Things to do this Halloween in Cape Town and surrounds

Your overview of ghoulish Cape Town activities in honour of 2012 All Hallow’s Eve, from ghost hunting and costumed dinners to horror films and a fancy dress Halloween Ball

Trick-or-treating, creepy costumes, haunted houses, jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, horror and all things scary - these are the chilling ingredients of a typical Halloween, a holiday celebrated on 31 October each year.

Before Halloween was hijacked by modern day commercialism - allowing children to gorge on “treats” or egg the neighbours’ houses, a mischievous “trick” - and before it was simply an excuse for girls to wear lingerie in public and call it a costume (or boys to wear lingerie in public and not call it a lifestyle choice), the holiday was traditionally the celebration of the end of the harvest season – a time used to take stock of supplies and prepare for winter.

At the foundation of this festival, ancient peoples believed that on the night of the 31st October the boundaries between the worlds of the living and dead overlapped; the deceased were thus free to roam amongst the living causing havoc, sickness or damaged crops and even seeking their revenge on the mortal for past wrongs. The tradition of wearing masks and dressing up as the undead, the horrific and the monstrous was a way to ward off these evil spirits; the belief being that the ghosts of souls passed seeking bloody vengeance would not recognise the living person.

While Halloween in South Africa may not incite as much enthusiasm or come with as much tradition as in the US or Canada, an appreciation for the ghoulish celebration is growing.

So, if you're looking for a suitably scary activity this Halloween in Cape Town, then you’ll be pleased to know that many of the Mother City’s top spots are pulling out all the stops to make sure that Halloween 2012 is one to remember.

THINGS TO DO ON HALLOWEEN IN CAPE TOWN 2012

South African Horror Film Festival (Wednesday, 24 October – Friday, 2 November 2012)

Once again, the South African Horror Film Festival is terrorising the theatres of Cape Town. This ghoulish event features blood-curdling, nightmarish films – both old and new – and also includes a dress-up competition, a performance by a live instrumental group and live fiction readings by local horror, fantasy and thriller writers. The movies will be shown at The Labia on Orange and Ster Kinekor at Cavendish from Wednesday, 24 October until Friday, 2 November.

• Tickets: Shows at the Labia Theatre are R35p/p, except the live soundtrack performance which is R50p/p and bookings can be made online via Quicket.co.za.

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Necromancers Ball Murder Mystery Dinner at Savoy Cabbage (26 October)

Brought to you by Savoy Cabbage and Unsolved Mysteries, for R325p/p, this three-course murder mystery dinner invites guests to don costumes (and roles) and untangle the enigmatic web of deceit and trickery that leads to a heinous crime. The storyline for the night metaphorically transports diners to a setting in modern day New York, where each individual takes on the character of an upstanding (and immortal) New York citizen. The evening is set at Christian Black’s annual Halloween Ball - where the rich and famous gather to wallow in their fame and fortune; an event that coincides with the setting for the annual covert meeting of the Council of Immortals. At the Ball, Head Watcher (an angel of sorts) Gabriel Young is murdered by the use of an extremely rare substance called Qeres, which was formerly used by the ancient Egyptians during the mummification process. The original recipe has long since been lost, but a small amount of the substance is still left on earth. Besides being one of the suspects, each guest will be called upon to attempt to solve this murder mystery, which threatens to overthrow the fragile balance of the Human/Immortal coexistence.

• Tickets: If you think you’re up for the challenge, RSVP to Inspector Keyser before Monday, 22 October on 0848838040 or via email at lente@bepartofthemystery.com and tickets to this lavish and mysterious dinner will cost R325p/p.

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Halloween Jam 2012 (27 October)

It’s that time of year again when all of the top BMXers in South Africa flock to Cape Town to battle it out for the winning BMXer title – Halloween Jam 2012. With prize money of R25,000, the R20p/p entry fee seems doable even to novice BMXers! Gum-trails in Durbanville on Sneeuberg road will once again play host to this biking event.

Prize money will be allocated as follows:

• Best Trick – R5 000
• Quarter Jam – R5 000
• MTB – R2 500 

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• 1st – R7 000
• 2nd – R3 000
• 3rd – R1 500

Food Vendors, product stands and toilet facilities will be on hand.

• Tickets: To enter the Halloween Jam will cost BMXers a mere R20p/p.

Halloween at the Two Oceans Aquarium (27 October)

The critters at the Two Oceans Aquarium are coming out for a faBOOlous evening at the V&A Waterfront on Saturday, 27 October 2012. Moms, pops and kids alike will be entertained with an aSCAREium programme that features plenty of ghoulish activities, including creative and interactive arts and crafts, magic shows, face painting and games. Dress up for the occasion and make Halloween in Cape Town this year an educational and spooktacular event.

• Tickets: Spaces are limited and booking is advisable, entry costs R100p/p and R140 per child. For more information and to book your spot contact the aquarium offices on +27 (0) 21 418 3823.

Vinyl Digz – Let’s Get Freaky Halloween Party at The Waiting Room (27 October)

Let’s Get Freaky, the hot 12-hour Halloween jol set to hit The Waiting Room (on Long Street) on Saturday, 27 October, is also the summer season premier and the signal of the return of the epic Vinyl Digz sessions. Kings of the booty shaking Cape Town counterculture scene, SoulCity Movement, the masters of vinyl, are back to host the pop-up parties and to connect creatives, audiophiles and body rockers alike with this ghoulish get together.

In the ‘spirit’ of Halloween, revellers are encouraged to dress up in old, new, or borrowed costumes, donning face paint, fake blood or glitter; but please, leave your regular selves at home (unless you’re scarier in real life).

Party starts at 2pm and ends at 2am, so get there early, before the ghouls arrive.

Line-up for Vinyl Digz Let’s Get Freaky Halloween Party

• Miss H
• Justin Slack (UrbanRenewal)
• Pierre-Estienne (Vinyl Digz))
• Julz Sanchez (Warm Up)
• Nick Birkby (The Magnet)
• Brian Adams (Record Dealer & Collector)
• Mighty (Mabu Vinyl)

• Tickets: Cover charge for the evening is R20p/p before 11pm and R40p/p after 11pm.

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Mystery Ghost Bus (30 - 31 October) 
For R295p/p those who dare can go ghost hunting on the Mystery Ghost Bus tour in Cape Town on Tuesday, 30 and Wednesday, 31 October 2012. The ghoulish Halloween voyage makes its way through the Mother City’s oldest, spookiest venues, like the Kimberley Hotel and the Castle of Good Hope, in search of the sinister, supernatural activity that fuels the ghost stories of today. Those willing to delve into the sphere of the paranormal with be granted entrance into one of the city’s dark haunted rooms, into a historic cemetery and into other off-the-bus stops. Never one to deny you Dutch courage, we recommend you take advantage of the stop-offs at a few pubs along the way!

• Tickets: Bus fare for this ghoulish trip will set you back R295p/p.

Halloween party at Tjing Tjing (31 October)

While the Halloween bug is still struggling to bite most Capetonians, for those of you looking for an excuse to dress up, Tjing Tjing, the Mother City’s premier rooftop bar, is hosting a Halloween party to top them all on Wednesday, 31 October 2012.

This ghoulish party will be exclusive to ticket holders - only 80 spots have been earmarked - so book your spot now to avoid disappointment; ticket price includes a range of tapas and the bar will be open until 2am.

For more information and bookings contact Tjing Tjing on twitter (@tjingtjingbar), by e-mail at info@tjingtjing.co.za or call at +27 (0) 21 422 4920.

• Tickets: Tickets cost R200p/p and includes tapas (not drinks).

Halloween party and art exhibition at Aces ‘n Spades Bar (31 October)

Cape Town Tattoo Expo and Wildfire Tattoos invites you to don ghastly costumes and walk between the living and the dead at their annual Halloween party and art exhibition at Aces ‘N’ Spades on Wednesday, 31 October 2012.

Featuring a skull-inspired art showcase in which Cape Town-based tattoo artists and illustrators created custom Levi's Original denim pockets, the blood-curdling affair looks to imbue the new city centre rock ‘n roll haunt (Aces ‘n Spades opened in mid-2012) with a bit of extra edge.

DJ Catherine from 5FM and DJs Rockin' Rael and Liam Revenge are billed to set the beat, and those dressed for success stand the chance to walk away with some amazing prizes.

• Tickets: Whether you’re ethereal or real, cost to get in is R20p/p.

A Halloween sunset run at Durbanville Hills (31 October)

Shake off those winter cobwebs and celebrate Halloween in Cape Town with a sunset trail run through the vineyards of the Durbanville Hills Winery on Wednesday, 31 October 2012.

Participants can choose to take part in either a 5-km or 10-km run that snakes between the vineyards on the hills overlooking Durbanville. The races both start and finish at the cellars, and after working up a deserved appetite, athletes can tuck into the eatery’s delicious chicken burgers and boerewors rolls, as well as sip on hot chocolate, cold drinks or tea and coffee while live music by local musicians entertain. Wine tasting and sales will be available between 5pm and 8pm.

Get into the spirit of Halloween and dress up (or down) and stand a chance to win a prize for the best outfit. For more information contact Michael Taylor on 082 453 1175 or micaltaylor@gmail.com.

• Tickets: Entries for the race cost R60p/p, registration for this ghoulish run will take place at 5pm and the trail run will start at 6:15pm. Don’t forget to bring along your headlamp.  

Halloween Party at Mavericks (31 October)

Join in the fun and fantasy at Mavericks Halloween party on Wednesday, 31 October 2012. The popular, albeit controversial, revue bar is transforming into a ghoulishly decadent haunted house where wily witches, sexy devils and enchanting vampires cater to your every whim. The brave who make it to midnight, will be treated to a sultry show. Don’t forget to dress to kill; you could walk away with some great prizes.

• Tickets: General admission is R100p/p for gentlemen and R50p/p for ladies; though, ladies in costume enter for free and gents pay half price before 10pm.

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The Haunted Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner at the Winchester Mansions (2 November)

Similar to the Necromancers ball Murder Mystery Dinner, this three-course affair – it’s R295p/p - invites guests to enjoy a bloody good meal while searching for the perpetrator who’s committed a ghastly crime. The inspiration behind this thrilling affair stems from the classic horror and thriller movie genre. The setting for this murder mystery is the haunted mansion, a creepy abode left by William Cohen on his death bed to his eldest son. However, upon moving into the old mansion, the Cohen family is faced with a number of strange and alarming paranormal activities. They decide to seek out the Gheist Busters (an investigative ghost-hunting group) to rid their home of whatever evil lurks within. When the group convened at the mansion just a few days shy of Halloween and sat down to dinner, the lights suddenly went out. David Cohen leaves the group to investigate, his last words echoing through the eerie corridors of the old mansion, “I will be right back”.

• Tickets: Tickets to this eerie affair are R295p/p and to be a part of the Gheist Busters and find out what has happened to David Cohen. RSVP before Friday, 12 October 2012 with Inspector Keyser on 0849938040 or by email at lente@bepartofthemystery.com.

The Westin Cape Town Charity Halloween Ball (3 November)

This lavish fancy dress event at one of Cape Town’s most upmarket hotels is also a charity ball with a conscience. The affair is in aid of UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) and tables of 10 can be booked for a cost of R4000, which includes dinner, an arrival drink and fabulous entertainment by Freshlyground. There will be a cash bar available.

• Tickets: To book a table at the charity dinner contact the Westin Grand on +27 (0) 21 412 9999 and a table of 10 costs R4000.

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By Aisling Holmes