Ghosts and goblins don’t have to get together in person to have a little Halloween fun. Hosting a virtual Halloween event brings together groups from different locations to celebrate this spooky season.
They’re perfect for professional groups and organizations aiming to engage remote teams in thrilling team-building activities, regardless of geographic location.
But virtual Halloween events aren’t just for remote team members; they offer exciting possibilities for various groups and individuals. For example, digital nomads can connect and celebrate Halloween with fellow nomads, fostering a sense of community despite their worldwide travels.
Families separated by distance can also unite for a virtual Halloween gathering. Furthermore, online events for kids offer convenience and safety, providing a joyful Halloween experience.
Read on for tips on hosting a successful virtual Halloween event.
Table of Contents
Why a virtual Halloween event?
How do you celebrate Halloween remotely?
Virtual Halloween party ideas and activities
Why a virtual Halloween event?
A virtual Halloween party is any Halloween-themed celebration taking place in an online setting. These events typically occur synchronously, allowing attendees to connect over the web using live-streaming technology.
Virtual events for Halloween deliver several key benefits. First, they don’t require a venue, which makes them a budget-friendly option. Next, remote Halloween activities are conducive to wide participation since you won’t have to deal with capacity restrictions. Even more, you can invite attendees from across the US — or across the globe — when you host a virtual Halloween event.
How do you celebrate Halloween remotely?
Hosting virtual events for Halloween requires almost the same level of planning and organization as an in-person event. For example, if you’re hosting a livestream, you must ensure you have the tech you need for a smooth event.
Other than this, you’ve got to focus on marketing, ticket sales, and activities that will engage your guests. You can use Eventbrite’s improved online events tools to make all these steps super easy.
Here are some tips for throwing a successful virtual Halloween event.
Understand what your attendees want
Virtual Halloween party attendees are seeking a thrilling escape and lots of fun. This spooky season provides the perfect opportunity to deliver both! Consider the expectations and preferences of your attendees and tailor the experience to meet their unique needs.
Here are some of the expected target audience groups who’d be interested in online Halloween events:
Remote Teams: Remote workers can bond through virtual Halloween events, enhancing team spirit.
Digital Nomads: Location-independent individuals can connect and celebrate with fellow nomads, fostering a sense of community.
Global Families: Families scattered worldwide can come together for a virtual Halloween gathering, sharing memorable moments regardless of distance.
Kids: Online events offer convenience and safety, letting them enjoy the Halloween experience under supervision.
Virtual events are still very popular, so anticipate a growing and diverse audience searching for a spooky and entertaining celebration from the comfort of their homes.
Choose a reliable platform
The perfect video hosting platform will depend on the type of event you’ll be throwing. For a webinar on the Salem witch trials or a “candy and wine pairing” happy hour, you might prefer Zoom to control audience participation seamlessly.
For a live-streamed horror flick event, look into Vimeo, where you can send out a password for your stream along with your tickets. If neither of those platforms seems quite fitting, check out our article on choosing the right hosting platform and discover the best option for your event.
Focus on the tech side for a smooth livestream
Tech-savvy content creators don’t need a ton of equipment to create a killer online event if it’s on a small scale. They can simply plug their laptop into their router to connect faster than Wi-Fi and ensure their microphone uses its optimum settings. Get help from this handy guide to start hosting a high-quality live stream if you’re doing this on your own.
However, irrespective of your technical skills, we suggest hiring a virtual streaming agency to act as a day-of coordinator for medium to large-scale events. They’ll help the event flow smoothly and resolve any issues that might arise, leaving you free to focus on other essential event logistics.
Make your virtual Halloween party safe
While virtual events may not carry the same safety concerns as in-person gatherings, cybersecurity remains paramount. Safety is especially crucial for event creators during virtual Halloween events where attendees may be masked and costumed. Here’s what you can do to minimize the risk:
- Use strong, unique passwords for your virtual event
- Set clear guidelines for both attendees and event personnel
- Be prepared to monitor interactions during the event
Pro Tip: Activate the highest security features on your virtual meeting platform to ensure the safety of all participants.
Additionally, remind attendees to remain cautious about sharing personal information, especially during Halloween events where costumes and masks are prevalent.
Host an inclusive event
Inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility aren’t just buzzwords. They’re requirements for modern events. But meeting today’s standards of inclusivity doesn’t have to be complicated or expansive.
- Consider adding closed captioning to any creepy videos you might show
- Include trigger warnings
- Use inclusive language in promotions and on the day of the event.
Halloween is great for this. After all, “ghouls and goblins” is a gender-neutral greeting!
Pro Tip: Promote inclusivity by describing the accessibility features of your event clearly, as The Cutlery Drawer has done on their Halloween party page. Providing accessibility information lets attendees know what to expect and ensures a more welcoming experience.
You can also get inspiration from Atlas Obscura’s Halloween history event and offer a sliding scale or donation ticket pricing so trick-or-treaters of all income levels can attend.
Take some tips from the pros
Virtual events are here to stay. Rely on advice from the pros as you plan your Halloween-themed virtual events.
The CEO of Daybreaker became an expert in livestream technology through trial and error. Murray’s Cheese in NYC learned how to make its cheese tastings work remotely, and Renegade Craft Fair succeeded in making its first virtual fair even more interactive than its in-person events.
With all that work already done, your event doesn’t have to be a guinea pig. Frankenstein these tried-and-true tips together to host an engaging virtual event.
Make it festive with Halloween-themed merch
Sending your attendees participatory items or add-on kits, such as Halloween decorations, candy, or costume accessories, can help everyone feel like they’re part of the action, even if you’re far apart. You can include these goodies with your ticket prices, list them as an add-on, or send them as complimentary treats.
For instance, when someone buys a ticket to the popular morning dance party Daybreaker LIVE, they’re often sent a “mischief kit” the week before. These kits encourage attendees to get creative with themed craft DIYs and makeup tutorials that start the party early.
Thinking even bigger? Get inspiration from this global virtual Halloween 7in7 where people run marathons in their favorite costumes and earn medals shipped to them irrespective of where they live (as long as they foot the bill)! Notice how they clearly lay out all the instructions so there’s no ambiguity.
The best part? Including physical add-ons with your virtual event adds to your bottom line.
Market your event to attract attendees
You don’t need a long-term marketing plan to throw a successfully spooky online Halloween event. In fact, launching your marketing campaign in the week leading up to the event sells more tickets.
And if you’re selling tickets on Eventbrite, our built-in marketing tools (like email campaigns, social media connectivity, and website-embedded checkouts) help you get the word out fast.
ORLOVE, an event production company, witnessed a 20% boost in deliverability by utilizing Eventbrite’s email platform for its dedicated email blasts. ORLOVE’s founder and CEO, Matt Orlove, is impressed with Eventbrite’s audience targeting feature, which is powered by Eventbrite’s exclusive data.
Get feedback from your attendees
It’s the morning after Halloween, but it’s not time to move on just yet. Getting feedback on an event is like receiving free business advice from the people who matter most: Your attendees!
Send out a brief and efficient survey right after the event and ask what they loved, what they’d change, and what they want next time. Not only will feedback help you better understand their event experiences, but you’ll also get insider knowledge you can use on your next virtual event.
Virtual Halloween party ideas and activities
Virtual Halloween parties let you offer multiple activities during the event, so you’ll be sure to please all your attendees. Consider mixing and matching online Halloween activity ideas to create a customized event that your attendees will love.
1. Use virtual backgrounds
Turn that drab virtual background into something downright spooky. Encourage your participants to choose their scariest virtual background for the event. You can even consider making this activity a competition, with an award for the spookiest virtual background.
2. Create a spooky playlist
What’s a party without music? Your virtual Halloween party calls for a playlist suitable for this frightful season. Fill your playlist with classic Halloween tunes like “Monster Mash” and “Thriller.” You can mix in some scary sounds, too. Think cackling witches, rumbles of thunder, and blood-curdling screams.
3. Halloween-themed activities
You need a spellbinding array of eerie activities to keep your audience involved and elevate your virtual Halloween event. Here are a few exciting virtual Halloween party ideas perfect for participants worldwide.
Whether it’s a corporate soirée, a community gathering, or any online event, these ideas promise to turn your virtual celebration into a delightful experience.
Pumpkin Decorating
A classic pumpkin carving and decorating activity is a timeless Halloween tradition that can be turned into an interactive and engaging experience like this Halloween party by The Cutlery Drawer. Bring in a master carver or a talented artist to help inspire the participants.
Whether they join from Tokyo, Toronto, or Timbuktu, your audience will have a blast creating their ghoulish masterpieces.
Drink and Candy Pairing
Host a virtual drink and candy pairing event and guide the participants on choosing the perfect beverages to complement a variety of candies. Consider adding a trick-or-treat twist — encourage attendees to propose their unique pairings, which could result in a delightful treat or a playful trick. Let participants vote for their favorites and win rewards.
Mask Making
Organize a virtual mask-making workshop that spans the globe. Your participants can craft spooky or whimsical masks, regardless of location. Discuss the choice of materials and techniques to guide your attendees through creating unique masks in the comfort of their homes.
Virtual Costume Contest
Encourage participants to infuse a Halloween flair into their cultural attire, embracing a diverse range of styles. Recognize and reward the most creative, amusing, and spine-tingling outfits, regardless of where your attendees are.
4. Halloween-themed games for adults
Several party games work well in a virtual environment and encourage attendees to interact with each other. In fact, a spooky game can be the perfect ice-breaker to kick your party off.
You can choose one activity that serves as the focus of your virtual Halloween party or opt for a couple of games to keep your party moving. Consider these creative online Halloween party ideas when you plan your next virtual event:
Virtual escape room
Escape rooms require teamwork and problem-solving skills, making them ideal events for colleagues. A Halloween-themed escape room is a festive virtual party idea. Party attendees can work through clues over a live stream to help solve the mystery and “escape” — no room needed.
Virtual murder mystery
A virtual murder mystery brings suspense and thrill to your Halloween virtual event. For instance, Jailhouse Shock by Femme Fatalities demonstrates the incredible potential a murder mystery game holds for online events, elevating your Halloween gathering to new heights of excitement.
Virtual haunted house tour
Haunted houses are classic for Halloween, so consider hosting a virtual haunted house tour at your next event. Find videos of a popular haunted house and have guests follow along on a video tour, or you can take them on a live haunted house tour.
Horror movie trivia
Test your attendees on their horror movie trivia like BucketRace The Fat Big Quiz of… Halloween. Participants can divide up into teams and answer questions about horror movies. Offer a themed prize for the winning team, such as a bag of Halloween candy or a movie gift card to check out the latest horror flick.
Virtual ghost stories
Read a spooky story to your guests or ask them to bring their favorites. You can even invite a local author to log on and read their own ghost story, like Winter Haunts by Writers Online.
5. Virtual Halloween activities for kids
Let kids get in on the spooky, fun Halloween, too. A virtual Halloween party is well suited for children, and an array of activities can keep them engaged during your virtual event. For a kid-themed online Halloween party, offer multiple activities to keep the party moving and hold their attention. Consider these ghoulish kid-friendly activities:
Halloween costume party
Costumes are a must for a kids’ event. Host a costume party that allows each guest to show off their costumes. You can offer prizes for the most creative costumes, ensuring each child receives recognition for a joyful experience. Gain inspiration from the Halloween Havoc Costume Contest — we love their detailed and helpful event description!
Spooky dance party
Play your fun Halloween playlist and let kids dance to their favorite spooky tunes. A dance party keeps kids active and moving during a virtual event. To keep the fun going, take requests and play their favorite music.
Stream a scary movie
Host a Halloween movie night that kids will love. Consider the kids’ ages when choosing a movie, and keep it age-appropriate. Let the kids chat about the movie over the live stream after the flick ends.
Blind candy tasting
Let’s face it — kids expect candy on Halloween. Start the season with a blind candy tasting. You’ll need the parents’ help, so make sure they have candy on hand to get the game going. Kids can try different candies and guess what they are without seeing them.
Halloween crafts
Let kids create a Halloween craft together during the virtual party, such as the one organized by Mary’s Paint Party. Make sure each family has the craft supplies they need beforehand. You can even offer craft kits for participants to pick up or order before the party.
Host a memorable virtual Halloween event
Whether you throw a virtual Halloween party to unite a remote team, organize an event tailored for digital nomads, or bring together families scattered across the globe, as a content creator, you hold the key to crafting a memorable and spine-tingling experience.
Engage your participants with imaginative activities and incorporate thrilling virtual Halloween party ideas.
Learn more about our virtual events platform to guarantee that your gathering is nothing short of a spectacular success. With Eventbrite, you can seamlessly launch, promote, and host your next online event.
