Carved pumpkins, ghosts, witches, creative costumes and plenty of candy – Halloween is almost here! The last day of October brings a touch of mystery, plenty of excitement and the perfect excuse to do something out of the ordinary. Whether it's a fun costume party with friends, a horror movie marathon or an adventure-filled evening with the kids, there are plenty of ways to celebrate.

Although Halloween is not a traditional Estonian holiday, it has become increasingly popular in Estonia. We're sharing ideas on how to celebrate Halloween in 2026 and what fun activities you can plan.

When Is Halloween in 2026?

Halloween is celebrated on October 31, and in 2026 it falls on a Saturday. This makes it a great opportunity to throw a proper Halloween party or spend the whole weekend enjoying themed activities.

The history of Halloween goes back centuries, with its origins linked to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Today, Halloween is best known for costumes, jack-o'-lanterns, candy and spooky celebrations.

In Estonia, Halloween is celebrated at home, in kindergartens, schools and at various public events.

7 Fun Halloween Celebration Ideas

1. Throw a Memorable Halloween Costume Party

What's Halloween without costumes? Gather your friends or family and throw a proper Halloween costume party!

To make the evening even more exciting, choose a theme for the party. For example:

• Horror movie characters – vampires, zombies, ghosts and famous movie characters.
• Witches and wizards – magical costumes, mysterious drinks and an enchanting atmosphere.
• Celebrity Halloween – each guest dresses up as a famous person or character.
• Black-and-white horror party – all decorations and guests' costumes follow a black-and-white color scheme.
• Add a costume contest, a photo corner and some themed music, and you've got everything you need for a memorable evening.

2. Carve Your Own Halloween Pumpkins

Pumpkin carving is one of the most popular Halloween traditions and a great activity for the whole family.

Everyone can create their own unique jack-o'-lantern, whether it's funny, scary or simply adorable.

Once the pumpkins are ready, place them by the front door, on the terrace or on a windowsill. Illuminated with LED candles, they create a wonderful Halloween atmosphere after dark.

If you're carving pumpkins with children, you can also organize a small competition and choose the funniest, scariest and most creative pumpkin.

3. Organize a Halloween Treasure Hunt for Kids

For families with children, Halloween can become one of the most exciting events of autumn.

One of the most entertaining Halloween activities for kids is a themed treasure hunt. Hide small surprises and treats around your home or garden, then prepare clues to help children find them.

For example, each clue could lead to another ghost, pumpkin or mysterious message. Once the final challenge is solved, a big treasure of treats will be waiting for the children.

You can also organize other Halloween games, such as ghost bowling, a spiderweb obstacle course or drawing a monster while blindfolded.

4. Have a Halloween Horror Movie Marathon at Home

If hosting a big party doesn't sound appealing, Halloween is the perfect excuse for a cozy movie night.

Choose a few Halloween-themed movies, prepare some popcorn and create a cozy, slightly spooky atmosphere at home.

To make the movie night even more special, ask everyone to come dressed in costume and serve Halloween-themed snacks.

5. Make Halloween-Themed Food and Treats

Halloween is a great opportunity to get creative in the kitchen. Even everyday dishes can be transformed into fun and slightly spooky treats.

Here are a few ideas to try:

• Mummy sausage rolls – wrap sausages in strips of pastry and add little eyes.
• Ghost cookies – decorate cookies with white icing and chocolate eyes.
• Pumpkin muffins – autumn-inspired muffins that can be topped with orange icing.
• Witch's potion – colorful juice or lemonade served in unusual glasses.
• Monster pizza – use olives, bell peppers and cheese to create funny monster faces on your pizza.

Getting the kids involved in preparing these treats makes it even more enjoyable. That way, getting ready for Halloween becomes a fun activity in itself.

6. Turn Your Home into a Haunted House

If you're looking for a truly special Halloween experience, transform your home into a haunted house for the evening.

Use artificial spiderwebs, pumpkins, ghost decorations, dim lighting and mysterious sound effects. You can give different rooms their own themes, such as a witch's cave, a ghostly hallway or a vampire's living room.

For children, create a fun and playful haunted house with little surprises waiting around every corner.

For an adult Halloween party, add some extra excitement by organizing a murder mystery game where guests work together to solve a mysterious case.

7. Attend a Halloween Event

If you'd rather try something different than celebrating at home, explore Halloween events taking place in your area.

At the end of October, many venues organize costume parties, themed evenings, children's events and other exciting experiences.

Families can visit a themed workshop or take part in Halloween games. With friends, you could plan an evening at an escape room, attend a horror-themed event or organize a group outing.

It's worth checking local event calendars early, as tickets for the most popular events may sell out quickly.

Halloween with Kids – How to Make It Extra Special

For children, Halloween is full of excitement and discovery. Costumes, games and, of course, candy are often the biggest highlights.

For younger children, it's best to focus on fun rather than frightening activities. You could organize a costume parade at home, make paper ghosts or arrange a flashlight treasure hunt.

Older children may enjoy more adventurous activities, such as solving riddles, taking part in themed competitions or hosting a Halloween party with friends.

If children plan to go trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, they should be accompanied by an adult and visit only homes where trick-or-treaters are welcome.

How to Prepare for Halloween

Although Halloween lasts just one evening, the excitement often begins weeks in advance.

Start by deciding whether you want to celebrate at home, organize a larger party or attend an event. Once you've made your plans, you can start thinking about costumes, decorations and activities.

If you're planning a bigger party, it's a good idea to invite guests early and decide on a theme. You should also consider your budget to make sure all planned activities and purchases fit comfortably within your family's financial means.

When it comes to larger expenses, planning ahead is always a sensible approach. Laen.ee offers various financing solutions to help cover larger necessary expenses. Find out more about the available options on the laen.ee website.