While Sydney's historic The Rocks district is charming by day, it transforms into a thrilling, ghostly playground for a few special nights each year. The annual 'Ghost in The Rocks' festival is the city's premier Halloween event, turning the entire area into an immersive world of spooky fun. This isn't a quiet tour of past hauntings; it's a vibrant, modern celebration where the streets come alive with markets, music, and monsters.

From late October into early November, The Rocks becomes the ultimate destination for those seeking a festive fright. The multi-day event offers a fantastic mix of free activities and exclusive ticketed experiences, from a massive street parade to intimate horror movie screenings. Prepare to explore a different side of Sydney's oldest neighbourhood, where history gives way to Halloween high spirits.

One of the best things about the 'Ghost in The Rocks' festival is that the core of the event is completely free to enter, allowing everyone to soak up the spooky atmosphere. The entire precinct buzzes with activity from afternoon until late at night.

Here are some of the must-see free attractions:

• Haunted Woods Market: Explore this spooky market at First Fleet Park and Tallawoladah Lawns, running from 4:00 PM on weekdays and from noon on weekends.
• Dark Bar: Tucked away in Kendall Lane, this pop-up bar serves mysterious concoctions from 4:00 PM daily.
• Halloween Main Stage: Head to First Fleet Park to catch live music and performances.
• Halloween Market: A second market on Playfair Street offers even more festive stalls and food.
• Best Costume Contest: Show off your spooky attire at the competition held on George Street.
• Halloween Parade: The main event of the festival is the grand parade through The Rocks. On October 31st, a DJ kicks things off at 7:00 PM, with the parade officially starting at 8:00 PM. It's a spectacular showcase of costumes and creativity.

For more details on city events, you can visit the official Sydney tourism website.

For those looking for a more exclusive or immersive Halloween experience, the 'Ghost in The Rocks' festival offers a range of ticketed events that take the frights to the next level.

Be sure to book these in advance as they are very popular:

• Halloween Dark Dinner: An intimate and atmospheric dining experience held at Foundation Park from Thursday to Saturday evenings.
• Immersive Horror Movie Screening: Watch a scary movie in the historic Cadmans Cottage, with screenings held from Thursday to Sunday.
• Haunted House Party: For a true party atmosphere, head to the haunted house at 47 George Street, which runs from 8:00 PM until 1:00 AM on Thursday through Saturday nights.
• Murder Mystery Party: Put your detective skills to the test at this interactive event held in Kendall Lane.
• Halloween Makeup Styling: If you want to perfect your ghoulish look, you can book a session with a professional makeup artist on George Street.

Planning your trip to the 'Ghost in The Rocks' festival is straightforward. The event is a multi-day affair, giving you plenty of opportunities to join in the fun.

Here are the key details:

• Location: The entire The Rocks precinct in Sydney.
• Dates: The festival runs for four consecutive nights, from October 30th to November 2nd.
• Times: Operating hours vary by day. On Thursday and Friday, the festival runs from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM. On Saturday, it's from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and on Sunday from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Remember that while the main festival area and many of its key attractions are free to enter, the more exclusive experiences like the dinner and haunted house party require a purchased ticket. Whether you're there for a casual stroll through the spooky markets or an all-night party, it's Sydney's ultimate Halloween destination.