Halloween 2026: Where to celebrate spooky season in South Africa

Halloween falls on Saturday, 31 October this year, and South Africans have plenty of options for where to celebrate.

From haunted forests and ghost tours to family-friendly trick-or-treating, themed markets, and late-night raves, Halloween events are happening across the country!

Here are some of the events to put on your calendar for Halloween 2026.

Johannesburg

Johannesburg has one of the biggest selections of Halloween events this year, with something for families, horror fans and partygoers.

The Haunted Forest 10th anniversary

The Haunted Forest is marking its 10th anniversary with a Halloween event at Prison Break Market in Glenferness on Saturday, 31 October.

The experience includes a fog-filled forest with life-size scenes and scare actors, while younger visitors can take part in trick-or-treating. There will also be films, food and entertainment.

The event runs from 15:00 to 23:00, with adult tickets starting at R150.

Halloween at Johannesburg Zoo

Johannesburg Zoo is also bringing back its Halloween experience on 31 October from 17:00.

Visitors can expect themed zones, trick-or-treating, costume competitions and live entertainment. Tickets range from R81 to R135.

Halloween Rave 2026

For something considerably less family-friendly, Halloween Rave takes over AND Night Club and CARFAX in Newtown.

The event brings together Teknotribe, Science Frikshun, Psyology and The Temple for an electronic music night running from 21:00.

Tickets are priced from R200 to R300.

Edenvale Halloween Night Market

Families can also head to the Edenvale German Club on Friday, 30 October for a Halloween night market.

The event runs from 18:00 to 23:00, with spooky stalls, food, drinks, trick-or-treating, live music and a best-dressed competition. Entry is R30 per person.

Cape Town

Cape Town has also embraced the spooky season, with events ranging from large music parties to ghost tours and community celebrations. The city was even ranked among the world’s top 50 Halloween destinations for 2026.

Halloween 2026 at 20 Harrington Street

One of the bigger Halloween parties in Cape Town takes place at 20 Harrington Street from Friday, 30 October into Saturday morning.

The line-up includes Silverstein, Fokofpolisiekar, Jack Parow, Sunken State and Doomtrigger, among others.

The event is strictly for over-18s, with general admission tickets starting at R349.

Halloween at the Royal Cape Yacht Club

For something a little more sophisticated, the Royal Cape Yacht Club is hosting a Halloween party on 31 October.

The evening includes themed food, cocktails, music and a costume competition. Non-members pay a R100 cover charge, while members can attend with their membership cards.

Bookings are essential.

Soul Society Halloween Edition

The Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel is hosting a rooftop Halloween celebration from 12:00 to 21:30 on 31 October.

The event focuses on soulful house and R&B, with DJs including Ready D, Will ST and DJ Arch, along with food, drinks and city views.

Tickets start at R100, and the event is aimed at adults.

Halloween in the Hof

Families looking for something more relaxed can head to Kirstenhof on Halloween evening.

Halloween in the Hof runs from 18:00 to 21:00 and includes a community trick-or-treat walk, ghost tunnel, fire dancers and food. Tickets start at R25.

Cape Town Halloween Ghost Tour

For a more genuinely spooky experience, Mystery Ghost Productions is running Halloween ghost tours through Cape Town on both 30 and 31 October.

The tours run from 19:00 to 23:00, starting at Prestwich Memorial, and combine historic locations with local ghost stories and legends. Tickets cost R449 per person.

Durban and KwaZulu-Natal

Durban and surrounding KZN also have a surprisingly busy Halloween calendar this year too.

Ballito Halloween Horrors

Ballito Halloween Horrors returns to La Montagne Resort on 30 and 31 October.

The full horror experience takes visitors through four themed areas, including the Twisted Woods, Maze of Horrors, Dark Hollow and Realm of the Unknown.

There is also a family-friendly option featuring face painting, carnival games and Halloween activities.

Tickets start at R150 for the family-friendly experience and R250 for the full horror experience.

Halloween After Dark at Gibaland

Gibaland in Shongweni is going with a jungle theme this year.

The daytime JumanGi Family Adventure is aimed at families, while JumanGi After Dark offers a darker version of the experience for those looking for more of a scare.

The After Dark experience runs from 18:30 to 21:30 on 31 October and includes entry to a Halloween after-party. Tickets start at R200.

Riverside Massacre

Adults can head to Riverside Hops at The Riverside Hotel in Durban North on Halloween night for Riverside Massacre.

The event starts at 18:00 and includes DJs, Halloween-themed food and drink specials, live entertainment and a best-dressed competition.

Tickets start at R150, and the event is strictly for over-21s.

Barket by Night

Halloween isn’t just for humans. Barket by Night takes place at Ridley Park in Malvern on 24 October, bringing together dogs, families and local vendors for a Halloween-themed evening.

There will be trick-or-treating, best-dressed competitions, live music, games, a photo booth and other activities. The event also raises funds for KZN Doghouse.

Halloween at the KZN Museum

Pietermaritzburg’s KwaZulu-Natal Museum is hosting a family Halloween evening on 31 October.

The event includes a reptile show, magic show, Halloween scare area and a best-dressed competition. It runs from 17:00 to 20:00, with tickets priced between R65 and R80.

Pretoria

Pretoria has its own large-scale Halloween music event at Heartfelt Gardens on 31 October.

The Halloween 2026 festival runs from 13:00 until midnight and features acts including Silverstein, Ruff Majik, PHFAT, The Tazers, Fuzigish and Human Nebula.

The event is strictly over-18s. General admission starts at R349, while VIP tickets are R899.

For something more atmospheric, a Halloween Mystery Ghost Tour is also taking place in Pretoria on 31 October.

The tour runs from 19:00 to 23:00 and starts at Huckleberry’s Restaurant, with participants travelling in their own cars as part of a convoy. Tickets start at R329.

Gqeberha

Halloween celebrations aren’t limited to the country’s biggest cities.

The Music Kitchen in Gqeberha is hosting Halloweekend Part II on 31 October, with local acts including Rejects, Twiza, Boiling Point and Mezzanine Floor.

Doors open at 19:00, with tickets costing R100 online or R150 at the door.

For something less frightening, The Beach Hotel in Summerstrand is hosting a Halloween-themed afternoon tea on 31 October. It starts at 14:30 and costs R185 per person.

Bloemfontein

Bloemfontein is also getting in on the Halloween action with Common Ground: The Orange Experience at Du Monye Art Gallery in Bayswater.

Running from 14:00 on 31 October into midnight, the event combines art, music, creative activities and an after-dark experience with spooky vibes. Tickets start at R100, and the event is family-friendly.

The biggest events are likely to draw crowds, so it’s worth checking ticket availability and age restrictions before heading out, particularly for the larger Halloween parties on 30 and 31 October.