Halloween Planning Timeline: What to Do and When, From September to October 31
A week-by-week Halloween schedule covering costumes, decorations, tickets, pumpkins and the Halloween-day checklist.
Halloween goes smoothly when the big decisions are made in September and the fiddly jobs are spread across October. Leave it all to the final weekend and you will be carving pumpkins at midnight in a costume that does not fit. Use this timeline as a checklist and adjust the dates to suit your plans.
At a glance
- Six to eight weeks out: theme, budget, costumes, tickets.
- Four weeks out: buy decorations, test stored equipment.
- Two to three weeks out: put up outdoor decorations, plan any party.
- One week out: buy treats, confirm costumes.
- Two to three days out: carve pumpkins, charge and test everything.
- November 1: pack down dry, and shop the sales.
The timeline
| When | What to do | Why now |
|---|---|---|
| Early to mid September | Choose a theme and set a budget. Take stock of what you already own. | Every later decision depends on these. |
| Mid to late September | Order costumes. Book tickets for any haunted attractions you want to visit. | Popular sizes and the busiest nights can sell out. |
| Late September | Unpack stored decorations. Test lights, fog machines and animatronics. | Leaves time to repair or replace anything that failed in storage. |
| First week of October | Buy new decorations and supplies. Start any DIY builds. | Shops have the widest choice early in the month. |
| Second week of October | Put up sturdy outdoor decorations and lighting. Plan power and timers. | Gives you evenings to adjust the look. |
| Third week of October | Add fabric items and inflatables. Send party invitations and plan the menu. | Delicate items spend less time in the weather. |
| One week before | Buy treats. Try on full costumes, including shoes and makeup. | There is still time to fix a poor fit. |
| Two to three days before | Carve pumpkins. Charge batteries. Run every effect after dark. | A carved pumpkin usually keeps for only several days. |
| Halloween day | Clear the path, set out flameless candles, switch everything on before dusk. | The first visitors often arrive early. |
| November 1 onward | Take down, dry, label and store. Note what to replace. | Careful storage is what makes decorations last. |
September: decide and book
Theme and budget. A theme stops impulse buying. Set a total and split it using the approach in our guide to decorating on a budget, or get a rough range from the Halloween Budget Calculator.
Costumes. Ordering early gives you the full range of sizes and time to exchange. The costume buying guide explains how to read size charts.
Attraction tickets. Many haunted attractions sell timed or dated tickets. Decide which nights you want and read how to plan a haunted attraction visit before booking.
Early October: build
Test anything electrical before it goes outside. Check cords for damage, replace batteries and run fog machines briefly to make sure they are not clogged. Put the durable pieces out first, such as tombstones, skeletons and lighting, and live with them for a few evenings. It is much easier to see what a display needs once the basics are up. Anchoring and outdoor power are covered in our weatherproofing guide.
Mid to late October: finish
Add the fragile and fabric elements, set timers and view the display from the street after dark. If you are hosting, plan food, music and a rough running order. The Halloween Night Planner can help structure an evening at home.
The final days
- Carve or decorate pumpkins.
- Do a complete costume rehearsal for children, including walking and stairs.
- Patch-test any face paint a day or two ahead.
- Charge phones, speakers and rechargeable lights.
- Stock up on treats, with a non-food option if you can.
- Check the forecast and plan for rain.
Halloween day checklist
- Sweep the path and steps. Remove hoses, toys and loose cords.
- Switch on path lighting before dusk.
- Use battery candles in pumpkins near walkways.
- Bring pets indoors.
- Agree a route and a return time with older children.
- Keep a flashlight by the door.
November: pack down properly
Choose a dry day. Clean and dry everything, remove batteries, coil cords loosely and label your storage bins by scene or by area of the yard. Write a short list of what broke and what you wished you had. Early November is also when seasonal stock is commonly discounted, which makes it a good time to buy next year’s larger pieces.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start planning Halloween?
Mid-September is comfortable for most households. Start earlier if you are building a large display or need specific costumes.
When should I carve pumpkins?
Two or three days before Halloween. Carved pumpkins soften and mould quickly, especially in warm or wet weather. Uncarved, painted pumpkins last much longer.
When should outdoor decorations go up?
Sturdy props and lighting can go up in early October. Hold back inflatables, fabric and electronics until the last week or two.
When should I buy Halloween candy?
About a week ahead. Buying too early is mostly a test of willpower.
