Cape Town’s Halloween season is set to get a whole lot darker as the South African Horrorfest returns for its staggering 22nd edition in 2026. As the longest-running and most dedicated event of its kind on the African continent, this year’s festival promises an eclectic mix of advance premieres, rare classics, and live performances that will delight cinephiles and thrill-seekers alike.
Held at the iconic, old-school Labia Theatre in Gardens, Cape Town, the in-person cinema screenings will run from October 29 to November 8, 2026. For those who can’t make it to the Mother City, a dedicated streaming chapter will broadcast the terror nationwide from October 28 to November 15.
2026 Festival Highlights
Founded in 2005 by Paul Blom and Sonja Ruppersberg, the festival has grown from a niche gathering into a staple of Cape Town’s arts calendar, recognized globally by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the “World’s 50 Best Genre Festivals”.
The 2026 lineup leans heavily into exclusive cinematic experiences:
A Monster Opening Night (October 29): The festival kicks off with an advance screening of the highly anticipated Korean sci-fi monster epic, HOPE. Attendees of the opening night will also be treated to free, spooky cupcakes crafted by Heartcore Bakery.
The Makabra Ensemble Resurrects FAUST (October 31): A true hallmark of the Horrorfest is its live soundtrack performances. On Halloween night, the acclaimed Makabra Ensemble will perform a brand-new, live, original score to F.W. Murnau’s stunning 1926 silent film adaptation of Goethe’s FAUST, celebrating the cinematic masterpiece’s 100th anniversary.
Audience Participation: Friday, October 30 features the annual raucous, interactive screening of the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Kaiju Chaos (November 3): To celebrate international “Godzilla Day,” the festival has secured an advance screening of the critically acclaimed Godzilla Minus Zero.
Rare 16mm Projection (November 8): In an era of digital dominance, purists can enjoy a rare screening of a well-preserved 16mm film print of the 1939 classic The Hunchback of Notre Dame, starring Charles Laughton and Maureen O’Hara.
Closing Night Premiere (November 8): The festival closes with an exclusive, free advance screening of Victorian Psycho before its official November 13 theatrical release.
Expanding the Horror Universe
Beyond the feature films, Horrorfest champions independent creators by screening dozens of short films from across the globe. The festival also hosts a bustling Halloween Dress-Up and Market, where attendees can compete for costume prizes and browse macabre merchandise from unusual local vendors.
For fans outside of the Western Cape, the robust streaming platform active from October 28 to November 15 ensures that the festival’s carefully curated indie shorts, documentaries, and geo-blocked feature films remain accessible from any screen.
Tickets for the Labia Theatre cinema screenings are currently live via Quicket, with full line-up details and streaming schedules continuously updating on the official Horrorfest website.