Last-Minute Inspiration for Halloween Parties of All Types

Freeform hosted its second Halloween House in Los Angeles from October 2 to 7. The interactive, open-to-the-public event was produced by experiential agency MKG and featured a variety of activities and photo ops inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus, The Addams Family, and more.

The multi-room activation at the Hollywood Athletic Club included a re-creation of the Sanderson Sisters' cottage from Hocus Pocus—complete with the notorious black-flame candle; guests could also take a photo on a "flying" vacuum and visit a cemetery with a statue of Winifred. There was also a one-night, 21-and-over event with Sanderson Sisters drag queens, custom cocktails, and other fun details from sponsors Butterfinger and Party City.

In another Hocus Pocus-inspired photo op, guests could climb into the grave of Billy Butcherson.

Inside the lair of Oogie Boogie—the antagonist of The Nightmare Before Christmas—guests could spin a "Wheel of Misfortune" and win prizes.

At the Sequential Brands Group Studios in New York last year, Martha Stewart co-hosted a Halloween-theme event with Michaels and craft-machine company Cricut. The D.I.Y.-focused gathering featured a live demo from Martha Stewart, plus various crafting stations such as a "haute pumpkin patch" showcasing modern takes on pumpkin decorating.

In another area, guests learned to make their own D.I.Y. spider and butterfly masks, plus cat- and witch-hat headbands.

Guests could also choose a Halloween-inspired pattern from a Cricut library on an iPad. The pattern was then input into Cricut machines, printed, and affixed to a T-shirt.

Running through November 1 at Wisdome L.A. in Los Angeles is "A New Día," an immersive art installation presented by Mexican beer brand Estrella Jalisco. Designed to celebrate the Day of the Dead, the collaboration with filmmaker Robert Rodriguez features four geodesic dome installations spread across 35,000 square feet. The multi-sensory experience is narrated by Rodriguez.

“With A New Día, we invite people to immerse themselves in the Día de Muertos holiday, a colorful and joyous tradition that celebrates life,” explained Yonathan Bendesky, Estrella Jalisco senior marketing director at Anheuser Busch. “The exhibit mirrors our spirit of innovation and unconventional imagination that adds joy, color, and culture to the lives of those around us."

The immersive space has areas inspired by marigolds—colloquially known as "the flower of the dead" because of their popularity on Día de los Muertos altars—plus a water-inspired environment and another space devoted to Monarch butterflies, which descend on Mexico every fall.

Another area, focused on the "transformative power of the flame," features a "pond" filled with Día de los Muertos candles. The 21-and-over experience ends with food and Estrella Jalisco drinks; tickets cost $29.

Spotify hosted a public pop-up on October 26 in New York. The space featured costumes, props, and photo ops inspired by "artists who have dared to push boundaries," according to press materials. Twelve featured artists worked with Spotify to curate Halloween-inspired vignettes, such as a spider crown from Billie Eilish influenced by her "You Should See Me in a Crown" music video.

A Britney Spears-inspired photo op had a yellow python, a replica of the snake from her "I'm a Slave 4 U" performance at the 2001 MTV V.M.A.s. Another area had a replica of rapper Trippie Redd's diamond-crusted fang-shape grills.

At the opening party on October 24, actress Jameela Jamil served as guest DJ. Throughout the space, guests could listen to Spotify playlists, see short films highlighting musicians who "stay scary" by pushing boundaries, and score free costumes and other giveaways.