It’s shaping up to be a frightfully fun few days, with Halloween parties popping up like pumpkins on every corner, and gigs that’ll have you howling at the moon.
Whether you’re keen to rock out, dress up, or kick back, the Hunter is absolutely humming with things to do. From spooky soirées to laid-back live sets, there’s something for every kind of weekender ready to say boo or woo-hoo!
So dust off the cobwebs, and make some plans with your fav ghouls and goths by checking out our Halloween guide below.
HALLOWEEN 2026WHAT’S ON IN NEWCASTLE?
Bernie’s Bar
Bernie’s Bar has two nights of frightfully good fun, from emo anthems to a monster-sized laneway party. Dress to impress (or distress) for Halloween: Emo Edition on Friday featuring Trixxie Killder, and DJ’s KITTAMINE and Vandoll. Then, on Saturday, the Halloween Monster Mash Laneway Party takes over from 7pm, with drag performers Deirdre Doo, Karma Gettem, and Sticky Waffles, as well as DJ’s QUEERIO and TIFF bringing the spooky beats.
The Lass O’Gowrie
Prepare for spooky realness as Newcastle drag divas Leeah Tart and Menage a Tart serve up a frightfully fabulous Halloween celebration at The Lass O’Gowrie. Taking over the Wickham pub on Friday, Tart-o-ween will feature RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under alumni Molly Poppinz, Karna Ford and Nikita Iman, alongside DJs Bo Bella, Isla Rae, Van Doll and Bon Binary. Expect outrageous drag performances, Halloween theatrics, killer tunes and plenty of costume inspiration at this LGBTQIA+ nightlife celebration.
The Oak
It’s the end of an era for C.O.B.B., with the band calling it quits after Halloween. Their final show will be about more than just saying goodbye, however, with the band hoping to raise funds and show support for their dear friend and biggest supporter, Liv, who has been diagnosed with cancer. The Halloween gig will feature a stacked lineup of local favourites, including Stagger, Finlay Ross, Carnivara and Robert Milk. Costumes are mandatory, so leave the basic tee and three-quarter jorts at home and get creative for one last night of music, mates and community spirit.
Hamilton Station Hotel
Dig out your eyeliner, dust off your band tees and get ready to scream along to the emo anthems of your youth at Taking Back Saturday: Emo & Pop Punk Party. Taking over The Hamilton Station Hotel on Saturday, the Halloween bash will serve up hits from My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Panic! At The Disco and Machine Gun Kelly, alongside Halloween-themed decorations, giveaways for early arrivals and a best-dressed competition.
King Street
Get ready for a frightfully good time as King Street Hotel transforms into a Halloween party playground across three levels for a two-night weekender presented by Fireball. Taking over the Newcastle West venue on Friday and Saturday, the celebrations will feature resident DJs, a silent disco on the third level and plenty of spooky surprises. Dress to impress for the best-dressed costume competition, while early arrivals can score drink card giveaways, including limited One-Wish willow drink cards.
tower Cinemas
Newcastle’s Tower Cinemas is going full Tower of Terror this Halloween, with two nights of heavy music, horror classics and spooky big-screen experiences. Friday, kicks off with teen alt-metal sensation Maple’s Pet Dinosaur launching her debut EP Child’s Play in a one-off, all-ages cinema takeover, joined by local young guns Trophy Wyfe, Filthy E and the Clean Teens, and Bardvarkk. Then on Saturday, the horror festivities continue with a midnight screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, alongside a Halloween retrospective featuring classic fright flicks including The Blair Witch Project and The Exorcist. Bon Binary will also be behind the decks from 9pm to 11pm, making it a must for horror buffs, cult-film fans and anyone keen to spend Halloween at the movies.
