Halloween is a perfect excuse to go all out in New York. People will create new personas at every party, and it’s entirely acceptable to host Halloween parties anytime during the month of October. If you’re planning on hosting a NYC Halloween costume party this year, now’s the time to get your ideas together and event services booked. And we’ll share some event planning ideas to make it the best spooktacular ever!
1. Decide on a Theme, or Don’t
Halloween costume parties can have a theme or not. Folks can have creative freedom over the costumes they pick, or the ambiance can be more curated toward a specific aesthetic by having a themed costume party. Use your theme to help your guests decide on costumes and to inform how you execute your NYC venue designs.
Certain TV series, movie franchises, or sects of Halloween lore are all on the table to develop a costume party theme. Get as creative as you want. A more specific theme can also help you decide on your decor and catering goals for your NYC Halloween costume party.
2. Consider Hosting Dinner and a Show
For smaller Halloween events, consider hosting a murder mystery-type dinner. You may choose to create your own or take the more convenient route of using a “premade” option. Send your guests an eerie invitation with instructions and their character cards a couple of weeks before your party. That will give them time to create a fantastical costume for their assigned character.
3. Add UV Reactive Decor and Blacklight
Halloween is dark, spooky, and sometimes glowingly ethereal. UV reactive decor, whether it be vintage UV-glass or the more mainstream neon, can add that extra bit of Halloween spirit to any party. Blacklights really set these touches off, and guests’ makeup and costumes can be centered around blacklight rooms, too!
4. Classic NYC Halloween Costume Party Contests
Costume contests are a classic friendly competition choice for Halloween parties. Depending on the theme (or absence of,) the categories can range from the scariest to the most “on brand’. Having fun is the priority, of course, so get creative! A lovely little treat spread might be a great option for door prizes, among swag and other prizes.
5. Be Extra with Your Invitations
If you’re hosting a NYC Halloween party and really want to make an immersive impact, consider sending out formal invitations with a gothic vibe. Wax seal, parchment-esque stationery, and calligraphy fonts add that extra flair to the festivity. Remember, your party invites are an extension of the fun to come. So, don’t be afraid to get a little extra with the spider web designs and spooky elements.
6. Candle Light and Warm Tones
Halloween and lighting go hand in hand with setting the tone of an event. Warm tones, shadows, and candlelight combine to transport guests into a festively spooky space. Bring that “flashlight on your chin” vibe with select lighting over tables, orange hues on the appetizers, and smoky aesthetics on the dance floor. And work with your venue to make any stage lighting extra spooktacular for those magician performances or live bands.
Make Planning Your NYC Halloween Costume Party a Breeze
EMRG Media and its staff of NYC event planners are an incredible resource whether you’re hosting a Halloween costume party or any holiday-based social or corporate event. We’ll relieve your stress and coordinate all the moving parts necessary for a seamless and successful event. Get inspired this Halloween and talk to our team at EMRG Media about your next private event. We’ll help you bring the holiday wow factor!
