When I mentioned that the local kids were planning to do some Trick or Treating on 31 October this year to a neighbour of mine he scowled and said “I have no idea why everyone feels the need to celebrate Halloween in South Africa. It’s an American tradition.”I promptly labelled him a Halloween Grinch and hoped that his one day his children would manage to sway him to participate, for their sakes.
To me, Halloween is the perfect opportunity to dress up and have some fun, even if you are too old to go trick or treating. So I’ve rounded up some fun events for grown ups to enjoy (there are one or two for children too), from high tea to horror movies, trance parties to zombie walks and ghost bus tours. Don’t be afraid to dress up!
Halloween in Cape Town
FReAkS & CREaTuReS at Blizzard Entertainment Lounge
25 October
UltraNoize invites you to witness the darker dimensions of psy trance, and enjoy your evening with some frightfully funky horned creatures and psychedelic demons. Awesome prizes up for grabs for the freakishly dressed, a line up of dark masters from the underworld, and awesome freaky creature decor surprises, this is one Halloween party in Durbanville you do not want to miss. R40 gets you through the door. Join the Facebook page for more information.
Cape Town Zombie Walk
26 October
Worm-eyed corpses can go hunting for brains at the fourth annual Zombie Walk, which will start at Thibault Square in the city centre at 17h00. If you’re a zombie at heart this will give you an idea of what the Zombie Apocalypse will be like while real zombies have the perfect event in which to blend in. So be careful who you befriend while on your way to the Company’s Garden! The official (over-18s only) Cape Town Zombie Walk after-party will take place at The Side Show. The walk itself is free and tickets to the after-party are R40 per person for standard tickets and R65 per person for a VIP pass. Tickets available via www.quicket.com. Join the Facebook page for more information.
Halloween Trance Party by Disasterpeace Records
26 – 27 October
Get to The Hilltop Hangout in Paarl for a downright ghoulish two days of bass and beats at this trance party featuring top-notch DJs. Tickets are available at the gate on Saturday and Sunday from 08h00. R170 per person for Saturday and Sunday, R150 for Sunday only. Join the Facebook page for more information.
South African Horror Film Festival
30 October – 8 November
Now in its 9th year, this festival aims to keep both cinema culture and horror culture alive with a line-up of movies, documentaries and short films you’re unlikely to see on any other South African cinema screen. There will be premieres, rarities, classics, a free sneak preview of a brand new release, the Bloody Parchment literary chapter, a new Makabra Ensemble live movie soundtrack performance to a classic silent film, Halloween dress-up, and Alternative Market, a link-up with the Cape Town Zombie Walk, audience give-aways and a hearse-load more. www.horrorfest.info.
6th Sense Halloween Party
30 October
Enter a twisted psytrance wonderland filled with creepy circus-themed attractions, eerie art installations, classic horror film features and more at Springboks in Stellenbosch. For your own safety you are encouraged to blend in by dressing up and those who do could be rewarded with free entry to all 6th Sense Club events in 2014. Entrance is R50 per person and there will be two-for-one drink specials. Join the Facebook page for more information.
Halloween Dinner at Keenwa
31 October
Tuck into a six-course dinner paired with wines from Doran Vineyards at South Africa’s only Peruvian Restaurant. Their chef, Fabricio Durand, is a real Peruvian from Cuzco, a city visited by millions of tourists on their way to Machu Pichu, so you can expect delicious and authentic cuisine. However, despite being a Peruvian delicacy, you won’t find battered guinea pig the menu. Phew! R300 per person. Tel 021-419-2633 to book your table.
Halloween Forest Night Run
31 October
The annual Dirtopia Halloween Forest Night Run sees costumed athletes and fun-runners trek through the forest at Muratie Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. Sign up for either a 7km run or a 5km trot with both routes traversing a single-track to give participants ample opportunity for ghost spotting at one of the oldest wine farms (its history dates back to 1685). The run starts at 19h00 and all finishers will receive a soft drink and a Halloween surprise. Wine tasting and the kitchen at Muratie will be open and there will be a lucky draw with products from Hi-Tec, CiVVio, Falke plus Muratie wines! The top three mens and ladies will each win a prize. Registration takes place from 17h30. Pre-entries to the run cost R60 per person for the 5km and R70 per person for the 7km route.. Late entries (taken on the day) cost R70 per person for the 5km and R85 per person for the 7km trail. All runners must wear a light on their head – it’s dark and scary out there! Tel 021-884-4752 or email t[email protected].
Halloween at the V&A Waterfront
31 October and 1 November
Dress up the whole family in Halloween attire and get to the V&A Waterfront where the youngsters (under 16 years) can have a free ride on the Cape Town Eye while the young at heart pay R80 per person. Kids can dig into the candy cauldron for a handful of treats on their way out. www.capewheel.co.za.
Halloween Sunset Run
31 October
Dress in your scary best (prize for the best outfit) and celebrate Halloween with a sunset trail run at Durbanville Hills Winery. There’s a 5km run and a 10km run, both of which snake through the vineyards on the hills overlooking Durbanville. The races both start and finish at the cellar, and after working up a deserved appetite, runners can tuck into decadent gourmet burgers from The Eatery. Burgers cost R85 and includes a glass of Durbanville Hills wine, coffee or tea. Wine tasting and sales will be available between 17h00 and 20h00. Entries cost R60 per person with registration at 17h00. Don’t forget to bring along your headlamp. Tel 021-558-1300 or email [email protected].
Halloween Murder Mystery Dinner at Moyo
1 November
Be part of a terrifying African Halloween evening while you get to the bottom of things in “The Tokoloshe Murders” with Inspector Lente Keyser at Moyo Restaurant in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. It promises to be a night filled with mystery and intrigue while you fill your tummy with a three-course dinner. Tickets for the three-course dinner and show cost R300 per person, with a minimum booking of two people for R600. Tel 084-993-8040 or email [email protected].
Halloween Dansville at Hillcrest Quarry
1 November
An eight-hour zombie-themed party that promises to raise the dead with mind-bending visuals at a unique venue in Durbanville. The Mother City’s top beat-makers will be dropping hellish tunes while a cash bar and food stalls will keep the thirst and hunger at bay. Don’t forget to dress the part – they’re giving away spot bar tabs to the best dressed zombies on the night. Tickets from R60 per person from www.quicknet.co.za.
Halloween with Al Bairre at Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar
2 November
This rooftop bar invites all costumed creatures to dance the night away with the band Al Bairre. The R200 per person entry fee includes a variety of tapas, but drinks are for your own account. The bar will be open exclusively to Halloween ticket holders on that night so book your tickets if you don’t want to miss a great party. Now that would be scary! Email [email protected] to book your tickets.
Halloween in Durban
Halloween at Origin
26 October
Durban’s most notorious themed party venue is preparing a cataclysmic explosion of colour, scares, and dares this Halloween. Prepare yourselves for a horror carnival delight with trolling magicians working through the crowds, tarot card readings in a spooky booth and awesome stage shows including a wicked impression of the Rocky Horror time warp dance. Plus, be prepared for hidden fright delights around the club – not for the faint hearted! There will also be a team of face painters to transform you into a gory monstrous delight, not to mention a R2 500 cash prize to the best dressed! This year entry is being prioritised to people that are dressed in theme. R80 in theme or R100 if not dressed up. Members pay R60 in theme or R80 if not dressed up. Tel 031-2019959, email [email protected], www.theorigin.co.za.
Halloween at uShaka
Every weekend until 3 November
Celebrating things that go “boo” by the sea, uShaka Marine World together with Coca-Cola will trick and treat visitors to a thrilling Halloween Experience with witches and werewolves prowling the Village Walk as part of the spine chilling Halloween parades that will take place every weekend until 3 November. The Wreck Aquarium in the Phantom Ship will have Halloween characters leading the way through a spooky maze of spider webs, bats, skeletons and scary characters. Visit the “House of Fear” where doors creak and ghoulish characters, coffins and blood spills greet the wary explorer. Of course the uShaka Sea World dolphins will also add their bewitching touch to a show. Dress to impress according to this year’s witches and werewolves theme – there are prizes for the best dressed and most scary outfits. Tickets for the Halloween dolphin show on 26 and 27 October cost R110 (adults & kids under 12), children under 3 are free. Tickets are limited, so book well in advance at Computicket or at the uShaka Marine World ticketing office. www.ushaka.co.za
Halloween High Tea at The Oyster Box
31 October
The Oyster Box is getting into the swing of things with a Halloween-inspired High Tea. Each guest will receive a welcome cocktail and mask on arrival and an afternoon of scary surprises is guaranteed. R250 per person. Tel 031-514-5018 or email [email protected].
Mystery Ghost Bus Tour
31 October
If you want to spend your Halloween being scared out of your wits on a bus, then Durban’s Mystery Ghost Bus Tour is the thing for you. You’ll be taken past scary spots in town and Mark Rose-Christie guarantees you will be properly ghouled out by the end of the ride. There are also pub stops to help make you feel a little more fearless. Tickets are R299 per person and you can book at Computicket.
Halloween Ball at Upstairs
31 October
Upstairs in Morningside are throwing a goulish Halloween Ball and giving away a R2 000 Tattoo Voucher from Lola Malone for the best dressed. There will also be prizes for best make-up and spot prizes through-out the evening. They’re conjuring up a twisted Sailor Jerry Halloween Punch and will have trick or treat bar “specials” for who those who are daring… Entry is free, but if you’re a party pooper the Grim Reaper will tax you! Tel 087-941-4525 or email [email protected].
Halloween in Johannesburg
Halloween at The Red Door
26 October
Go behind the red door in Honeydew for a crazy night this Halloween. There will be tattoo and piercing give-aways to those best dressed. Tel 011-463-8901.
Halloween Ball at Truth
26 October
Don your best Halloween costume and head to Midrand for Truth’s blood-curdling Halloween Ball – a night where saints and sinners collide in a truly supernatural atmosphere! Tickets are R120 online or R150 at the door. Tel 011-315-9295, email [email protected], www.truthjhb.com.
Emily The Strange Party at The Doors Nightclub
26 October
The Doors Nightclub in Edenvale is hosting an Emily the Strange themed party. Emily the Strange is more than just a clothing and style brand. She is a way of life, an embodiment of a counter culture that gives the middle finger to conventional thinking and understandings. There will be over R3 000 cash prizes to be won for the best dressed at the party as well as CDs and champagne giveaways. Entrance is FREE for those who come dressed up in full outfits. For those who don’t dress up, it’s R10 for ladies before 22h00 and R20 after. Guys have to pay R20 before 22h00 and R30 after. They are also hosting a Halloween party on Friday 1st November with cash prizes for the best dressed and free mini champagne to the first 100 people through the door. www.doorsnightclub.co.za
Horrorwood at Brightwater Commons
31 October
You will be dazzled by the Halloween celebrations at Brightwater Commons in Randburg this year. Trick or treating, a house of horror and performances by Snakebite Jones and Master Mentalist Gilan Gork are all in the line-up for the darkest night of the year. Kids will love the jumping castle, pedal cars and twisty ladder as well as the House of Horror and trick or treating around the centre. The annual Toomie Awards will see the most impressive costumes win the prestigious ‘Toomie’ in different age categories so make sure you dress up! The fun begins at 16h00. www.brightwatercommons.co.za.
Halloween Block Party Experience with Arcade Empire and Griet
1 November
Three themed stages (the Rock n Roll Graveyard stage, the Psycho Circus stage and the Temple of Doom stage) and a stack of South African bands, producers and DJ’s makes for an epic night of SA music in Pretoria. The party starts at 18h00 with pre-sold tickets at R80 or R100 at the door. Join the Facebook page for more information.
Halloween line dancing at Five6seven8 Dance Studio
1 November
Ever wished you had been a part of the Thriller music video? Well now is your chance. From 20h00 to 21h00 this dance studio in Randburg is hosting a Thriller Line Dance group class followed by a performance by the instructors. After that lies a night ahead of dancing and socializing. Dress up (you could also win a prize) and get in for free, or pay R50 if you are too frightened to. Tel 011-791-5997, email [email protected], www.five6seven8.co.za.
You may also like
Related Posts
The Northern Cape landscape and its characters are full of life. Here are some of...
read more
If you're feeling a bit tired of the usual scene, take a tip from urban...
read more
When you think of the Northern Cape, The. Big Hole in Kimberley comes to mind,...
read more
