Halloween 2026 falls on a Saturday, giving Cape Town a full weekend of costumes, live music, classic cinema and family adventures. From a city centre parade of the undead to a beach club dance party and a haunted manor for children, there is something for almost every age and taste.
This guide sorts the main events happening between 28 and 31 October into family-friendly options and adults-only options, with dates, times and venues to help with planning.
Rabbit Heart opens the doors of Glenhof Manor for a playful, gently spooky experience aimed mainly at children up to 12. Ten interactive rooms across two floors feature curious characters, theatrical surprises, creepy discoveries and playful challenges.
Each child receives a Manor Map to guide their exploration, and completing it unlocks a sweet treat at the end. Older children are catered for too, with a darker Teen Haunted House Experience for ages 13 to 18 later in the day.
📆 Saturday, 31 October 2026 | Sessions at 10am, 1pm and 4pm
📍Glenhof Manor, 12 Glenhof Road, Newlands
The Zombie Walk is South Africa's largest Halloween event, drawing thousands of participants each year to shuffle through the city streets as the undead. It is open to all ages, pet friendly and free to join. Costumes range from professional special effects makeup to simple outfits put together at home.
The walk raises awareness for the Lucky Lucy Foundation, which rescues and rehabilitates abused and neglected animals. An 18+ after-party follows for those who want to keep the costume on, with ticket sales going to the foundation.
A few rules apply. Fake weapons are permitted, but sharp blades are not, and replica firearms need an orange tip. Alcohol may not be visible during the walk, and participants must follow instructions from marshals, medics, security and traffic officials.
📆 Saturday, 31 October 2026 | 5pm to 6pm
📍Starts at 109 Government Avenue, Cape Town City Centre
Galileo hosts a spooky evening under the stars, with visitors encouraged to wear costumes and bring blankets. Younger viewers can enjoy Coco, the 2017 Disney Pixar animation about 12-year-old Miguel, who finds himself in the colourful Land of the Dead and uncovers his family's story with help from his ancestors.
Adults aged 18 and over have their own option in Weapons, the 2025 supernatural mystery horror directed by Zack Cregger. The film follows a community searching for answers after every child but one in the same class vanishes at exactly the same moment.
📆 Friday and Saturday, 30 and 31 October 2026 | Doors open at 5pm, films from 7.30pm
📍Kirstenbosch Gardens, Rhodes Drive, Newlands
HorrorFest is one of the longest running horror events on the Cape Town calendar, and 2026 marks its 22nd edition. The programme is built around three main screenings.
The night before Halloween brings an audience participation screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Visitors are invited to dress as their favourite characters, in tribute to Tim Curry.
On Halloween night, the headline event marks 100 years since F.W. Murnau, the director of Nosferatu, released his silent adaptation of Goethe's Faust. The screening is paired with an original live soundtrack performed by HorrorFest's own Makabra Ensemble.
The programme closes with The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939), shown from a rare, well preserved 16mm print.
📆 28 October to 8 November 2026
📍Labia Theatre, 68 Orange Street, Gardens
Cirque Noir is a new addition to the city's drag scene, presenting a dark carnival show for six nights only, with an exclusive themed edition over Halloween weekend.
The cast features more than 100 dancers and artists, horror themed circus acts and bold costumes. An all female DJ lineup keeps the energy going, and the later hours bring go go dancers and surprise performances
📆 Thursday to Saturday, 29 to 31 October 2026 | 7pm to 4am
📍Mavericks Revue Bar, 72 Barrack Street, Cape Town City Centre
Prime is one of South Africa's best known event brands, famous for themed nights across Cape Town. The sound ranges from R&B and house to gqom and hip hop, and visitors are encouraged to arrive in their favourite Halloween costume.
Halloween is a highlight of the Prime year, so one of its largest productions of 2026 is expected.
📆 Friday, 30 October 2026 | 8pm to 2am
📍Club Paradise, 9 Albertus Street, District Six
The Halloween edition of Ramfest brings Canadian rock act Silverstein to Cape Town, alongside local favourites Fokofpolisiekar, Jack Parow and Sunken State. DoomTrigger, Atlantic South and the DJs behind Emo Night South Africa complete the bill.
The setup is a full festival experience, with multiple bars, merchandise stalls, food vendors, professional stage design and powerful sound. Costumes are welcome, and pit barriers and on site medics help keep the busier sections safe.
📆 Friday, 30 October 2026 | 5pm to 2am
📍Castle of Good Hope, Castle Street, Foreshore
This Halloween, Sexy Groovy Love turns the polished setting of CABO Beach Club into an unsettling dance party. The theme is anything strange or unfamiliar, so visitors are invited to dress as something from another planet, a dream or simply something odd.
Expect otherworldly decor, immersive production and a DJ lineup that includes Tropical Roast and Diskotekah.
📆 Saturday, 31 October 2026 | 4pm to 2am
📍CABO Beach Club, 12 South Arm Road, V&A Waterfront
Events are spread across the city centre, the Foreshore, the V&A Waterfront, District Six, Gardens and the Southern Suburbs, so a little planning goes a long way.
Several events share the same dates, particularly on Friday, 30 October and Saturday, 31 October, so deciding on priorities early helps. Families can build a day around the morning and afternoon Manor of Mischief sessions, the early evening Zombie Walk and an evening film at Kirstenbosch, while the late night options suit adult groups.
Nox Cape Town is available for all holiday rental needs, with a portfolio of properties across the Atlantic Seaboard, including Camps Bay, Clifton, Mouille Point and Sea Point. Visitors planning a Halloween weekend in Cape Town can find a place to stay that suits their group.
Halloween falls on Saturday, 31 October 2026. Many events run across the full weekend, with some starting as early as Wednesday, 28 October.
The Zombie Walk welcomes all ages and pets, Rabbit Heart's Manor of Mischief is designed for children up to 12, and Galileo Open Air Cinema screens Coco for younger viewers.
Rabbit Heart offers a Teen Haunted House Experience for ages 13 to 18, running later in the day on 31 October.
Options include Prime Presents Halloween at Club Paradise, Ramfest at the Castle of Good Hope, Sexy Groovy Love at CABO Beach Club, Cirque Noir at Madame JoJo's, HorrorFest at the Labia Theatre and the 18+ Zombie Walk afterparty.
The Zombie Walk is South Africa's largest and best known Halloween event. It takes place on Saturday, 31 October 2026 from 5pm to 6pm in the city centre and is free to join.
Costumes are encouraged at almost every event listed. The Zombie Walk has specific rules, including no sharp blades, orange tips on replica firearms and no visible alcohol.
HorrorFest at the Labia Theatre runs from 28 October to 8 November 2026, with screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Murnau's Faust and The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939).
Galileo Open Air Cinema at Kirstenbosch Gardens, the Zombie Walk through the city streets and Ramfest at the Castle of Good Hope are the main outdoor events. Sexy Groovy Love is held at a beach club.