How to plan a Halloween party
A Halloween party is a house party with a dress code. Nothing needs booking, so the work is small and sits in the last week: tell people it's costumes early enough to find one, decide the food, plan a game or two, and get the house dark and decorated before the first knock.
Halloween party checklist
6 weeks before
- Draft the guest list
- Book the venue, or confirm the space at home
4 weeks before
- Send invitations
- Choose the menu
- Pick a theme and décor
2 weeks before
- Chase RSVPs from anyone who hasn't replied
7 days before
- Lock the headcount
- Collect allergy and dietary notes
- Buy decorations and non-perishables
- Draft the party-day run of show
- Plan the games: cards, board games, charades
3 days before
- Make the playlist and test the speaker
2 days before
- Give the neighbours a heads-up
1 day before
- Send guests parking and arrival details
- Buy perishables and ice
Party day
- Set up décor and the space
2 days after
- Send thank-you notes
- Settle costs with co-hosts
- Share photos with guests
Add your date, guest count and budget and get this checklist with real due dates, plus a menu that respects dietary needs.
Plan mine freeHow to split the budget
A typical split for a Halloween party, shown for 25 guests and a $400 budget. The percentages hold at any size, and the budget calculator splits your own number.
| Category | Share | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Food | 40% | $160 |
| Drinks | 30% | $120 |
| Music & games | 10% | $40 |
| Decorations | 8% | $30 |
| Plates & supplies | 7% | $25 |
| Buffer | 5% | $25 |
Party-day schedule
A 4-hour party starting at 7:00 PM.
- 6:00 PMSet up the space and décor
- 6:45 PMFinal walk-through, music on
- 7:00 PMGuests arrive, drinks
- 8:00 PMFood
- 9:00 PMGames
- 10:00 PMMusic and dancing
- 11:00 PMParty ends, start clean-up
Menu ideas
- Beef sliders
- Chicken wings
- Caprese skewers
- Hummus and veggie platter
- Cheese and charcuterie board
- Mini tacos
- Dessert bar
- Mocktails and sparkling water
Shopping for 25
- Plates38 plates
- Cups75 cups
- Napkins75 napkins
- Drinks75 cans or bottles
- Ice3 × 10 lb bags
- Trash bags2 bags
Tips from the plan
- Put the dress code on the invite
- Costumes take time. Send the invite four weeks out and say plainly whether it's costumes, a theme, or come as you are.
- Buy decorations a week ahead
- The good ones sell out in the last few days of October. Buy them with the non-perishables a week out and put them up the day before.
- Make the costume contest the game
- It costs nothing, everyone is already taking part, and it fills the flat hour after the food. Decide the categories a week out.
- Tell the neighbours
- Two days before, with an end time. On a night when the street is already busy with trick-or-treaters it buys a lot of goodwill.
Questions
How far in advance should I plan a Halloween party?
Four weeks is enough: invites and the menu at four weeks, chase replies at two, decorations and the games a week out, the playlist three days before and the fresh food the day before.
How much does a Halloween party cost?
It depends on the headcount, but the split is steady: about 40% on food, 30% on drinks, and the rest shared between music and games, decorations, plates and a small buffer.
What's a good schedule for a Halloween party?
Four hours in the evening: drinks as guests arrive, food an hour in, games and the costume contest at the two-hour mark, then music for the rest of the night.
What food works for a Halloween party?
Food people can eat standing up in a costume: sliders, wings, skewers, a board to pick at and something sweet. Ask about allergies on the invite and label anything with nuts.