How to Throw a Killer Halloween Party

As the leaves change color and the crisp autumn air sets in, it’s the perfect time to summon your inner party planner and host a Halloween extravaganza like no other. Whether you’re a seasoned host looking to up your game or a first-time party thrower eager to impress, this Redfin article is your go-to guide for crafting an unforgettable Halloween soirée. 

From eerie Halloween decorations to devilishly delicious treats, we’ve got the tips and tricks to help you throw the best Halloween party your friends and family will be talking about for years to come. So whether you’re throwing a party in a Halloween-esque home in Alexandria, VA,  a haunted apartment in Seattle, WA, or transforming your cozy abode into a bone-chilling lair in any other corner of the country, these Halloween party tips are sure to make your spooky celebration a hauntingly good time. So, gather your ghouls, goblins, and otherworldly friends, and let the Halloween festivities begin.

Step 1: Set the mood with a theme

Celebrate with a pirate or decade theme

“A fantastic way to engage your guests at a party,” according to Steffi Cappel, owner of Capell’s party and event store in Cincinnati, OH, “is to establish a theme. While Halloween itself is already a theme, suggesting a sub-theme can add a layer of fun and creativity. Consider themes like pirates or specific decades (the 20s and 80s have been popular choices this year). This approach often leads to guests donning inventive costumes that bring everyone closer together. Ensure your decorations align with the chosen theme, and don’t overlook even the bathroom; it’s a perfect spot to extend the thematic atmosphere.”

Inspired by Halloween movies

“When there’s a theme attached to an occasion,” Vanessa Okamura, recipe blogger at Red Wine Dragons, explains, “people are better able to connect and interact with the event. For instance, a Hocus Pocus cocktail party allows attendees to have fun by dressing up as their favorite characters. The host can serve colorful cocktails and hors d’oeuvres inspired by the theme, and even the tables and decorations can draw colorful inspiration to infuse these festive touches into the event. It all starts with an idea.”

Spooky-themed soiree

According to Shimmer and Confetti, a shop for all things party, “When planning a Halloween party, setting the right ambiance is key. Choose a captivating theme, from vintage haunts to modern spooks. Enhance the atmosphere with a curated playlist of eerie tunes and use mood lighting, like colored bulbs or dimly lit candles, for that spooky touch. Don’t forget, the right props can make all the difference.”

Hetal Vasavada, a writer and recipe blogger at Milk & Cardamom, suggests, “Infuse your Halloween party with humor and a hint of gore by having fun with food labels. Elevate your cheeseboard by playfully naming the stinkiest and strongest cheeses as ‘witches’ breath’ or using puns like ‘zom-brie.’ Enhance the eerie effect by adding a touch of strawberry or raspberry jam around the brie to give it a bloody appearance. Incorporate olive ‘eyeballs,’ craft gouda cheese slices to resemble headstones, and use edible markers to personalize them with your guests’ names for a memorable and macabre culinary experience.”

“Transform your living space into a captivating Halloween haven with thematic lighting and decor,” suggests lifestyle blogger, Alanna Foxx. “Incorporate orange and purple string lights, flickering candle lanterns, and glowing pumpkins to create a spooky yet enchanting atmosphere. Set the mood with a playlist of timeless Halloween hits, including classics like ‘Thriller’ and ‘Monster Mash’, mixed with modern spooky tunes to keep the energy alive and bewitching.”

“Decorate your fireplace mantle and tables with antique candlesticks, assorted vintage vases filled with dark foliage,” and stacks of books with black covers (remove the dust jackets), says The Dapper Dahlia. “Victorian cabinet cards, which resemble postcards but feature portraits of individuals or families from the era, are another element that can up the mysterious factor. Add a few faux cobwebs to complete the look. You can often find these items at thrift stores, antique stores and estate sales, or search an online marketplace.”

Step 2: Find decorations to go along with your theme

Decide what you’ll personalize

“Celebrations are all about culture, and Halloween is no exception,” states Jean Guzman, founder and CEO of party supply store promoting diversity and inclusion, Decorate For the Culture.  “When decorating, decide what you can personalize. Incorporate your design into something that’s recyclable because let’s be honest, who has that much storage. Then mix and match with plain plates and napkins like this napkin ring holder with a skull for Día de los Muertos, for example.”

Enhance the party through sense of smell

“Consider tantalizing your guest’s sense of smell with an essential oil diffuser blend,” says Holistic Health and Lifestyle Advocate at Wellness Spoiled, Danette Penrod. “Not only can it help set the mood, but you can purify the air and boost your guest’s immunity at the same time. Try this concoction called Trick or Treat: 2 drops each of Lemon, Wild Orange, Clove and Cinnamon.”

Utilize a curated collection of decor

Embrace the Halloween spirit, a time when ghouls and ghosts are welcomed, by decorating with the Vintage Halloween collection. Mix and match items to create a spooky ambiance while capturing the charm of old Halloween celebrations, blending fun, fright, and festivity. For little ones, lay out a Halloween table cover and provide crayons for Halloween-themed fun, including coloring, word searches, and mazes, doubling as both decoration and entertainment.

DIY your decorations

“Begin by transforming your space into a haunted haven with dim lighting, the flicker of candles, and an eerie musical backdrop, complete with the captivating colors of orange and purple,” suggests Tala Daniela von Däniken at Perfect Packages Parties offering personalized party decorations and invitations. “Dive into the DIY spirit and create handcrafted Jack-o’-lanterns, spooky centerpieces, or even your very own haunted house corner. This not only helps save costs but also adds a unique, homemade touch to your Halloween soiree. To ensure your guests have a hauntingly good time, set up memorable photo ops featuring themed booths with creative backdrops and props for everyone to take home cherished memories.”

Use Posca pens on the glass windows and doors

“Transform your home into a Halloween haven with Posca pens for your glass doors and windows,” says Hetal Vasavada of Milk and Cardamom. “Draw spooky designs like spider webs, creepy spiders, and mischievous ghosts. It’s a fun project for the kids, and the best part is, it’s easy to remove with acetone and a scraper when the season is over. Add fake spider webs to enhance the eerie vibe. This budget-friendly approach is a great way to infuse your home with the Halloween spirit, ensuring a memorable and thrilling experience for all.” 

Create a haunted house feel

“Throw in some cobwebs for that haunted-house atmosphere, let those candles flicker ominously, add a bewitching backdrop or two, and watch out for 3D bats creeping up the walls,” as recommended by Party on Butler, a party and balloon boutique in Pittsburgh, PA. “Don’t forget the ghost and pumpkin-shaped balloons for a playful twist. These spine-tingling decorations will set the perfect spooky vibes, making your party the talk of the town. They’re also ideal for unforgettable photos and sparking eerie conversations.”

Add a little thrill

Elevate your Halloween table with themed decorations and partyware that matches your style, be it groovy pastel skulls or classic, frightful witches. A “spooktacular” collection will add an extra dose of excitement to your gathering. Pay attention to the small details that guests will love, such as poison apple plates or classic checkered patterns, for the ultimate fright fest.

Step 3: Establish a dress code

Introduce a quirky accessory

“Infuse some excitement into the event by letting everyone embrace their costume creativity, which always adds a spark of fun to the gathering,” explains costume store, The Halloween Spot. “However, here’s the twist: upon arrival at the party, the host introduces a quirky accessory, typically provided by the host themselves, such as a wig, which everyone must wear. This unexpected element guarantees that the party photos will be nothing short of epic.”

Have guests dress on theme

“Encourage guests to align their costumes with the party theme and offer a small prize for the best costume that embodies the motif,” shares Tala Daniela von Däniken at Perfect Packages Parties. “This not only contributes to the overall decor, but it also ensures that everyone becomes actively involved in the theme. When guests embrace the party’s theme and put their own imaginative twists on it, it enhances the event’s personal touch and makes it more memorable.” 

Step 4: Craft a hauntingly good menu

Frightfully festive cocktails and mocktails

“Our tried-and-true party success secret that works like a charm, be it Halloween or any other celebration is to craft a single, unforgettable signature drink ahead of time, ensuring you have a batch ready and waiting when the festivities begin,” shares Carey Hall, President of EnFete, a boutique party supplies shop. “This not only sets the tone for your gathering but also simplifies the process of welcoming guests and serving that initial, delightful cocktail. To take it up a notch, we highly recommend pairing this cocktail with a signature cocktail napkin, specially designed for such occasions. As simple as it sounds, an elegant cocktail napkin does make the experience chic.”

“Hosting a Halloween party for a large group can be stressful, so when we serve Halloween cocktails we always lean toward easy,” explains Leah Hall who shares cocktails and travel tips at Gastronom Cocktails. “Whether that cocktail is in large format in a punch bowl for guests to serve themselves, or made ahead of time in individual spooky serving vessels, we are all about not being the bartender all night. Make your Halloween party effortless and fun to host while boo-zing.”

“For a bewitching party drink, craft a speedy witches’ brew with passionfruit, lychee, guava juices, and a splash of coconut rum,” suggests Hetal Vasavada of Milk & Cardamom. “Elevate the spookiness by floating lychee stuffed with blueberries, resembling eerie eyeballs. Mix well and serve in a cauldron or punch bowl for a mystic presentation. For an extra dose of enchantment, introduce dry ice, readily available at your local grocery store, to create a bubbling and smoky effect, casting a spell of intrigue over your potion.”

“Hollow out a pumpkin, fill it with ice, and use it to store drinks, wine, or beer for your party guests,” shares Ashley Fields, blogger at Let’s Mingle. “Write on the outside of the pumpkin displaying what drinks guests can find inside.” 

Devilishly delicious sweet treats

“My decadent Halloween Dump Cake uses fun-sized candy bars to make it gooey and full of chocolate flavor,” says Sharon , founder and blogger at Cupcakes and Cutlery. “The candy eyes give it the perfect festive finishing touch. If your family likes things a little on the scary side, make this super easy White Chocolate Bloody Bark. Just two ingredients are all you need to make this holiday treat.”

“Our top choice for a party snack is white chocolate puffcorn,” states Kelsey author & owner of recipe blog, Northern Yum. “It’s a breeze to whip up in just 5 to 10 minutes. When you sprinkle in some Halloween-themed sprinkles, you’ll transform this treat into a delightful and spooky snack that will have your guests singing its praises. We also love to throw a batch of apple cider in the slow cooker a few hours before the party. When guests start arriving, the house smells so delicious. Pair it with festive Halloween cups with lids and sleeves.”

Wicked good savory snacks

“Finding festive Halloween desserts is easy,” states Aleka Shunk, founder of Aleka’s Get-Together, a site specializing in hosting parties and get-togethers. “Appetizers and savory food? Not so much. Consider going to Costco or your local wholesale store to purchase prepared frozen foods in bulk and reheat them an hour before guests arrive. Then add candy eyeballs, mini plastic spiders, skulls, and sour cream spider webs on or around the food to easily ‘spookify’ the food with minimal effort.” 

“Craft a menu that blends spooky and delicious by adding some Halloween flair to ordinary recipes,” says Jamie Silva, Founder and CEO of A Sassy Spoon. “Like adding candy eyeballs to my Guava BBQ Chicken Wings which already have a blood-like appearance thanks to the rich guava BBQ sauce. If you prefer a sweet treat instead, add the candy eyeballs to my Merengue Kisses to make ‘Meringue Ghosts’. For a more hearty option, make my mouth watering Cuban Sliders with scattered fake spiders on top for an extra dose of creepy charm, or add small plastic vampire fangs into my 3-Ingredient Kielbasa Bites to create a ‘Vampire Bites’ appetizer.”

“For a stress-free Halloween party dish, opt for a simple and delicious Halloween-themed charcuterie board, says Stacey Doyle, recipe blogger at Little Figgy Food. “Keep it simple and stick to what you know; it’s not the time to experiment with a new recipe. Arrange a variety of cheeses, cured meats, crackers, and thematic elements like ‘witches’ fingers’ (breadsticks), ‘eyeballs’ (mozzarella balls with olive slices), and ‘spider web’ dip (hummus with a balsamic reduction drizzle). This visually appealing and delicious choice requires minimal cooking and allows you to focus on other party preparations.”

Step 5: Choose activities

Host a festive pumpkin carving contest

“Enhance your Halloween gathering with interactive elements that foster engagement and fun, suggests Tala Daniela von Däniken at Perfect Packages Parties. “Host a spirited pumpkin carving contest, providing various pumpkins, tools, and stencils to accommodate all skill levels. This not only encourages creativity but also adds to your party’s decor with the uniquely carved gourds that can serve as potential prizes.”

Share bone-chilling stories

Däniken also recommends organizing a spooky storytelling circle. “For a more chilling touch, organize a spooky storytelling circle. Invite your guests to share their own ghostly tales, whether they are personal experiences or supernatural narratives. This activity not only adds a personal dimension to the evening but also contributes to the eerie ambiance of the event. As you gather your guests in a cozy circle with dimmed lights, the exchange of ghost stories creates a sense of connection and an atmosphere of mystery.”

Kick off the evening with a spine-chilling scavenger hunt

Lifestyle blog, With the Blinks shares, “Our festivities typically kick off with a thrilling haunted scavenger hunt featuring clues leading to hidden treasures and treats around our house or backyard, intensified by eerie props and spooky sound effects. This keeps everyone engaged and adds an element of mystery and fun to the party. Another fan-favorite is the mummy wrap contest; we divide guests into teams and they race to wrap one of their members as a mummy using toilet paper or white streamers. The first team to finish earns a prize, adding friendly competition to the mix, which everyone enjoys.”

Don’t miss out on trick-or-treating

“Set up a driveway fire pit for guests to enjoy while trick-or-treaters roam the neighborhood, Says recipe blogger at Midwest Foodie Blog, Kylie Lato. “While your guests are making a lap around the neighborhood, you can keep warm as you hand out candy and get a front row seat to view all those creative Halloween costumes. It also gives trick or treaters a chance to warm up and have a chat by the fire as they’re making their way. After the night’s festivities, your guests can return to the firepit for candy sorting and s’mores.

Step 6: Make it memorable

“A Halloween party should be spooky and memorable,” states Aleka Shunk. “Decide on one hauntingly awesome aspect of your party and make it the focus of the night. This can be a separate haunted room that guests take a tour through, a witches brew that uses dry ice served with spooky glasses, or an outdoor screen that plays a scary movie with a fire pit to keep people warm. Spend the most time on these things and less time perfecting the smaller details. Your guests will remember your party for years.”

Step 7: Don’t stress too much

“Don’t let throwing a fun Halloween overwhelm you,” advises Ashley Kay, lifestyle blogger at Attempts at Domestication. “Pick a simple theme or color scheme and focus your efforts on one main area. Choose foods or treats that reflect your theme, and don’t shy away from pre-prepared foods. Your party will be way more fun if you’re having fun too.”

Hosting an unforgettable Halloween party: final thoughts

With the bewitching night of Halloween fast approaching, there’s no better time to start planning the ultimate Halloween party. From crafting a spooky ambiance to terribly scrumptious Halloween treats, your Halloween bash will no doubt be a memorable one. Happy haunting and may your Halloween party be a graveyard smash.