Ghost in the Rocks

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Posted 2024-10-18 by Irenke Forsyth ⇒ follow

Thu 31 Oct 2024 - Sun 03 Nov 2024

Spooky activations and hair-raising events are what you’ll find this Halloween in a street celebration embracing The Rocks’ historic area of Sydney. The creepy playground will see you immersed in ghostly encounters, pulse-pounding entertainment, spooky eats, fine wines, family-friendly fun and after-dark thrills.

Running over 4 days, various areas will have you spellbound with both free and ticketed epic experiences. Here’s what you can expect:-

The Haunted Woods

If arriving by public transport to Circular Quay, the first area you’ll happen upon is the Haunted Woods in First Fleet Park. Here, you’ll discover a Halloween village with rustic wood cabins and free concerts, eerie lights and spine-tingling sounds, a New Orleans-inspired food market that captures the essence of Cajun and Creole cuisine, vibrant live jazz music filling the air, scary treats and drinks that include ghostly marshmallow delights, pumpkin spice lattes, spiced cider and zesty chilling cocktails in an atmosphere buzzing with energy. This whole area is free and makes for a hauntingly good time for all ages.

Two Faced Market

For some shopping, fill the day wandering this charming Halloween market filled with pumpkins, handcrafted goods, artisan delights, lifestyle products, decorations, quirky costumes, food and wine, and live music.

As the sun sets, this market changes faces with a twist that sees a transformation into a witching wonderland with witches and ghouls roaming amongst stalls of bizarre trinkets and arcane artefacts, and a spine-chilling spectacle of potions, cauldrons and eerie curiosities.

The spooky decor and enchanting brews of this free market (on Playfair St) is perfect for families during the day and thrill-seekers at night.

Zombieland

This is the place for a one-of-a-kind outdoor silent DJ zombie party by Poliakov Vodka. The giant Zombieland space on the Tallawoladah Lawns in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art will see you dancing with the dead, so come dressed as your favourite zombie, vampire, spirit of the land or monster of the sea, grab an immersive headset and rock that costume as you nail your zombie moves. There’s a further Poliakov experience that allows you to be ‘reborn’ as you take a plunge in an ice bath and enjoy a tasting of premium vodka.

This is a ticketed event with a variety of DJ’s where you can purchase regular entry to the zombie party or the zombie party combined with the Poliakov experience. You can get your tickets here .

House of Horror

For some more partying with the dead, head to the House of Horror located in a real haunted heritage merchant house (at 47 George St) that has long been known for unexplained paranormal activity. It provides an otherworldly experience spread across multiple levels with themed rooms that include the Vampire Den (a gothic coffin-shaped bar where seductive figures draped in velvet and candlelight lure you into the darkness to sip cocktails from blood-filled syringes), an Abandoned Hospital (a decaying facility where the line between sanity and madness disappears in a medical maze with drinks served in blood bags and a dance floor with chilling beats, deranged doctors and nurses), the Ghost Room (where spirits roam freely and figures watch from the shadows) and the Slaughter House (where haunting screams and gruesome carnage awaits).

Fortune tellers, a chilling ouija room and a DJ collective takeover on Saturday night (with beats that will have you dancing into the witching hour) complete the thrills and supernatural vibes at this ticketed horror party/pop-up club for ages 18 & over. Tickets can be purchased here .

Ghost Cinema

Don’t miss this 4D immersive outdoor spooky experience (at 121 George St, Alfresco area) with the stunning backdrop of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but don’t get too comfortable as you’ll need to watch your back because the movie doesn’t just stay on the screen. Anything can happen here once you put your headset on.

From family-friendly films to spine-chilling horrors, you can see the likes of Ghostbusters, Coco, The Addams Family, Hocus Pocus, Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, The Conjuring, The Watchers and more on various nights over the course of the festival.

A ticket is needed for each film.

The Murder Bar

Amidst the cobblestone streets and flickering lanterns, a hidden abandoned bar dares you to step into the shadows of The Rocks for a mystery party to uncover secrets as you unravel a thrilling murder surrounded by whispers of the past.

Sip on killer cocktails, as the piano plays by itself, whilst you try to solve the crime before the night slips away (assuming you can find the mysterious corridor of the bar between 19 and 21 on Playfair St).

Different murder stories can be chosen, from Deadly Secrets to The Final Hour, with the entertainment definitely giving you the chills here. Entry is free, although spots are limited and you will need to book ahead.

Ghost Lane

Giant creepy crawly decor and free street theatre set the eerie vibe in this Playfair St area with actors weaving tales of ghosts and murders that haunt the historic avenues and buildings, such as Cadman’s Cottage and the Russel Hotel.

Each performance brings to life chilling narratives of the past through dramatic storytelling that unveils the mysteries, the shadows that linger and the secrets of those that once walked the streets.

Other Halloween Unmissable activities at this ghostly festival include the Allen’s Giant Trick and Treat (where you book a spot , grab your free tickets, collect a map, wristband and lolly bag to explore The Rocks through participating retailers offering treats and surprises) and a Halloween Parade where darkness marches into the world of the living in a New Orleans-inspired carnival of costumed creatures and haunting pageantry (entry is free but you must book your spot ).