How to Throw the Ultimate Spooky Halloween Party!

There’s nothing quite like Halloween- dressing up, getting a little spooky, and of course, throwing the best parties. But if you want your Halloween party to be the one that people are talking about all year, you need to go ALL IN! I’m talking killer themes, creepy cocktails, and enough spooky vibes to leave your friends scared to go home alone (okay not actually, but you get my point).

Don’t worry if you’ve never thrown a big Halloween bash before- whether this is your first time hosting or you’re a seasoned party planner, I’ve got you covered! Follow this guide, and you’ll be known for hosting the spookiest, booziest and most fun Halloween party.

Let’s get into it!

A Guide to Your Best Halloween Party Yet!

1. Pick a Theme That Slays

Picking a theme is probably one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Sure, you could just have a basic “costume party” and call it a day, but trust me, when you choose a cool, cohesive theme, it makes everything feel more put together. Plus, it gives people costume inspo, and if you read my previous blog post 12 Sexy Halloween Costumes to Steal in 2024, you’ll know I struggle each year trying to pick out my costume.

Some of my favourite Halloween party themes are:

• Haunted Masquerade: Think formalwear, but spooky! People show up in fancy dresses and suits, but with creepy masks. Very Purge vibes. You can even add a “Best Mask” category to your costume contest!
• Fright Night Asylum: Super creepy, with a twist of madness. Bloodstained doctor outfits, deranged patient costumes- a total mental asylum!
• Dress as Your Type: Maybe not the most spooky-themed party idea, but still fun! Everyone has to dress up as their “type on paper”, aka what kind of person they look for in a relationship. It’s a fun way to find out more about your friends while also getting to poke a little fun at yourself!
• Witches & Warlocks: Witch hats, flowing cloaks, and enough black lipstick to make even Wednesday Addams jealous!

Last year, I went to a Witches & Warlocks themed party, and let me tell you it was a HIT. I swear, half of the party showed up with a broomstick. And the decorating was super easy- everything was black, purple, and green with twinkling lights and witchy candles. Plus, it was super insta-worthy.

2. Send out Killer Invitations

Once you’ve got your theme, it’s time to invite the masses. Whether you’re going the digital route (who doesn’t love a good Instagram invite?) or getting crafty with DIY invites, make sure it feels spooky from the get-go.

For my parties, I like to use a creepy font (think gothic lettering) and a tagline like “You’re invited to a night of frights, booze, and mischief… if you dare!” You can even add a fun detail like “Costumes are REQUIRED. Come as your creepiest or sexiest- up to you!”

Add a mysterious note about a surprise even during the party, like a “witching hour” moment at midnight (or 3am if you guys REALLY like to party all night!) Everyone loves surprises, and it will have them sticking around for the whole night!

3. Set the Mood with Spooky Decorations

Decorations can make or break your party. And listen, I’m all about balling on a budget, so I’m here to tell you: DIY everything!!! You can get a ton of good decorations at the dollar store, and it takes minimal effort to upgrade them into something spook-tacular.

Here are some fun ideas you can steal:

• DIY cobwebs: Grab some cotton batting, stretch it out, and hang it everywhere. Throw in some cheap plastic spiders and some eerie lighting (just keep the webs far enough away that it won’t be a hazard) and you’ve got yourself an insta-haunted house!
• Pumpkin Lanterns: I carved out mini pumpkins, stuck tea lights inside, and placed them around the room for some spooky, flickering light. You can also get pre-cut plastic pumpkins from the dollar store, and you can paint them black or add different lighting inside to up their effect.
• Hanging ghosts or candles: You can easily hang up paper ghosts from the ceiling with fishing wire so they look like they’re floating around the room. Candles are also great for this- tie up some battery-operated candle sticks and they’ll look like they’ve been bewitched!

Don’t forget to keep the lighting dim- use string lights or flickering LED candles. And if you can get your hands on a fog machine, do it! It adds such a cool, spooky effect. One of my friends found a cheap one online, and it transformed their living room into a legit haunted house.

4. Stock the Boozy Potion Bar

Let’s be real- most people head to a Halloween party and go straight for the booze, and your drinks should match the spooky vibe. I always set up a DIY bar with all the ingredients for themed cocktails and let my friends mix their own drinks. Or, you can pre-make a batch in a spooky object, think a cauldron punch-bowl, and let them pour however much they want!

Here are some fun spooky cocktail ideas to try out:

• Witches’ Brew Punch: Mix vodka, blue curaçao, and Sprite to make a neon-green drink that looks like it came straight out of a witch’s cauldron. Add gummy worms and a chunk of dry ice for a bubbling effect!
• Vampire’s Kiss: Cranberry juice, vodka, and a splash of club soda. Serve in blood-dripped glasses (use red corn syrup to coat the rims) for an eerie, bloodthirsty vibe.
• Jack-o-Lantern Jello Shots: Orange-flavoured Jello shots served in mini carved-out pumpkins. Yes, they’re as cute as they sound, and they’ll disappear fast!

Last year, I made a huge bowl of Witches’ Brew, and it was gone way too quickly! The dry ice gave it that dramatic bubbling effect, and my friends were OBSESSED. Trust me- if you make just one thing, make this punch.

If you want some more inspo for your spooky cocktail lineup, I have a list of 15 Wickedly Delicious Halloween Cocktails to Try!

5. Curate a Spooky Playlist

The right playlist can take a party from “okay” to “OMG this is lit.” You’ll want a mix of Halloween classics with some current party bangers to keep the energy up all night. I like looking for remixes of Halloween movie themes or classic songs to give it a more modern, party vibe.

Here are some must-haves:

• “Thriller” by Michael Jackson: An absolute classic. Everyone will do the dance.
• “Monster Mash” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett: Cheesy? Yes. Fun? Also yes.
• “Disturbia” by Rihanna: Perfect spooky pop vibes
• “Heads Will Roll” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs: This one always gets people dancing!

Mix in sound effects like creepy wind howling or ghostly whispers in between songs to keep the atmosphere on point!

6. Host a Costume Contest

No Halloween party is complete without a costume contest! It gets everyone hyped, and who doesn’t love winning a prize?

I usually stick to categories like:

• Scariest Costume
• Funniest Costume
• Most Creative Costume
• Best Couple Costume

Hand out prizes like mini bottles of liquor, spooky candles, or even a funny Halloween-themed trophy (I saw someone win “Creepiest Costume” and their trophy was a mini voodoo doll!) You can even let everyone vote, so it feels more interactive.

I just posted a list of 12 super cute Halloween Costumes- check it out!

7. Plan Spooky Party Games

You can’t just rely on drinks and music to keep the party going- games are essential! They get everyone involved and laughing, plus they’re a great way to break the ice if not everyone knows each other.

Here are some of my faves:

• Pumpkin Pong: Exactly like beer pong, but with mini pumpkins instead of cups. It’s a Halloween twist on a classic, and people love it.
• Bobbing for Apples… with a Twist: Tie mini bottles of liquor to the apples, and if you catch one you get the drink!
• Witch’s Scavenger Hunt: Hide “spooky” items around the party space (think fake eyeballs, skeleton bones, etc.) and give out a prize for whoever finds the most.

8. Plan a Witching Hour Surprise

To keep people from leaving early, have something planned for midnight- something dramatic that keeps the party going and gets everyone excited.

One year, I did a “witching hour” shot toast at exactly midnight. I passed out special themed shots (we called them “Witch’s Brew”) and everyone took them together. It was so much fun, and now I’m known for my midnight surprises.

Other ideas: you could reveal a spooky cake, drop a bunch of black balloons from the ceiling, or have a mini “Thriller” flash mob planned. Whatever you choose, it should feel like a grand finale!

9. End with Sweet & Boozy Treats

After a night of drinking, your friends will be craving something sweet. End the night with some Halloween-themed treats, but keep it boozy for the vibe.

Here are some ideas:

• Boozy Brownies: Add a little Baileys to the batter for an adult twist.
• Spooky Cupcakes: Top them with candy eyeballs or fake blood (aka red gel icing) and hide mini liquor bottles inside
• Halloween Candy Bar: Black and orange candies, mini liquor bottles, and even some spooky chocolate skulls!

It’s a fun way to end the night, and everyone leaves on a sugar (and alcohol) high!

There you have it! Throwing the ultimate Halloween party doesn’t have to be hard- it’s all about the right theme, drinks, and spooky vibes. Trust me, follow these steps and you’ll have people talking about your party until next Halloween!

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