From family-friendly trick-or-treating to dance-til-midnight parties, there’s something happening in every corner of the city this Hallo-weekend. And if you’ve left your costume to the last minute, we’ve even dreamt up a few Gold Coast-inspired ideas to help you join the fright night fun — no panic sewing required.
Last-minute Gold Coast Halloween costume ideas
Surfers Paradise Meter Maid
An icon since the 1960s, the Gold Coast’s golden girls are as classic as they come. All you need is a metallic gold bikini or bodysuit, a white sash and perhaps a sparkly cowboy hat to bring this nostalgic look into 2025. Bonus points for carrying a parking ticket book or handful of dollar coins.
Light rail construction worker
Few things say “Gold Coast” quite like another round of light rail works. Go full satire with a high-vis vest, hard hat and safety glasses – maybe even carry a cardboard “detour” sign or plastic traffic cone. It’s the easiest costume to pull together, and truly terrifying. Bonus: It doubles as the perfect group costume – the more of you milling around, the better!
Surf life saver
Pay tribute to one of the Coast’s true heroes with a red and yellow swimsuit or rashie, cap, and whistle. It’s instantly recognisable and effortlessly Gold Coast — just remember to leave the actual rescues to the professionals.
Gold Coast events on Halloween weekend
Fright Nights | October 4 to October 31 at Movie World, Oxenford
Experience terrifying mazes, scare zones and live horror at Movie World Fright Nights – the Gold Coast’s biggest and scariest Halloween event.
Dreamworld: Happy Halloween | Select nights in October at Dreamworld, Coomera
On select nights in October, Dreamworld transforms for Happy Halloween – a fang-tastic celebration filled with tricks, treats and spine-tingling excitement. Dress to impress in your spookiest costume and enjoy a night of family fun under the stars.
Halloween Tour | Friday and Saturday nights in Surfers Paradise
Experience a truly terrifying night out in Surfers Paradise with the Wicked Nightlife club crawl. Skip the crazy queues with an all-access Halloween Crawl Ticket – just be sure to come dressed to impress. There are prizes up for grabs, and you’ll get to enjoy plenty of spooky games on the night.
www.wickednightlifetours.com.au
Halloween Queens | Friday October 31 at Miami Marketta
This ain’t your nana’s bingo. Celebrate a super special Halloween edition of Drag Queen Bingo, hosted by a superstar lineup.
Halloween Alternative Light Party | Friday October 31 at Southport
This one’s a free afternoon for children of all ages: sausage sizzle, jumping castle, face-painting, a petting zoo, photo booth, snow cones, popcorn, and plenty of lollies.
Halloween Dance Party | Friday October 31 at Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island
A fun family event: kids go on a Trick-or-Treat Trail with six spooky challenges (e.g., cursed ring toss, bobbing for bones, graveyard golf, face-painting).
Halloween in the Laneway | Friday October 31 at Cavill Lane, Surfers Paradise
Browse the “Witches Markets” with quirky gifts and supplies, pose with roaming actors/entertainers, dine at the many restaurants/bars, and compete for spot prizes (two best costumes win a $50 Cavill Lane gift voucher each).
Surfers Paradise Spooktacular | Friday October 31 at the People’s Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
A big costumed evening on the beachfront esplanade: trick-or-treat trail across multiple themed zones, live music (Buskers Circle), Beachhouse DJ, face-painting stations, craft activities (DIY skeleton puppets, decorate-your-own trick or treat bag), and Halloween-game stations. Bring your costume and trick-or-treat bag.
Spooktacular Halloween Dance Party | Friday October 31 at The Great Lawn, Broadwater Parklands
Join in on a spooktacular Halloween night, complete with a magic show, Zumba dance party, face painting, games, prizes and costume fun for all ages.
Movies Under the Stars | Friday October 31 at Runaway Bay Cricket Club
The fun kicks off at 4:30pm with a live DJ and plenty of kids’ activities to keep everyone entertained, before settling in at 6:30pm for the feature film ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’.
Live theatre for Halloween | Friday October 31 at Burleigh Studio, Burleigh Heads
This Halloween, Goat Track Theatre invites you into a gripping night where tensions linger in every silence and the question isn’t what will happen next, but who will make it to dawn.
