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IRELAND’S HALLOWEEN ART DARK TRAIL

Stories carved in shadow and light, from Ireland, the Home of Halloween.

Stories carved in shadow and light, from Ireland, the Home of Halloween.

Discover Ireland’s Halloween Art Dark Trail, an open-air exhibition at Circular Quay created in partnership with Tourism Ireland.

For two weeks, the trail brings the spirit of Halloween to life through art that reimagines the myths, rituals, and landscapes of its Irish origins.

Follow the path through four captivating themes: Ireland: The Home of Halloween, exploring where Samhain first ignited the world’s fascination with the festival; Ancient Samhain Traditions, revealing the rituals, food, and fire that shaped early celebrations; Costumes & Disguises, tracing the playful origins of dressing up; Mythical Ireland, where legends and landscapes blur the line between worlds; and Modern Festivals & Celebrations, showcasing how Ireland’s ancient spirit lives on today.

Immerse yourself in a story thousands of years in the making, where myths, art, and otherworldly imagination meet beneath Sydney’s night sky.

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Ireland, Home of Halloween 

Over two thousand years ago, Ireland’s Celtic festival of Samhain lit fires, filled harvest tables, and blurred the line between worlds... giving birth to Halloween. Today, from the Hill of Ward to the Derry Halloween festival, Ireland remains the true Home of Halloween, where history and legend live on.

Ancient Samhain Traditions

Samhain was the Celtic New Year, a festival of fire, food, and ritual. Communities gathered around bonfires to protect themselves during the dark months ahead. Families carved lanterns from turnips long before pumpkins, while barmbrack loaves with hidden charms foretold the future. Many of today’s Halloween customs began with Samhain and are still alive in Ireland.

Costume & Disguises

The tradition of dressing up at Halloween began in Ireland. At Samhain, masks and disguises were worn to trick restless spirits, and families left gifts of fruit and nuts to keep otherworldly mischief away; practices that gradually evolved into trick-or-treating. Long before pumpkins, turnips were carved into lanterns, shaping Halloween’s most recognisable traditions.

Mythical Ireland

Ireland’s landscapes and ancient sites have always carried a sense of the otherworldly. Mist rises over green hills, castles loom in shadow, and stone circles stand as markers of mystery. At Samhain, spirits were believed to walk freely, inspiring tales of the banshee, púca, and goddess Morrigan. Visitors can still explore caves, ruins, and coastlines that echo with legend.

Modern Festival & Celebrations

Halloween in Ireland is as vibrant as it is authentic. Ancient traditions inspire world-class celebrations like Derry Halloween, Europe’s biggest festival, and the Púca Festival in Meath, with fire, feasting, and performance. Set against golden autumn landscapes, visitors can join the mischief and community spirit of Ireland’s living Halloween legacy.

MONDAY, 20th of October
until SUNDAY, 2nd of November

CIRCULAR QUAY PROMENADE
AND THE ROCKS

Feel The Fears · Open-Air Exhibition

Stories carved in shadow and light,

from Ireland, the Home of Halloween.

Discover Ireland’s Halloween Art Dark Trail, an open-air exhibition at Circular Quay created in partnership with Tourism Ireland.

For two weeks, the trail brings the spirit of Halloween to life through art that reimagines the myths, rituals, and landscapes of its Celtic origins in Ireland.

Immerse yourself in a story thousands of years in the making, where myths, art, and otherworldly imagination meet beneath Sydney’s night sky. Follow the path through captivating themes tracing Halloween’s journey from ancient ritual to modern celebration.

  • Circular Quay Promenade & The Rocks

Free to explore

In partnership with

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The Experience

A Halloween night made for thrill-seekers

Ghost Cinema is a Halloween experience made for thrill-seekers, film lovers, and anyone brave enough to face the dark. Set against the historic backdrop of Cadmans Cottage, it’s Sydney’s most haunted place turned into an open-air screening room — for one night only, the movie isn’t the only thing watching you back.

Theme One

Ireland, Home of Halloween 

Over two thousand years ago, the Celtic festival of Samhain marked the turning of the seasons on the island of Ireland. Fires lit the hills, harvest feasts filled tables, and stories blurred the line between the living and the spirit world. From these rituals, Halloween was born. Today, from the Hill of Ward to the Derry Halloween festival, Ireland remains the true Home of Halloween, where history, landscape and legend come together in unforgettable ways.

Theme Two

Ancient Samhain Traditions

Samhain was the Celtic New Year, a festival of fire, food and ritual. Communities gathered around bonfires to protect themselves during the dark months ahead. Families carved lanterns from turnips long before pumpkins, while barmbrack fruit loaves baked with charms foretold the future. Many of today’s Halloween customs began with Samhain, and they’re still alive across Ireland in festivals, food and folklore.

Theme Three

Costume & Disguises

The tradition of dressing up at Halloween began in Ireland. At Samhain, masks and disguises were worn to trick restless spirits so they wouldn’t recognise the living, while gifts of fruit and nuts left at the door kept otherworldly mischief away, a practice that gradually evolved into trick-or-treating. Even the jack-o’-lantern has Irish roots.

Theme Four

Mythical Ireland

Ireland’s landscapes and ancient sites have always carried a sense of the otherworldly. Mist rises over green hills, castles loom in shadow, and stone circles stand as ancient markers of mystery. At Samhain, spirits were believed to walk freely across the land, inspiring tales of the banshee, the mischievous púca and the goddess Morrigan. Step into a world where folklore and place are one.

Theme Five

Modern Festival & Celebrations

Halloween in Ireland is as vibrant as it is authentic. Ancient traditions inspire world-class celebrations, from Derry Halloween, Europe’s biggest Halloween festival, to the Púca Festival in Meath, where fire, feasting and performance echo the rituals of Samhain. Set against the colours of Irish autumn, it’s both a legacy and a living celebration, and visitors are invited to join the mischief.

Monday 20th October — Sunday 2nd November

  • Circular Quay Promenade & The Rocks

Haunted Experiences

The Argyle Oracle

Curious what the spirits have in store? The Argyle Oracle has been Sydney’s psychic centre in The Rocks since 1993, and for Ghost Festival it’s bringing out a full line-up of readers: six indoors, plus one in the Gruesome Garden, weather permitting. Choose your reading: 15 minutes ($40), 30 minutes ($80), 45 minutes ($100) or a full 60 minutes ($145). Then browse the Oracle and Tarot cards, pick up a boxed Ouija board ($25), and stock up on assorted spell candles to take the séance home.

  • 39 George Street, The Rocks NSW 2000
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What you can expect

Deals to die for

Hathi Jewellery

The night belongs to the ghosts, so Hathi Jewellery is staying open late just for Ghost Festival. Once you’ve wandered The Rocks and the festival is in full swing, drop in after dark to browse the pieces by candlelight, well, by shop light. A little sparkle goes a long way when the spirits are out.

  • 19 Playfair St, The Rocks NSW 2000
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What you can expect

Dine with the dead

The Orient

The Orient is turning up the heat for Ghost Festival with its spice margaritas and jalapeño bites. It’s a spicy, smoky pairing to keep you warm between the frights, and it’s back for the festival. Sip, snack and see how much heat you can handle.

  • 89 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000
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What you can expect

Deals to Die for

Dux Collection

Dux Collection has put together a special Halloween bundle for Ghost Festival. It’s a limited-time offer made for the festival, so pop in while the spirits are about and see what’s inside.

  • 23 Playfair St, The Rocks NSW 2000
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What you can expect

Haunted Experiences

PaniQ Room

Get spooky at PaniQ Room The Rocks. For 4 days only, groups of 3 or more get 15% off all escape rooms during Ghost in The Rocks. The venue is Halloween-ready and the staff are in costume, so you’ll be locked in with a few extra frights. Use the code SPOOKY26 at checkout. Gather your coven and try to escape.

  • 13 Cambridge St, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia
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What you can expect

Deals to Die For

Get Drenched

Fill your own box of wax melts from the in-store selection at Get Drenched. Normally it’s $20 a box, but for the four days of Ghost Festival it’s half price: just $10 a box. Pick your favourite scents and let the spooky season fill your home.

  • 29 Playfair St, The Rocks NSW 2000
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What you can expect

Deals to Die For

Atty Gallery

Say hello to Atty’s Peek-a-Boo prints, a trio of playful characters peeking out at you: a koala, an emu and an otter. The set of three is usually $400, but for Ghost Festival it’s just $200. They’re a fun, friendly way to take a little Halloween mischief home with you.

  • 27 Playfair St, The Rocks NSW 2000
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What you can expect

Deals to Die For

Joe Bananas

Treat yourself this Ghost Festival with 20% off when you spend over $100 at Joe Bananas. Use the code GHOSTFEST20, in-store or online, from 29 October to 1 November 2026 (inclusive). It’s four days only, so grab it before the ghosts take it back.

  • 103 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000
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What you can expect

Dine with the Dead

Luna Lu

Luna Lu is serving something special for Ghost Festival, and it won’t be on the menu for long. The Black Margarita is made with Herradura tequila and finished with lime sugar and charcoal sugar. It’s smoky, dark and made exclusively for Ghost, so if you want a taste, you’ll have to catch it while the festival’s on.

  • Campbells Cove, Ground Level, Bays 4 and 5, 7-27 Circular Quay W, The Rocks NSW 2000
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What you can expect

Dine with the Dead

Como Italian

Como Italian has conjured up a Ghost-exclusive menu that’s only here for the festival. The main is an ink squid and pumpkin ravioli filled with crab and mascarpone, served in a butter and parmigiano sauce. Pair it with the Vampire’s Kiss Spritz, a hauntingly refreshing elixir of deep pomegranate and lush blueberries with a splash of tart lemon juice. It’s layered with sweet grenadine, topped with bubbly Prosecco and a splash of club soda for a bloody delicious finish. Once Ghost is over, so is the menu.

  • Bay 7 & 8, Campbell’s Stores, 7-27 Circular Quay W, The Rocks NSW 2000
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What you can expect

Dine with the Dead

Sicilian Restaurant

For Ghost Festival only, Sicilian Restaurant is serving a menu you won’t find any other time of year. Start with the Bocconcini Eye Prosciutto ($18), a creepy little starter that’s watching you back. Follow it with the Pumpkin Sage Ravioli ($31), then raise a Vampire Negroni ($28) to the night. Three dishes created just for Ghost, and gone when the festival ends, so come hungry and come early.

  • 17 Playfair St, The Rocks NSW 2000
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What you can expect

Deals to Die for

Sticky

Got a sweet tooth that needs feeding? Pop into Sticky during Ghost Festival and take home a free bag of spooky candy with any purchase. It’s a little treat to go with your treat, and the perfect fuel for a night of Halloween wandering through The Rocks.

  • The Rocks Centre, 10/12-24 Playfair St, The Rocks NSW 2000
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What you can expect

Haunted Experiences

Shazia Gallery

This Halloween, step inside Shazia Imran Gallery in The Rocks and discover ‘Hauntingly Beautiful’, a specially curated collection of original artworks and limited-edition prints. Expect moody colours, atmospheric scenes, rich textures and mysterious tones. Selected works will be available at special Halloween prices, but there’s another surprise waiting inside. Choose a Trick-or-Treat Mystery Card to reveal an exclusive offer of up to 20%* off selected artworks. Come for the art, pick your card, and you might leave with something hauntingly beautiful.

*Offer available for a limited time this Halloween at Shazia Imran Gallery, The Rocks.

  • 102-104 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000
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What you can expect

Haunted Experiences

Tea Cosy Witches Tea House

Welcome to the Witches Tea House at The Tea Cosy, where the Witches’ Brew is served hot or cold and comes in two bewitching versions. The Good Witch is spun with elderflower liqueur magic, while the Bad Witch is made wicked with Midori. Each brew has a popcorn partner to go with it: Good Witch Butterscotch Caramel for the sweet side, and Bad Witch Sea Witch Salt & Truffle for the dark side. Pick your coven and take your popcorn to go.

  • 7 Atherden St, The Rocks NSW 2000
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What you can expect