HOME OF HALLOWEEN PARADE
Presented by ireland
Home of Halloween Parade
4,000 marchers. Seven waves. One massive Halloween parade through Sydney.
This Halloween, Ireland brings the Home of Halloween to Sydney. Join 4,000 costumed marchers as the parade travels from the Sydney Opera House through Circular Quay and into The Rocks.
In partnership with Tourism Ireland
Inspired by Halloween’s ancient Irish origins, the parade opens with a spectacular Samhain procession before six more costumed waves take over the city.
Choose your waves. Choose your costume. Take your place.
- Saturday 31 October 2026
- Sydney Opera House → Circular Quay → The Rocks
Join the Parade
Take Your Place
For one night, 4,000 costumed marchers will take over one of Sydney’s most iconic routes in seven themed waves.
Choose the wave that best suits your costume, book your free place and arrive at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt 30 minutes before your scheduled departure.
- Costume is mandatory for every person participating in the parade.
- Props are encouraged and can help bring your costume and wave to life, but they are not compulsory.
- Waves 2–7 offer broad themes to help shape the parade, so your costume does not need to follow the theme exactly.
- Wave 1: Samhain is different. As the opening wave of the parade, participants must follow the specific Samhain costume guidelines outlined below.
- Children are welcome to participate. Any child under 12 must march with an accompanying adult, and both the child and accompanying adult require their own ticket in the same wave.
How to Join
Join the Parade in 4 Steps
Step 1
Choose your wave
Step 2
Book your free tickets
Every parade participant needs a ticket.
Step 3
Come in costume
Dress to match your chosen parade wave.
Step 4
Meet us at the Opera House
Arrive at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt 30 minutes before your wave. Final instructions will be emailed before the event.
Step 1
Choose your wave
Step 2
Book your free tickets
Step 3
Come in costume
Step 4
Meet us at the Opera House
Wave Selection
Choose Your Wave
Seven waves. Seven themes. One parade.
Choose the wave that best suits your Halloween look and book your free place below. The themes for Waves 2–7 are designed as inspiration rather than strict costume rules. Wave 1: Samhain has specific costume requirements — please read the Samhain guidelines before booking this wave.
Wave 1
Samhain
Arrive
7:46PM
Depart
8:16PM
- Costume required · Samhain theme
Wave 2
The Coven
Witches, sorcerers and creatures of the occult.
Arrive
7:50PM
Depart
8:20PM
- Costume required · Props encouraged
Wave 3
Vampires & Gothic
Enter after dark. Vampires, gothic creatures, dark romance and creatures of the night.
Arrive
7:54PM
Depart
8:24PM
- Costume required · Props encouraged
Wave 4
Zombies & Creatures
The undead take over Sydney. Zombies, monsters, mutants, supernatural beings and creatures of every kind.
Arrive
7:58PM
Depart
8:28PM
- Costume required · Props encouraged
Wave 5
Cosplay
Bring your character to the parade. Heroes, villains, fantasy characters, gaming, film, anime, comics and everything in between.
Arrive
8:02PM
Depart
8:32PM
- Costume required · Props encouraged
Wave 6
Little Monsters
Halloween for the whole family. Little Monsters is the family-focused wave of the parade.
Arrive
8:06PM
Depart
8:36PM
- Costume required · Props encouraged
Wave 7
Lanterns & Ghosts
Light the final wave. Ghosts, spirits and supernatural figures bring the final wave of the parade to life.
Arrive
8:10PM
Depart
8:40PM
- Costume required · Props encouraged
Presented by
Wave 1: Samhain
Lead the Home of Halloween Parade.
The first wave of the Home of Halloween Parade celebrates Samhain and the ancient Irish origins of Halloween.
This is the hero opening wave of the parade and will share one strong visual language inspired by Samhain, Celtic traditions and ancient Irish mythology.
Unlike the other parade waves, Samhain has a defined costume theme that every participant must follow. Anyone can join this wave, provided they commit to following the Samhain costume requirements below.
Your Samhain Look
Every participant should feel part of the same Samhain world. Think:
- Dark cloaks
- Simple, ancient-inspired silhouettes
- Face paint
- Celtic flags and banners
- Lanterns and handheld props
Make It Your Own
Individuality is still encouraged. Participants can personalise their look through fabric, colour, face paint, costume details, banners, handheld flags, lanterns and other appropriate accessories.
The aim is not for every participant to wear the same costume. The aim is for the entire Samhain wave to share a strong and recognisable visual language.
This Is Samhain — Not Stereotypical Irish Fancy Dress
The Rest of the Parade
Waves 2–7
Wave 2
The Coven
Witches, sorcerers and creatures of the occult.
Cloaks, hats, spell books, broomsticks, staffs, dark magic and your own interpretation of a Halloween coven.
The theme is there to inspire your look rather than restrict it. Elaborate or simple, come ready to join the parade in costume.
Arrive 7:50PM · Depart 8:20PM
Costume required · Props encouraged
Wave 3
Vampires & Gothic
Enter after dark.
Vampires, gothic creatures, dark romance and creatures of the night. Think capes, dramatic silhouettes, gothic makeup, Victorian influences and supernatural details.
Your costume does not need to fit the theme exactly. Use it as inspiration and make it your own.
Arrive 7:54PM · Depart 8:24PM
Costume required · Props encouraged
Wave 4
Zombies & Creatures
The undead take over Sydney.
Zombies, monsters, mutants, supernatural beings and creatures of every kind.
From full transformations to simple undead looks, this is the wave for Halloween’s strangest inhabitants.
Arrive 7:58PM · Depart 8:28PM
Costume required · Props encouraged
Wave 5
Cosplay
Bring your character to the parade.
Heroes, villains, fantasy characters, gaming, film, anime, comics and everything in between.
Choose your character, bring it to life and join the march.
Arrive 8:02PM · Depart 8:32PM
Costume required · Props encouraged
Wave 6
Little Monsters
Halloween for the whole family.
Little Monsters is the family-focused wave of the parade. Little witches, mini monsters, friendly ghosts, superheroes and families ready to dress up together are all welcome.
Children under 12 must march with an accompanying adult. Both the child and accompanying adult require their own ticket in the Little Monsters wave. Adults participating in this wave must also arrive in costume.
Arrive 8:06PM · Depart 8:36PM
Costume required · Props encouraged
Wave 7
Lanterns & Ghosts
Light the final wave.
Ghosts, spirits and supernatural figures bring the final wave of the parade to life. Think spectral costumes, flowing fabrics, ghostly silhouettes, lanterns and glowing props.
Participants should currently plan to bring their own lantern or prop if they would like to carry one.
Arrive 8:10PM · Depart 8:40PM
Costume required · Props encouraged
Participant Information
Before You March
Come in Costume
Costume is mandatory for every person participating in the Home of Halloween Parade. Participants who arrive without a costume will not be able to join the parade.
Props are encouraged
Lanterns, banners, staffs and other handheld props can help bring your costume and wave to life. Props are encouraged but not compulsory.
Arrive 30 minutes early
Every wave has its own arrival and departure time. Please arrive at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt 30 minutes before your wave departure.
Meeting Point
Sydney Opera House Forecourt. More detailed directions and assembly information will be sent to registered participants before the event.
Marching with children
Children are welcome to participate. Children under 12 must march with an accompanying adult. Both the child and accompanying adult require their own ticket and must be registered in the same wave.
Choose Your Wave Carefully
Waves 2–7 are broad themes designed to help shape the parade. Your costume does not need to match these themes exactly. Wave 1: Samhain has specific costume requirements that must be followed.
Costume & Prop Safety
Final costume and prop safety conditions will be confirmed before the event.
If the curiosity persists...
ask the oracle
How does the parade work?
For one unforgettable night, 4,000 costumed marchers take over one of Sydney’s most iconic routes across seven themed waves. Choose the wave that best suits your costume, book your free place, and arrive at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt 30 minutes before your wave’s scheduled departure.
Do I have to wear a costume?
Yes. Costume is mandatory for every person participating in the parade; no costume, no march. Wave 1: Samhain has its own specific costume requirements; Waves 2–7 use broad themes as inspiration rather than strict rules.
Do I need to follow my wave’s theme exactly?
Not for Waves 2–7. Those themes are there to inspire your costume, not restrict it. Choose whichever wave best matches your look. Wave 1: Samhain is the exception and has a defined costume theme every participant must follow.
Can I bring props?
Yes; lanterns, banners, staffs and other handheld props are encouraged and help bring your costume and wave to life, but they’re not compulsory. If you’re in Wave 7: Lanterns & Ghosts and want to carry a lantern, plan to bring your own.
What is Wave 1: Samhain?
The opening wave of the parade, celebrating Samhain and the ancient Irish origins of Halloween. It’s the one wave with a required costume theme; full guidelines are on the Wave 1 product page, and booking requires confirming you’ve read them.
Can children participate?
Yes. Children under 12 must march with an accompanying adult, and both the child and the adult need their own ticket, booked into the same wave.
Where and when do I need to arrive?
Meet at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, 30 minutes before your wave’s scheduled departure time. More detailed directions and assembly instructions will be sent to registered participants closer to the event.
How do I get there?
Circular Quay is the closest transport hub, reachable by train, bus, or ferry. Parking is limited, so public transport is strongly recommended.
What if it rains?
The parade goes ahead rain or shine where possible. If a session is cancelled for safety reasons, registered participants will be notified by email or SMS; please make sure your contact details are correct at booking.
Can I transfer or cancel my registration?
This is a free registration rather than a paid ticket. If you can no longer attend, please let us know so your spot can be released to someone on the waitlist.
Is there an age restriction?
All ages are welcome to march. The only requirement is that children under 12 are accompanied by an adult with their own ticket in the same wave.
What about costume and prop safety rules?
Final costume and prop safety conditions will be confirmed before the event.
Which Wave Will You Join?
Seven waves. 4,000 marchers. One Halloween night through the heart of Sydney. Choose your costume. Choose your wave. Take your place in the Home of Halloween Parade.
