Bunnings unveils ‘Scarehouse’ free Halloween event as alternative to trick-or-treating

With Halloween just around the corner, new research reveals that nearly half of Australians planning to celebrate are worried about the safety of trick-or-treating.

For one in four parents, those fears about safety have kept them from taking part in spooky festivities altogether.

Among the top concerns for parents are stranger danger and traffic, with many families opting for more controlled environments to celebrate.

To help ease those concerns, hardware giant Bunnings has unveiled the “Bunnings Scarehouse”, a spooky pop-up at the retailer’s Alexandria store in Sydney.

The family-friendly immersive experience features four spine-tingling areas, including a shadowy graveyard, a witch’s lair, a twisted fun house, and a pumpkin patch straight out of a spooky field.

Thrill-seeking families can dive into dress-up fun, hands-on DIY workshops, trick-or-treat stations, and even petting zoos.

“Bunnings has always been about community, and we’re thrilled to provide a safe and family-friendly experience for locals to come together and enjoy the thrills of Halloween,” Bunnings Chief Operating Officer, Ryan Baker said.

Halloween has well and truly become a permanent fixture in Australian social and retailer calendars, with one in five Aussies expected to celebrate and spend a collective $450 million on costumes, decorations and confectionery.

ANZ Bank has even forecast that the holiday will break records in 2025, with customer spending anticipated to reach a whopping $2.32 billion during the seven days from 25 to 31 October, a 10 per cent increase since 2022.

Since launching its Halloween range in 2023, Bunnings has seen remarkable growth, with the range expanding by 193 per cent this year compared to 2024.

Bunnings says the expansion is driven by increasing consumer interest and feedback from families looking to decorate their homes and gardens without breaking the bank.

“We have increased our Halloween range by three-fold, offering everything from interactive animatronics and family favourite Disney inflatables to the traditional pumpkins, lanterns and creepy crawlers - anything that brings the ‘wow’ factor to the front facade,” Mr Baker added.

“Lighting has also proven to be very popular among customers this year who are enjoying our solar stake and string lights.”

Thousands are expected to rush to Bunnings stores nationwide on Thursday night for its Halloween Family Night that will be full of free spooky-related activities and entertainment.

Book your spot here.