There’s a specific age where Halloween stops being about costume parties at crowded bars and starts being about… well, what exactly? You’re not a kid anymore, but you’re also not ready to hand out candy and call it a night. So what do we actually do for spooky season now?
Here’s the thing: Halloween in your mid-to-late twenties and beyond can be different in the best way. You have actual money to spend, better taste, and the freedom to celebrate however you want. No more freezing in a lil bitty costume you bought last minute. No more overpriced cover charges for mediocre parties. Spooky season at our big age is about doing what actually sounds fun, not what you think you’re supposed to do.
Here’s how to make the most of it.
Host a Dinner Party with a Spooky Twist
Skip the party energy and host something elevated. Think dark tablescape, candles everywhere, a fall-inspired menu, and a signature cocktail like spiked apple cider or a blackberry smash. You can ask guests to wear all black or jewel tones to keep it cohesive without requiring full costumes.
The beauty of hosting is you control everything. Good playlist, good food, people you actually like. That’s it.
Plan a Fall Getaway
Spooky season is also cozy season, which makes it perfect for a weekend trip. Whether it’s a cabin situation, a small town with peak foliage, or a city with solid Halloween events, getting out of your usual routine is what matters. New England is undefeated for fall: Vermont for the leaves and cider donuts, Salem for witch energy, Portland, Maine for coastal vibes. Asheville, North Carolina if you want mountain views, breweries, and that artsy small-town feel.
Pack your favorite sweater, bring a book, take your time. Fall trips aren’t about doing the most. They’re about slowing down and actually enjoying it.
Do the Classic Fall Activities
Yes, you can still go apple picking and pumpkin patching in your twenties and thirties without it being ironic. In fact, it’s better now because you’re not just doing it for content. Go to a pumpkin patch and actually pick pumpkins to carve. Hit up an orchard and make something with the apples later. Visit a corn maze. Drink the cider. Pet the animals.
Let yourself enjoy the nostalgic, low-stakes fun of fall without overthinking it.
Scary Movie Marathon
The tried and true classic. Invite friends over, make it cozy with blankets and dim lighting, and queue up your favorites. Go full horror with films by Jordan Peele: Get Out, Us, Nope, Candyman, or put on a classic like Vampires in Brooklyn, or a new flick like The Blackening. Make it an event where everyone brings snacks or drinks, light some candles, and spend the night getting scared or laughing at wild plot twists.
Bonus: do a bracket-style tournament and vote on the scariest or most unhinged movie of the night. Competitive energy makes everything better.
Explore Local Halloween Events
Most cities have Halloween events beyond bar crawls. Look for the good haunted houses, ghost tours, murder mystery dinners, Halloween markets, or spooky theatrical performances. Museums and historic sites often do candlelit tours or after-hours events with themed cocktails.
It’s a chance to do something different, support local spots, and get into the spirit without the chaos. Plus, you might actually remember it the next day.
Get Crafty
Fall is the season to tap into your creative side. Host a pumpkin carving night. Make a wreath. Bake something seasonal like pumpkin bread or Halloween cookies. Decorate your space with candles, faux leaves, mini pumpkins, and string lights.
Make your place feel like the season, like you actually live there and care about the vibe. It’s the small things.
Take Yourself on a Solo Fall Date
Not everything has to be a group activity. Sometimes the best way to celebrate is alone. Take yourself to a coffee shop with a book. Walk through a park with peak foliage. Browse a bookstore. Get the fancy fall drink. Light a candle at home, put on your coziest fit, and watch a spooky movie by yourself.
There’s something grounding about enjoying the season on your own terms, without coordinating schedules or making it an event. Just you and the vibes.
Throw a Low-Key Costume Party
If you still want the costume experience but not the club chaos, host something at home. Keep it intimate, make costumes optional, or give a fun theme that’s not complicated (decades, all black, your favorite fictional character). Serve good food and drinks, play a solid playlist, and let people enjoy themselves without the pressure of bar hopping.
The key is making it feel like a party you’d actually want to attend. Not performative, just a fun excuse to dress up and be around people you like.
Or Just Put On a Costume and Go Out!
Look, if you still want to dress up and hit the town, do it! There’s nothing wrong with a classic Halloween night out if that’s what sounds fun. Find a spot with good energy, go with people who won’t ditch you, and commit to the costume. The difference now is you’re doing it because you want to, not because you feel like you have to. And you probably have a better costume budget than you did when you were younger.
Just pace yourself, keep your group chat active, and maybe bring a portable charger. The rest will figure itself out.
How are you celebrating spooky season this year?
