Halloween is creeping up, and whether you’re planning a creepy bash or a family-friendly trick-or-treat fest, the right entertainment can transform your event into a night to remember. From classic scares to cutting-edge performances, we have some top Halloween party entertainment ideas to elevate your event and give your guests a ghoulishly good time.
🔮 Mysterious fortune tellers
Nothing says Halloween like a peek into the future. A fortune teller adds an eerie sense of mystery and suspense to any adult Halloween party. With tarot card readings, palmistry, or other psychic entertainment, guests can get a personalized, spine-chilling reading that will leave them both entertained and a little uneasy. This is a great way to set the eerie mood right from the start!
Make it happen: Set up a dark, candlelit corner for your fortune teller. Add some cobwebs, old books, and mystical props to enhance the atmosphere. It works especially well for intimate gatherings or large, free-flowing events where guests can visit throughout the night.
🧟 Zombie dance troupe
What’s more fun than watching zombies break into dance? A unique Halloween entertainment idea is hiring a professional zombie dance troupe to put on a thrilling performance — complete with makeup, costumes, and killer choreography. Whether they’re performing a Michael Jackson “Thriller” routine, “Monster Mash,” or their own zombie choreography, this entertainment will mesmerize and amuse your guests.
Make it happen: Kick off the party with a live performance, or have the dancers roam the event and perform spontaneous flash mobs. You can even integrate your guests by teaching them simple zombie moves for a fun Halloween dance party!
🕵️ Interactive murder mystery game
Combine entertainment with an interactive party theme by hosting a Halloween murder mystery game! As a popular Halloween trend, these games are a hit because they allow your guests to become part of the story. Actors can be hired to guide the storyline, but your guests must put their heads together to solve the crime. It’s a mix of problem-solving, suspense, and thrill — all wrapped into one spine-tingling package.
Make it happen: Break your party into teams or let individuals compete as detectives. Have actors perform scenes throughout the night or scatter clues around the venue to get everyone exploring and engaged.
🔪 Check this out: How to Host a Thrilling Murder Mystery Party
🏚️ Professional haunted house tour
For those who want to take their scary party ideas to the next level, why not turn your venue into a mini haunted house? You can hire actors to play ghosts, ghouls, or zombies who will jump-scare your guests as they walk through dimly lit rooms filled with spooky decor. This immersive entertainment will keep everyone on edge, waiting for the next scare.
Make it happen: Dedicate a section of your house or event space as the haunted area. Hire Halloween performers to play different roles, like ghostly guides or terrifying creatures who appear at unexpected moments.
🕷️ You might also like: DIY Halloween Decorations to Make Your Party Extra Creepy
🤸 Freak show circus performers
Take a step back into the macabre with a freak show-inspired circus. These Halloween party performers bring the bizarre and fantastic to life with stunts like sword swallowing, fire eating, and contortion. It’s a nod to vintage circus sideshow acts and offers your guests a taste of the strange and spectacular.
Make it happen: Perfect for outdoor events or spaces with a stage. You can set up a stage show for the audience to sit and watch or let them stroll through the crowds. Pair their performances with carnival-inspired decor and concessions like popcorn and cotton candy for a full “freak show” experience.
🔒 Escape room challenge
Escape rooms continue to be popular, but they get even better with a Halloween twist! A portable escape room set up with a terrifying theme (such as a cursed tomb or an abandoned asylum) is the perfect unique Halloween party entertainment option for guests who love solving puzzles and racing against time. It’s immersive, fun, and full of thrilling surprises.
Make it happen: Set up an escape room in a dedicated event area or bring in a professional company offering mobile escape rooms. It’s great for guests to participate in small groups, ensuring everyone gets a turn.
🎮 Virtual reality horror experience
For tech lovers, nothing beats the terror of stepping into a horror world through virtual reality (VR). A VR horror experience allows your guests to feel like they’re actually roaming a haunted house, running from zombies, or battling supernatural creatures. This trend continues to grow in popularity, making it a top spooky Halloween party idea.
Make it happen: Rent VR equipment or hire a mobile game company to bring the experience to your party. Offer several horror-themed games so guests can choose their level of scare — from mildly creepy to absolutely terrifying.
🎲 Looking for more ideas? Halloween Party Games for Adults That’ll Be a Scream
📽️ Classic scary movie screening
Host a horror movie marathon to make your Halloween bash a mix of scary and cozy. But to make it unique, consider enhancing the movie experience by hiring actors to interact with the crowd during the movie, mimicking the characters on screen. Imagine watching “Psycho” with Norman Bates lurking in the shadows behind your guests.
Make it happen: Rent an outdoor movie screen or set up a cozy indoor screening space. Provide blankets, popcorn, and themed drinks. Consider hiring Halloween performers to surprise the audience during key moments of the film.
🧹 Witchcraft workshop
A witchcraft workshop is a trendy Halloween party entertainment idea for guests who love hands-on experience. In this fun, educational setting, guests can learn about spell casting, crystal energy, and potion making. With a professional witch guiding the way, this mystical and magical experience will give your guests something unique to take home.
Make it happen: Set up a “witch’s lair” with mystical decorations, herbs, crystals, and spell books. Offer interactive stations where guests can create their own potions or amulets to take home as party favors.
🧙♀️ Pro tip: Search for a keyword like “witch” or “zombie” on GigSalad to find the perfect performer for your event!
💃 Costume contest with a twist
A Halloween costume contest is a classic, but take it up a notch. Add interactive elements, such as a runway walk where Halloween characters like creepy emcees or sassy drag queens critique the costumes! Or try a live painting station where an artist creates caricatures of the contestants in real-time.
How to use it: Create different categories for your contest—most creative, scariest, and funniest—and award unique prizes. The live art element can be a fun and memorable addition for guests.
With these spooky party ideas, your Halloween event will surely stand out and leave your guests thrilled (and maybe a little frightened!). Whether you want to keep it classic with a horror movie or go all-out with an escape room, the right Halloween party performers and unique Halloween entertainment will make your party the highlight of the season. 🎃
Megan is the Director of Customer Experience at GigSalad and has gained 9+ years of insight on what makes a great event on both sides of the booking process. Her favorite things include books, true crime podcasts, coffee, hiking, puns, and making people laugh.