Manly Halloween Street Party cancelled for second year in a row due to Covid

Halloween enthusiasts have been left devastated after organisers were forced to cancel one of Brisbane’s biggest events for a second year in a row with no guarantee it will return in 2022.

The future of Queensland’s biggest Halloween festival is up in the air after organisers were forced to cancel the event for the second year in a row.

Manly Harbour Village president David Farley recently announced the Manly Halloween Street Party, which attracts more than 20,000 people to Brisbane’s bayside, would not be going ahead due to uncertainty relating to Covid.

Parade during the annual Halloween Street Party held in Manly in 2018. Picture: Regi Varghese

The party, which culminates in the famous street parade later on the night, has been arguably the biggest event on the bayside since its inaugural year in 1995.

Mr Farley said cancelling the event was a huge hit for Manly.

People watch the parade during the annual Halloween Street Party held in Manly. Picture: Regi Varghese

“After 25 years of running the Manly Harbour Village Halloween Street Party, and the 2019 event being the biggest and best, Covid restrictions made holding this free community event this year outside the capacity of the Manly Harbour Village Chamber of Commerce,” he said.

“The Chamber is however is planning a number of smaller, more manageable events.

“Trying to manage possible lockdowns is a sure road to ruin, as we have seen with the Byron Bay Festival having to be called off the day before, leaving the organisers and the community millions of dollars in the red.

Lyn Wooler from Manly IGA. Picture: Peter Cronin

Mr Farley said holding the event meant a lot for local businesses, especially restaurants and other entertainment venues in the area.

He also said the biggest benefit of events such as the Halloween Party was attracting visitors from around Brisbane and even other parts of Queensland.

People wait for the start of the parade during the annual Halloween Street Party held in Manly in 2018. Picture: Regi Varghese

Mr Farley said he believed if any area could cope with the loss of such a big event, it was Manly.

“Right at the moment, you have to book three or four weeks in advance to get a table at any one of Manly’s top end restaurants and in several venues, they operate two sittings Saturday and Sunday,” he said.

“Maybe The Village is benefiting from all the work that has gone on before, events like the Halloween Street Party.”

But in a scary thought for fans of the event, there’s no guarantee it will return in 2022.

“Next Year, when hopefully Covid is brought under control, and lockdowns are a thing of the past, we will review what options we have at that stage,” Mr Farley said.