A three-day Halloween food festival is coming to Canberra, and it sounds like a total scream

Posted on 16 October, 2024

Scare up your friends and family – this is going to be a total scream.

Taking over the Greyhound Racing Club from Friday 25 until Sunday 27 October, SPOOKFEAST is promising three nights of spine-tingling, hair-raising fun, food, and frights for the whole family. And it sounds amazing because, from ghoulish foodie delights to devilish rides, this Halloween-themed festival isn’t holding back from the frights and fun.

Running from 5 pm until 10 pm each night, SPOOKFEAST is bringing the spirits of Halloween back from the dead with a jam-packed programme of food and fun, including trick or treating – which is why Trick-or-Treat Lane is sure to be a hit for the little ghosts and ghouls.

You read that right. Transforming a whole laneway into a sugary wonderland, they can collect candy from colourful stalls and experience the classic Halloween tradition. But sweets from the stalls won’t be the only spooky-themed choice for a bite to eat.

After all, it is a food festival.

Gathering together your favourite food trucks in the name of a frighteningly good feast, Neon Burgers, Yee Haw Chicken, The Cream Machine and Brisket Bulls are just some of the vendors that will be there on the night. Serving up food with an eerie twist, you’ll be able to eat, drink, and be scary long into the night. For the more mature monsters (those 18 and over), there will also be a Halloween-themed bar serving up some so-good-it’s-almost-scary sips.

And we haven’t even mentioned the designated dessert area.

As for the rides? Ranging in price from $8 to $12, the Giant Ferris Wheel, Bubble Soccer, Dodgem Cars and Wind Jammer will be at the top of any scream king or queens list. But be warned: those looking for some bang for their buck or thrill seekers who want to experience the excitement all night long will be haunted by the thought they didn’t get the Unlimited Rides Wristband. Priced at $45, it offers all the thrills and chills without the limits.

That’s just the beginning of what’s happening at SPOOKFEAST. While we might have been making lots of spooky jokes (and there’s more where that came from – we know every trick or treat in the book), the witchcraft of this event is it’s family-friendly and has something for all ages.

From a giant Paw Patrol slide to the classic Teacup ride, children can join in on the fun while bigger kids can make the most of the stage, with a DJ and live performances taking place each night. Want to play your own tricks? There will also be plenty of classic sideshow alley games and the chance to watch a mesmerising magic show and a fire show that will leave you howling for more.

Riding the Ghost Train, browsing a selection of curated market stalls and makers and enjoying the roaming performers and spooky characters are also some major highlights, because as the sun sets, the night will come alive. After all, it’s the most wonderful time of fear and for just $10 entry ($7 for four- to 12-year-olds or free for three and under), SPOOKFEAST is sure to lift your spirits this October.

Go on, get ready for a night of fun and frights. Treat (or trick) yo’self.

Feature image by Photo by Bee Felten-Leidel on Unsplash. Other images supplied.