Picture it. The sun is sinking behind the Auckland skyline, a psytrance bassline is rolling across the harbour and a boat full of ghosts, aliens and sea witches is dancing its way into the night. If that sounds like your idea of a perfect Halloween, you’re in the right place.
Trancevaders is celebrating 10 years of Halloween boat parties on Saturday 31 October 2026, sailing from Berth 8 at Ocean Eagle Charters in the Auckland Viaduct from 5.30pm. Swedish psytrance legend K.I.M (Zero One Music) headlines, and he is also playing music from his other projects Filterheads (Wild Things Records) and Kryptone (Boom Shanka Records). Backing him up are MTM (Trancevaders, NZ), Sapian (Shiva Power, IN) and Pauli Pied Piper (Transient Recs, Vuuv, NZ), with the crowd encouraged to go wild and freaky with their costumes. The party runs aboard a multi-level luxury catamaran, doubles as a dinner cruise catered by Dining Exclusive, and is capped at just 100 tickets. The official after-party at Cassette Nine on Vulcan Lane is included in the ticket price. Eventbrite
A small crowd, a big occasion and a boat. That means your costume needs to turn heads, survive a sea breeze and let you tuck into dinner. Here are our favourite ideas to get you started.
1. The Siren Of The Deep
Legend says sirens sang sailors to their doom. Tonight, the DJ does the singing, but you can still look the part. Our Mermaid Sequin Faux Fur Coat, with its dual-toned sequin detailing and faux fur trim, it’s made for this kind of rave. Add shimmering scale makeup along your cheekbones, a string of pearls and a little faux seaweed tangled in your hair. Bonus: it’ll keep you toasty when the wind picks up on deck.
2. The Original Trancevaders
The name is right there, so why not lean in? Think retro arcade aliens invading the dance floor. Paint your face in UV green, pop on some pixel-style antennae and pull on the Cyber-Synapse Sweats. That neon green web print practically glows under the lights. Walk sideways across the deck in formation with your mates for maximum effect.
3. The Glowing Ghost
Sometimes the simplest costumes are the most haunting. Throw on the LED Fur Trim Vest, pull the oversized hood up and switch on the lights as the sun goes down. Add a pale face, dark hollow eyes and maybe a few rattling chains. You’ll drift around the boat like a spirit who refuses to leave the party. Honestly, relatable.
4. The Haunted Android
Something has gone terribly wrong with this robot, and it has only made it dance harder. Build your look around the Reflective Circuit Rave Trousers, which flash rainbow light whenever a beam hits them. Add silver face paint with cracks revealing “wiring” underneath, a few LED strips and some glitchy, jerky dance moves. Freaky, futuristic and very trance.
5. The Mushroom Spirits
Psytrance and mushrooms go together like bass and bliss. This one is brilliant for groups, because everyone can pick a different pair of pants from our shroom collection. Choose from the Liquid Frequency Shroom Pants, the Psy-Forest Trekker Pants, the Totem Bloom Rave Pants or the Spore Symphony Harem Pants (yes, the ones with the mushroom band). Top it off with a red toadstool cap headpiece and a scattering of glitter “spore” freckles across your face.
6. The Midnight Empress
Every good Halloween party needs someone who seems to know exactly what’s coming next. Enter The Empress Cloak. Featuring artwork by Eve Sweetman, The Empress Cloak is printed with a mystical take on the tarot card, glowing in electric blue, violet and hot pink against deep black. Crescent moons and triple moon symbols float above a crowned Empress with an all-seeing eye on her brow, framed by hamsa hands that watch the crowd right back.
To finish the look, pair it with the Mesh Flare Rave Pants for extra psychedelic energy. Blend a blue to pink gradient across your eyelids, draw neon eye symbols on your palms and place a crescent moon gem in the centre of your forehead. A simple moon crown or headband takes it all the way. Once the lights hit that print on the dance floor, you’ll look like you’ve stepped straight out of the deck. Bring a pack of tarot cards and offer readings at the bar, but maybe keep the bad omens to yourself until we’re back on dry land.
7. The Fire Demon
Bring the heat to a chilly night on the water. The Ember Flare Mesh Pants, with flames rising from the hem, set the tone straight away. Add small horns, red and black face paint and a dusting of ember-coloured glitter. You’ll look like you’ve climbed straight out of the engine room from somewhere much, much hotter.
8. The Ghost Ship Crew
What’s more fitting for a boat party than a crew of undead sailors? Tattered striped shirts, skeleton makeup, a battered Blue Moon Captain’s Hat and a few barnacles made from textured face paint. Rope in a few friends and appoint a captain. Bonus points if you stay in character all night and insist the boat is cursed.
9. The Dark Monarch
For something beautiful and a little eerie, try a gothic butterfly or moth. The Monarch Flare Mesh Pants bring the wing print, with a gradient that runs from lime through gold to hot magenta. Paint wing shapes around your eyes in black and orange, and add some antennae. Leave the big wings at home though, as they’re no match for a busy dance floor and a set of boat stairs.
Boat Party Costume Tips
- A costume that looks amazing at home can quickly become a nightmare on the water. Keep these in mind before you set sail.
- Plan around dinner. This is a dinner cruise, so full face masks will get old fast. Face paint, glitter and makeup give you all the drama without the hassle.
- Think about the stairs. The catamaran has multiple levels, so skip long trains, trailing capes and anything that could trip you up or catch on a railing.
- Pack a warm layer. Late October evenings on the harbour get chilly once the sun disappears. This is the perfect excuse for faux fur.
- Wear shoes with grip. Decks can get slippery, so leave the sky-high platforms at home and choose something steady for dancing.
- Light yourself up. Once it’s dark, LEDs and glow pieces make your costume shine and help your friends find you in the crowd.
- Keep it compact. With a small, friendly crowd on board, a costume you can dance in without elbowing your neighbours will make the night better for everyone.
Your Quick Costume Checklist
Your main costume pieces, face paint or makeup, glitter and face gems, headpiece or horns, a warm layer, grippy shoes, LED or glow accessories, spare batteries, and a small bag for touch-ups.
Now go forth, get freaky and we’ll see you on the high seas. Keep it wild, ravers!