Countdown to Halloween 2025 Guide

I’ve heard many people say that the countdown to Halloween is just as special (if not even more special) than the actual holiday itself, and I can understand why. While October 31st is a momentous occasion, the excitement really builds during the preceding months and days it takes to get to that point. That’s when the Halloween decor shopping and festivity planning happens. Plus, the spooky season has officially become a two-month long celebration, going from September through October, with Halloween events happening across the U.S. 

So, I create this guide every year releasing it on the 100-days-to-Halloween mark (July 23rd) to help everyone bask in the lead up to All Hallows’ Eve. It’s filled with information I think people would find handy to help them prepare and get into the Halloween spirit. Discover places to shop, costume predictions, music to listen to and more!

Disclaimer: This post does not contain affiliate links. I simply provide the websites for your convenience.

Where to Shop

Small Businesses

Backstitch Bruja

This shop sells apparel and accessories inspired by Halloween, from handbags to button-up shirts. Founder and owner Yvette also has a store in San Dimas, CA, for anyone wanting to browse in person.

Gravehearts Design

Illustrator and graphic designer Vincenzo Savastano creates spooky art with pumpkins, monsters, skulls and more. He sells art prints, clothing and accessories that feature his work.

The Halloween Shirt Company

The name of this brand pretty much sums up what you can find in their online shop! The designs are so cool and they even have spooky tees for other holidays, like Xmas.

Hellflower Soap Company

You’ll find darkly inspired bath and body products galore here. This brand also typically vends at the horror con Midsummer Scream. Some items that stand out to me are the Black Dahlia and Bite Me Cold Process soaps.

Kreepsville

This is such a delightfully macabre brand and they have a physical store in Los Angeles that I still need to check out. Their apparel, accessories and home decor showcase bats, coffins, horror icons and more!

Little Cute Horror Creations

Browse all sorts of spooky pop art shadow boxes inspired by horror. These pieces make for awesome home decor.

R.I.PJs

I purchased a pair of pajamas from this shop when they were vending at Midsummer Scream. If you’re on the hunt for Halloween-inspired lounge wear, look no further.

Major Retailers

At Home

Their online Spooky Shop is now open, and stores have also started putting out Halloween merchandise. I always have a fun time going to my local store to see items in person. 

Bath & Body Works

This year, Bath & Body Works put out a collection dedicated to Summerween. I checked out one of my nearby stores and smelled everything they had. A few items include I Scream Float, Candy Apple Cauldron and Bootown Bakery.

Michaels

Michaels has always been reliable when it comes to seeing Halloween merchandise in summer. This year, they have two collections: Sweet & Spooky and Trick or Treat. The first has a lot of pink shades and the latter is more traditional. I had a nice time browsing in-store. All the colors pop up-close.

Spirit Halloween

I’ve been seeing teasers of their animatronics on social media, and they are so cool! New ones include Back Bend Bonnie, Sinister Straw Man and Valak from The Nun.

Target

Head on down to Trick or Treat Lane at Target to peruse their Halloween collection. Shop costumes, decor, candy and more.

Halloween Costume Predictions

AI-Inspired 

With the rise of AI technology, it’s no surprise that horror movies have jumped on the trend to showcase the scary side of it. Recent releases like M3GAN 2.0, Subservience starring Megan Fox, AfrAId and Companion will no doubt inspire some individuals to lean into the artificial for costume ideas.

John Wick

I am a huge fan of the John Wick saga. While the fourth and final chapter of the series may have been released in 2023, the films have inspired spinoffs, such as Ballerina, which came out this year. I think this may reignite the urge for some to dress as Johnathan or any of the other characters in the John Wick universe.    

The Sandman Characters

The Netflix series just released its second season and already has a lot of people talking. I watched season 1 and really enjoyed it and am excited to jump into the new episodes. The show revels in fantasy, which is great for costume inspiration. There are so many personas to choose from.

Victorian Themes

I’ve long had a fascination with the Victorian period and something I’ve realized over the years is that so do plenty of other people. Victorian topics and related content are popular searches on social media. I learned this when I posted about my time attending a Victorian horror stories event and received an amazing response. Plus, the 2024 Nosferatu remake no doubt has made more people obsessed with the 19th century, so I predict some people will look to this era for costume inspiration. 

Werewolf

The 2025 horror movie Wolf Man has brought werewolves back into the spotlight and I sure hope we see a few howling at the moon and trick or treating this Halloween!

Zombies 

Like vampires, witches and demons, zombies are another iconic costume choice for Halloween. I’m adding them here because 28 Years Later came out this summer and I think people may have the desire to tap into the undead spirit for October.

Halloween Music Recommendations

Dead Man’s Party by Oingo Boingo

The title song screams Halloween and the album cover is inspired by the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead. Plus, band member Danny Elfman is a composer who’s known for creating spooky soundtracks for many of Tim Burton’s movies. If you enjoy new wave, you’ll like this album. 

Exogenesis, Arrival of Nightmares by A Time of Shadows

The latest release from the gothic horror music project A Time of Shadows is inspired by sci-fi. Exogenesis, Arrival of Nightmares is atmospheric and reminds me of the movie, Alien. It’s perfect for setting an eerie mood.

Halloween House Party by The Boulet Brothers

This is fun to listen to and I’ve done so, many times. As the album title suggests, it’s great to put on for gatherings with friends. Every track oozes spooky, from “The Ghost Train” to “The Vampire Song.” 

Pandora’s Box by Nox Arcana

Nox Arcana has come out with a new gothic horror album. Joseph Vargo, who’s the man behind this project, does an amazing job crafting macabre sounds that take me away to haunted castles and dark forests.  

Selected Scenes from the End of the World by London After Midnight

This is a classic goth music selection. Selected Scenes from the End of the World was the band’s debut album. I love it, and with songs like “The Black Cat” and “Claire’s Horrors,” why wouldn’t you want to listen to it during the spookiest time of the year?  

Halloween Movie Recommendations

The Curse of Bridge Hollow (2022)

Marlon Wayans stars in this horror comedy as a father who is a Scrooge when it comes to Halloween festivities. However, his family has relocated to a town that goes all out for the holiday and holds a paranormal secret. I have watched this movie so many times because it gives me the Halloween feels and evokes fall. It’s also a good choice to watch with the family. 

Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)

Another ideal family-friendly film selection, Hocus Pocus 2 is entertaining and definitely delivers All Hallows’ Eve energy. If you’re a fan of the original movie, then you’ll appreciate the sequel. 

Hubie Halloween (2020)

This is another horror comedy that I’ve rewatched over and over again. I throw it on when I want to immerse myself in October vibes, which happens often. It’s set in Salem and features Adam Sandler as the outcast Hubie who loves Halloween. Mysterious events start to happen and it’s up to Hubie to solve it. I will say Shaquille O’Neal’s role is hilarious. Like many of Sandler’s films, due to the nature of humor, this is a watch for a mature audience.  

The Munsters (2022)

I can’t get enough of Rob Zombie’s The Munsters movie. There are some departures from the original TV series, but the way I see it is this is a modern-day reimagining of the show. It’s spooky and I love how vibrant the color choices are for the costumes and sets.

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Sleepy Hollow starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci has become a Halloween movie classic. It’s inspired by the story of the Headless Horseman from Washington Irving’s gothic tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. If you want to watch something that’s macabre and eerily supernatural, this will deliver.

Events

My Odd & Macabre Events calendar is an insightful source for Halloween events happening in the U.S., as well as across the globe. I list horror conventions, haunts, activities, shows and other attractions. Take a look to see what’s scheduled so far and begin making plans. I do my best to update it.

Spooky Content Creators

Angela Benedict

While not specifically Halloween-related, Angela Benedict’s YouTube channel is dedicated to the goth subculture, which is, in essence, quite macabre. I’ve been following her for years and enjoy her nostalgic and honest reflections about the 90s goth scene.

Eat The Dead

A blog created by Hellen Die who is the author of the horror-inspired cookbook, The Necro-Nom-Nom-Nomicon. Her site is a great source for recipes and dark arts and crafts.

Ghoul Daddies

Matthew and Paul are social media content creators that post about Halloween and horror events, activities and attractions. They actually hosted the 28 Years Later advanced screening I attended and are a fun pair. Follow Ghoul Daddies to discover where their adventures take them next.  

The NoSleep Podcast

Someone had suggested this podcast to me in the comments section of one of my social media posts. I still have to check it out, but it’s become a very popular and highly rated horror fiction podcast. Tune in if you enjoy listening to creepy stories. 

Rawl of the Dead

Rawl is a photographer who specializes in dark photography. His work features gothic models, horror characters and more. For the past couple of years, he’s had a photo booth at Midsummer Scream where attendees can get their photo taken amid a macabre background.

Spooky Little Halloween

Miranda, the creator behind the blog Spooky Little Halloween, also publishes a magazine of the same name. Her special Halloween edition is packed with all sorts of information, from party planning tips to DIY projects. Order your copy now!

VAMP

VAMP is a well-known figure in the Halloween and horror community. She is one of the hosts of the show and podcast Let’s Get Spooky and also dabbles in acting and modeling. I enjoy watching Let’s Get Spooky episodes on YouTube. She and her co-host AJ have covered all sorts of freaky topics. Plus, she is a regular guest at Midsummer Scream where she has a booth selling her merch. On occasion, she also hosts panels and does interviews at the event.

Conclusion

Now, go forth and begin preparations! I hope you had a fun time perusing this special guide and enjoy making your life more macabre. Reference this anytime you need ideas and inspiration. I hope you all have a fantastic spooky season and Halloween!