At Hershey, we consider ourselves Halloween pros. After all, we’ve been making candy that trick-or-treaters love for decades! That also means we know how to throw a spooktacular Halloween party.
The best Halloween parties aren’t just festive. They’re memorable, immersive and, most importantly, easy to throw. Keep reading for our step-by-step guide to hosting a great Halloween party, including recipes and game ideas.
Step 1
Pick a Theme
Everyone loves a theme party. Themes create a more cohesive experience for your guests (and helps them pick their costume!). Choosing a theme also makes it easier to decide on décor, food and activities.
Your theme doesn’t have to be elaborate. You can choose from popular Halloween party themes like:
- Classic spooky (haunted house, ghosts, pumpkins, cobwebs)
- Playful/family-friendly (cute monsters, bright colors)
- Halloween colors (black, orange, purple, green)
- Witches (broomsticks, candles, cauldrons, witch’s hats)
- Horror movies (classic movie monsters, movie soundtracks, horror films)
Step 2
Set the Mood
Now that you have a theme, it’s time to set the mood. Your guests’ costumes will be the star of the show, but decorations will help get everyone into the Halloween spirit.
Keep the lighting dim and give your home a ghostly glow with string lights and candles (use battery operated candles if there will be kids around). Decorate according to your theme: hanging witch’s hats, streamers in Halloween colors, pumpkins, cobwebs. Consider setting up a spooky backdrop so your guests have a place to take pictures in their costumes.
Don’t forget the small details that can elevate your party experience. Create a Halloween music playlist or put on a playlist of ambient haunted house sounds. Light candles around the house with soothing fall scents. You can even get a smoke machine to create an eerie atmosphere!
Step 3
Plan Your Menu
What’s a Halloween party without snacks? Of course you’ll need plenty of candy. Create a Halloween Candy Charcuterie Board, make a Halloween Candy Web, or make a candy dish filled with Halloween favorites like REESE’S Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Pumpkins, KIT KAT® Milk Chocolate Snack Size Counts, HERSHEY’S NUGGETS Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Latte Flavored Candy, and TWIZZLERS Ghosts Cherry Candy.
For guests who prefer baked goods to candy, we have plenty of Halloween-themed dessert recipes. Some of our favorites are:
- REESE’S Spider Cookies
- HERSHEY'S KISSES Witch's Hat Cookies
- Monster Cupcakes
- S’mores Eyeball Cookie
Don’t forget savory snacks as well to balance out the sweet treats. Offer a meat and cheese charcuterie board along with bowls of DOT’S HOMESTYLE PRETZELS and SKINNYPOP Popcorn. For more filling options, try our DOT’S Buffalo Mozzarella Sticks or DOT’S Pretzel Crusted Mac & Cheese.
Wash down your snacks with some themed drinks. You can turn Strawberry Pink Lemonade into a creepy surprise by adding ping pong “eyeballs,” or serve guests a festive orange JOLLY RANCHER Homemade Soda.
