Creative Halloween party ideas for adults with a touch of October glam
I prefer my Halloween on the classy side with just a hint of spooky. If that’s you too, then you’re in the right place.
Two of our most popular posts this time of year are our Savory Harry Potter Party Food and our 13 Chic Halloween Party Themes, so I thought I would curate 13 more creative Halloween party ideas for those playful adults who like to celebrate around the end of October.
Unique Halloween party themes that will be remembered? Yes, please. We’re all about making those memories.
So whether you’re hosting an intimiate Halloween dinner party or a larger bash with all your friends, you’re sure to find something magical.
Let the party planning begin.
Table of Contents: 13 Creative Halloween Party Themes
- Dark Mad Hatter Tea Party
- Victorian Mansion + Butterflies
- Hogwarts Astronomy Tower
- Fae Halloween Dinner Party
- 20,000 leagues under the sea
- The Night Circus
- Jurassic Park
- Classic Monsters in Black & White Chic
- Cute Witchy Tea Party
- Owls & Opulence
- Jaws/Sharknado Halloween
- Halloween in Sleepy Hollow
- The Beast’s Cursed Library
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1. Elegant Dark Mad Hatter Tea Party
Step through the looking glass into the dark elegance of a classic. Discover overgrown mossy confections, twisted details, and iconic phrases. Achieve this dark English garden look with a plant wall, a temporary checkerboard floor, pink (or black) flamingos, vintage ‘drink me’ signs, and moody florals.
This black tea set has ALL the dark Alice in Wonderland vibes. It could also be used for party #9 too. But let’s be honest, it will look good all year round on that darling display tray.
Or THIS black teapot. Hello gorgeous. Yes, I would love to host a super classy tea party with you.
Vintage Alice in Wonderland playing cards would look whimsical suspended in the air or coming out of a teapot.
2. Victorian Mansion + Butterflies
Dark academia meets the art of entomology. Forget paper bats, try black butterflies instead. Display an elegant swarm of these beauties paired with black roses, rich colored velvet, ornate frames, and an excessive amount of drippy candles. The perfect touch of dark Victorian glamour.
Find your own black butterflies on Amazon.
Edible butterflies are pure whimsy.
Monarch butterflies made out of delicate feathers make a stunning black cake topper.
Loving this embossed butterfly cookie stamp. 😍
3. Harry Potter Astronomy Tower Party
I had a blast throwing our Harry Potter Halloween party for adults. I mean, hello homemade butterbeer. Harry Potter is classic.
But if you’ve already hosted a Harry Potter party and want to mix it up, try a different theme. Ahem, like an astronomy tower.
(See how we turned our home into a Hogwarts astronomy tower party HERE.)
The Lilly’s via Pinterest
Projectors can get pricey, but for something cost effective, try this $20 moon projector.
These natural hanging stars are dripping with golden magic.
4. Fae Halloween Dinner Party
Enter the Fae Court if you dare for a whimsical Fae harvest feast. Bonus points if you host this in the woods. Think mini fruit tarts, stuffed mushrooms, flakey baklava, and edible florals (see our vintage fairy birthday for our edible flower butter spread).
And don’t forget to leave the traditional Fae offering of milk and honey.
If we all had a chandelier hanging from a tree in a secret garden, I’m pretty sure life would be complete.
5. 20,000 leagues under the sea
All aboard the Nautilus! Come party in the depths of the sea with Captain Nemo.
Steampunk submarine elements mix with old maps and diving gear for this unique Halloween party theme based off Jules Verne’s classic novel.
Captain Nemo is sure to approve.
I’m a sucker for a good blueprint, so it’s natural I’d fall for this vintage Nautilus blueprint.
Create a similar look with blue cellophane on your windows.
6. The Night Circus Halloween Party
Throw a ‘Midnight Dinner’ this October with a side of soft, dark Victorian. Think popcorn bar with unique flavors, churros with ice cream, a hall of mirrors, a roving magician for adults, and
“The circus arrives without warning.
No announcements precede it, no paper notices on downtown posts and billboards, no mentions or advertisements in local newspapers. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.” -The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern
Vintage carnival meets your circus of choice: The Greatest Showman/Caraval/The Night Circus/The Prestige.
The rules for a Night Circus Halloween party are simple: everything must be black and white, with only a hint of red (to be a true Reveur).
But whether you lean into the striking neutrals, or embrace the red and golds, this night is sure to be magical. Who wouldn’t want their very own carnival?
Enter the Theatre of Dreams . . .
A whimsical ceiling of hanging parasols. This cream and black parasol on Amazon is so chic.
Mocha via Pinterest
You had me at giraffe donut holder.
Serve sticky caramel corn in these black and white striped popcorn boxes.
Learn how to make this chocolate carousel cake HERE. Find the sweetest little unicorns with the gold tassel tails HERE.
These circus tent boxes are too cute for words.
Draw and cutout circus tightrope silhouettes on black posterboard. Secure to the wall or tent fabric with nano tape (my party decorating tape of choice).
Fill a cupcake ferris wheel with mini cupcakes, mini cheesecakes, chocolate covered strawberries, paper liners filled with popcorn or circus peanuts, or even tea lights or flowers. A statement piece for your dessert table.
7. Jurassic Park Halloween Party
For an adult dinosaur Halloween party, lean into natural elements with moody greens and blacks and accents of gold. And if you happen to make a Volcano Cake with dry ice, well, all the better.
Michelle Huggleston Photography
Michelle Huggleston Photography
8. Classic Monsters in Black & White Minimalist Halloween Party
Classic monsters with a fresh modern look. Loving this clean, minimalist palette. Spike with gold accents as needed.
Snag these vintage Frankenstein prints from Amazon.
9. Cute Witchy Tea Party
Spooky can be cozy and cute. Invite your friends to dress up in their favorite witchy attire and throw an adorable witch tea party for Halloween.
Think mini blackberry tarts, mini pies, chocolate toadstools, a dark charcuterie board, and steaming fresh-pressed cider. Bewitching.
Look for these on point black cauldron mugs at TJ Maxx/Home Goods, World Market, or try Amazon.
Naturally, you and your friends must all dress up in glam witch attire.
These friendly ghost tea bags are the most adorable tea bags I’ve ever seen.
A ceiling full of these black ribbon balloons would be utterly chic.
These edible death head moth wafers for mini tea party cupcakes are spooky perfection.
Imagine your backyard or dining room strung with floating witch hats.
10. Owls & Opulence
Throw a party that’s “organic and natural with a luxe edge.” This fall feast has feathers tucked into floral arrangements, slipped into bottles, and set atop bowls. This will be a sweeping, romantic evening with a touch of abandoned rustic barn.
Owls are a beautiful, mysterious kind of magic.
This little flying white owl looks great at Halloween but is cute enough to add to a Christmas tree.
It’s hard to go wrong with drippy black candles.
Notice the delicate feather resting on the bowl.
11. Sharknado/Shark Attack/Jaws Halloween Party
This playful shark Halloween party theme uses the fear of the deep and what lurks beneath + some really good piña coladas. What an unexpected Halloween party theme that’s sure to delight.
A shark-cuterie board!
Shark Attack Drink Recipe:
*1/3 cup Sprite
*1/3 cup Simply Lemonade
*1/4 cup blue sports drink (like blue Powerade or Gatorade)
*Ice
*Shark gummies (Albanese shark gummies taste the best)
The sharknado. 😆 I’ve also seen versions that are attached to a ceiling fan to move during the party. Brilliant.
Make by forming a black cone, then covering with white tulle/sheer fabric and pillow stuffing and pictures of sharks.
These shark fin ice cube trays are designed to not fall over like the cheaper ones do. What a fun drink addition!
12. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Halloween Party
Spooky provincial meets soft gothic charm with the iconic villain: the headless horseman. Did you know that Washington Irving’s eerie legend is linked to a real town? #vacationbucketlist
After a failed proposal, Ichabod has disappeared. Was it a jealous suitor, or the return of the headless horseman, the ghost of a Hessian soldier who only rides around at night? Whether you go with the lighter Disney version, or stay more true to the original tale, there’s fabulous lore to draw from.
Think vintage decor, a ‘smashed pumpkin’ signature drink, dark horse elements, and a candlelit feast of roasted meats and rich pies.
“A drowsy, dreamy influence seems to hang over the land, and to pervade the very atmosphere.”
Sleepy Hollow, by artist Will Moses
-Washington Irving, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Autumn colored roses in a black teapot give this a kitschy but cute sleepy hollow tea party vibe.
Loving this cozy headless horseman sweater.
13. The Beast’s Cursed Library
This ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Halloween party theme captures all of those dark fairytale vibes. It’s moody and decadent.
Plus BOOKS.
I am in love.
Did you know that THIS is the library that inspired the library in Beauty and the Beast? If you have a historic library or a friend with a cozy study, consider asking to host your cursed library party there.
Can’t rent an entire library? Bring the library to you with this dark academia library backdrop. Instant atmosphere.
These hand-crafted golden metal roses are stunning.
Zoey Louise Design featuring Grean Leaf Artworks
I FINALLY found a candelabra that’s affordable and beautiful especially if you catch it on sale. But Amazon has some candelabras I like too.
There’s something almost sacrilegious to a book-lover about decorating with antique book pages, but I do believe these were harvested humanely. And wow, to what magnificent effect.
If you could attend only one of these parties, which would you choose?
Looking for even more creative Halloween party ideas, check out my first post with 13 chic Halloween party themes HERE.
May your Halloween be ever so classy.
