Halloween party ideas: games, themes and a plan that fits one evening

A good Halloween party is three decisions, not thirty: pick a theme, pick four games, and decide what people eat. Everything below is built around that, with a running order at the end you can follow on the night.

It also assumes a normal house and a normal budget. Most of the pictures online are American basements with fog machines; this is what actually works in a British living room in late October.

We make the cards and hold the banners, toppers and confetti. Costumes and pumpkins come from elsewhere and we'll say so rather than pretend otherwise.

Halloween party themes that are easy to pull off

• Classic haunted house: black, orange, candles, cobwebs on the bannister. Shop this card
• Horror film night: everyone comes as a character, one film on mute in the corner. Shop this card
• Halloween birthday: full party, but black and orange instead of pastel. Shop this card
• Day of the Dead colours: marigold, purple and gold, far prettier than gore. Shop this card
• Witches only: cheap for guests, one hat is a costume. Shop this card
• Murder mystery: does the entertainment job for you all evening. Shop this card
• Monster mash for kids: green, purple, googly eyes on everything. Shop this card
• Black tie horror: dress up properly, one fake blood splatter each. Shop this card

Food and drink that survives a party

• A cake with a Halloween topper does more than a whole spread of themed food. Shop this card
• Hot dogs or a chilli pot — hot food stops people leaving at nine. Shop this card
• Toffee apples and doughnuts on strings double as a game. Shop this card
• One themed punch, one bowl of the same without the alcohol. Shop this card
• Crisps in black bowls, done, nobody photographs the crisps. Shop this card
• Trick-or-treat sweets in a bowl by the door for callers. Shop this card

Decorating without buying a shopful

• Swap white bulbs for orange ones in two lamps — biggest effect for the money. Shop this card
• Battery tealights in jars along the hall and up the stairs. Shop this card
• A banner over the fireplace or the food table gives the photos a backdrop. Shop this card
• Confetti on the table costs pennies and reads as effort. Shop this card
• Bin bags cut into strips make a doorway curtain in five minutes. Shop this card
• Put the pumpkin outside, not inside — it's the invitation to callers. Shop this card

A running order for the evening

• 7.00 — guests arrive, drink in hand within a minute of the door. Shop this card
• 7.30 — one icebreaker game while people are still sober and shy. Shop this card
• 8.00 — food out, music up. Shop this card
• 8.45 — the big game: murder mystery, quiz or apple bobbing. Shop this card
• 9.30 — cake and photos, best costume announced. Shop this card
• 10.00 — music only, games done, let it turn into a normal party. Shop this card

Banners and cake toppers

The two things that do most of the work in a party photo.

Confetti and table bits

Cheap, quick and posted from the UK.

Halloween and birthday cards

Printed in the UK and blank inside, so the message is yours.

Where to shop next

• Halloween party ideas
• Halloween party games
• Halloween party ideas for adults
• Kids' Halloween party ideas
• Halloween birthday cards
• Halloween card messages
• Buy Halloween cards
• Halloween cards
• Party supplies
• Buy party supplies
• Birthday cards
• Birthday party ideas
• Bonfire Night
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Gifts to make someone smile
• Thinking of you gifts

Frequently asked questions

What are good Halloween party ideas?

Pick one theme everyone can manage on a budget, four games spaced across the evening, and hot food. A banner, a cake topper and orange lighting will do more for the room than a trolley of decorations.

How much does a Halloween party cost?

At home, most people spend £50–£150 for 15–20 guests: food and drink is the bulk of it, decorations £10–£25, and a cake £9–£16 from a supermarket. Hiring a hall pushes it up by £10–£35 an hour.

What Halloween party ideas work for adults?

Murder mystery, a horror film quiz, a costume competition with a real prize and a themed drink. See our <a href="/pages/halloween-party-ideas-for-adults">Halloween party ideas for adults</a>.

How do you plan a kids' Halloween party?

Two hours, four short games, food in the middle and a party bag on the way out. Full plan on our <a href="/pages/kids-halloween-party-ideas">kids' Halloween party ideas</a> page.

When should you put Halloween decorations up?

Most UK households go up around the middle of October and take them down on 1 November, so Bonfire Night decorations can go up instead. A week before the party is plenty.