Our Top Halloween Tips: Playlists, Looks & DIY Costumes 🎃

A crisp, no-fluff guide to plan your Halloween party: top-5 song lists, photo-friendly lighting, and simple costume ideas.

Quick starter pack: music structure to keep the room moving, lighting colors that flatter photos, and costumes that look good and let you dance.

How to Theme the Music (Without Killing the Vibe)

  1. Start familiar: Open with floor-fillers, then add theme tracks once people are moving.
  2. Rotate the theme: Play 2–3 Halloween tracks, then switch to mainstream bangers.
  3. Use remixes/mashups: Spooky intros to big drops keep energy high.
  4. Save the obvious ones: Thriller, Heads Will Roll for peak time.
  5. Finish decisively: One final anthem; lights down for a photo moment.
DJ booth with Halloween-themed visuals

Top Halloween Tunes (Pick Your Crowd)

Peak-Time Bangers (18+)

  1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs — Heads Will Roll (A-Trak Remix)
  2. Michael Jackson — Thriller (DJ Edit)
  3. Ray Parker Jr. — Ghostbusters (Club Mix)
  4. Rihanna — Disturbia
  5. Billie Eilish — bad guy

Family-Friendly / Schools

  1. Ray Parker Jr. — Ghostbusters
  2. Bobby “Boris” Pickett — Monster Mash
  3. Justin Timberlake — Can’t Stop the Feeling!
  4. Little Mix — Black Magic
  5. Black Eyed Peas — I Gotta Feeling

All-Time Favourites

  1. Rockwell — Somebody’s Watching Me
  2. Backstreet Boys — Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)
  3. Blue Öyster Cult — (Don’t Fear) The Reaper
  4. Lady Gaga — Bad Romance
  5. Britney Spears — Toxic

Tip: Keep a short “must-play” and “no-play” list for music consistency.

Guests dancing under amber and violet uplights

Looks That Photograph Beautifully

  • Amber + violet uplighting: Flattering and atmospheric — see Mood Lighting.
  • Simple visuals: Pumpkins, ravens, or neon bats as subtle loops.
  • Reflective floors: Mirror-depth for an otherworldly vibe — 3D Infinity.
  • Statement letters: “BOO” or “SPOOKY” — LED Letters.

Costumes: Easy Wins That Dance Well

Prioritize comfort and movement. Add one theme piece (mask, cape, neon) and keep footwear practical.

Quick Solo Wins

  • All-black + reflective tape (cyber-witch)
  • Monochrome suit + skull mask
  • Neon accessories under UV

Quick Group Wins

  • Wednesday squad (Gomez/Morticia/Wednesday)
  • Classic monsters (Dracula, Mummy, Wolf)
  • Vampire ball (capes + contacts)

More Group Ideas

  • Neon ravers (UV accents)
  • Gothic masquerade (half masks)
  • Cat-eye makeup + short cape
Happy crowd in costume on the dancefloor Violet and orange lighting with reflective dancefloor and BOO letters

Halloween – Quick FAQs

How many theme songs is too many?

Try 2–3 tracks per “theme burst,” then reset with mainstream hits.

Best lighting colours for photos?

Amber + violet are reliable. Keep faces lit, avoid heavy strobe.

Do I need props?

Optional. Simple props like masks or neon sticks encourage photos.

What if the crowd is mixed ages?

Start family-friendly, shift to peak-time, end with sing-alongs.

Oly Rhodes