Wanna hear some scary big numbers? In 2023, consumers spent a whopping $12.2 billion celebrating Halloween.

As an event organizer, All Hallow’s Eve represents a golden opportunity to capitalize on that demand by creating a holiday-themed bash that revelers will never forget. You’ve just gotta make sure you do everything you can so your Halloween party stands out from the sea of competitors.

That’s why we’ve created this guide.

Organizers worldwide rely on Eventbrite’s comprehensive suite of tools to plan, operate, and market their Halloween parties — and after helping out with all those festivities, we know a thing or two about what it takes to plan a frighteningly good party.

Download our Halloween party checklist, and read on to learn about Halloween party must-haves, setup, and everything in between.

Your Halloween party checklist

Planning your Halloween party

Things you need for a Halloween party

Promoting your Halloween party

On-the-day Halloween party setup

Halloween party checklist

Planning your Halloween party

Orchestrating an incredible Halloween party doesn’t need to be terrifying — you’ve just got to be sharp and stay organized. 

From locking down your date and venue to pricing your event and ordering catering, here’s how to shake off the cobwebs, electrify your party prep plan, and totally wow your guests. 

1. Lock in the party dates

Halloween venues can be snapped up quickly, so it’s vital to secure your date well in advance. Consider your target audience’s availability, and bear in mind any potential conflicts that could arise during this spooky season. 

But it’s also important to note that your Halloween party doesn’t necessarily need to fall on October 31.

Regardless of whether you choose to host your party on Halloween itself or just sometime in October, set your event dates early to ensure you communicate effectively with your target audience to help your event stand out among the numerous Halloween options.

2. Choose a venue

Venue selection is critical to creating your desirable atmosphere and experience. Your venue options will depend on many factors, including budget, the number of attendees, your guest list, and more.

Your chosen venue should match your event theme and style to create an immersive experience. Depending on your budget and the predicted number of attendees, you may consider unconventional venues, such as a remote barn, a haunted mansion, or a derelict warehouse.

Get experimental and creative by researching spaces that embody an eerie factor that’s perfect for Halloween. For example, consider unique event spaces like:

And if budget constraints arise, you can still make your event memorable with an affordable campground or hosting a party on a rooftop.

3. Select a party theme

The Halloween party theme you choose sets the stage. 

Every element of your party’s theme should be centered on Halloween. This includes food, performances, decorations, and more. Make sure you think carefully about how to capture your chosen theme throughout every essence.

The sky is your limit in terms of your party theme, but it could be worth going for something like:

While you’re at it, it’s best to define the ambiance, too. Choose whether you want to offer an elegant event or a casual approach, ensuring your guests know what to expect.

Performer in front of grave stones
Greenwood Cemetery / Nightfall / Brooklyn, NY

4. Define your target audience

Who do you want to attend your event? Is it families searching for a kid-friendly spectacular? Or young adults eager for a chilling, spirited party? Perhaps your target audience is horror aficionados and those who watch a thiller movie to unwind.

Tailoring your Halloween event to your target audience helps you to receive your desired outcome: a frightfully fantastic experience for all. Keeping your target audience in mind during the planning stage will also help to drive high attendance and promise an experience that will haunt your guests for years.

5. Price your event

When deciding the ticket price for your Halloween event, you need to prepare a budget. Your goal should be to devise a price that covers your costs while remaining feasible to your target audience.

Overpricing may deter potential attendees, whereas underpricing could lead to a financial loss. To create a balance, assess your budget and expenses throughout your planning.

💡Pro Tip: Tier your ticket pricing by increasing ticket prices as the event gets nearer. This pricing strategy will encourage people to purchase tickets early, helping you plan more accurately. You can tier prices by date (let people know that prices will increase after a certain date), by number of tickets sold (first 50 tickets sold are $20, then they ramp to $50), or by level of access (VIP vs. general admission).

For example, Chicago Twenty Something is offering discounted Super Early Bird GA tickets to its Wrigleyville Halloween Crawl event. 

Chicago Twenty Something Halloween event screenshot

6. Plan your party logistics

Smooth logistics are crucial for smooth Halloween party plannning, but ‘logistics’ is a big umbrella term for event organizing. 

So what should you consider for the perfect Halloween bash? No two parties are 100% alike, but you should definitely:

If celebrities or influencers are involved, it’s best to create a plan to coordinate their attendance for a seamless and memorable guest experience.

💡Pro Tip: Run smooth entry management. The worst thing for a party-goer is waiting too long to get in. Create a separate entrance for early-bird ticket holders to enter quickly and another line for people buying tickets at the door.

7. Organize catering

Everyone’s encountered that chilling moment when they’ve turned up to a huge party and there’s nothing to snack on. That’s why delicious food is an absolute must — and you’ve got plenty of options.

Depending on your event type, you might be required to work with an in-house catering team or preferred caterer for a formal table service meal. 

But you can also team up with a local restaurant or caterer to set up self-service stations for nibbling and drop-catering tables or even rent food truck catering and get multiple vendors to park outside your venue.

Either way, your Halloween-themed snacks should be creepy and tasty, making them a big part of any spooky celebration! So create a wish list for your catering partner to pass on the menu items you think will go down a scream.

Sink your teeth into ghastly delights like ‘Severed Finger’ hot dogs, ‘Eyeball’ cake pops, and ‘Witch’s Hat’ cookies. For a gruesome twist, try ‘Mummy’ meatballs and ‘Bloody Brain’ dip in glass jars.

As you indulge in these tasty treats, make sure to prioritize food safety over flavor, consider dietary restrictions, and prepare for common allergens like peanuts. You want your ghoulish feast to be memorable but safe and inclusive for all your guests.

Guests watch Halloween performer
Greenwood Cemetery / Nightfall / Brooklyn, NY

Things you need for a Halloween party

Now that we’ve covered the steps you need to take to plan the firm foundation of your party, let’s talk about the Halloween party must-haves your party guests will expect.

From party invitations and loot bags to the perfect party playlist, here’s what you need to remember:

8. Killer party invitations

Send out invites easy to get your guests’ attention.

Here’s a checklist for creating the perfect Halloween party invites or tickets:

You can personalize your e-invite designs and increase ticket sales using Eventbrite’s smart marketing tools to reach your target audience.

Choose a snazzy design that grabs the eye and previews the spine-tingling fun that awaits guests. Whether you choose gothic motifs, classic witchy symbols, or eerie accessories, your invitations should reflect your event’s theme and style.

With real-time insights, you can track your results and adapt your invite whenever to expand your reach and increase ticket sales.

💡Pro Tip: Create an incentive for guests to buy tickets online. When attendees make an online purchase, you get an upfront commitment of their attendance, and you can accumulate email addresses to notify them of future parties.

You can create incentives to buy online by increasing the price at the door so that guests purchase tickets online beforehand. For example, offer a free drink before a certain time when guests purchase an online ticket (a bonus for getting people to arrive earlier) to create hype around the event and instill a fear that the event might sell out (which is entirely true).

concert attendees smiling in a crowd
Ultra Australia / Ultra Australia 2023 / Melbourne, AUS

9. Spooky decorations 

When it comes to Halloween decorations, your atmosphere should be eerie and perfectly crafted to suit the event’s theme. Start by ensuring your decor complements your event’s vibe and considers your audience (don’t make it too frightening for children or too childish for adults).

While creating the perfect space, always prioritize safety and allow enough setup time.

Here are some creative event ideas to match different Halloween vibes:

Decorating your venue is one of the best parts of Halloween planning, and making sure your decor matches the chosen vibe is key for a memorable and enjoyable event. If you prefer to get crafty, you can use DIY decorations for a personalized finish.

💡Pro Tip: According to a recent YouGov survey, 42% of consumers said it’s important that Halloween goods are eco-friendly. So if you plan to use lots of decorations, think about how much waste your event might create. 

Try to upcycle or repurpose wherever possible — and if you plan on throwing Halloween events annually, store your decorations after each party to reuse them.

10. Halloween entertainment

Your Halloween bash is only as good as the entertainment you provide for your guests, so go all out.

Options that you might want to check out include:

Either way, play to your crowd and deliver the type of entertainment your target audience is looking for. If you’re hosting a family event, it’s worth booking various forms of entertainment to accommodate different age groups, so there’s something for everyone.

11. Pumpkins

Pumpkins are pretty much synonymous with Halloween. That’s why you need to work them into your decor (or even your party theme).

For starters, display lit or painted pumpkins for a traditional ambiance suitable for a ‘Classic Halloween’ feel. You can also incorporate pumpkin into your catering menu, create a pumpkin-flavored signature cocktail, or brand your event using a palette of orange and green.

💡Pro Tip: Use pumpkins as your party entertainment by setting up a Jack-o-lantern competition. Pumpkin carving is a great party activity for kids, but it’s also the perfect way to tap into some holiday nostalgia at adult-only parties.

party guest holding a drink
The Bloody Mary Festival / The Bloody Mary Festival / Brooklyn, NY

12. Witches brew punch

Signature party punch or awesome cocktails inspired by the event’s theme can take your Halloween party experience to the next level. Whether serving adults or families, there’s a holiday spirit to quench every guest’s thirst.

For the grown-ups, tantalize taste buds with cocktail ideas like Pumpkin Ale, Witches’ Brew, Zombie Punch, or the classic Bloody Mary.

Meanwhile, include a kid-friendly drinks menu, and why not trial a twist on the traditional Halloween trick-or-treat with sweet cocktail ideas? 

Offer guests various mixed shots, and challenge your guests to choose and their shots — with a surprise element to add some fun. 

Don’t forget to provide non-alcoholic drink options no matter your target audience and enough cups with a Halloween hue so everyone can indulge in the eerie libations.

13. Mood lights

Halloween-themed illumination can light up your event! 

For indoor parties, consider eerie candelabras, sinister-colored bulbs, and ghostly lanterns to cast enchanting glows. Outdoors, evoke a spooky aura with:

You can even throw in some eerie mist with a fog machine or the classic dry ice trick.

💡Pro Tip: No matter how much you want to scare your guests, safety is always your priority. Keep in mind the use of open flames indoors, and choose weather-resistant lighting for a safe and spellbinding atmosphere.

14. Goodie bags with party favors 

Loot bags are a brilliant way to give your guests souvenirs to remember your amazing Halloween event. But they’re also a useful way to remind guests to buy tickets for your upcoming events by making sure your events are memorable.

So what should you include in your goody bags?

If you’re planning a kids’ Halloween party or a family event, think:

But if you’re throwing adult-themed Halloween parties, fill your loot bags with: 

You don’t have to break the bank here. Just think about your ideal party guest and target audience, and then fill up your goody bags with the sort of stuff you think they’d genuinely love.

15. A scary-good party playlist

No party is complete without an amazing party playlist to get your guests up and moving. So what should you look for in the ultimate playlist?

First of all, stick to your theme and build your party playlist around that. For example, maybe you’re creating an homage to 90s slasher movies. If so, it’s an absolute must that your party playlist comes with 90s floor fillers.

But even if you don’t have a theme, you should include some Halloween classics your party guests will expect. That means songs like:

That’s just the tip of the iceberg, but you get the idea.

Even if you’re not planning a huge dance party, a chilling playlist is still a must. For example, for a dining experience, consider soundtracks of classic horror movies for background ambiance.

16. Candy corn station

Candy corn is basically the official candy of Halloween — and so it doesn’t matter what age group your party targets. You need to have candy corn.

You can create a candy corn station that’s self-serve for guests to get a quick sugar hit. 

Use mini scoops, glass jars, or paper bags so guests can take bags of candy home. A candy station is a great alternative for those who aren’t keen on alcoholic drinks, and it’s a surefire way to capitalize on people’s childhood nostalgia.

Man takes selfie with ghosts
GTFO / Ghost

Promoting your Halloween party

Making your event the top pick is important in a world filled with Halloween competition in the event space. With many options, you need to follow a strategic approach to capture your guests’ attention.

As you start marketing your Halloween party, always remember your target audience and know what makes your event stand out from others. Then, use the following promotion techniques to allow your Halloween party to be the ultimate spooktacular soirée of the season.

17. Create your event website

Before you put your marketing efforts into practice, a well-designed website is your essential haunt. Your website provides vital event information and also shapes the first impression.

Ensure it captures the theme and your event branding and resonates with your target audience. Bear in mind a consistent design, graphics, and content throughout, too. Also, prepare for any surges in traffic and prioritize a mobile-friendly website theme since 90% of visitors access your event details from their phones.

If you’re looking for a flexible way to maximize your exposure, partner with an event solution like Eventbrite.

Ready to learn more?

Join Eventbrite now
people laughing in crowd

💡Pro Tip: Include images and videos on your registration page to brand your page and give potential ticket buyers a feel for the event type. 

18. Promote on social media

Harness the power of social media to create a buzz around your Halloween event. 

Begin by creating a catchy, consistent hashtag that easily integrates into your posts and all communication channels. Encourage guests to use it and offer incentives for engagement, like photo contests or branded photo booths.

You can incorporate Eventbrite’s Marketing Tools for paid promotion on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Creators who used them sold more than 63% more tickets per event.

With recommended audiences and seamless ticket sales integration, Eventbrite can take your event marketing to the next level, ensuring your Halloween bash stands out in the digital realm.

If you want to see this in practice, check out BLACC FIRE HOSPITALITY. They always do an incredible job showcasing their Halloween events with reels and content that delivers major FOMO (“fear of missing out”).

That’s why we can’t wait to see what they have in store for their upcoming Rollingween Party. Take a look at what happened at last year’s event:

💡Pro Tip: Get the word out. Use all the tools we provide, like widgets and email invitations, to spread the word and sell out early. Publish your event on Facebook and promote it on X/Twitter.

Yoga and wellness instructor Marquita René, founder of Black Velveteen Yoga, depends on Eventbrite’s social media tools to connect with her audience and other brands who relate to her cause.

19. Get the word out with email marketing

Don’t neglect email marketing when it comes to event promotion. It ensures your Halloween bash stays top-of-mind for potential guests. With Eventbrite, you can take your email marketing efforts to new heights, reaching your target audience and automating campaigns for maximum impact.

Personalize your emails to increase engagement and conversions, and schedule them strategically for the best open rates. Eventbrite boasts 59% higher open rates compared to the industry average — and when you take a look at our wide range of advanced features, it’s not hard to see why.

Eventbrite offers:

“The email aspect of Eventbrite was a great resource for me because it allowed me to send reminders to my attendees when class was starting,” says Marquita René.

Don’t underestimate how powerful email can be; it keeps your guests excited and updated about your spooktacular party.

💡Pro Tip: Schedule emails to guests two weeks before your event and the day before to generate excitement and remind them to invite their friends.

Party guests dance at event
230 FIFTH ROOFTOP / New Year’s Eve 2023 @230 Fifth Rooftop / New York, NY

20. Partner with influencers

Harness the influence of industry experts to create excitement for your Halloween event. Partner with relevant influencers who your target audience will connect with and boast a track record of engaging their followers.

They can do so by promoting your event on their social media channels, or you may invite them as a guest to participate in the event itself. This works really well with local influencers or micro-influencers who have a lot of followers from the target audience.

By enlisting their support, you can extend your event’s reach and build credibility, ensuring your Halloween bash becomes the talk of the town.

Looking for inspiration? Check out PlentyofParties. 

They’re great at leveraging the audiences of other big players in the area to promote parties like their upcoming Halloween NYC Events.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Katch Astoria Gastropub (@katchastoria)

21. Create a sense of ‘FOMO’ with eye-raising content

Finally, get creative to build anticipation for your Halloween extravaganza to ensure a spine-chilling success. 

Here are some promotional tips to get your guests excited:

Creepy copy

Craft punny and captivating copy for your promotional content that evokes the spirit of Halloween. 

For example, ‘Unmask the Fright: Join Us at the All Hallow’s Eve Ball,’ ‘Ghostly Greetings: Don’t Be a Ghoul, Reserve Your Spot!,’ or ‘Fright Night Festivities: Be Witch-ed to Join Us.’

Fang-tastic contests

Engage your audience with social media contests. 

From sweepstakes for event tickets to user-generated content contests like ‘Best Halloween Makeup’, or ‘Most Creative DIY Halloween Craft,’ these activities create excitement and also expand your reach.

Sneak peeks

Offer exclusive sneak peeks of your event setup. Share behind-the-scenes photos and mysterious teasers that keep followers on the edge of their seats and craving more.

By including these tactics into your promotion strategy, your Halloween party will create a buss in no time!

💡Pro Tip: Encourage attendees and staff to arrive wearing a Halloween costume. Have a costume contest, and during the registration process, ask what category they want to enter to get them thinking about the costume in advance.

You can do this by creating custom questions in the registration process. Keep the categories general, like scariest or most creative, so that people who haven’t picked a Halloween costume can still enter.

Two Halloween party guests enter venue
GTFO / Crossing The Potomac Shouldn’t Be This Scary

On-the-day Halloween party setup

The long-awaited day is finally here, and it’s time to ensure your Halloween party is everything your guests could want. Explore this last-minute Halloween party planning checklist for a night of spooktacular memories.

22. Send location reminders

Send a text or email to all RSVP’d guests informing them of the party’s location and any last-minute or cruical details. 

Include information about directions, parking, and any entry guidance for different guest categories, such as performances, celebrities, or specific ticket holders.

Again, this is where partnering with Eventbrite can save you a lot of work. With Eventbrite, you can set up automated reminders to send to all your event attendees with key information or the answers to frequently asked questions — freeing up your time to focus on more important last-minute details.

23. Check the lighting

Get that Halloween glow with LED lights, candles, and a mysterious fog machine. Check your lighting accessories are working properly, and place open flames safely away from any flammable objects. 

Use Halloween-themed signs to instruct guests to communal areas such as the bar, food table, bathroom, and dance floor, especially if your eerie ambiance makes navigation a challenge.

24. Stock the bar and snacks

Fully stock the bar with tasty snacks and appetizers that are prepped for serving. Remember ice, too! 

Set up a cupcake station or include a candy bucket ready for sweet treats. As the event’s start time approaches, keep everything conveniently stocked in the fridge or on the counter for easy access with napkins available.

25. Review safety measures

Look around to ensure the Halloween decorations, tables, or drink stations don’t obstruct any exits with objects. 

Make sure there’s a fire extinguishers accessible in each room, and have a well-stocked first aid kit within reach for any minor incidents. Also, remember to prepare yourself to handle guests who may get too indulged.

If you employ event staff, set up a full event briefing with each member of the team to go over your risk assessment and event safety plan. It’s critical everybody knows the plan inside and out so they’re prepared for the worst-case scenarios.

26. Take photos and have fun

Allocate time for capturing memorable event photos. Create a dedicated online photo album to include cherised mementos of the guests live. action at your party

Most importantly, don’t forget to wear your Halloween costume to get into the spirit, too.

downloadable checklist for Halloween party planning

Got all your Halloween party must-haves? 

A spooktacular party doesn’t need to be perfect to provide an amazing experience for guests. Creating the ultimate Halloween event requires careful planning, creativity, research, and a deep knowledge of your target audience.

With our comprehensive Halloween party checklist and expert guidance, you’re now ready to host a hauntingly unforgettable event that your guests could only expect in their nightmares (in a good way!).

For easier event planning and promotion, sign up to Eventbrite — your trusted partner for delivering memorable experiences. Dare to make this Halloween party the best one ever — start planning now!