Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Sydney · Wollongong · Newcastle
Halloween Festival Sydney 2026
Sydney's biggest Halloween festival is Screamfest 2026 \u2014 a 6,000-capacity multi-stage festival at Manning Bar on Saturday 31 October 2026. It is the Sydney edition of Australia's largest Halloween festival, which also runs simultaneously in Wollongong and Newcastle for a combined 11,000-person night.
What is the biggest Halloween festival in Sydney?
The biggest Halloween festival in Sydney is Screamfest. The 2025 event sold out at 4,000 tickets at Manning Bar. In 2026, Sydney capacity grows to 6,000 and the festival expands to three cities in one night — Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle — for a combined 11,000-person festival. No other Halloween event in Sydney runs at this scale.
Where is the Sydney Halloween festival held?
Screamfest Sydney is held at Manning Bar, on the University of Sydney campus in Camperdown NSW 2050. Manning Bar is one of Sydney's largest single-venue music precincts and has hosted iconic live music and festival events for decades. For Screamfest, the entire Manning Bar precinct is transformed into a four-stage Halloween world with full production design.
What stages does the Sydney Halloween festival have?
Screamfest Sydney 2026 features four themed stages: Cemetery (urban graveyard aesthetic), Circus (open-format carnival sounds), Bunker (bass-heavy boiler room) and Los Muertos (new for 2026 — Día de los Muertos-inspired stage). Each stage runs a different style of programming across the night, with over 50 DJs in total. Beyond the main stages, the festival includes Scary-oke, a temple installation, carnival rides, photo booths and food stalls.
How big is Screamfest compared to other Australian Halloween events?
At 11,000 combined capacity across three cities, Screamfest is the largest Halloween festival in Australia. Most other Halloween events in Sydney are single-venue club nights running 500-2,000 capacity. There is no comparable multi-city Halloween production in the country.
When does the Sydney Halloween festival run?
Screamfest 2026 runs on Saturday 31 October 2026 from 8pm until 3am. All three cities — Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle — run on the same night. Doors open at Manning Bar at 8pm. The festival is strictly 18+ and valid photo ID is required for entry.
Tickets · 31.10.26
Australia's biggest Halloween festival.
11,000 tickets across three cities.
18+ event · Valid photo ID required · No refunds