Countdown to Halloween 2023 Guide

There’s a significant date during summerween that denotes the nearing of spooky season, and it is the 100-day mark to Halloween on July 23rd! The time has come to get serious about preparing for All Hallows’ Eve, so I’ve created my annual “Countdown to Halloween Guide” for 2023. Find out where to shop, what music to add to your creepy playlist, what events are transpiring and more.

Where to Shop

Small Businesses

Before I dive into the major retailers that will be stocking Halloween products, I first want to spotlight and show my support for small businesses that create unique spooky items year-round. There are many shops I follow on social media, so the following are just a few of those businesses. Truth be told, many of these big-name stores get their Halloween design ideas from independent creators, like the ones I’m about to mention. If you can, show your support and purchase from one of these gems.

Catacomb Culture

Bones, skulls and skeletons fill this shop. The owner, Jeremy, customizes every sculpture and offers food-safe dinnerware, drinkware, lights and more.

Coffin Collector

The name says it all. This shop specializes in coffins crafted for all types of purposes: bookshelves, mirrors and tables. Tom, the founder, also makes other creepy items. His Etsy shop carries a few products but follow him on Instagram for the latest coffin merchandise he has available.

Life After Death Designs

This online store is like the goth HomeGoods and was started by a couple, Ronnie and Rachael, who appreciate the macabre. They carry all sorts of lovely gothic décor for the living room, bedroom, kitchen and beyond.

Meagan Meli

If you love cute and spooky, this shop is for you! Meagan Meli is an artist who sells prints of her work and puts her designs on coffee mugs, cups, candy jars and many other things. Her Ghostly Manor Vintage Inspired collection will totally bring the October vibes into your abode.

Out of the Darkwell

This small business sells handcrafted gothic décor that incorporates taxidermy. The pieces look beautifully made and detailed.

Vamp Manor

I had the fortune of interviewing Lady Vamp, one half of the duo behind this brand. She and her husband (Mr. Wolf) custom design and handcraft all items in their shop and are currently starting to make more. Their Planchette Table is a best seller.

Major Retailers

At Home

As far as I know, At Home beat the competition and was the first big box store to put out their Halloween goods. I saw people posting about their shopping experiences back in June. When I went to my local shop around that time, they only had one aisle of spooky items. But by now, I’m sure locations everywhere have a lot more on display. I brought home a cool Ouija board door mat. Their stock includes all sorts of cute, kitschy Halloween items at budget-friendly prices.

Bath & Body Works

There are hints of Halloween at Bath & Body Works, and online I saw their Vampire Blood, Pumpkin Carving and Ghoul Friend candles. I’m not sure what it looks like in stores but keep an eye out because their collection of spooky-inspired candles, fragrances and body care are to die for. Items tend to sell fast, so you should act quickly once you see products hit the shelves.

Crate & Barrel

If you prefer a more chic and elevated look and don’t mind the higher price tags, this store is for you. I’ve never perused their spooky wares in person, and I had no idea they released an All Hallows’ Eve collection annually, until recently. From what I’ve seen on their website, their products are high quality, tasteful and can be used year-round for those who lead a macabre lifestyle 24/7, like moi!

Grandin Road

This retailer started featuring the Halloween Haven shop on their website’s homepage in June, and it’s a must to browse through. They carry more elaborate home décor, and it looks like their items are well-crafted, so the price points are higher.  They also have awesome animated items for those who like to get really creative with decorating. One that caught my eye was the Animated Spell Casting Cauldron.

Hallmark

Whether you want to send out fun and ghastly Halloween greeting cards or add adorable decorations to your home, Hallmark is a wonderful place to go. They have items inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus and The Haunted Mansion, to name just a few. They’re already displaying their Halloween goods online, but I’m not sure when they’ll hit the store shelves.

Home Depot

This is the store to head to if you enjoy going all out with your outdoor Halloween decorating. They’ve got insane animatronics, props and indoor decorations featured online. Nothing is displayed in stores yet, but I notice they usually don’t put their stock out until August.

HomeGoods

I love perusing the spooky goodies at HomeGoods. They’ve got quality merchandise at affordable prices, and they usually have a wide assortment of styles ranging from cute to chic. I think everyone has certain Halloween looks they prefer, and this retailer has something to suit different tastes.

Menards

So, you won’t find any brick and mortar Menards unless you live in the Midwest. However, it appears they ship across the U.S. and Canada. The retailer seems similar to Michaels stores, and they have an array of Halloween items to shop online. They’ve also got a few Halloween blog articles that share helpful tips.

Michaels

I always enjoy checking out what direction Michaels decides to take with their Halloween décor style. Over the years, I’ve seen an array of color schemes, from black and gold to rose pink. They’ve also done various collections inspired by the occult, the Victorian period and more kitschy Halloween themes. They often bring back a few items from the previous year.

Their Halloween shop is alive online, and many stores should also have at least some products displayed. One item that I was quite impressed by was the Design Toscano Gothic Prayer Wall Sculpture inspired by Anne Stokes’ painting of the same name. It’s stunning and only available on the website.

Party City

This is where the Halloween party’s at…at least online. I’m not sure what Party City has put out currently  in stores, but virtually you can browse a wide range of costumes, special effects makeup, event supplies and home décor. Plus, they’re introducing new animatronics this fall, such as Leatherface from Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the Lunging Black Angel of Death. I’ve already got the chills.

PetSmart & Petco

We mustn’t forget the fur babies in our lives when it comes to celebrating spooky season! They should have in on the fun too. While I’m not sure when these stores put out their Halloween collections, I would assume for sure by September (maybe even August), you should see pet costumes, accessories and other spooky treats on the shelves and on their websites.

Spirit Halloween

The flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ, will have its grand opening on July 29th and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. I’m sure we’ll witness Spirit Halloween pop-up shops open nationwide and welcome patrons. You can find an array of costumes and officially licensed collections from Stranger Things, Beetlejuice, Chucky, The Nightmare Before Christmas and more. Browse their ‘Spirit Hallows Cemetery’ for their newest animatronics and visit their website to search for stores local to you.

Halloween Costume Predictions

M3gan

M3gan was one of the first horror films to hit the big screen in 2023, and I’ve got a feeling we’ll see some imitators creeping around this October. She’s like the Chucky of the AI world, and although she looks innocent, she’s terrifying as hell! I enjoyed the movie and was equally freaked out and entertained by the doll. I’m eager to see people dress up like her.

The Last of Us

The Last of Us is a horror TV series that debuted in January of this year and is based on the 2013 video game of the same name. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where a fungal infection is turning humans into zombie-like fiends. The show is a hit with viewers, and Universal Studios will feature a maze inspired by it at Halloween Horror Nights. My guess is fans may choose to go as one of the main characters, Joel or Ellie. Or some may opt to go the undead route and assume the role of an infected creature.

Possessed Person

Demonic possessions and exorcisms are making a comeback this year with the release of films like Pope’s Exorcist and Evil Dead Rise. Plus, it’s been announced the 1976 The Exorcist is getting a reboot with The Exorcist: Believer slated to hit theaters this October. From what I’ve read, it’ll expand on the story told in the original movie. So prepare yourselves to possibly see possessed individuals and maybe even some priests hitting the streets.

Vampires

Vampires are a classic choice every Halloween, and you’re guaranteed to see many people sporting fangs. Where I think things may differ this year is character choices. The horror comedy Renfield, starring Nicolas Cage as Dracula and Nicholas Hoult as his familiar Renfield, came out this year. It put a humorous twist on the gothic tale, and I can imagine people having fun tag teaming as the battling duo.

The fifth season of the hilarious TV series What We Do In The Shadows hit the small screens this July. The show is immensely popular, and the entire cast is a great inspiration for Halloween costume ideas. Who wouldn’t have a riot of a time dressing up as Nandor, Laszlo, Nadja and her doll, vampire slayer Guillermo or even the energy-sucking Colin Robinson?

Wednesday Addams

Wednesday was on this list last year before the TV series came to Netflix. I’m including her again because now that millions of viewers have been bewitched by the show, I’ve no doubt we’ll see even more Wednesday Addams clones. However, I think many of the costumes this spooky season will draw inspiration from Jenna Ortega’s portrayal as opposed to Christina Ricci’s. I’m interested in seeing the differences.

Halloween Music Recommendations

Lamia Vox

I absolutely adore the occult and witchy vibes this artist creates. Her dark ambient music is quite ritualistic, and when I close my eyes, I can imagine spirits being summoned. I suggest checking out the album Sigillum Diaboli first. “At the Crossroads of the Worlds” is my favorite track.

Male Tears

If you want dark music you can dance to, then put on Male Tears. This duo is popular in the goth scene, and their music is a blend of darkwave and electropop. Their latest album Krypt is filled with songs that are macabre and will make you want to move.

Ministry: “Every Day Is Halloween”

I mean, how could I not include this song? It’s practically an All Hallows’ Eve anthem. This darkwave classic by Ministry will not only awaken the Halloween spirit but will also help you keep the spooky vibes alive year-round.

Siouxsie and the Banshees: “Halloween” & “Spellbound”

I think the song titles pretty much speak for themselves. “Halloween” and “Spellbound” are from the gothic rock band’s 1981 album Juju. They’re fun to listen to and excellent to play as you put up Halloween décor. Plus, Siouxsie Sioux returned to the stage for the first time since 2008 at this year’s Cruel World Fest. All the more reason to enjoy her music and celebrate.

Shadow’s Symphony

For those who are fans of Midnight Syndicate and Nox Arcana, you’ll love this band. They specialize in making morbid atmospheric music for haunts and describe their sound as “haunting music from the darkness.” Shadow’s Symphony would be great to have on in the background as you give out candy or during your Halloween event.

A Time of Shadows

Last October, I did a Q & A with Paul, the individual behind this music project. A Time of Shadows produces gothic and horror melodies that are perfect for getting you into the Halloween mood. The album series Ravenson Mansion is accompanied by novellas, so you can host spooky story time with family and friends while listening to the music.

Spooky Events

The following is just a small selection of events taking place during spooky season. You’ll find a more detailed list in my Odd & Macabre calendar but enjoy this preview.

Horror Cons

There are horror conventions galore happening throughout September and October across the U.S. and even one in Scotland. A few include Terror Con in Marlborough, MA; Days of the Dead Houston; HorrorCon Los Angeles; and Spookala Tampa. I’ve added these events and more to my Odd & Macabre calendar, so check it out for more details and links to purchase tickets.

Bram Stoker Festival

If you’re lucky enough to live in Dublin, Ireland, then you don’t want to miss the Bram Stoker Festival occurring from October 27th to October 30th. It pays homage to the author and hosts all sorts of spooky experiences for the family.

Theme Park Haunts

Major amusement parks in the U.S. will host haunts, featuring scare zones, mazes and terrifying shows. I love Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights and go every year. The theme park also has locations in Orlando, Japan and Singapore. Let’s also not forget Knott’s Scary Farm, Six Flags Fright Fest and Halloween Time at Disneyland.  These are just a few, but if you live near a theme park, check to see if they’ll be hosting special haunts.

The Vampire Circus

This vampiric troupe is touring across the U.S. and Canada for nearly the entire month of October and would make for a fangtastic spooky outing to plan with family and friends.

Halloween Blogs, Vlogs & Podcasts

All Hallows Geek

All Hallows Geek is an awesome online resource for everything Halloween and horror. There’s fresh content to check out every day, and it’s a great reference if you want to stay in-the-know with the latest spooky news.

By Pumpkin’s Light

Mike, the founder of All Hallows Geek, and Miranda, the woman behind Spooky Little Halloween, are the hosts of this delightful podcast. They launched it this year and interview all types of creators in the spooky industry.

Creepy Kingdom

This is another fantastic online resource for the latest macabre news, and they host events. I used to be a contributing writer for the website and had a great time collaborating with the team going on creepy adventures. Visit their website for spooky media coverage.

The Horrors of Halloween

This blog is dedicated solely to horror films that are set during Halloween or the fall season. You’ll find movie reviews, trailers, news and more so you can start planning your fall “to-watch” list.

Jade The Libra

I’ve mentioned Jade The Libra before and I must include her again because she is an excellent source when it comes to Halloween décor shopping during summerween. Subscribe to her YouTube channel and watch her “Halloween Shopping Guide 2023” video for a breakdown of which stores will be carrying spooky merchandise. Plus, join her as she takes you with her on her shopping excursions.

Let’s Get Spooky

Let’s Get Spooky is available on podcast platforms and YouTube on LeeAnna Vamp’s channel. It’s hosted by Vamp and AJ, and they talk about all sorts of fun and macabre topics. I prefer to watch the episodes because the set is really neat and I love seeing the chemistry between the creators. Whether you decide to look or listen, you’ll enjoy the show either way.

Midge Munster

I just learned about Midge Munster and subscribed to her YouTube channel. Her content is a delightful mix of vintage and spooky, and she posts videos showing off her Halloween decorating and shopping adventures.

Conclusion

That wraps up this year’s “Countdown to Halloween Guide.” I hope it helps you prepare and get in the mood for the fall. I’ll likely update the ‘Where to Shop’ section as stores begin to put out Halloween merch in stores, so you may want to bookmark this blog post to refer back to it. Have fun planning for spooky season and let me know what you think of this guide!