Halloween Activities You Can Try in Cebu This 2025

Is Halloween celebrated in Cebu?

Instead of traditional Halloween activities like trick-or-treating and pumpkin-carving, October 31st is associated with prayer by Cebuanos. It’s part of the week-long celebration of “Undas,” where residents visit cemeteries and pay their respects to departed relatives and loved ones.

However, the Halloween season is still observed around Cebu throughout the month of October. You’ll find malls and public spaces adorned with spooky decorations, along with various Halloween-related events.  

Examples include horror houses, costume parties, and Halloween-themed activities for all ages. You can even create your own set of activities from the comfort of home. 

If you plan to celebrate Halloween, here are the perfect activities you can try.

FUN AND INTERACTIVE HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES

1. Horror Booth 

A horror booth is one of the most common Halloween activities in Cebu, where various establishments (and even private companies) create their own version of a haunted house to entertain staff, customers, and guests. 

Most booths involve venturing through a dark, twisted maze, where you encounter staff in costume and other eerie elements to keep you on your toes. It can be unpredictable and exciting, not to mention a worthwhile challenge that you can do with friends. 

Some places that are known for their horror booth display include branches of Gaisano Malls and Parkmall in Mandaue City. The latter is one of the most popular, but it only came back last year after a four-year hiatus.

2. Halloween Fun Run

What about a fun run that also doubles as a costume party?

Mix things up by wearing DIY Halloween costumes during the race. Gather with friends and come up with different awards you can win to make it more exciting.

Running has become a beloved physical activity in Cebu, and you’re bound to meet fellow runners who might be interested in joining a local fun run to celebrate Halloween. 

Locals are sure to find this wholesome and fun, and they might even rave about it on social media.

3. Ghost Hunting  

Found a place that just gives you the creeps? If you have the guts, why not explore it with a group of friends?

Visit these scary places in Cebu with interesting horror stories: 

• The Jesuit House – several accounts mention headless priests in the area.
  
  
• Villalon Mansion – a mysterious mansion on a hill that has been left abandoned for years.
  
  
• Cebu Normal University – previously used as a “death camp.” Students have reported seeing military men in aged uniforms walking the halls.
  
  
• Lambusan Public Cemetery – spooky accounts include mysterious footsteps, apparitions along the graves, and random cries at night.

4. “The Last Ride” at Escape Cebu

Escape rooms use intrigue and suspense to create intense environments. Teamwork and intellect are put to the test as you try and figure out how to solve the game or escape the room. 

You can experience this at Escape Cebu, located at Robinsons Galleria. They have four types of rooms, but the most horror-inspired one has to be The Last Ride.

Here, participants play the role of a detective trying to solve the murder of a young girl. The case must be solved in 45 minutes, all while the dead girl’s voice echoes around the room.

5. Horror Movie Marathon 

A horror movie marathon is another common activity done during Halloween season—something you can definitely do at home. 

Prepare a selection of the scariest movies of all time, and you’ve got yourself a thrilling evening ahead of you. Consider these underrated gems that will keep you up at night:

• The Exorcist (1973) – considered the scariest movie of all time, this film is about the exorcism of a demon-possessed child. It’s famous for its grotesque body horror and unsettling imagery.
  
  
• The Invitation (2015) – ranked number 1 on the Top 10 Movie Mysteries of All Time on CineFix – IGN Movies and TV, this film by Karyn Kusama features a story that evolves around a dinner party where paranoia grows as the hosts slowly reveal their sinister intentions.
  
  
• The Witch (2015) – a period piece about a New England family struggling with the loss of the youngest son and the eldest daughter who is accused of using witchcraft.
  
  
• His House (2020) – another underrated gem with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the story revolves around a couple escaping war-torn South Sudan, only to discover their new home is haunted by a malevolent spirit. 

Some malls have horror-themed film festivals as well, where local and international movies are featured. One example is Sine Sindak, traditionally hosted by SM Cinema, which has been running for five years now.