Luna Dark at Luna Park Melbourne

We went into Luna Dark with fairly low expectations. Work ran late, nobody had a costume sorted, and the plan was really just “get to St Kilda before the queue gets silly.” A few smudges of face paint later we were somewhere between a zombie and a very tired parent, and it turned out that was more than enough. Nobody at the door cared that we hadn’t planned ahead. Half the people around us hadn’t either.

Luna Park’s Halloween takeover has become one of the biggest events on Melbourne’s spring calendar, and if you’ve never been, it helps to know what you’re actually walking into before you book.

What Luna Dark Actually Is

Luna Dark is Luna Park St Kilda’s annual Halloween event, and it runs on top of the park’s usual rides rather than replacing them. During the day, sessions are aimed at younger kids, with roaming “monsters” who are more silly than scary, games huts, and a pumpkin patch that’s genuinely cute in daylight. Once the sun goes down, the whole place changes character. The lighting drops, the fog machines come out, and actors start working the crowd properly, which is when the haunted house queues start winding halfway round the park.

If you’re bringing younger children, the day sessions are the ones to book. The night sessions are recommended for teens and adults, and after dark the same pumpkin patch that felt friendly at 2pm gets a lot less friendly.

What the Night Was Actually Like

The atmosphere hits you before you’re even through the gate. Music, coloured lighting bouncing off the old entrance, and a queue full of people in varying levels of costume commitment, from full latex masks to, well, us. There was a free face paint station set up near the entrance when we went, which saved the night for anyone (us) who’d shown up with nothing planned.

Inside, the haunted house was the standout. It’s set up like an abandoned building, and the actors are genuinely good at their jobs, they wait, they let you relax, and then they don’t. We went through as a group, which I’d recommend, purely because having someone else’s arm to grab makes the whole thing about ten times funnier afterwards.

The Ferris wheel at night was the other highlight, and one that’s easy to overlook. During the day it’s just a ride. After dark, with St Kilda beach lit up on one side and the park’s ghosts and ghouls wandering around below, it’s actually a nice, calmer moment between the scarier bits. The actors wandering the midway were happy to stop for photos too, so if you want a good shot for the group chat, this is where to get it.

Getting a Decent Photo Without Much Effort

You don’t need a proper camera for this. A few spots that worked well for us:

• The entrance arch at night, lit up in red and white, is the easiest “we were actually here” shot.
• The haunted house exit, where the lighting throws long shadows, is good for a moodier photo if that’s your thing.
• Near the carousel once the lights are on. Sit on the grass with the carousel behind you and it does most of the work.

A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Go

• Book online rather than turning up. Luna Dark is a ticketed event with a capacity limit, and according to Luna Park’s own FAQ, it does sell out.
• Costumes are welcome but there are rules. No realistic weapons, no masks you can’t remove if asked, and props are capped at 1.5m. Luna Park has a full costume policy if you’re planning something elaborate.
• Trams are easiest. Route 96 or 16 both stop right outside on the Esplanade, which beats hunting for parking in St Kilda on a Saturday night.
• Bring a layer. It’s right on the bay, and once the sun’s gone the wind picks up fast even if the day was warm.
• Go in a group if the haunted house worries you. It’s more fun with company, and easier to laugh off afterwards.

Luna Dark 2026: Dates and What’s Confirmed

This year’s event runs over six nights and four family-friendly days, from Thursday 22 October through to Sunday 1 November 2026, at Luna Park, 18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda. Night sessions run 6pm until midnight and are recommended for ages 14 and up, while day sessions run 11am to 5pm and are the better option for younger children, since they don’t include the full scare attractions. Details and bookings are on Luna Park’s official Luna Dark 2026 page.

If you’re after a cheaper night, Thursday sessions on 23 and 30 October are the ones to watch, as Luna Park has been offering a discount on those two nights specifically. Annual Pass holders also get 20% off day session tickets when booked through the Annual Pass portal, though the usual free entry doesn’t apply while Luna Dark is on.

One thing worth flagging for anyone planning around school: Luna Dark falls after the spring school holidays have finished. Victorian Term 4 starts on 5 October 2026, so this is very much a term-time, after-school-and-weekend event rather than a holiday one. Worth keeping in mind if you’re trying to plan bedtimes around a school night.

For more Halloween ideas around the city, our guide to Halloween in 2026 has a few other options, and Luna Park itself gets a mention in our ultimate guide to school holiday activities in Melbourne if you’re after a daytime visit instead.

Would We Go Back?

Yes, without much hesitation. It’s not a subtle event, and it’s not trying to be, but there’s something genuinely fun about watching a familiar, slightly daggy amusement park lean all the way into being spooky for a week and a half. Bring a jacket, book ahead, and don’t stress too much about the costume. Half of Melbourne will be turning up in exactly the same half-finished state as us.