As Halloween fast approaches, Sydney’s gay community is gearing up for a thrilling lineup of events that promise to be unforgettable.
In this article, we take a look at three of the main queer-friendly Halloween parties being held in Sydney this Halloween: the Horrorween Festival by GAYM Entertainment, Poof Doof Sydney’s HalloQween, and Halloween Whores by 4the.love – all set to take place on October 26, 2024.
There will be plenty of other events held at various locations across the city on the night, but GSN considers these three events the main ones for Sydney’s gay community.
Other events that might surface again this year include (but are not limited to): GAYM’s Morning Gory and Déjà BOO; a Halloween-themed Club Broadway (a regular musical-themed night); A Halloween-themed “Bingay” bingo night hosted by Charisma Belle and Naomi Palmer; and Club Mince’s annual Halloween party.
Horrorween Festival by GAYM Entertainment
Editor’s note October 11, 2024: The venue and ticket price for the Horrorween Festival has changed, as well as scheduled DJs. See the Horrorween Festival social media pages for updated information.
The Horrorween Festival is Australia’s largest LGBTQIA+ Halloween dance party, run by the same people behind the weekly Déjà Vu event at Universal Sydney on Saturdays.
Held at the Hordern Pavilion in Moore Park, this event has a capacity for 5000 people and is renowned for its spine-chilling atmosphere, extravagant costumes, and electrifying performances.
Last year’s tickets started at $135 plus booking fees and went up to $160 for the final release, and while this year’s prices haven’t been officially announced, they are expected to be in a similar range​. The event typically runs from 6pm to 2am, allowing for participants to head to other Halloween-themed parties afterwards, such as GAYM’s Morning Gory or Déjà BOO – or maybe one of its rival’s parties.
The festival promises heart-stopping shows, jaw-dropping production, and top-tier local and international DJs to keep attendees dancing all night. While the headliners for this year’s production shows have yet to be announced, last year it included drag queens Hannah Conda, Brooke Lynn Hytes and Kween Kong.
Last year the festival had food trucks as well as professional make-up artists to help you with your look.
DJs last year included Ben Bakson, Caca Werneck, Dom De Sousa and GSP (George Spiliopoulos).
The festival’s latest social media post hints at this year’s theme with the question: “What’s your favourite scary movie?!”
“In true Jamie Lee Curtis style, you’ll need to make sure you’re still standing after HORRORWEEN slices its way through town this HALLOWEEN!!” Horrorween’s post said.
We’re told presale tickets will go on sale in August.
Tickers are on sale now for $162.95, which includes the booking fee.
Halloween Wh*res by 4the.love
After being cancelled last year due to cost and being unable to find an appropriate venue, Halloween Wh*res by 4the.love is making a grand return with a full venue takeover at Taylor Square’s Kinselas.
The four-level venue, a former funeral parlour, will be completely transformed into a haunted haven with four dance floors, 12 DJs, and five themed spaces.
The venue has capacity for 120 people in the basement, an unknown number on the ground floor, 150 in the middle bar and 300 on the top level. The Metro Theatre, where the event was previously held, has room for 1000 people.
From the eerie “Crypt” in the basement to the “Chapel” on the ground floor, each level will offer a unique and immersive experience. Partygoers can also look forward to “monstrous tech and visuals”, as well as shows and surprises throughout the night.
Attendees are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild with their costumes. Awards will be given for the scariest, sexiest, funniest, and best duo and group costumes. The event makes a point in its advertising of welcoming all members of the LGBTQI and heterosexual community and promises a fun, friendly, and safe environment for all.
Halloween Wh*res runs from 9pm to 5am and is sold out. Tickets were on sale for $83 before they went up to $92 in the final release. They started at $56 for the first release.
Poof Doof Sydney’s HalloQween
If you’re after a more affordable Halloween party, Poof Doof, a staple in Sydney’s queer nightlife scene, is once again hosting its HalloQween event.
Known for its vibrant atmosphere, HalloQween brings together the best of drag, dance, and costumes in one fabulous night at ARQ Sydney on Flinders Street, a short stroll from Oxford Street across a set of traffic lights. The venue has a 900 people capacity.
Although specific details for this year’s event have not yet been released, last year’s HalloQween “Demon Doof” event included drag shows with performers Danni Issues, Daphne Gaye, Faux Fur, Helen Back, London Briidge, Mulan and Venus Pagina. DJs included Late Nite Tuff Guy, Josh Harrison, Jarred Baker and Carla from Bankstown.
Attendees can anticipate a night filled with high-energy performances, eclectic music, and a sea of creative costumes.
The event will run 10pm to 6am. Early bird tickets started at $36.22 (including booking fees). They are now $77.32 in the third release before they go up to $89.06 in the final release.
Which event will you be attending? Leave a comment below.
UPDATE: This article was updated on September 20, 2024, at 7.19am AEST to include updated ticket pricing information.
Gay Sydney News editor
3 Comments
Horrorween 1000%. Was there last year and I had an amazing time . The production and performances are THE BEST !
Horrorween for sure . Never seen so many hot guys in one place.
Poof Doof at Arq !!!