31 Fun Things to Do on Halloween in 2023

The leaves are turning and pumpkin spice lattes are back — which must mean that spooky season is upon us. As you plan for things to do on Halloween this year, remember that there's more to it than getting dressed up in clever, creative costumes and transforming your home with new Halloween decor.

From visiting haunted sites to hosting a Halloween movie marathon powered by Netflix, there's quite a range of fun things to do on Halloween with your friends, family, and little ones. Halloween-lovers know how easy it can be to go all out, but celebrating the holiday doesn't have to leave you completely broke or out all hours of the night. You can still participate in the festive and sugar-filled activities on a budget, and have fun while you're at it.

In our list of things to do for Halloween, you'll find classic Halloween activities, craft ideas, and plenty of options involving food. You can also cross off many of these activities from the comfort of your own home — a bonus if you're looking for low-key ways to celebrate Halloween this year. Check out 31 affordable things to do on Halloween ahead, and make sure to add a few to your fall bucket list.

— Additional reporting by Yerin Kim, Haley Lyndes, and Lauren Mazzo

01
Things to Do on Halloween: Host a Halloween Coloring-Book night
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Things to Do on Halloween: Host a Halloween Coloring-Book night

If one of your favorite things to do on Halloween is to get crafty, but DIY decorations and costumes are a little too advanced, try coloring books instead. Here are a handful of printable Halloween coloring pages for adults.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Game Night
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Things to Do on Halloween: Game Night

Game nights are great, but themed game nights are even better. Bust out some classic Halloween-y board games like Operation or Clue, or invite friends over and try a few of these Halloween party games for adults.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Go to a Theme Park
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Things to Do on Halloween: Go to a Theme Park

This won't be your first choice if you're on a budget, but if you're looking to do something outside of the house on Halloween, check out your local theme park. Many parks offer special spooky Halloween-themed nights this time of year, including Six Flags Fright Fest and Disney.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Go See a Spooky Movie
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Things to Do on Halloween: Go See a Spooky Movie

If watching a scary movie at home feels too anticlimactic, head to your local movie theater to see a spooky or Halloween-y movie. Better yet, see if there's a local drive-in near you; watching outside will really amp up the spook factor, and make it feel all the more festive. Here's a list of movies in theaters in 2023.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Go on a Night Hike
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Things to Do on Halloween: Go on a Night Hike

Not big on holidays and wondering what to do on Halloween? Grab a headlamp and some flashlights, and hit a local trail that you know will be safe to hike at night.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Drink a Pumpkin Spice Latte
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Things to Do on Halloween: Drink a Pumpkin Spice Latte

Get cozy with a pumpkin spice latte on Halloween, whether you stop by Starbucks for a festive drink or make your own beverage at home. For the latter option, check out these recipes for dairy-free, healthy vegan, and smoothie versions of the classic PSL.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Carve Pumpkins
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Things to Do on Halloween: Carve Pumpkins

While many folks carve pumpkins ahead of the 31st so they can display their works of art on Halloween night, you can turn it into a fun thing to do on Halloween instead. Use pumpkin-carving stencils like these free Pokemon templates to jazz up your pumpkins.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Decorate a No-Carve Pumpkin
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Things to Do on Halloween: Decorate a No-Carve Pumpkin

For a more kid-safe, accident-proof activity to do on Halloween, opt to paint pumpkins instead. Here's everything you need to know about painting pumpkins, including the best paint and brushes to use to make them last until Thanksgiving.

For a more adult option, make these trendy pressed-flower pumpkins, which serve as great seasonal decor even past Halloween.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Visit a Haunted Site
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Things to Do on Halloween: Visit a Haunted Site

If you're looking for things to do on Halloween that are outdoors, check out haunted houses or landmarks in real life. Simply google "haunted places near me" — you're bound to find something spooky.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Check Out a Corn Maze
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Things to Do on Halloween: Check Out a Corn Maze

Halloween activities don't have to be scary. For a family-friendly activity to do on Halloween, spend the day or early evening at a corn maze.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Turn Your Home Into a Haunted House
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Things to Do on Halloween: Turn Your Home Into a Haunted House

If you're looking for fun things to do on Halloween, curate a haunted vibe in your own home. Light your favorite fall candles, snag a giant skeleton figure for your lawn, and turn on some spooky sounds.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Watch a Scary Movie
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Things to Do on Halloween: Watch a Scary Movie

If you're looking for things to do on Halloween that don't involve leaving your couch, have a scary-movie marathon. Whether you choose a gory horror film, psychological thriller, or classic '90s Halloween movie, you're guaranteed to be entertained.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Visit a Pumpkin Patch
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Things to Do on Halloween: Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Another fun thing to do on Halloween with your family is to visit a pumpkin patch. Take cute photos, drink apple cider, and pick out pumpkins to take home.

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Things to Do on Halloween: DIY Last-Minute Halloween Costumes
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Things to Do on Halloween: DIY Last-Minute Halloween Costumes

There's still time — if you're looking for something to do on Halloween, whip up a last-minute Halloween costume. Even if you're not going anywhere, it'll get you into the holiday spirit.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Make a Halloween Cocktail or Mocktail
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Things to Do on Halloween: Make a Halloween Cocktail or Mocktail

Shaking up a Halloween-themed cocktail or mocktail is perfect for those searching for things to do on Halloween. Try your hand at a vampire drip libation or a smoky harvest apple cider margarita.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Bake Fall Desserts
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Things to Do on Halloween: Bake Fall Desserts

Not one for crafts or outdoor activities? You can always bake a pumpkin or apple pie, or any other delicious fall dessert to bring delight to your Halloween.

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Things to Do on Halloween: DIY Halloween Decorations
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Things to Do on Halloween: DIY Halloween Decorations

For a low-key thing to do on Halloween, spend the day or evening getting crafty. Here are 30 easy DIY Halloween decorations to get you started.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Tell Ghost Stories Around a Fire
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Things to Do on Halloween: Tell Ghost Stories Around a Fire

Another thing to do on Halloween that doesn't cost a dime? Gathering around a campfire and sharing ghost stories. Though an outdoor fire is ideal, in a pinch, you can simply put a spooky fireplace YouTube video on your TV.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Make S'mores
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Things to Do on Halloween: Make S'mores

Bring marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate to said bonfire and make s'mores. No fire? Try one of these s'mores-inspired recipes instead.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Cook a Meal Using Pumpkins
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Things to Do on Halloween: Cook a Meal Using Pumpkins

Cooking up a pumpkin soup or pasta in the kitchen may not be the spookiest thing to do on Halloween, but it's a great way to use up scraps from carving. Plus, you'll never regret having a cozy fall meal. Here's a list of pumpkin recipes to get you started.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Do a Halloween Craft
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Things to Do on Halloween: Do a Halloween Craft

Tap into your creative side for a fun thing to do on Halloween, and try out these Halloween craft ideas from TikTok. DIY your way to spooky success with decorations, slime, food, and more.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Bake Halloween Cookies
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Things to Do on Halloween: Bake Halloween Cookies

Looking for something to do on Halloween with the family? Bake cookies to celebrate the holiday. From chocolate-stuffed jack-o'-lantern cookies to adorable peanut butter cookie spiders, there are a bunch of Halloween cookie recipes for you to choose from.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Listen to a Halloween Playlist
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Things to Do on Halloween: Listen to a Halloween Playlist

Whether you're baking goodies, curating decorations, or waiting for trick-or-treaters, do it with a fun Halloween playlist on in the background. Festive tunes are guaranteed to improve your holiday experience.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Go Trick-or-Treating
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Things to Do on Halloween: Go Trick-or-Treating

One of the most obvious things to do on Halloween is to go trick-or-treating. Tag along with your kids, nieces, nephews, or friends' kids — you're never too old to enjoy it.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Pass Out Candy to Trick-or-Treaters
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Things to Do on Halloween: Pass Out Candy to Trick-or-Treaters

If you don't feel like venturing out yourself, you can still dress up in a quick, lazy Halloween costume and pass out candy to trick-or-treaters. It's a fun thing to do on Halloween that requires little effort.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Take a Spooky Graveyard Tour
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Things to Do on Halloween: Take a Spooky Graveyard Tour

If you're searching for a truly eerie thing to do on Halloween, go on a cemetery tour in your area. Go IRL, or dial down the scary factor by finding one you can tune into virtually.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Read a Thriller Novel
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Things to Do on Halloween: Read a Thriller Novel

Stay on the couch — or in bed — on Halloween and curl up with a juicy thriller novel. Choose from over 60 of our recommendations for mystery books that hit shelves in 2023.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Go Apple Picking
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Things to Do on Halloween: Go Apple Picking

Apple picking is a must-do activity for the fall, so why not schedule it for Halloween? It's a day of fun for the family, and you'll come home with fresh apples to use for tasty desserts and recipes.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Play Around With Makeup
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Things to Do on Halloween: Play Around With Makeup

You don't have to go outside to experiment with a unique Halloween makeup tutorial. Try out different looks on your own or with friends for a chill thing to do on Halloween.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Create a Spread of Halloween Snacks
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Things to Do on Halloween: Create a Spread of Halloween Snacks

Whether you're hosting a horror movie night or gathering friends for the holiday, spend the day curating a spread of festive Halloween snacks. From a "Hocus Pocus" charcuterie board to pumpkin-shaped baked brie, the options are endless.

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Things to Do on Halloween: Host a Costume Contest
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Things to Do on Halloween: Host a Costume Contest

If your friends and family are getting dressed up, you might as well have a costume contest. Pick winners for categories like most creative, best couple costume, most culturally relevant, and more.