A scare-free Halloween night for kids is coming back to Melbourne Museum this October, with a new adults-only event added for 2026.
Following Halloween at the Museum in 2025, which pulled in more than 4,200 visitors, Melbourne Museum is back with an expanded 2026 event running Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November. The Friday night is still the main family celebration, with trick-or-treating, shows and all the usual spooky-but-not-scary fun. New this year is The Haunted Gala, an 18+ event across the Museum and the Royal Exhibition Building. Here’s what we know so far, and what we’re still waiting to be confirmed.
What Makes Family Early Entry Special?
At Melbourne Museum, kids will feel like Halloween VIPs. Instead of entering through the main doors, your little ghosts and goblins will head in via the jungle tunnel—a magical start to the evening.
During the Early Entry session, families can enjoy:
- Kids Trick or Treat in the Bubble Garden – Follow the trail to collect sweet treats.
- Wrapped Candies Goodie Bag – Take-home goodies to enjoy later.
- Skeleton Collector Cards – Learn fun facts about bones and skeletons.
- Spooky Science Show with Scienceworks – Watch fun experiments with a Halloween twist.
- Kids Monster Halloween Disco – Dance under the mirror ball to monster tunes.
- Snake Pit – Play with cuddly (fluffy!) snakes in a silly serpents’ pit.
- Frog Fog Garden – Creep through mist to find hidden frog skeletons.
- Frog Skeleton Scavenger Hunt – Hunt for bones in the garden.
- Face Painting – Transform into a vampire, witch, or whatever your heart desires.
Your Early Entry ticket also includes access to the full Halloween at the Museum experience from 7 pm—so you can keep exploring as long as the kids have energy.
Family-Friendly Fun After 7pm
Once the all-ages event begins, there’s still plenty for families to see and do.
Kids Monster Halloween Disco
7 to 11pm | Children’s Gallery Big Box
Keep the party going with spooky songs and monster moves under the mirror ball.
Campfire Stories
7 to 11pm | Dynamic Earth Gallery
Pull up a seat for short, spooky science stories told around an indoor “campfire” every 15 minutes.
Spooky Science
7 to 10:30pm | Children’s Gallery Garden
From fountains of fog to slime-making, the Scienceworks crew brings mad science to life.
Frog Fog Garden
7pm to Midnight | Children’s Gallery Garden
Search for frog skeletons in a misty, magical space.
Face Painting
8 to 10pm | Galleria
Get your final Halloween look perfected.
Snake Pit
7 to 11pm | Children’s Gallery
Battle the cuddle attack from our oversized fluffy snakes.
All-Ages Spooktacular Highlights
If the kids are up for more exploring, here are a few must-sees:
- Creepy Cabins – Candlelit cabins with a hint of mystery.
- Trick or Treat – More treats to collect in the Bubble Garden.
- Horrible Hairy Hands – Will you get a trick or a treat?
- The Cephalopod’s Realm – Marvel at a giant sea creature overhead.
- The Spider’s Nest – For the brave—step through webs into the nest.
Talks, Tours & Spooky Spaces
For curious minds, Halloween at the Museum offers guided stories and themed exhibitions, including:
- The Ghost Story Stage – Ghostly and gory tales from Melbourne’s history, updated every 15 minutes.
- The Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard – Rare Viking treasures on display.
- The Bone Zone – Wander among dinosaur skeletons and prehistoric beasts.
- Mystical Melbourne – Haunted tales from the city’s past.
Food & Drink
Even Halloween monsters need to eat! Stop by the Vampire Bites Café (7 to 11 pm) for a one-night-only menu of treats for both carnivores and herbivores.
Halloween at the Museum 2026: Tickets and Dates
Dates: Friday 30 October – Sunday 1 November 2026
Location: Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton
Family event: Friday 30 October, evening (family-friendly, scare-free)
The Haunted Gala: New for 2026, 18+ only, running across the Museum and Royal Exhibition Building
Members pre-sale: Monday 7 September, 9am
General public tickets: Not yet on sale — Museums Victoria hasn’t confirmed a date
Waitlist: Open now via Museums Victoria, with separate waitlists for the family event and The Haunted Gala. Joining gets you first access to tickets, plus entry into a draw for a family pass or a Haunted Gala double pass.
Halloween at the Museum is a rare chance to enjoy a magical, scare-free start to one of Melbourne’s biggest Halloween celebrations. At the inaugural event, our kids have an absolute blast!
Halloween at the Museum – FAQs
What is Halloween at the Museum: Early Entry for Families?
It’s the scare-free family session on Friday 30 October, designed for younger children and anyone who’d rather skip the spookier stuff. Expect themed activities, trick-or-treating and shows in the lead-up to the main event. We’ll add exact times once Museums Victoria releases the full 2026 program.
Do we have to leave after 7 pm?
No! Your Family Early Entry ticket includes access to the main Halloween at the Museum event from 7 pm until midnight, so you can stay as long as the kids are having fun.
What age group is the Early Entry session best for?
The Early Entry is ideal for children aged 0–6 or anyone who prefers a fun, less spooky Halloween. Activities are designed to be engaging without being scary.
Are costumes required?
Costumes aren’t compulsory, but they’re encouraged! You’ll see plenty of ghosts, witches, and superheroes throughout the museum, so it’s a great chance to dress up and join in the fun.
Will there be loud noises or jump scares during Early Entry?
The Early Entry session is designed to be scare-free, so there won’t be any deliberate jump scares or overly frightening elements.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, tickets for Family Early Entry are limited and this session often sells out. We recommend booking early to secure your spot.
Can I bring a pram or stroller?
Yes, prams and strollers are welcome in the museum. Keep in mind that it may get busier after 7 pm, so navigating some areas might take longer.
Is there food and drink available?
Yes. During the event, the Vampire Bites Café will be open from 7pm to 11pm with themed food for kids and adults. General café facilities are also available earlier in the day.
What if my child is scared after 7pm?
Once the all-ages event begins, some areas of the museum may be spookier or more intense. You can choose to avoid those areas and stick to family-friendly zones such as the Children’s Gallery or Frog Fog Garden.
How do I get to Melbourne Museum by public transport?
The museum is easily accessible via tram routes 86 or 96 (stop at Nicholson Street) or train to Parliament Station (a 10-minute walk).
Is parking available at Melbourne Museum?
Yes, there’s an underground car park at Melbourne Museum, accessible from Rathdowne Street. Parking fees apply.
Is Melbourne Museum accessible for wheelchairs and mobility aids?
Yes, Melbourne Museum is fully accessible with ramps, lifts, and accessible bathrooms.
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