Halloween is one of our favourite times of year as it’s the perfect excuse to throw a party! Whether it’s an intimate gathering among friends or an all-out bash, picking a theme for your party is essential.
There are hundreds of Halloween party themes to choose from so to narrow it down, we've chosen our top 22. This includes 11 Halloween party themes that are suitable for kids and 11 Halloween party themes for adults.
From scary movies to personalised ideas, there’s bound to be a Halloween party theme which suits your celebration.
Let’s get planning!
11 Halloween party themes for kids
1. Halloween carnival party theme
Combine the magic of the carnival with the mysticism of Halloween with this party theme. This is a great theme for kids as it will keep them entertained for hours.
Just like Catch My Party has here, put a spooky twist on traditional games such as ring toss, hook a duck and balloon darts. Use witches' hats, hook up monsters from the deep and throw darts at balloon ghosts!
Dress your family up as ringmasters and fortune tellers then turn your backyard into a carnival playground.
- Halloween party theme inspired by Catch My Party
2. Scary cinema party for kids
Transform your home into a movie theatre with this Halloween party theme. Introduce your friends and family to a night at the movies by setting up a projector, snack stands and enticing posters advertising the films you’re showing.
Films such as ParaNorman, Scooby-Doo and Frankenweenie are all kid-friendly, fun watches. We love Lady De Cluttered’s use of a skeleton server.
- Halloween party theme inspired by Lady DeCluttered
3. Groovy Halloween theme for kids
This funky Halloween party theme is bound to be a hit with both kids and adults. Swap out dark decorations for soft pastels and DIY a 70s-inspired costume.
Janett Robles has nailed the groovy Halloween party theme with giant disco balls, colourful balloons and this impressive ghostie backdrop.
- Halloween party theme inspired by Janett Robles
4. Monster Mash Halloween party theme
All the ghouls will turn up for your Monster Mash themed party! Based on the Monster Mash song, this theme is an easy one to recreate.
You can either choose the haunted mansion look or create a more modern version with a colourful dance floor for your mini monsters.
Games like musical chairs and musical statues work well with this theme. To make your party extra exciting for your little ones, explore our Halloween party ideas for kids.
- Halloween party theme inspired by House Party Collective
5. Glow in the dark Halloween party theme
Kids will absolutely love this glow-in-the-dark party theme and it’s a chance for you to get really creative.
Pick up some glow-in-the-dark paint or glow sticks and create swirling patterns or scary symbols all over your backyard. Combine with fairy lights and neon signs for extra sparkle.
This theme is especially effective if kept a secret. Your backyard will look empty but once the sun disappears the magic will appear!
- Halloween party theme inspired by Good Party Ideas
6. Coco Halloween party theme
Coco is a Disney film the whole family will love and it makes a wonderful Halloween theme for kids. Although it’s based on the Day of the Dead, it’s a light-hearted, joyful tale full of colour and song.
Rainbow skulls, spiky cacti and crepe paper decorations can be used to create your Coco theme. Recreate the shrine for the Coco family members and add white guitars and orange marigolds as subtle nods to the film.
- Halloween party theme inspired by Betty Zapata
7. Woodland fairy Halloween party theme
Still magical but a lot less scary, this fairy Halloween theme for kids is ideal for very young children. Leave the terrifying decorations for the adults, this party is all about toadstools and woodland creatures.
Set up a fairy tea party in your home or backyard using low tables, fabrics and cushions. Foraged decorations work well scattered across the table (think fern leaves, pinecones, acorns) and put on lots of fairy finger food to keep them satiated.
- Halloween party theme inspired by Sevkan Talip Saral
8. Under the Sea Halloween party theme
Meet the creatures of the deep with this Halloween party theme for kids. Turn your home into a watery world by creating DIY coral reefs, blue backdrops and fish friends. We love the clever use of pool noodles in Joy Sharlene Brewer’s party decor.
Serve sea-themed candy, fish dishes and crab cakes for food and don’t forget the blue punch! Add a touch of the Halloween scaries by placing surprise sharks around your home.
- Halloween party theme inspired by Joy Sharlene Brewer
9. Trick or treat Halloween party theme
For kids the most important part of Halloween is the candy so why not base your whole party theme around it? Set up a trick-or-treat party with plenty of candy decor and sweet treats to eat.
We love these giant, Halloween-themed candy canes and the custom neon sign. Balloons and streamers also make easy decorations.
- Halloween party theme inspired by Louisiana Woman
10. Mickey Mouse Halloween party theme
Disney-fy your party with the help of one famous little mouse. This Mickey Mouse Halloween party theme is absolutely perfect for kids. It’s adorable and can be DIY’d in a matter of hours.
Pixie Dust & Posies take you through how to recreate each aspect of this party. She has free printables, recipes and tutorials all based on this theme.
- Halloween party theme inspired by Pixie Dust & Posies
11. Funny Bones Halloween party theme
Some skeletons can be a little scary for kids but we think they’ll love this silly skeleton theme. Decorate your home with plastic bones, funny skeleton faces and colourful sweets for a simple yet effective decor.
We love the table skeleton made from bone biscuits! Games for this party theme could include table Operation or pin the head on the skeleton.
- Halloween party theme inspired by Mariana Laterza
11 Halloween party themes for adults
1. Harry Potter Halloween party theme
Introduce your guests to the wizarding world of Harry Potter with this Halloween party theme idea.
There are so many ways to use Harry Potter as a theme. Turn your house into Hogwarts and assign your guests to one of the four houses. Recreate the infamous Goblet of Fire games by setting up activities in the garden. Transform your backyard into Diagon Alley, complete with a handmade wand station and sweet shop.
We love Lillies & Loafers DIY wanted posters! Replace the characters with photos of your friends and family for a sneaky surprise.
- Halloween party theme inspired by Lillies & Loafers
2. Potions and poisons Halloween party theme
Perfect for guests who love a good beverage, A Cotton Kandi Life’s Potion and Poison theme is a winner in our eyes.
Use cauldrons for punch bowls and change wine bottle labels to DIY poison labels. Set up a make-your-own cocktail stand, allowing guests to create their own alcoholic potions.
This theme is great as it works with any DIY Halloween costume and can be scaled up or down depending on space. Plus, it can easily be adapted into a non-alcoholic and child-friendly version.
- Halloween party theme inspired by A Cotton Kandi Life
3. Girly gothic Halloween party theme
Former goth girls unite! If you had an emo phase when you were younger you’ll love this girly gothic Halloween party theme. Deep pinks and purples combined with black accents create a foreboding yet cute colourway.
Use dark florals, sparkly skulls and plenty of black lace to set your party scene. Add balloons, vintage candle sticks and plenty of pumpkins to complete the look.
- Halloween party theme inspired by Giggster Blog
4. Alice in Wonderland Halloween party theme
Weird and wacky, the Mad Hatter’s tea party makes a brilliant Halloween theme. Raid your local thrift stores for mismatching crockery and deck your table out with cards, foliage and trinkets.
For food, serve small sandwiches, mock turtle soup and decorated biscuits which make you grow! For beverages; shrinking potion cocktails and punch poured from teapots.
The costumes are endless for this party theme. Your guests can come as anyone from the book or film including the Cheshire cat, the queen’s guards or The Blue Caterpillar.
- Halloween party theme inspired by Wendy Madison
5. Pirate Halloween party theme
Swashbuckle your way through October with this Halloween party theme for adults. Deck your home out with pirate flags, toy parrots and vintage maps for a sea-themed setting.
Games for this party could include treasure or scavenger hunt with gold coins to find along the way. Make sure there’s plenty of rum too!
If you want to discover pirate costume inspiration, as well as plenty more fancy dress ideas, make sure you check out our collection of DIY Halloween costumes.
- Halloween party theme inspired by Tuhini Mittu
6. Murder Mystery Halloween party theme
There’s been a murder in the building and it's your guest's job to work out who committed the crime…
For this Halloween party theme, you can take the traditional Cluedo approach or go for a more modern crime scene like House of Hargrove has. Guests can either be suspects or detectives, working together to solve the crime.
Scatter clues around your house for extra fun. Add a blood spatter to the stairs, hide toy weapons and lay pretend police documents out for your guests to discover.
- Halloween party theme inspired by House of Hargrove
7. Sophisticated skull Halloween party theme
Create a classy, put-together affair with the use of simple decorations and fabrics. Black lace and tulle fabrics make elegant backdrops and pair well with glitter or crystal skulls.
Use gold accents (candlesticks, napkin rings, cutlery) and small Halloween touches (think small spiders on the table) to create a more luxe feel.
These invitations match the sophisticated skull Halloween party theme and vibe.
- Halloween party theme inspired by Dahling Design Co on Etsy
8. Full moon Halloween party theme
Gather your witchy sisters for a full moon party this Halloween. Celebrate femininity and the spirit world with a party that’s as ethereal as it is grounding.
Tarot cards, wishing circles and burning letters are all spooky practices you and your friends can do this Halloween. Use sage and other natural herbs as decoration and include witchy touches like dried flowers, potion bottles and spell books.
- Halloween party theme inspired by Me and Annabel Lee Shop on Etsy
9. Batman Halloween party theme
The Dark Knight will rise with this adult Halloween party theme. Transform your home into the bat cave or other famous scenes from the Batman films. We’ve seen backdrops inspired by Gotham City, the Joker’s jail cell, The W Bar and more.
Learn how to fold an origami bats here on Gathered and use these to decorate your Batman-themed party. Use masks, wanted posters for the Joker, bat signals and other memorabilia from the films to keep on theme.
- Halloween party theme inspired by DeZaun Olive
10. Saints and Sinners Halloween party theme
Put a dark twist on this year’s Halloween celebrations by inviting your pals to a Saints and Sinners party. Turn part of your home into fiery hell and part into sparkling heaven with a few DIY touches.
Drape red velvet fabrics across surfaces and utilise battery-powered candles for your hell room. Animal skulls, red roses and spicy cocktails make fitting accessories. For the heavenly rooms use fairy lights, fluffy fabrics and feed your guests delicious cupcakes.
- Halloween party theme inspired by Travel Her Story
11. Area 51 Halloween party theme
At your Halloween party, the guests are about to discover what’s really going on in Area 51…
Invite your green friends to an alien-themed Halloween party with balloons, caution tape and plenty of out-of-this-world food.
Add some Area 51 memes for an extra touch and invite your guests to dress as aliens, conspiracy theorists, policemen and more!
- Halloween party theme inspired by Crafts by Courtney
Create a celebration to remember with our Halloween party themes
Make your spooky bash memorable by picking a Halloween party theme that suits you and your guests.
If little ones are present, choose a cute, child-friendly theme which won’t scare them too much. For adult parties you can choose a more adventurous and scandalous theme, one the guests will remember for a lifetime!
Once you’ve got your Halloween party theme secured all that’s left is to start DIYing.
Discover more Halloween party themes with Gathered
Head over to our collection of DIY Halloween party ideas for plenty more themes, tutorials and spooky celebrations.
