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The big, bad Halloween special! 👻🎃
Published 5 months ago • 9 min read
Light and shade solutions
Hello, my dear Frankies!
Halloween has well and truly landed! And Franklin is absolutely bursting with parties, trick-or-treat trails, spooky markets, and more sugar-fuelled fun than you can shake a broomstick at. 🧙♀️
Whether your little ones are still small enough to nap in their costumes (so so cute!), your teens are hunting for the best lolly haul in town (aren't we all?), or you’re planning to spend the night sipping something called a “Black Widow” (don’t ask, just drink), we’ve hunted down every event worth sinking your fangs into.
Special mention to Your Local Bakery and Pik'n'Mix Pukekohe and the halloween donuts! - the collab we didn't know we needed! But just a heads-up - you have to pre-order these spooky pastries asap for pick up tomorrow!
OK, that's enough talk - time to get into it! Grab your costumes, light the pumpkins, and get ready to howl your way through a frightfully good week around Franklin!!
R and The Frankie Team xx
Featuring community news, groups, events, people, places and businesses. The very best of Franklin
👻 Frankie’s Guide to Halloween in Franklin 🎃
👻 Map of tick or treat houses!
The amazing Caz from South Auckland Trick or Treat Facebook group has put together a super comprehensive map of houses that are dressed up and ready to receive trick-or-treaters this Halloween night! Check out the map here! And make sure you join her Facebook page to get updates - including a Christmas map later in the year!!
🎃 Little Monsters & Preschool Parties
Otaua Aka Aka Playcentre Halloween Disco 📍 Otaua Hall | ⏰ 31 Oct, 5.30 pm Tiny tricksters will love this one! Games, music, and spooktacular treats for the littlies — all in support of wetland restoration 🌿 $5 entry (under 1s + adults free). Email keely@awaroakikarioitahi.nz for tickets.
Cafe Queen Waiuku Trick or Treat Stop 📍 Queen St, Waiuku | ⏰ 31 Oct from 4.30 pm until lollies run out Colouring, music, a gold-coin bake sale, and photo ops — plus a coffee hit for the parents. ☕🍬
Waiuku Cossie Club Kids Halloween Party 📍 Upstairs Lounge | ⏰ 1 Nov, 1–3 pm DJ, mini-games, and afternoon tea for the kids. $10 members / $15 non-members. RSVP admin@waiukucossie.co.nz.
🧙♀️ Family Fun & Trick-or-Treat Adventures
Pukekohe Fire Station Halloween Party – 31 Oct, 5–7 pm Spooky engine bay, raffles, sausage sizzle, and free entry — just bring some cash for food!
Waiuku Volunteer Fire Station Stop – 31 Oct, 5–7 pm Add it to your trick-or-treat route and score lollies straight from the firefighters!
Clarks Beach Golf Club Kids Party – 31 Oct, 4–6 pm Dress up, enjoy Halloween games, and grab a bite from the café. Prizes for best-dressed! ⛳🎃
Pik n Mix Pukekohe Fright Night – 31 Oct, 4–7 pm Free lollies, themed games, and prizes for the spookiest (and silliest) costumes!
Buckland Community Hall Spooky Disco – 31 Oct, 5.30–7 pm A misty, ghost-filled dance floor with bouncy castles, trick-or-treating, and a witch’s cavern! Gold-coin entry 🕸️
8Count Dance Studio Spooktacular Party – 31 Oct, 5.30–7.30 pm Spooky dance games, trick-or-treat sweets, and a costume contest! $5 entry — parents welcome 👯♀️
Rise & Shine Café Trick-or-Treat Party – 31 Oct from 4.30 pm Cupcake decorating, spooky slushy floats, face painting, lolly jar count, colouring, and a bar for the grown-ups 🍰🎃
Halloween Spooktacular at Chinwags Waiau Pa – 31 Oct from 4 pm Free kids’ face painting (4–6 pm), Halloween movie, prizes, and happy hour 4–7 pm. Kids’ meals $10 and décor all weekend long!
Halloween Trail at Lake Hill Estate – 31 Oct & 1 Nov An interactive trail for little adventurers with fairy maps, potion-making, games, treats, and prizes — the ultimate whimsical family day out 🧚♀️🍭
Pukekohe Cossie Club Kids Halloween – 31 Oct, 6–8 pm Bouncy castle, face painting, loads of dancing, and a lolly-filled night for kids. $10 members / $15 non-members.
Ninjas R Us Halloween Fright Night – 31 Oct, 6–8 pm Jumping disco, Halloween guests, lollies, prizes, and spooky tunes! $20 per ninja (ages 3–14). Book here
Pekapeka Walk – Finding Franklin Bats – 31 Oct, 7.20 pm Celebrate our native bats! Listen with detectors and watch them glide across the night sky 🌙🦇 Tickets here
🍔 Food, Drink & Treat Stops
Halloween at the Friday Night Market – Roulston St, Pukekohe | 31 Oct, 4.30–8.30 pm Best-dressed comps, food trucks, classic games, and treats for all ages — Franklin’s biggest community hangout 🎮🍬
235 Kai Halloween Special – Waiuku Community Space | 31 Oct, 5–7 pm Free kai from the Aunties — good food, good vibes, everyone welcome. RSVP online to save your spot.
Ed Street Bar & Restaurant Halloween Cocktail Night – 31 Oct from 8 pm Try the “Love Potion Brain Haemorrhage” and “Black Widow” cocktails, with spot prizes for best dressed 🍸🕸️
Your Local Bakery × Pik n Mix Collab – Pick up Fri 31 Oct Halloween donuts with custard, jam, and a giant skull gummy on top 💀🍩 Order here
🕺 Adults After Dark (18 +)
Elsie Bar at Tuakau Hotel Halloween Party – 31 Oct, 7 pm – late Live band, DJ, drink specials, and prizes for best dressed — the perfect night out 🎶🕷️
The Longkeeper Spooky Night – 31 Oct, 9 pm–12 am Live music by Local Loop, spooky cocktails, and prizes for both best and worst costumes!
Ed Street Bar & Restaurant Halloween Cocktail Night – 31 Oct from 8 pm Try the “Love Potion Brain Haemorrhage” and “Black Widow” cocktails, with spot prizes for best dressed 🍸🕸️
Waiuku Cossie Club Adults Halloween Night – 31 Oct, 7 pm onwards DJ Tons spinning spooky beats, prizes for best dressed — where the monsters come out to play!
Rise & Shine Halloween Quiz Night – 1 Nov, 7 pm Dress up and test your trivia! Prizes for best costumes, spooky cocktails, and happy hour 6–7 pm.
Moonbloom Halloweekend Markets at Spookers – 1 Nov (1–9 pm) & 2 Nov (3–9 pm R18) Alternative night markets with spooky vendors, food, and live entertainment — a gothic dream come true.
Spookers Scream Nights: Enter the Wastelands – 31 Oct–2 Nov, 8 pm R18 For the true thrill-seekers. Enter the haunted wastelands and see if you make it out alive 😱🎟️
So, there you have it! From fairy dust to full-blown fright nights, Franklin has officially gone spooky! ✨
And remember, if you head out to any of these events, tag @todearfrankieso we can see your costumes, haunted selfies, and lolly hauls.
Stay spooky, stay safe, and remember: friends who trick-or-treat together, stay together ♥
Celebrating all the businesses, artists, creators and crafters we have here in Franklin ♥ Nominate your favourites here/image
Meet Dave and Luc - the father-and-son team from Light and Shade Solutions
⛅Light & Shade Solutions
the father-and-son team bringing comfort, colour, and calm to Franklin homes
If you’ve ever stood in front of a sun-drenched window wondering why is choosing blinds so complicated? What is a Venetian? Is it different to a shutter? How do I measure this? Who can I call?! you’re not alone (can you tell how this stuff stresses me out?!). And that’s exactly where Franklin local business Light & Shade Solutions comes in.
Based right here in Franklin, this family-run duo - Dave Pitout and his son Luc - are the perfect blend of old-school craftsmanship and new-school know-how. Dave’s been in the game for over 40 years, so he’s seen every shutter, roller blind, Venetian, honeycomb and Ziptrak under the sun (literally). He’s the one who’ll pop round for a measure-up, share honest advice, and make sure you get the right fit for your home and your budget - no sales targets, no showroom mark-ups, just straight-up good service.
Luc brings the modern touch - he handles the installs, the ladders, the levels, the finishing touches - making sure everything looks seamless and runs smoothly. Between them, they’ve built a reputation for being reliable, friendly, and very, very local.
Need help choosing the right product? Not sure what’s best for your windows or your wallet? Let Dave put his 40+ years of experience to good use and do the hard work for you. Light & Shade Solutions offers a free, no-obligation measure & quote service, and the best bit - you don’t even need to leave home. They’ll bring the showroom to you so you can see exactly how each option looks in your own space.
✨ Free quotes, expert advice, and honest local service - that’s the Light & Shade difference.
🌊 Franklin Young Mariners Kayaking Session Elbow Ski Club, 6.30–8.00pm Love the outdoors, camping, and water? Join Franklin Young Mariners for a kayaking session. Open to girls aged 8–19—no experience needed! First three visits free. Parent helpers welcome. Contact rachel.capon@ymnz.org or 021 731 977. youngmariners.org.nz
🎨 Y Studio Waiuku Library, 3.30–4.30pm Creative drop-in sessions for ages 13+, exploring art mediums and critical thinking. Every Thursday during term time.
🍸 Thursday Cocktail Happy Hour Little Ed, 6–7pm All your favourites, just a little bit cheaper!
🧠 Quiz Trivia Night Blue Ox Babe, 7pm Bring your brainy mates for a fun evening of trivia and good vibes.
🚚 Food Truck Night Market Pukekohe Park Raceway, 4.30–8.30pm An eclectic mix of street eats—Thai, Asian, Mexican, Indian, Turkish, hangi, and gourmet burgers! franklinmarkets.com
Friday
💻 Waiuku Library Coding Club 3.30–4.30pm (fortnightly) Free coding sessions for kids aged 7+, run by a local volunteer parent. Register via franklinoutreach@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
🚚 Food Truck Friday Roulston Street Carpark, 4.30–8.30pm International street food and good tunes in the heart of Pukekohe. franklinmarkets.com
💻 Coding Makerspace Pukekohe Library, 9.30–11.30am Create your own games in Scratch or Python—no experience needed. Ages 7+, bring your own device.
🕯️ Candle-Making Workshop Little Batch Wax Co HQ, 152A Manukau Rd, 10am–1pm Create your own 400g soy wax candle while enjoying cosy bites and drinks. A hands-on, feel-good experience.
📸 Spring Mini Portrait Sessions Pukekawa, 1st & 15th Nov Capture the season with mini photo sessions by Nectar Photography. Book now!
🔧 Pukekohe Repair Café Franklin: The Centre (Pukekohe Library), 10am–1pm Fix your broken items for free! Furniture, clothes, bikes, toys, and more. Promoting repair-renew-reuse. More info
💪 Michelle Keenan Wellness Studio Open Day Upstairs, 15 Martyn Street, Waiuku, 11am–2pm Trial a class for just $5 and see what’s on offer at the studio!
🛍️ Waiuku Retailers Spring Garage Sale Waiuku Town Centre, 9am–2pm Shop local, grab a bargain, and enjoy live music in the town square.
🎶 Happy Fish Live Ed Street, Pukekohe, from 9.30pm A super fun live band to keep your Saturday night buzzing.
🎤 Grit & Gratitude One Hero Society of Performing Arts, 7.30–11pm An intimate evening of acoustic music with singer-songwriters Rosie & Maggie. Warm, raw, and deeply connective.
Sunday
🌸 Pukekohe Farmers & Artisans Market Pukekohe Town Square, 9am–12.30pm Sweet treats, flowers, produce, and live music from Edwin Judd.
♻️ Jumble Sale at Pukekawa Hall Pukekawa Hall, 9am–4pm Declutter and sell your goods! Tables $15. Book with Elizabeth de Morgan, 027 346 9838.
☕ Coffee & Candles: A Sensory Pairing Experience Your Local Coffee Roasters, 173 Manukau Rd, 10am–12.30pm A unique workshop combining coffee tasting and candle making.
🏖️ Surf Lifesaving Karioitahi Community Open Day 10am–3pm Explore the new club, meet the members, and celebrate local surf culture.
🎯 Open Day at WAR (Waiuku Airsoft Rangers) Gates open 8.30am All are welcome! Hire gear available. New players encouraged. Register here
🛍️ Franklin Market Pukekohe Park Raceway, 8am Browse local crafts, produce, antiques, and car boot stalls. Live music and food trucks. Event link
monday
🍻 Monday Quiz Night Appetite, 7pm Bring a team for laughs, trivia, and good food.
🎲 Board Game Evening Otakumart, 6pm Play, relax, and connect. Bring your own games or try theirs—everyone’s welcome.
Tuesday
🏇 Melbourne Cup Luncheon The Franklin Club, 12pm $60 includes bubbles, buffet lunch, and a punters pass. Limited tickets!
🎨 Painting Club Franklin Arts Centre, 6–8pm Bring your project and enjoy two hours of uninterrupted creative time with fellow artists.
🏃♀️ Stride Tribe Run Club Waiuku, 6pm Fun, free, and pressure-free run or walk. 3km, all levels welcome!
🧘 Hatha Yoga with Maureen Waiuku Lions Hall, 9.30am Gentle flow yoga for balance and relaxation.
🧠 Tuesday Quiz Night Ed Street, Pukekohe Grab your crew and test your knowledge for prizes and bragging rights.
Wednesday
😂 Comedy Quiz Night The Village Bar, Patumahoe Join quiz master Jim for a laugh-filled trivia night. Free to play—book a table on 09 236 3571.
👩🎓 Anti-Social Social Club for Teens Pukekohe Library, 3.30pm A safe and welcoming after-school hangout for teens of all personalities.
🧘 Vinyasa Yoga with Nigel Waiuku Lions Hall, 6.30pm A flowing yoga class to build strength and calm.
🧠 Wednesday Quiz Night Ed Street, Pukekohe Fun trivia, great prizes, good vibes.
🪡 Embroidery Exhibition Counties Embroiderers’ Guild Explore traditional and modern embroidery works, with “Have a Go” opportunities later this month.
Word Scramble answer: Skeletons!
p.s. If someone awesome sent you this email and you want to subscribe yourself, sign up here 👉 dearfrankie.co.nz
"Think Waiuku + surrounds are boring? You haven't signed up for Dear Frankie yet!"
Find out what's going on in town this week - the fun way! 💥
*NEW FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER!* Covering Franklin's community gatherings, gigs and events, job postings, digital farmers market, weekend getaways, local stories and more...all delivered straight to your inbox for free! New editions every Thursday at 9:16 am. Subscribe free! 👇
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