How to celebrate Halloween as an adult (with no kids)

Halloween is an evening usually centered around kids – trick-or-treating, pillowcases full of candy, and little ones running around in adorable costumes. While I wouldn’t trade this for the world, it often leaves adults without kids wondering what to do on October 31st. Once you outgrow being the kid trick-or-treating, it can leave you wondering how to spend the day. 

Halloween can still be a fun and festive time, even without kids in the mix. The key is to lean into the traditions that are fun and age-appropriate for you. No matter what kind of celebrations you’re looking for, there are plenty of creative ways to commemorate the evening.

Attend an All Saints vigil service

Halloween is All Hallows’ Eve after all. All Saints Day, November 1, is a Holy Day of Obligation – gather your friends and spend the evening at an All Saints Vigil. Invite others to grab drinks or a bite to eat after! 

Host a costume party

Dressing up isn’t just for kids! It’s a fun way to express your creativity and get in touch with your inner child. 

Invite friends over for a gathering and encourage everyone to dress up. Costumes don’t have to be extravagant or expensive; just have fun with them! Here are some ideas if you need a little extra inspiration. 

You can make this a chili potluck, a movie night with simple snacks, or an extravagant party! Cater it to your needs and enjoy the holiday with your friends. 

Host a murder mystery party

What feels more Halloween than getting together with friends and solving a spooky mystery? Invite all your friends over to solve the murder mystery. And don’t forget to tell your friends their characters ahead of time so they can come dressed in character! It’s the perfect way to dress up without stressing about what your costume will be. 

Hand out candy

Just because you don’t have kids doesn’t mean you can’t be part of the Halloween magic. If you live in a place with trick-or-treaters, grab a bag of candy, decorate your porch, turn on a Halloween playlist, and have fun passing out candy! Invite friends to join you and make it a party! 

Bonus: Include a saint’s holy card with each treat you hand out and let people know it’s also All Saints’ Day tomorrow!

Have a scary (or not) movie marathon

Don’t feel like dressing up or braving the cold? Instead, invite some friends over (pajamas encouraged) and settle in for a movie marathon – scary or nostalgic, your choice. Encourage everyone to bring their favorite snack to share. 

Plan a “Grown-Up Trick-or-Treat”

If you miss the excitement of trick-or-treating, try hosting a Halloween version of a “My Favorite Things” party. Here’s how it works: each person brings three of their favorite things (either three of the same item or three different things). Think of a favorite candle, snack, book, or beauty product. Once everyone shares why they chose their item(s), names are drawn from a hat (or a candy bucket for a festive touch) to see who takes each gift home.

Note: each person’s name is written on three slips of paper, so everyone will leave with three of their friends’ favorite things!

Halloween doesn’t have to be off-limits just because you don’t have little ones to take trick-or-treating. In fact, it can be an exciting opportunity to celebrate in a way that you actually enjoy. Maybe that looks like hosting friends for a costume party, solving a murder mystery, cozying up for a scary movie marathon, passing out candy to your community, or spending time in prayer at an All Saints Vigil. 

Whatever you choose, the important part is making the evening feel festive, fun, and celebrating in a way that is meaningful to you. Halloween is about more than the candy and costumes; it’s about celebrating the season, creating memories, and bringing more joy into your life and the lives of those around you. So, have fun and celebrate Halloween kid-free!