James Fairfax Theatre, National Gallery of Australia, Parkes | 🎟 From $41.50 | 👶 8+ (under 16s with an adult)
A string quartet plays Halloween favourites by candlelight, from Thriller and Danse Macabre to themes from The Exorcist, Stranger Things, Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas. The show runs for 60 minutes, doors open 30 minutes before, and late arrivals are not admitted.
What to wear: a nod to the music, like Beetlejuice or Nightmare Before Christmas.
Book on FeverOCT
29 to 31
The Fright Crawl
📅 Sat 31 Oct day crawl, 1pm to 8pm | 📍 Start venue TBC, Canberra | 🎟 Tickets on Eventbrite, no cover at the bars | 👶 18+
Billed as Canberra's biggest Halloween day party and bar crawl, with 800 spots, one wristband and four or more bars. Night crawls also run on Thursday 29, Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October from 7.30pm to 2am. Tickets are non-refundable.
What to wear: a crawl in daylight is made for group looks. Browse group ideas or couples costumes.
Book on EventbriteEvent
Date
Suburb
Price / Ages
Candlelight: Haunted Halloween Classics
Sat 24 Oct
Parkes
From $41.50 / 8+
The Fright Crawl
Thu 29 to Sat 31 Oct
TBC
No cover / 18+
🐾 Bringing the dog? See the guide to pet-friendly Halloween events around Australia.
Adult Halloween Costume Ideas for Canberra Events
For the Candlelight concert, a Beetlejuice look or a Jack and Sally costume is a fun nod to the music. Bar crawls and parties are made for dressing up with friends, so browse group costume ideas. A squad of Minions is an easy crowd-pleaser. Horror film fans can't go wrong with Jason, Freddy Krueger or Pennywise.
Canberra weather tip: late October evenings can be cold, so choose a costume that layers over warm clothes. Fleece onesies like the Minion jumpsuit double as a warm layer, and makeup and wigs finish a look without adding bulk.
Get Your Costume Sorted for Halloween in Canberra
From candlelit concerts to bar crawls and train rides, every Canberra Halloween plan starts with the right outfit. Costume Super Centre has thousands of looks for kids, adults and whole families.
Shop Halloween CostumesDetails correct at time of publishing. Check with organisers before attending.
FAQs
When is Halloween in Canberra in 2026?
Halloween is on Saturday 31 October 2026. It is not a public holiday in the ACT.
What Halloween events are on in Canberra for adults?
Confirmed adult events include the Candlelight Halloween concert at the National Gallery of Australia on Saturday 24 October and The Fright Crawl bar crawl from Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 October.
Where can kids go trick-or-treating in Canberra?
Kids can trick-or-treat at decorated houses in their local suburb, usually between 6pm and 8pm. For an organised option, Spooktacular at the National Zoo & Aquarium on 30 October includes trick-or-treat gift bags, and the Canberra Miniature Railway hosts Halloween nights on 30 and 31 October.
How can I tell if a Canberra Halloween event is legitimate?
Book through the venue's own website or a known ticketing platform. Be wary of any event without a named venue or organiser.