6 Steps to Hosting a Chic Halloween Dinner Party

From the tablescape to the theme, here's how to create a sophisticated soirée for the spooky season.

Summer events and dinner parties tend to get all the attention (online and otherwise), but we’d argue that a Halloween event deserves just as much fanfare.

Of course, throwing an elevated Halloween dinner party requires a fresh perspective and a wellspring of decor inspiration. Instead of leaning into the classic Halloween aesthetic that’s only relevant for a week at most – i.e. bowls of candy, fake spider webs, and inexpensive props from the Halloween pop-up store on the corner – why not invest in timeless decor that's a little more grown up?

Ahead, find our guide to throwing a chic Halloween dinner party, from the tablescape to the theme.

1. Decide on a location

In order to envision your dream Halloween gathering, first decide on a location. Given the weather is warming up, a backyard dinner party may be worth considering (space and weather permitting, of course). Otherwise, an indoor soiree is always a safe bet. You can easily create a moody, intimate atmosphere inside.

2. Choose your service style

This is arguably the most important step when planning any dinner party – your chosen service style will determine the kind and number of tables you need to borrow or rent, how you layout your tablescape(s), and what you print on your invites.

Generally speaking, you can opt for a sit-down dinner with a single long table (great for smaller groups), or a strolling buffet or potluck dinner, which requires a large serving table (or kitchen island) plus cocktail or dining tables peppered throughout the space if you so choose (great for larger, more casual gatherings).

3. Create a theme and send invitations

With the location and service style set, you can now decide on a theme and send invites. Of course, if the classic Halloween style is your theme, no further brainstorming is required.

But if you’re a diehard Halloween lover and have a group that’s up to the challenge, you can add a costume-only dress code to the invite or lean into a more specific theme, like Hocus Pocus, vampires, zombies, formal masquerade, 1920s deco, 1970s Studio 54, angels and devils, a full-on murder mystery party — the sky’s the limit.

4. Plan your menu

If you’re handling all of the food in-house, this is where the fun begins. While it's springtime in Australia, leaning into the flavours typically associated with autumn feels very Hallowen-esque; apple tarts, pumpkin spiced desserts, roast chicken with root vegetables, roasted sweet potatoes, and the like.

You can even create a signature cocktail, like a spiced hot toddy, maple cider old fashioned, or spiced sangria flecked with cinnamon, apples, and pears. A board is an easy crowd-pleasing appetiser – just decorate the board with rosemary sprigs, apple slices, purple grapes, pears, and figs.

If you’re hosting a costume party or a themed party, you can get a bit more ghoulish with the food – think pumpkin-shaped cookies, mummy Oreos, spooky charcuterie boards – the possibilities are endless (this is especially fun if kids are invited).

5. Design your tablescape

Now for the main event. Your tablescape will set the tone and colour palette for the event, so choose wisely – our Terracotta, Rust, and Turmeric linens were basically designed for Halloween events. If you’re going for a spookier affair, a moody Mulberry or Crème tablecloth will serve as a great canvas. To visualise the perfect palette, hand-select your tablecloth, placemats, and napkins using our “Build Your Own Table Bundle” feature.

As for the decor, we love the idea of using natural elements as table accents — you can easily use fallen leaves, cinnamon sticks, apples, small pumpkins, persimmon branches, roses, and colourful grapes as table setting and centrepiece accents.

For a moodier affair, we love the idea of leaning into a darker, almost monochrome color palette — think wiry branches, skulls, black or deep purple linens, black glassware and cutlery, and a smoky dry ice purple cocktail at each place setting. No matter what your aesthetic, we’d argue that candlesticks are an essential part of any sophisticated Halloween dinner party — more is more! Black or deep purple candlesticks in gold holders will pair well with any look.

6. Set the mood

Whether you’re hosting a beautiful harvest-inspired dinner or an all-out Halloween party, the atmosphere is important! Curate an awesome playlist for the event and deck out your house in tasteful, autumnal-style decor – tonal bouquets, fresh seasonal greenery, pampas grass, or even pretty dead flowers are perfect complements.

If you’re headed outside, touches like twinkle lights, floating lanterns, and tonal blankets will keep the party roaring post-sunset. If space allows, you can even stream a series of vintage horror movies on a projector to set the mood.