The ghost train is about to leave the station – make sure your little monsters have their tickets ready. Photo: Illawarra Light Railway Museum.
Spooky season is upon us, but it can be tricky to know where to go for treats if you haven’t had much Halloween experience.
Fear not – whether your little boils and ghouls are in Kiama, North Wollongong or anywhere in between, we’ve got you sorted.
There are even some surprises for the bigger monsters, if they dare.
Port Kembla Fearfest
It’s the premier Halloween event in the Illawarra, and with good reason.
Port Kembla’s Fearfest turns Wentworth Street into a hub for all things mysterious and spooky every year.
The 2025 theme is ‘maskerade’ and attendees are invited to create and wear their own masks.
Held on Saturday 1 November, there will be a wide range of activities on offer, from slime making to face-painting, hair braiding, Halloween board games, a kids’ disco and more.
The Smith family’s Halloween maze will run three sessions from its new home at the Future Artifact.
From 5 – 9 pm on Friday 31 October will be a fiendishly fun experience for all ages.
On Saturday 1 November the maze will run a kid friendlier version with less jump scares and interaction from 2 to 4:30 pm.
From 6 to 9 pm that afternoon will be the ultimate wet-your-pants walkthrough for those who love to be frightened out of their wits.
After the kids have gone to bed, dress-ups, drinks and dancing will be on offer at a number of licensed Port Kembla venues all night long.
For more information head to the Fearfest website.
Science Spooktacular
If you’d prefer your thrills with a side of teachable moments, the Kids Wish Science Spooktacular at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus is for you.
This is a free event for children living with a disability or illness and their families.
From 4 – 7 pm on Thursday 30 October families will enjoy exclusive access to the incredible Science Space, with a Halloween theme.
Kids are encouraged to dress in their favourite Halloween costume and can check out the 90-plus interactive exhibits.
These include Australia’s most digitally advanced planetarium, where children will be treated to an intergalactic experience journeying through the universe visiting planets, galaxies and more.
And that’s not all – dinner is sorted with a delicious make-your-own nachos bar for the whole family to enjoy.
For more details and to book, head here.
On Saturday 1 November and Sunday 2 November the Science Space will be open to all for Spookfest.
There will be hands-on activities, spooky science shows and Halloween-themed fun from 10 am until 4 pm.
If you’re feeling peckish while you’re there, plenty of bugs will be available to nibble on.
To book, follow this link.
Cirque du Squeal
Prepare to face your fears at Circus WOW’s Cirque du Squeal.
Tumble into their weird and wonderful Halloween world, fall under their spell and dance with the delightful and deranged.
Circus WOW’s Halloween show will be spooky and maybe a little silly.
Aerialists will twist and tumble overhead, stilt walkers will loom in the shadows and acrobats will bounce, bend and bewilder.
But be warned, not all creatures creeping through the shadows were invited. Bring a friend to clutch onto when the lights flicker. You might not want to face the madness and mayhem alone!
Performers aged from eight t0 67 will take to the stage to create a night of frights, laughs all while showcasing the wonderful diverse nature of CircusWOW – ordinary women doing the extraordinary
Cirque du Squeal will run at Circus Monoxide, 3/3 Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow at 7pm on Saturday, 1 November and 2pm on Sunday 2 November.
Children under five are entitled to free entry.
To get your tickets go to humanitix.
Kiama Halloween Disco
The Kiama Leagues Club is hosting a spooktacular night of fun and frights on Thursday 30 October.
From 6:30 until 8 pm there will be music, dancing and spooky vibes for kids, with free entry.
Costumes are encouraged and prizes will be awarded for best-dressed.
All Kiama’s little ghouls and goblins are promised a night they’ll never forget.
Party Bags and glow sticks will also be available for purchase on the night.
Illawarra Light Railway Museum
At Albion Park Rail the Illawarra Light Railway Museum will host its Eve of Halloween event on Saturday 25 October from 4 to 9 pm.
The Ghost Steam Train and the Mini Monster Express will both depart from the station throughout the night.
There will also be a kids disco, food sales, and playgrounds for little ones to have a scary good time!
One and all are encouraged to dress up and come along for a great family night out.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the museum gate on arrival.
Spooky Street, Shellharbour Club
Shellharbour Club gets the witch’s hat for being most committed to Halloween celebrations.
Precinct has transformed into Spooky Street until Sunday 2 November.
Head on in at lunch or dinner time Wednesday to Friday for horror-filled photo opportunities, animated creepy characters and witches’ elixirs too petrifying to speak of.
Every Friday has free entertainment for the kids and a line-up of spooky themed activities, with something for everyone from a KPop Demon Hunters Dance Party to Halloween Bingo.
The club will also host a free Halloween dance party on Friday 31 October for post trick-or-treating celebrations.
Gather the gang and join them for a frighteningly good time!
