40 Fun Halloween Party Themes for the Best Gathering Ever
Eat, drink, and be scary.
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Every awesome fall bash starts with a great theme, and Halloween is no exception. In fact, the spooky holiday is arguably the best time to plan a theme party, since options abound, whether you tap into seasonal favorites or go all in on the fear factor.
You can choose to embrace the sweet (candy making, we're looking at you!), sticky (pumpkin carving contest, anyone?) or frightening (two words: ghost stories) sides of Halloween. Or, you can plan a low-key night centered on festive Halloween games. Halloween is also a great excuse to host an outdoor fall harvest party, complete with all of the best autumnal fare like mulled wine and apple cider donuts.
To help you plan a legendary (and uncommon) party, we've rounded up 40 fun—and sometimes scary—ideas that are sure to please adults and kids alike. No matter which direction you lean, we've got you covered with everything you'll need—good Halloween party names (hello, Nightmare On Your Street!), super easy fall desserts, creative DIY decorations (do not miss the paint-splattered pumpkins), tasty autumnal cocktails (think: vampire shooters), a killer playlist, and even the best movies to stream—whether you're hosting a classy black-and-white bash, a work-friendly dinner gathering, a classroom event, an adults-only costume contest, a virtual murder mystery, or something in between. Happy haunting!
Murder Mystery Dinner Party
Who doesn't love a good whodunnit story? For a memorable party theme, serve up a little mystery along with dinner. It's a great way to keep guests engaged and entertained.
See more of this party at Giggles Galore.
Spooky Skeleton Scavenger Hunt
Keep your little monsters entertained this Halloween by throwing a skeleton scavenger hunt party. Hide faux bones around your yard or house and send the kids out to find them all.
Backyard Horror Movie Night
Invite friends over for a backyard horror movie night this Halloween! (You could also screen It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown for a more kid friendly event.) All you need to create your own outdoor theater experience is a blank wall or sheet and a portable projector (you'll hook it up to your laptop or another device). Set up comfy seating and DIY a creepy concession stand.
See more of this party at Catch My Party.
Candy Making Party
Love baking cookies at Christmas? There's no reason you can't host a spooky treat-making party for Halloween! Make your goodies do double-duty by packaging them up and handing them out to trick-or-treaters.
Haunted Gingerbread House Decorating Party
You don't have to wait until December to break out the gingerbread houses. Give the Christmas favorite the haunted treatment and invite friends over for a decorating party.
Franks and Steins Party
Are Octobers pretty mild in your neck of the woods? Host a "Franks and Steins" party, and squeeze in one more cookout before the weather turns too cold. Go all out with the Halloween decorations or keep things minimal—either way you can't go wrong.
Glow Party
Want to see your little one's face light up in more ways than one? Host a glow party this Halloween! Just add glow-in-the-dark details anywhere you can (cups, pumpkins, straws), then turn off the lights and await the smiles.
Haunted House Party
Break out the spooky decorations and music, and recruit some friends to help you with the scaring.
Halloween Dance Party
When's the last time you went to a dance party? Host a monster mash of your own this Halloween—it's a theme that works for both kids and adults. (Just make sure the music is good!)
Fortune-Telling Party
Whether you hire a local fortune-teller or play the role yourself, this party theme is sure to be a hit! We can see it now...
Get the tutorial at Flamingo Toes.
Nightmare On Your Street
Combine a block party, bar crawl, and halloween festivities, and you get Nightmare On Your Street. Assign a different Halloween activity or game to each house on your block—including making caramel apples and spooky cocktails, sharing ghost stories stories, decorating pumpkins, and, of course, a costume contest—then have a ghoulishly good time going house-to-house on All Hallows' Eve. Yes, this idea takes a bit more effort and organizing, but it will also be five, six, or seven times more fun.
Fall Flower Arranging Party
If you're into a less spooky Halloween vibe, why not host a floral arranging party? For the best deal, visit your local flower market if you have one (Trader Joe's or Whole Foods usually have good blooms, too!) grab some easy snacks, and you're pretty much good to go.
Cocktail Making Contest
Want to liven up a regular old Halloween cocktail party? Stir up some friendly competition by having party goers come prepared to whip up a fall cocktail on the spot. You provide the basics—booze, glassware, garnishes—and ask each guest to bring one special ingredient of choice. Get to sippin'!
Ghost White
Get in the spirit—literally!—with a Halloween party theme inspired by one of the most tried-and-true costumes: a ghost! To create the slightly frightening feel, apply the all-white theme to decorations (think painted pumpkins, spooky eyeball wreaths, and ghost garlands), treats (such as mummy pops, s'mores dip, white chocolate covered apples), and costumes (Princess Leia, ballerinas, and, yes, Casper).
Pumpkin Spice Party
If you wait all year for the return of pumpkin spice everything, then a pumpkin spice party is the one for you. (It's basically just a regular party but everything served is—you guessed it!—pumpkin flavored.) The theme works whether you're throwing a kid-friendly daytime event or an evening cocktail party.
See more of this party at Savvy Sassy Moms.
Spooky Supper Party
Invite your bravest friends for a frightening, adults-only dinner party. For the most spooktacular setting, decorate your dining room table with black linens, dishes, utensils, serving pieces, and candleholders, as well as few creepy curiosities, like your child's stuffed animals and passed-down antique tchotchkes. Then to make things even eerier, serve and eat your scary dinner—vampire cocktails, mummy baked brie, eyeball pasta, bloody cheesecake—entirely by candlelight.
Don't feel like making dessert? Cheryl's Cookies makes delightful Halloween-themed cake pops that you can order ahead and serve.
Ever wanted to redo your prom? Well now's the time...sorta. This Halloween, host a dance of your own, and encourage everyone to come dressed in their zombie-fied best—it'll be a night to dismember!
Black and White Halloween Party
When it comes to Halloween party decorating, a black-and-white palette will never steer you wrong. (Sometimes it's just best to stick with the classics.)
See more of this party at Sugar and Charm.
Caramel Apple Making Party
Caramel apples are no doubt one of the most delicious parts of fall, so why not plan a whole Halloween party around making them? Plus, it's a great excuse to go apple picking. Keep it simple, or go all out with the toppings.
Camp Crystal Lake Party
Throw a summer camp-themed bash in honor of horror flick Friday The 13th. Decor-wise, think vintage lanterns, pennants and plaid blankets. Fill a small wooden boat with ice to house beverages and serve up classic campfire fare, like s'mores and hot dogs. If you really want to go all out, hand out Camp Crystal Lake T-shirts, so everyone matches and set up activities, like an archery competition or lawn bowling.
See more of this party at Kara's Party Ideas.
Laurren Welch is a freelance editor, writer, and creative who covers lifestyle, interiors, entertaining, fashion, and more. When she’s not under deadline, you can find her styling blooms over at Garden Party L.A., scouring thrift and antique stores for hidden gems, and reminding her boxer pup, Monster, that he’s a very good boy.
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