Hallo-winning: Why the Gold Coast loves Halloween

Lollies, costumes and community - there’s good reason Halloween is growing each year on the Gold Coast, writes Ann Wason Moore. HAVE YOUR SAY IN OUR POLL

The debate is over - and Halloween is the winner.

Every year when October rolls around, the online arguments begin – should we embrace this celebration or is it simply un-Australian?

Well, it looks like it’s time to treat yourself because the people have spoken. And that’s no trick.

London Little (front), Charlotte Boyd (left) and Lauren Little warm up for Fearaphobia, which takes over the former NightQuarter site next to Westfield Helensvale every night from October 20-31.

Looking around my neighbourhood, there are almost as many houses decorated for Halloween as for Christmas. In fact, I feel I’m letting the street down with one measly spooky wreath.

And it’s not just my little corner of Mermaid.

One in four Australians intend to celebrate Halloween this year by attending or hosting a themed party, decorating their homes, wearing costumes, or welcoming trick-or-treaters, according to the Australian Retailers Association and Roy Morgan’s first annual Halloween survey.

This is great news, not just for trick-or-treat tragics like myself, but for the economy of the Coast.

HALLOWEEN GUIDE: SPOOKIEST EVENTS, TRICK OR TREAT STREETS

Embracing Halloween has helped make Movie World’s Fright Nights a terrific – and terrifying – success, with tickets sold outfor weeks.

Then there’s the Fearaphobia scream park in Hell-ensvale (couldn’t help myself there), which had a sellout season last year and is likely to repeat that performance.

Gold Coast residents have largely embraced Halloween.

Dreamworld is hosting a Happy Halloween event that’s perfect for families. This is perhaps my favourite since, to me, this day is less about scary and more about fun.

But, just like Freddy Krueger’s claws, it goes so much deeper than that. Consumer spending this Halloween is forecast to reach $430 million, an average of $86 per person. That’s a lot of dollars for local businesses.

In fact, ARA CEO Paul Zahra said Halloween festivities would help build sales momentum for retailers ahead of Christmas, andbusinesses were keen to make the most of it.

“Halloween is growing in status as an Aussie tradition and has become a highly anticipated seasonal event for many retailers,” Mr Zahra said.

Meanwhile, University of Tasmania retail expert Louise Grimmer told The New Daily the holiday has exploded in popularity locallyover the past six years.

And it’s easy to see why: because it’s fun.

After an awful few pandemic years and now with the world on the cusp of what seems like a brutal economic period, let’s justdress up and eat sugar.

Honestly, Halloween is the celebration that everyone can embrace.

For those on the right who hate cancel-culture, this is the night for you. Politically correct rules are repealed as kidsplay in suburban streets and literally take lollies from strangers.

For those on the left, Halloween encourages creativity, diversity and embraces the inner child. Also, free lollies mean we are literally feeding the hungry.

For those who want to boost the city’s bottom line, Halloween is great for business (see above).

For those who don’t embrace commercialism, Halloween is a great opportunity to get to know your neighbours and build community.

For those who aren’t into religious traditions, this is a day that is not associated with any particular faith … and in facthas its roots in Celtic paganism (not in America).

Halloween events are being held across the city.

For those who don’t like secularism, Halloween was hijacked by Christians and dubbed All Hallows’ Eve, with November 1 the celebration of All Saints Day (or All Hallows Day).

See? Treats for everyone!

Indeed, while more kids are trick-or-treating, it’s Aussie adults who are now the key Halloween demographic.

The ARA and Roy Morgan data shows one in five people who will celebrate Halloween will hold or attend a party without children.

What now?

As someone who is hosting scores of teens for the big night out, I feel like I’ve been tricked.

And there’s only one response to that … boo.

Originally published as Hallo-winning: Why the Gold Coast loves Halloween