Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and Adelaide Central Market is marking the occasion with a morning of free face painting, roving entertainers handing out lollies and a cupcake decorating workshop for little monsters. It’s an easy, budget-friendly way to kick off the big day before trick-or-treating, with the weekly shop sorted at the same time.
Free Halloween face painting
Kids can arrive as themselves and leave as their favourite ghoul. Free Halloween face painting is set up at the Gouger Street (south-east) entrance from 7am to 12pm on Saturday 31 October. It’s ideal for anyone heading to a Halloween party or trick-or-treating later, and it saves you wrestling with the face paint at home.
No bookings are needed, but it’s worth getting there early before the queue builds.
Roving entertainers and free lollies
Between 10am and 12pm, keep an eye out for spooky characters wandering the market aisles. They’ll be handing out free sweet treats from The Old Lolly Shop, so it’s like trick-or-treating without the tricks (and without the walking). It’s free, with no bookings required.
Halloween cupcake decorating
Little bakers can join Little Picassos in the Community Kitchen to decorate their own Halloween cupcake from Dough, using edible monster eyes, spider lollies, colourful icing and other frightfully fun toppings. It’s suitable for children of all ages.
Sessions run for 10 minutes and cost $5 per person. Bookings are essential, so lock in a spot before the day.
Something for the grown-ups
The day before Halloween, on Friday 30 October from 12pm to 8pm, Stall 36 is offering free 20-minute tarot readings. No bookings required. It’s a fun lunchtime detour for curious parents, or a reason to add a Friday night market trip to the spooky weekend.
Make a morning of it
Pair a face paint and a cupcake with a wander through the stalls for Halloween party supplies, a pumpkin for carving or a coffee to fuel the afternoon ahead. The face painting starts at 7am, so early risers can be done and dusted before the crowds arrive.
With most of the fun free and everything wrapped up by midday, there’s plenty of time left for trick-or-treating once the sun goes down.
Halloween at the Market
When: Friday 30 October (tarot) and Saturday 31 October (kids’ activities)
Where: Adelaide Central Market, Gouger Street, Adelaide
Cost: Mostly free. Cupcake decorating is $5 per person, bookings essential.
More info: adelaidecentralmarket.com.au
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