CarnEvil Nights at Adelaide Showground
This festival of horror has family-friendly sunset sessions, and after-dark sessions for the big kids. Think show rides and spook-tacular fun galore.
by Carla Caruso
Halloween just seems to get bigger and bigger in Adelaide – and so do the events.
If you and your kids love a fright, check out what’s been dubbed “Adelaide’s most fun Halloween festival” at the Adelaide Showground (or Scareground, ha.)
The immersive, interactive festival has it all: a Hollywood Horrors maze, CarnEvil rides, themed food and beverage outlets (pus-filled doughnut, anyone?), DJs spinning tunes from a burning pyre, swarms of scare actors, scary games, escape rooms, and more.
I headed to the opening night with my twins and their cousins – and they all had a spook-tacular time! The action takes place in two sessions. The not-so-scary sunset sesh runs from 4.30pm-7pm and is designed for families with kids aged 9-14 years. The after-dark session, from 8pm-10.30pm, is for those aged 15+, where the festival of fun transforms into a festival of horror “offering nightmares that’ll last a lifetime”. (Insert evil cackle.)
Tickets are available in four packages here.
We had a No Fear pass, which included festival entry, a Hollywood Horrors Maze pass, unlimited CarnEvil rides, and a Queue Jumper ticket (so you can sail to the front of the queue like a VIP).
We were impressed by the frighteningly good attention to detail at the event, from the faux gravestones dotted among the shrubbery to the giant spiderwebs adorning trees.
The highlights for my lot included the Psychedelic mirror maze (feel like you’re in Saturday Night Fever making your way through with 3D glasses), the Pirates Nest funhouse (giving off Grease vibes this time over four levels), the Dragons Castle ghost train, and Zombie Backlot maze.
Dragons Castle ghost train
Zombie Backlot maze
Psychedelic mirror maze
Spider Web Wheel
Tower of Terror
The most memorable, though, was Hollywood Horrors. The haunted walkthrough attraction features 13 themed rooms and live actors – and will have you looking over your shoulder constantly. (I can still smell the chainsaw smoke!)
If you head to the festival in fancy-dress too, you’ll get to take a spin on its Wheel of Misfortune. Prizes include ticket upgrades, masks, show-bags, food, and more.
Unleash the monster within!
Things to consider
All the frightening activity could be a bit much for some littlies and it’s not suitable for kids under 9 years old. There is a special time for families:
Session 1: 4.30pm-7pm (for families with kids aged 9-14yrs); Session 2: 8pm-10.30pm (for those aged 15 +).
Coffee and food options
Food trucks are available on-site, serving up everything from “severed finger” hot dogs to desserts “from a specimen jar”.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT CARNEVIL NIGHTS
Location:
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See our Top Parks & Playgrounds Around Adelaide here.
For more information, please visit the Carnevil website here.
What: Carnevil Nights at Adelaide Showground – Review
When: The festival of horror runs over six nights (Thurs Oct 29, Friday Oct 30, Saturday Oct 31, Sunday Nov 1, Friday Nov 6, and Saturday Nov 7).
Where: Adelaide Showground, Goodwood Rd | Wayville, South Australia
Who: Session 1: 4.30pm-7pm (for families with kids aged 9-14yrs); Session 2: 8pm-10.30pm (for those aged 15 +).
All photos by James Elsby for Play & Go Adelaide
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
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