Halloween at the Museum: Family Event

Expect the unexpected. Discover the museum in a whole new light.

Get hands-on with our creepiest and crawliest collections and hear all about them from our museum experts! / Source: Museums Victoria / Photo: Carlin Stephenson

Music

DJ Blackscale 

Dive into a night of wicked beats and spine-tingling tunes with Will Pyett, aka DJ Blackscale as he conjures a mix of dance floor bangers and Halloween inspired classics until late. 

Meet the Experts

Fangs, Frogs & Frights 

Learn about the razor-sharp teeth and blood sucking habits of the real-life vampires of the animal kingdom, discover scary skeleton facts with Dr Karen Roberts Collection Manager, Vertebrates, Dr Katie Date Collection Manager, Terrestrial Vertebrates and Elise Ireland, Information Officer Sciences. 

Mysterious Minibeasts 

How big can a spider really get? What invertebrates' glow in the dark? Meet Dr Claire Keely Collection Manager, Invertebrates, as she answers these and many other spooky questions! 

Ghostly Rocks 

Venture into an eerie underground world of precious gemstones and discover the magic of fluorescence with minerals, from opals to sapphires that glow in the dark, with Dermot Henry, Head of Sciences, Museums Victoria Research Institute. 

Creepy Crystals 

Ghostly phantom crystals, crystal skeletons and web-like forms – you’ll find them all in the mineral world! Come and discover some of Earth’s spookiest-looking minerals and structures with Senior Curator of Geosciences, Dr Heather Handley.

The Vampire Squid 

Come eye-to-eye with creatures that lurk in the ocean's shadows and inspired the scariest name of the marine world - Vampyroteuthis infernalis - the vampire squid from hell. Presented by Dr Julian Finn, Museums Victoria’s Senior Curator of Marine Invertebrates. 

History Mystery 

Marita Dyson, collection manager, will be bringing out some delightfully spooky items from the History & Technology Collection - including a wonderful witch pocket embroidery by iconic Melbourne fashion designer Jenny Bannister, a spidery handkerchief, horse brass decorations, and vintage fortune teller cards. 

Spooky Science Stage 

Mad science meets frightening physics at our Scienceworks side stage with tricks and treats aplenty and hair-raising surprises galore. 

The Secrets of the Séance 

Step into the Victorian-era with the mysterious Mountebanke Sisters, whose spectacular séance is packed with historical parlour tricks, spooky surprises and enough sibling rivalry to unravel even the most convincing illusions. 

Live Creepy Crawlies 

Meet the Keepers who care for Melbourne Museum’s live creatures and come face-to-face with some of the spookiest creepy crawlies around – look closely, if you dare! 

Mystery of the Three-Horned Giant 

Journey back to the Cretaceous and discover the incredible creatures that roamed the prehistoric world in a spine-tingling exploration of the mighty three-horned Triceratops. 

Melbourne Haunted Histories 

Dare to uncover the Melbourne Story gallery’s darker side with gruesome tales, ghostly encounters and horrible histories from Melbourne’s past. 

Fill you bag with candies and collectables! / Source: Museums Victoria / Photo: Carlin Stephenson

Activities

Balloon Menagerie 

Watch a menagerie of marvelous creatures come to life, as ordinary balloons are twisted and transformed into fantastical animal creations. 

Face Painting 

Join in the Halloween face painting experience with our amazing Halloween witches. 

Trick or Treat*

Trick or Treat your way through the museum with delectable, wrapped candies and surprises along the way. 

The Crafty Cauldron 

Stir up some Halloween magic at the Crafty Cauldron, where little monsters can conjure up their own museum-inspired creations to take home. 

Glow in the Dark Dancefloor 

Get your glow on and dance the night away in a glowing disco of neon lights, illuminated scorpions and spooky projections. 

Costume Catwalk 

Join us at these times to parade your best Halloween outfits and win a prize! Places are limited, arrive early! 

Monster Disco 

Dance like a monster under the mirror ball in the Kids Halloween Disco, with spooky songs all night to shake your claws and tails too. 

Snake Pit 

Beware Snakes!! Wrestle with the fluffy snakes in the snake pit. Will you survive the cuddle attack by our silly serpents? 

Selfie Hollow 

Strike a pose in Selfie Hollow, where a shimmering silver backdrop sets the scene for a spooktacular selfie showcasing your fabulous Halloween costume! 

Photo Booth 

Grab your spooky Halloween photo at the magic mirror for a spooky souvenir. 

*Please read before taking or consuming treats

As part of Halloween at the Museum, complimentary confectionery and other edible treats may be offered to visitors.

Some products may contain or may have been manufactured or handled in environments containing allergens.

If you or someone in your care has a food allergy, intolerance, coeliac disease or other dietary requirement, please check the individual product packaging and allergen information before consuming the product.

If you are unsure whether a product is suitable for you, please do not consume it.

Parents and guardians are responsible for deciding whether treats are suitable for children in their care.

Treats are complimentary and consumption is voluntary and at the recipient’s discretion.

Please speak with a Museums Victoria team member if you would like to inspect available product information.