12 Easy Steps for Hosting a Fa-Boo-Lous Halloween Bash

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Plus expert ideas for Halloween party food, drink, decor, & costumes
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Halloween parties are fun, memorable events full of fang-tastic 🧛friends, skele-fun ☠️ costumes, wicked 🧙 awesome activities, and TONS of treats 🍫 (rather than tricks). If you want to be the host of an unforgettable Halloween party that leaves everyone screaming “squad ghouls,” you’ve come to the right place! From choosing your guest list and theme to planning your food and activities , we’ll guide you through every step of hosting an incredible Halloween bash. Plus, we’ll give you tons of creative ideas for a truly memorable party—including tips from a team of etiquette and party-planning experts!

Planning an Amazing Halloween Party: Quick Tips

Event planner Christa Innis says to start by setting a budget and deciding the number of guests you’ll invite. Then, you can go through the following Halloween party checklist to plan your big, boo-worthy bash:

  1. Choose a theme and what type of costumes guests should wear (if any).
  2. Send out invites with the date, time, theme, and costume requirements.
  3. Set up decor, a spooky playlist, and mood lighting to create a party ambiance.
  4. Prepare enough on-theme food and drinks to serve all of your guests.
  5. Plan fun activities like spooky games, pumpkin-carving, or a photo booth.
  6. Hand out goodie bags with party favors that are related to your theme.
  7. Look after your guests throughout the party, but also relax and have fun!
1

Plan out your logistics and guest list.

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  1. Choose a date, a time, and a location for your party. Then, “set a budget and decide on the number of guests you want to invite,” says Innis. [1] Try to balance the number of people you invite with the amount of space you have available (take into account both sitting and standing space).
    • As you put together the list, consider inviting people who might not meet otherwise—in other words, bring together people from different parts of your life in order to spice up your event.
    • If you think your party might get loud, invite your neighbors! Even if they don’t attend, they’ll be less likely to complain about noise if they’re aware ahead of time.
    • This is also a good time to decide if you’ll have any co-hosts or helping hands. “If you have willing participants who are willing to take on a piece,” notes professional party planner Natasha Miller. [2]
    • “It’s great to say, ‘You take care of the props and [decor],’ then the other person’s in charge of the food, and another’s in charge of the beverage,” continues Miller. [3]

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Marissa Fidler is a seasonal decor expert and home decor content creator whose work has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens’ 2025 Christmas Issue.

    Natasha Miller is an event planner and CEO who operates an event and entertainment production company that’s collaborated with clients like Apple, Google, Gap, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany & Co.

    Christa Innis is an event planner, social media consultant, and content creator, and the founder of Party Planning by Christa.

    Anna Braff is an event decor specialist and the founder of Provenance Rentals, where she specializes in providing clients with a range of props tailored to their event’s needs.

    Ivy Summer is a certified wedding and event planner with over 10 years of experience consulting, planning, and coordinating weddings around the globe.

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2

Pick a theme for your Halloween bash.

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  1. Your theme can be spooky, silly, scary, fun…whatever you want it to be! Choosing a good theme is essential to planning other parts of your Halloween party. Everything else—like the food, drinks, and decor—will be based on your overall theme! So, consider what type of party you want to throw. Is it creepy or cute? Do you want to base it on something from pop culture, like Beetlejuice or Harry Potter ? Do you want to throw a specific type of event, like a murder mystery dinner or masquerade? Also, decide if you’re having a costume party and if full-on costumes are required. [4]
    • “Do you want people to come in full costume,” prompts Miller, “or is it just face paint or a headdress or something thrown around their neck? Be specific about the depth you want people to go into and be explicit about the theme.” [5]
    • Here are some fun Halloween party themes to consider:
      • Vampire Night 🧛
      • Graveyard Rave 🪦
      • Haunted Mansion 🏚️
      • Witches Coven 🧙
      • Murder Mystery Dinner 🍴
      • Twisted Wonderland 🐇
      • Beetlejuice 🪲
      • Gothic Glamour 👠
      • Pumpkin Party 🎃
      • Black and White Boo Ball 👻
      • Monster Mash 👹
      • Harvest Festival 🌽
      • Halloween at Hogwarts 🪄
      • Murderous Masquerade 🎭
      • Mad Scientist’s Lab 🧪
      • Nightmare Before Christmas 💀
      • Night of the Living Dead 🧟
      • Hollywood Horror 🎥
      • Pumpkin Pie Bake-Off 🥧
3

Design and send out the invites.

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  1. Halloween is a popular time of year for parties, so make sure to send out your invitations as early as possible (sometime in late September is ideal). Choose a paper invitation or Evite that fits your theme and send it to everyone on your guest list. “A party invite should include time, dress code, and anything that the guests should bring,” says event decor specialist Anna Braff. [6] Be sure to explicitly name the theme of the party, whether it’s more light-hearted or truly scary, and what types of costumes (if any) should be worn by guests.
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4

Choose on-theme decorations.

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  1. Popular Halloween decor options include fake spiderwebs on the ceiling, jack-o-lanterns on the front porch, handprints made with homemade fake blood on the wall, and plastic skeletons hung around the space. However, be sure to tailor your decorations to your specific theme or aesthetic, and to decorate the main party rooms of your house and your entryway or porch. Here are some unique Halloween decor ideas for your party: [9]
    EXPERT TIP

    Ivy Summer

    Certified Wedding & Event Planner
    Ivy Summer is a Certified Wedding Planner and the Owner of Voulez Events. Ivy has over 10 years of experience consulting, planning and coordinating weddings around the globe. She has also created a DIY online wedding planning workshop for couples, called "Plan Your Wedding Like A Pro." She currently resides in Greece where she continues to work with a worldwide network of planners and wedding professionals.
    Ivy Summer
    Certified Wedding & Event Planner

    Recreate floating candles from Hogwarts’ Great Hall. Take a toilet paper tube and, on one end, punch 2 holes that face one another. Slide some fishing line through the 2 holes and stick a lit plastic tea light on the line. For extra effects, add “wax” to the tube with a hot glue gun and drape fake cobwebs on the line.

5

Set the mood with lighting, effects, and scents.

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  1. Make your entire party environment fit the mood and theme you want for your party. Depending on your vibe, lower your overhead lights, place candles and lanterns throughout your home, or set up strobe lights or colored lights . However, keep any buffet or activity areas (i.e., for pumpkin carving or a costume contest) well-lit. As needed, add more visually atmospheric elements, like fog machines or a projected movie screen. For example, if you’re having a Ghostbusters- themed party, project that movie on the wall, put it on mute, and let it set the scene. [14]
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6

Plan fun activities for guests.

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  1. You can do classic Halloween games , like apple bobbing or Mummy Wrap (where teams race to wrap one of their members in toilet paper). You could also put a twist on these games, like bobbing for shrinking heads (by peeling and carving faces in the apples). If you’re not a game person, you can do a different activity, like dancing, costume contests, pumpkin carving , or something else! Here are some more game and activity ideas for a Halloween party: [16]
    • Halloween movie trivia
    • Halloween bingo
    • Halloween piñata
    • Halloween Pictionary
    • Pumpkin bowling
    • Scary movie marathon
    • Jack-o-lantern Carving
    • Monster mash dance-off
    • Murder mystery dinner game
    • Tarot and aura readings
    • Haunted scavenger hunt with creepy clues
    • DIY potion-making station (with colorful syrups , sparkling water, edible glitter , gummy worms, food-safe dry ice , etc.).
    • Halloween cookie decorating competition
    • Halloween-themed photo backdrop with photo booth props
    • Costume content with prizes for “Best Costume,” “Most Creative,” “Lowest Effort,” “Funniest Costume,” “Most Terrifying,” etc.
    • Eyeball Hunt: Hide p lastic eyeballs around the party and mark each one with a letter or symbol that corresponds to a certain prize or treat.
    • Blindfolded Body Parts: Have guests sit in a circle with their eyes closed and hands open. Pass out various items that *feel* like body parts and tell a story about a murderer or cannibal who harvested these items. Use cold spaghetti for brains, unpeeled grapes for eyeballs, steak for tongues, etc.
7

Make a spine-tingling playlist.

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  1. Some classic Halloween tunes include Bobby Pickett’s “The Monster Mash” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” but these songs on repeat can make for a dull atmosphere! Instead, consider streaming a playlist of fun Halloween tunes or even a long YouTube video of spooky sound effects . If you have a large-ish party and multiple speakers, you could even play different playlists in different parts of your home—e.g., a fun, party playlist in the dance room and a chill, eerie playlist in the sitting area. If you really want to elevate your bash, consider hiring a DJ or a live band to play on-theme tracks for your guests!
    • Here are some other Halloweenie songs to add to your party playlist: [17]
      • “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr.
      • “Spooky, Scary Skeletons - Undead Tombstone Remix” by Andrew Gold
      • “Bloody Mary” by Lady Gaga
      • “This is Halloween” from Nightmare Before Christmas
      • “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads
      • “Season of the Witch” by Donovan
      • “Heads Will Roll” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
      • “Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon
      • “Halloween” by Noah Kahan
      • “Goo Goo Muck” by The Cramps
      • “W.I.T.C.H.” by Devon Cole
      • “The Doll People” by Sofia Isella
      • “hallow’s eve” by Casey Dubie and Timothy Edward Carpenter
      • “Halloween” by Phoebe Bridgers
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8

Put together some cute (or creepy) party favors.

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  1. What fun would Halloween be without the added nostalgia of ‘trick or treat’ bags, after all? You can find affordable, mixed assortments of Halloween candy at your local grocery or dollar store. Then, take a glove, plastic bag , or Halloween-themed container and fill it with candy for you to send home with your guests.
9

Prepare a Halloween-themed food menu.

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  1. Any food you provide will keep your guests fed and happy. You can even do a potluck and ask guests to bring certain dishes and sides for everyone to enjoy. But, if you want to level up, opt for Halloween-themed recipes that match the vibe of your party! Most importantly, “have enough food for everyone at the party,” says etiquette coach Tami Claytor. “Ask people [ahead of time] if there are any dietary restrictions…or food allergies.” [18]
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10

Brew up some ~spooky~ drinks.

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  1. Every Halloween party needs some punch—alcoholic or otherwise! Choose some delicious drinks to keep your guests quenched and hydrated. Along with water—of course!—you “also want to have a good assortment of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages,” says Claytor. [22] “Assume each guest will have…[about] one drink per hour,” adds Weinshanker. [23] Start with basics like sodas , seltzers , wine, and beer, then consider adding more options that are more on theme!
    • Here are some Halloween-themed drinks and cocktails to try:
      • Any flavor of party punch served in a food-grade cauldron 🍵
      • Apple Cider Margarita 🍎 [24]
        • Shake apple cider, tequila, orange juice, and ice until very cold.
        • Fill a sugar-rimmed glass with ice and pour in the shaken cocktail.
        • Top with a splash of soda water and garnish with apple slices.
      • Vampire Cocktail 🧛 [25]
        • Shake vodka, amaretto, and ice in a shaker until very cold.
        • Stir in orange juice and club soda.
        • Fill glasses with ice and pour in the cocktail.
        • Fill food-grade syringes with raspberry syrup and place them in the glasses.
      • Batch Bloody Maria 🩸 [26]
        • In a pitcher, combine tomato juice, tequila, lemon juice, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, and hot sauce.
        • Mix in a pinch each of celery salt and black pepper.
        • Refrigerate until ready to serve.
        • Pour the cocktail into a chili lime-salt rimmed glass filled with ice.
        • Garnish with celery, olives, pickled peppers, and lime wedges.
      • Pumpkin-Spiced Mulled Wine 🎃 [27]
        • Pour 1 (750 mL (25  fl oz)) bottle of chardonnay into a non-reactive saucepan .
        • Add in 1 sliced orange, ¼ cup (63 g) pumpkin butter, 8 cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, and 1 star anise.
        • Pour in 1 ⁄ 4   c (59 mL) brandy and 1 ⁄ 8   c (30 mL) honey.
        • Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, then reduce to low heat.
        • Let simmer for 10 minutes.
        • Strain and serve the mulled wine with your desired garnishes.
      • Wassail 🍊 [28]
        • Poke 15 whole cloves into the sides of 2 apples.
        • Place the apples into a large pot over medium-low heat.
        • Add in 8 cups (1.89 kg) apple cider, 2 cups (496 g) orange juice, and ⅓ cup (81.33 g) lemon juice.
        • Stir in 4 cinnamon sticks, ¼ tsp (0.7 g) ground ginger, and ¼ tsp (0.6 g) ground nutmeg.
        • Bring to a simmer and let simmer for 30-45 minutes.
        • Remove the apples and whole cloves and ladle into mugs for serving.
11

Set up the different “zones” of your party.

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  1. First, reorganize your home as needed to make the most of the space. Move any unneeded furniture to a spare room or storage space, clean up any clutter or fragile knick-knacks, and put away any valuables that you normally have on display. Rearrange your furniture to protect the flow of the movement during the party—give people places to stand, sit, and move through the party as needed for dancing, bathroom breaks, and trips to the snack table.
    • Then, set up the four main elements of your party—entrance, food, drink, and music—in separate areas. Keep each “element” separated by some space (even if it’s just on a different table in the same room).
    • This will help you avoid causing congestion between people arriving at your party and people enjoying your party.
    Martha Stewart, Home, Garden, & Lifestyle Expert

    Hosting at home creates a canvas for self-expression. "To entertain at home is a rediscovery—of rooms and settings, of your favorite things, and particularly of your own tastes and ideas."

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12

Tend to your guests at the party and have fun!

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  1. As your guests arrive, greet them warmly at the door and help them feel comfortable. If you end up with an un-costumed guest or two, party planner Ivy Summer advises being prepared with “something for [guests] to wear or use as a prop.” [29] For instance, keep a box of witch’s hats , cheap masks , white ghost sheets , or Halloween-themed temporary tattoos near the door.
    • Introduce your guests to each other throughout the party. At regular intervals, take some time to float through your party, making proper introductions and conversation-starting comments.
    • Check the food every 10-15 minutes when people first start eating to gauge your guests’ appetites. Then, check as often as you deem necessary until the end of the night.
    • If you have a timeline of activities planned, stick to it while still allowing for a natural flow. If you planned a costume contest for 9 PM but everyone is having great conversations, give it another 15 minutes!
    • Most importantly, have a good time! Most guests prefer a host who’s present, undistracted, and not too stressed. Parties are supposed to be fun, so greet your friends, chat with them, play with them, and eat the delicious food you’ve prepared!


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  • Question
    What are good Halloween party themes centered on stories?
    Community Answer
    Some good ones are the Wizard of Oz, Disney Princesses, and other well-known ones like Hansel and Gretel.
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  • Question
    How would I throw a Halloween sleepover?
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    Follow the guidelines in Host a Sleepover , replacing suitable items for Halloween-themed suggestions from the article above.
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  • Question
    Can you bring your costume for a Halloween sleepover party?
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    Yes, you can bring your costume for a Halloween sleepover party. Just be sure to bring PJs as well, to change into when it's sleep time.
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      References

      1. ↑ Christa Innis. Event Planner. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ Natasha Miller. Professional Party Planner. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ Natasha Miller. Professional Party Planner. Expert Interview
      4. ↑ https://www.classpop.com/magazine/halloween-party-themes
      5. ↑ Natasha Miller. Professional Party Planner. Expert Interview
      6. ↑ Anna Braff. Event Decor Specialist. Expert Interview
      7. ↑ Natasha Miller. Professional Party Planner. Expert Interview
      8. ↑ Anna Braff. Event Decor Specialist. Expert Interview
      9. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/halloween/halloween-party-checklist
      1. ↑ Marissa Fidler. Seasonal Decor Expert. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ Marissa Fidler. Seasonal Decor Expert. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ Nissa-Lynn Parson. Interior Decorator and Brand Influencer. Expert Interview
      4. ↑ Nissa-Lynn Parson. Interior Decorator and Brand Influencer. Expert Interview
      5. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/halloween/halloween-party-checklist
      6. ↑ Jove Meyer. Professional Wedding & Event Planner. Expert Interview
      7. ↑ https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/holidays-celebrations/g32214913/halloween-party-games/
      8. ↑ https://www.spookylittlehalloween.com/blog/ultimate-halloween-playlist
      9. ↑ Tami Claytor. Etiquette Coach. Expert Interview
      10. ↑ Rachel Weinshanker. Party Planner. Expert Interview
      11. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/halloween/halloween-party-checklist
      12. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/photos/halloween-recipes
      13. ↑ Tami Claytor. Etiquette Coach. Expert Interview
      14. ↑ Rachel Weinshanker. Party Planner. Expert Interview
      15. ↑ https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a62174471/apple-cider-margarita-recipe/
      16. ↑ https://selfproclaimedfoodie.com/vampire-cocktail/#wprm-recipe-container-32884
      17. ↑ http://thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a44568669/bloody-maria-recipe/
      18. ↑ https://thismessisours.com/a-simple-harvest-inspired-recipe-for-pumpkin-spice-mulled-wine/
      19. ↑ https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/hot-wassail/
      20. ↑ Ivy Summer. Party Planner. Expert Interview

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