Something wicked this way comes

Time to take the skeletons out of your closet for a spooktacular Halloween at one of these freaky events.

October has become the month for all things spooky and groovy, providing a legit excuse for wearing scary-looking costumes, and decorating your home with jack-o-lanterns.

While the ever-growing popularity of Halloween in Australia is most likely due to the influence of American-produced movies and television shows, the event itself is widely believed to originate from ancient Celtic practices. Halloween is said to be the night where spirits visit and mix with humans, and we dress up to disguise and protect ourselves from those ghostly visitors who may wish to do us harm.

Whether you believe in spirits or prefer to drink them, there is plenty to do for those living west of Sydney’s CBD for Halloween this year. Here are our top three choices:

WSU Halloween Cruise

Western Sydney University’s Campus Life is hosting a Halloween cruise on Thursday, 1 November. This event has been extremely popular in previous years, and going by the number of tickets already sold, the event will see several hundred students party the night away.

Tickets are only $60 for both WSU students and non-students. Yes, you read it right, you don’t have to be a WSU student to attend so take your friends. With pizza, unlimited* beer, wine and soft drinks included, it is a night you won’t want to miss. Don’t forget to bring your ID as this is a strictly 18+ event.

The hosts will be checking IDs for age and won’t admit those who may be under 18. The duration of the trip is three hours and you can find tickets here or follow the Facebook event right here.
Click here to get tickets or for more information.

Fear-a-phobia

Looking to scream your guts out and the fright of your life? Test your bravery at Fear-a-phobia. From 18-20 October, and then again from 25-27 October, Hawkesbury showground will be transformed into US-style Halloween scare attraction.

This will be the third year in which Fear-a-phobia will take place. With over 100 actors ready to make you scream and run for your life, as well as three new attractions including one that allows you to obtain a death certificate and be “buried alive,” this event is not for the faint-hearted.

There are also prizes for both best and worst dressed, so dress to impress on this night of fright. Only nine minutes away from Hawkesbury Campus, come on down … if you dare.

You can book your tickets at their website or follow their Facebook page at “Fearaphobia Sydney”. Tickets are $40/$60. Alcohol is not permitted on site for this event and people under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not allowed to enter.

Lithgow Halloween Festival

Lithgow in the Blue Mountains sees an invasion of monsters, ghouls, witches, zombies and the like arrive every year around Halloween. This year the event takes place on 27 October and will see a street parade, live performances, a skull auction, prizes for best dressed and more.

It’s an impressive and unique event as practically the whole town dresses up in Halloween costumes and hangs out on the main street, tasting local foods, going on rides, and finding solace in being a lost soul.

If you have never seen an entire family of Frankensteins before, this is where you’ll find them. This family event is free to attend – just roll up in your costume. To discover more, visit halloween.lithgow.com.

*Responsible service of alcohol guidelines under NSW legislation apply

Story by the W’SUP team