40 Halloween date ideas for couples to get in the spooky spirit
Looking to brew up some romance this Halloween?
Now that spooky season is upon us, it’s time to embrace the best Halloween date ideas for couples! After all, while trick or treating might be for the kids, we've scared up a list of hauntingly good date ideas that'll have you and your boo closer than a mummy's wrappings.
From crafting Halloween cocktails to creating your own couple’s costumes, these are some of the spookiest (yet sweetest) date ideas for you to enjoy. Alongside our favorite fall date ideas, these activities these spellbinding suggestions are sure to make your heart skip a beat—in a good way!
What do people do on Halloween night?
Halloween traditionally comes from the Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the transition to the new year at the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter.
These early celebrations revolved around the lighting of huge bonfires, designed to guide souls to the afterlife. This is where the more spooky, ghostly elements likely came from—with costumes, pumpkin carving, and trick-or-treating all having their spiritual purpose.
This has evolved into the festival of Halloween that we know today, with skeletons, witches, and ghouls adorning every door, with sweets stacked for every costumed caller!
For kids, Halloween may all be about the sugar rush, but if you don’t have kids, you can still partake in the fun! Couples can adopt their traditions, with many different activities to get into the Halloween spirit. (Even if it’s just a cuddle during a scary movie night!)
What should I do on Halloween night?
Every couple has their favorite holiday, and while we wouldn’t want to pick favorites, Valentine’s Day or Christmas usually gets all the hype for dates!
While it may not be your favorite time of year (other than the discounted candy), leaning into the spirit of Halloween activities can be more fun than you think. It’s the perfect time to embrace the chill in the air, sneak in a few extra snuggles, and embrace the spooky silliness to have fun with your loved one.
Even if you’re not prepared for your couple's costume quite yet, we have a number of date ideas for Halloween that we’re convinced will get you in the mood!
Halloween date night ideas at home
Trick or treat: Instead of just waiting for trick-or-treaters in Halloween costumes to knock on your door, why not get involved in the fun yourself? Transform your home into an enchanting candy wonderland. Hide treats in unexpected nooks and crannies, creating a thrilling scavenger hunt for two!
Hand out candy: Don’t get too distracted with your own escapades, as you might have a few costumed kids at your door. If you want to go all out, set up a spooky station by your front door, complete with a fog machine and an eerie soundtrack. Take turns greeting little ghouls and goblins, awarding prizes in sweet treat form for the most creative costumes that visit!
Scary movie marathon: For the brave ones among us, what says Halloween more than a scary movie night? Create a cozy nest of blankets and pillows, perfect for snuggling during jump scares.
Halloween-themed cocktails: Don’t settle for wine or beer, when you can make something way more on theme! Experiment with dry ice for smoky effects, edible glitter for a magical shimmer, and creepy garnishes like gummy worms or plastic eyeballs. Name your creations, even if it’s cheesy names like ‘Witches Brew’ or ‘Zombie Brains’.
Host a costume party: Why not test out your Halloween hosting skills? Transform your living space into a haunted haven for a small group of friends. Create themed areas – perhaps a witch's den in the kitchen or a vampire's lair in the living room!
DIY costume making: It’s time for a couple’s costume challenge! Scroll through your Pinterest boards, take inspiration from your favorite movies, and craft the matching costume of dreams. Whether you want to wear it out or just take some snaps, this is a very fun bonding activity to look back on!
DIY mask making: Another DIY activity, with a lot more paint and PVA glue! Gather your materials and your inspiration, whether scary or sweet, to create the perfect scare mask to make your partner jump.
Old-school Halloween games: Bob the Apple anyone? Take things back to your childhood by throwing a Halloween party that reminds you of being young. From pinning the tail on the donkey to the flour game, adding a bit of nostalgia to your Halloween antics is always a good idea.
Candlelight dinner: If some of the classic Halloween fare isn’t your thing, you can lean into the spirit in different ways. What’s better than an ambiance of eerie elegance with a meal illuminated solely by Jack-o'-lanterns and candles? Prepare a menu of Halloween-inspired gourmet dishes of your choice, with the perfect pumpkin as your centerpiece.
Matching Halloween pajamas: You may not be a fan of the traditional spook element of the Halloween season, but there’s a cute element too. Once cozy in your matching attire, build a blanket fort in your living room, string up some orange fairy lights, and settle in for a night of ghost stories and Halloween specials. Don't forget the hot cocoa with marshmallow ghosts floating on top!
Themed spa night: Transform your bathroom into a haunted spa retreat. Use black and orange towels, candles, and spooky decorations to set the mood. Monster manicure anyone?
Halloween book club: It’s not all about the scary movies! Select a classic horror novel or collection of spooky short stories to read together. Or if you’re fond of the dramatics, there are no rules against hosting your own spooky storytelling session.
Spooky date ideas for Halloween
Visit a corn maze: Venture into a labyrinth of towering stalks under the harvest moon. Choose a maze with a spooky theme for added thrills. Bring flashlights for when darkness falls, and see if you can navigate by starlight!
Horror movie at a drive-in: Recapture the vintage thrill of outdoor cinema with a twist of terror. Arrive early to secure a prime spot, then set up your car with blankets and pillows for maximum comfort. Tune your radio to the right frequency and let the screams begin….
Visit a haunted house: How brave are you? When it all gets too much, you can always cling to your (hopefully) brave partner as you navigate your way through!
Ghost tour: Explore the darker side of local history with a guided walk through haunted hotspots. Listen intently to tales of tragedy and mystery, keeping an eye out for any unexplained phenomena. Don’t forget to bring your camera along, you never know what might show up in your photos later!
Fright night: Dive into an evening of curated scares at a local Halloween festival or theme park event. From chainsaw-wielding clowns to zombie-infested mazes, test your courage through a variety of terrifying scenarios.
Go to an amusement park: Experience your favorite thrill rides with a Halloween makeover. Many parks offer special nighttime events with spooky overlays on classic attractions. Don't miss out on the seasonal shows and characters roaming the park, even if they seem a little scary at first!
Visit an escape room: Lock yourselves into a Halloween-themed puzzle paradise. Work together to decipher clues and solve riddles before time runs out. See if there is one with a suitably scary storyline to match the Halloween atmosphere.
Tell ghost stories: Take turns telling your favorite spine-tingling stories awarding points for the most creative or terrifying tales. Don’t forget to bring along blankets and lanterns to match the mood!
Spooky stargazing: Howling at the moon? Try some spooky stargazing, bringing telescopes or binoculars, cozy blankets, and a thermos of hot cocoa. You can even try to spot "spooky" constellations like Draco the dragon or Corvus the crow.
Paranormal investigation date: Channel your inner ghost hunters for an evening of amateur paranormal investigation. Research supposedly haunted locations in your area, making sure they are safe and legal to visit! Stake out and see what you witness in the night.
Cute Halloween dates for foodies
Pumpkin cooking class: Enroll in a seasonal cooking workshop that goes beyond basic pie. Learn to make savory pumpkin dishes, creative desserts, and even pumpkin-based cocktails. Or, take on the classic pumpkin spice latte trend when you get home.
Festive food tour: Speaking of pumpkin spice, why not make it into a food tour? From coffee shops to bakeries, spend the day exploring all the fall foods your town has to offer.
Make caramel apples: Set up a DIY caramel apple bar at home! Once your masterpieces are complete, curl up with a spooky movie and enjoy your handiwork—no scrimping on the toppings allowed.
Halloween baking: There are so many fall festive treats that you can try your hand at baking during the Halloween season. Don’t forget to get the kind of festive sprinkles, googly eyes, and more—it’s all in the decorations.
Homemade candy: Channel your inner Willy Wonka and try your hand at candy making. Start with simple recipes like peanut butter cups or flavored lollipops, and you can share them with your lucky trick-or-treaters.
Go pumpkin picking: This classic fall date idea is perfect to get you in the Halloween spirit, with your perfect Jack-O-Lantern waiting for you at the pumpkin patch.
Halloween pottery making: Whether pumpkin spice lattes or hot chocolates are your thing, we all need the perfect vessel to drink it from! Visit a ceramic studio to paint spooky designs on mugs, plates, or figurines. Create matching Jack and Sally mugs from "The Nightmare Before Christmas," or go with a classic pumpkin design.
Fun Halloween date ideas
Go to a Halloween parade: Does your town host any Halloween events? Enjoy the best of the costumes, music, and atmosphere from your prime-viewing spot—decked out with blankets, chairs, and even a hot thermos of cider.
Attend a costume party: If you don’t want to throw a Halloween party yourself, there’s always the option to attend one of your friends!
Go on a hayride: A hayride might seem like a cheesy activity, but so what? Choose a daytime ride for scenic fall foliage views, or opt for a spookier nighttime adventure. Some farms offer "haunted" hayrides with actors popping out along the route.
Attend a bonfire: Gather around the flames for an evening of warmth and connection. Bring supplies for s'mores and swap spooky stories as the fire crackles!
Pumpkin carving: It’s time for a sculpting showdown with your partner. Challenge each other to create the spookiest, funniest, or most intricate designs. You can even let your social media followers decide who is the winner.
Go on a road trip: If your town isn’t cutting it, plan a weekend getaway to a destination known for its Halloween spirit. Research small towns with charming fall festivals or cities with famously elaborate celebrations. Stop at roadside attractions, haunted hotels, or supposedly cursed locations along the way!
Attend a murder mystery party: Don your detective hats for an evening of intrigue and deduction at a murder mystery party. Engage in dramatic accusations and plot twists as you work to solve the crime before dessert is served.
Dine in the dark: Book a table at a restaurant offering this unique sensory experience, or recreate it at home. For an extra Halloween twist, incorporate some "creepy" foods like cold spaghetti "brains" or peeled grape "eyeballs".
Taste-testing apple cider: Fancy learning more about your favorite fall drink? Organize a cider crawl to local orchards, farms, or cideries, learning about your favorites along the way.
Attend a fall festival: If a Halloween parade isn’t your thing, but you have a thing for Halloween decorations, then a fall festival might be right up your street. From fall-theme food vendors to homemade Halloween gifts, there is something for everyone.
Halloween dance fest: Have you been waiting for an excuse to learn the Thriller dance? Learn to shuffle like a zombie, glide like a ghost, or twist like a mummy. Document your efforts on TikTok, it may be the next viral sensation!
