Are you ready for a hauntingly good time for Halloween 2024? In the U.S., Halloween is one of the most thrilling holidays of the year! Whether you're a fan of spooky thrills or lighthearted fun, there’s something for everyone when October 31 rolls around. With Trip.com, we’ve got you covered on how to prepare and enjoy your Halloween Night!😜
About Halloween 2024: Time, Origin & Traditions | Trip.com
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Schedule 2024
If you don't have time to experience Haunted Houses in 2024, it doesn't matter! Just SAVE this Trip.com article and plan your Halloween for 2025, which is a Friday Night and Free time for ALL！
| Year | Weekdays |
| 2023 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | Thursday |
| 2025 | Friday |
Origin of Halloween
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Halloween has its roots way back in the mists of time, in a blend of European pagan and Christian practices. As mentioned above, the word "Halloween" is a contraction of "All Hallow's Evening", referring to the day before All Hallow's Day
All Hallow's Day itself is traditionally when Christians will remember the saints, and pray for the recently departed whose souls have not yet reached Heaven. Over time, this tradition blended with Christian holidays like All Saints' Day, evolving into the Halloween we know today—a night of costumes, trick-or-treating, haunted houses, and festive gatherings.
Traditions of Halloween
🎃 Trick-or-Treating
🔪 Pumpkin Carving
🧛♂️ Costumes
👻 Haunted Houses
🍎 Bobbing for Apples
🎭 Scary Stories
How to Prepare Halloween？ | Trip.com
1. Costume TIPS
Theme Inspiration:
To start of your costumes, it is very important to choose an interesting THEME. You can try to be unique by selecting a less popular movie character or you can have a group theme together with your friends or families. Here're some theme you can consider as your Halloween 2024 Costumes:
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1. Classic Horror 👻🧛♀️🧟♂️
For those who love traditional spooky characters, classic horror costumes like witches, vampires, zombies, and ghosts are always a hit. These costumes never go out of style and are easy to recognize.
- Witches: Black dresses, pointy hats, and broomsticks 🧙♀️.
- Vampires: Capes, fangs, and blood-red lips 🧛♂️.
- Zombies: Torn clothes, messy hair, and pale makeup 🧟♀️.
2. Pop Culture Icons 🎬🦸♂️🎤
This theme draws inspiration from movies, TV shows, and celebrities. From superheroes to music stars, pop culture costumes let you dress as your favorite character or icon.
- Superheroes: Characters from Marvel or DC like Spider-Man 🕷️, Wonder Woman 🦸♀️, or Batman 🦇.
- Movie Stars: Iconic figures like Harry Potter ⚡, Star Wars Jedi 🪐, or Disney characters 🏰.
- Celebrities: Dressing as famous singers 🎤 or actors 🎬.
3. Fantasy & Mythical Creatures 🐉🦄🧚♀️
Step into a magical world by becoming a fairy, unicorn, or dragon. These whimsical costumes are a fun escape into fantasy.
- Fairies: Wings, flower crowns, and glitter 🧚♀️.
- Unicorns: Rainbow colors, horns, and sparkles 🦄.
- Dragons: Scales, wings, and fire-breathing designs 🐉.
4. Animals 🦁🐱🐍
Dressing up as an animal can be cute, funny, or even a little wild. From simple cat ears to elaborate jungle animal outfits, animal costumes are a playful choice.
- Cats: Ears, tails, and whiskers 🐱.
- Lions: Manes, tails, and a roaring expression 🦁.
- Snakes: Slithery designs and green scales 🐍
5. Historical Figures 🏰⚔️👑
Turn back the clock by dressing as famous figures from history, such as kings, queens, knights, or even ancient gods.
- Queens/Kings: Crowns, royal robes, and scepters 👑.
- Knights: Armor, shields, and swords ⚔️.
- Greek/Roman Gods: Togas, wreaths, and divine accessories 🏛️.
Where to Shop
Stores like Spirit Halloween, PartyCity, Amazon, Walmart, and Costco are some of the most popular spots to find costumes. Each offers a wide range of options, from classic monsters like vampires and witches to pop culture icons from TV shows and movies.
Costume Store especially for Party costumes. It now has 20% with Code (CANDY20)
Fast Retail Store having multiple options. Deliver fast if you prepare near the day.
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2. House Decoration TIPS
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- Pumpkin Carving: This timeless tradition adds a personal touch to your Halloween decor. You can either go simple with traditional jack-o’-lantern faces or get creative with intricate designs. Local grocery stores, farms, and stores like Home Depot offer pumpkin carving kits. 🎃
- Vintage-Inspired Decor: Opt for a mix of vintage and elegant pieces like antique candle holders, apothecary jars, or subtle vintage portraits that transform into spooky images when viewed at an angle. This adds a haunted mansion vibe to your home. 🖼
- Dark & Moody Themes: Incorporate dark flowers, bat silhouettes, and skull accents for a “scary chic” atmosphere. You can also include eerie mushrooms, gnarled branches, and creepy crawlies to bring in nature-inspired spookiness. 💀
- Less Is More: Avoid over-the-top inflatables and focus on minimalist, stylish items that hint at Halloween without overwhelming the space. Using autumnal decor that transitions into Thanksgiving is a smart and chic choice. 👻
- Faux Pumpkins & Black Crows: Use reusable faux pumpkins, especially teal ones for the Teal Pumpkin Project, to signal allergy-friendly treats. Black feathered crows are a timeless option for both indoor and outdoor spaces. 🐦
- Flameless Candles: Create an eerie ambiance with battery-powered flameless candles. These are safer and more practical for lighting walkways or creating mood lighting without worrying about wind or fire hazards. 🕯
3. Party preparation TIPS: Food, Music & Activities
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- Food:
- Themed Snacks:
- Witches’ fingers (veggie sticks with almond slivers)
- Mummy dogs (hot dogs wrapped in crescent roll dough)
- Spooky cheese platter with ghost-shaped cheese slices
- Festive Drinks:
- Signature Halloween cocktails or mocktails
- Black vodka with cranberry juice for a “Bloody Mary” effect
- Spooky punch with floating eyeball ice cubes (peeled grapes)
- Dessert Delights:
- Pumpkin cupcakes
- Ghost-shaped cookies
- Chocolate graveyard cake
- Music:
- Spooky Playlist:
- Classic Halloween songs (e.g., “Thriller,” “Monster Mash”)
- Fun pop songs to maintain energy
- Sound Effects:
- Eerie sounds (creaking doors, howling wolves, distant thunder)
- Soft background play for atmosphere
- Live Music or Karaoke:
- Invite a live band
- Set up a karaoke station with Halloween-themed songs
- Activities:
- Costume Contest:
- Categories: Most Creative, Scariest, Funniest
- Small prizes for winners
- Halloween Games:
- Bobbing for apples: Fill a large basin with water and float apples on the surface. Participants must try to grab an apple using only their mouths, no hands allowed! The first player to successfully retrieve an apple wins the game.
- Halloween-themed scavenger hunt: Hide Halloween-themed objects like mini pumpkins, plastic spiders, or toy skeletons around the party space. Provide guests with a list of items to find and set a time limit. Players or teams search for as many items as they can within the time frame. The person or team who finds the most items wins a prize, making this a fun and interactive game for all ages.
- Pin the hat on the witch: Blindfold each participant and spin them around a few times to disorient them. Then, hand them a paper witch’s hat with tape on the back, and the goal is to stick it as close to the witch’s head as possible. The player who places the hat most accurately wins the game.
- DIY Craft Station:
- Supplies for decorating mini pumpkins
- Craft materials for spooky masks
How to Enjoy Halloween Night? | Trip.com
Outside Events through U.S.
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From coast to coast, Halloween is celebrated with unique and exciting events. Here’s a look at some of the top Halloween experiences:
- West Coast:
- Valencia, CA: Fright Fest at Six Flags Magic Mountain brings a terrifying transformation to the theme park at night. Enjoy thrilling roller coasters and rides by day, and then brace yourself for haunted houses, scare zones, and spooky performances once darkness sets in.
- Los Angeles, CA: Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios is a must-visit. Experience terrifying haunted mazes inspired by popular horror films and shows, as well as live entertainment that will keep your heart racing.
- Las Vegas, NV: The Fetish & Fantasy Halloween Ball is one of the most popular adult Halloween parties in the country, known for its extravagant costumes and high-energy atmosphere.
- East Coast:
- Orlando, FL: Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios is a must-visit for thrill-seekers. Experience terrifying haunted mazes inspired by popular horror films and shows, along with immersive scare zones and live entertainment that will keep you on edge all night long.
- Jackson, NJ: Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure is packed with spine-chilling thrills. By day, the park offers family-friendly Halloween fun, but as night falls, it transforms into a scare zone with haunted mazes, terrifying live shows, and roaming monsters.
- New York, NY: The Village Halloween Parade is a can’t-miss event. Thousands of participants and spectators come dressed in elaborate costumes, making it one of the most iconic Halloween parades in the world.
- Salem, MA: Known as Witch City, Salem is the heart of Halloween on the East Coast. With its haunted history and month-long Haunted Happenings, the city offers ghost tours, parades, and reenactments of the infamous witch trials.
Home Night with Family & Friends
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- Movie Recommendations:
- Classic Horror: Enjoy legendary horror films like
- “Halloween” (1978)
- “Psycho” (1960)
- “The Exorcist” (1973)
- Family-friendly Options: For a lighter Halloween night, gather with family and watch movies like
- “Hocus Pocus” (1993)
- “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993)
- “Casper” (1995).
- Modern Thrillers: If you prefer newer horror movies, try
- "Hereditary" (2018)
- "The Conjuring" (2013)
- "It" (2017) for some spine-chilling fun.
FAQs
What are some Halloween traditions?
Popular Halloween traditions involve carving pumpkins, going trick-or-treating, bobbing for apples, and wearing fancy dress. See Trip.com for things to do on Halloween!How do people decorate their homes on Halloween?
People will often decorate their homes with lights, jack o lanterns, witch's cauldrons, and other spooky things on Halloween. See Trip.com for things to do over the Halloween festival.What people usually do on Halloween?
People will sometimes engage in fun parties, go to haunted houses, or watch horror Movies. From Trip.com, book your horror night tickets all around the United States.