The Ultimate Halloween Party Playlist

The Ultimate Halloween Party Playlist

Honed through years of throwing very successful Halloween Parties, this Halloween Party Playlist is practically guaranteed to please the entire crowd. This isn’t just a list of songs. This is a list of songs in a carefully crafted order, that took years to perfect.

If you’re planning an adult Halloween Party, especially if you want one where there will be dancing, there are a few critical ingredients to make it a success:

  • Decorations
  • Costumes
  • Booze
  • Snacks
  • Music

My job, for many years, has been the music… and I take that job VERY seriously.  It started with a fairly simple playlist. But then – each year – I would pay attention to which songs really got the crowd going, and which songs got the crowd leaving the dance floor.

Halloween Party Decorations Using Old Masks

The challenge creating the perfect Halloween Party Playlist was – in part – because of the generation mix of the crowd. We had people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, & 50s in attendance… so just putting the Top 40 on random would NOT work.

Plus, it’s Halloween…. so there are certain songs that are an absolute MUST.



Year, after year, I tweaked it and changed it.  I even timed it to make sure that the right music would play at the right time.  The results?  A smash hit.  But don’t just take my word for it, here are some actual quotes from previous party goers.

“Oh. My. God. I LOVE this song!”

“I need to sit down for a minute, but the awesome music won’t let me!”

“Are those Cheetos!  I LOVE Cheetos!!!”

“I seem to have lost my drink somewhere.”

“Dude. Hold my Beer!”

This list may not be exactly what you need, but it should give you some inspiration for some of the best Halloween Party Music that has withstood the test of time.  And you’ll notice that I left a few slots in the program to insert some of the current Top 40 songs that everybody loves.  It helps to keep the list fresh, although 90% of it is the exact same music every year.

So – let’s get this party started.

The Warm Up

Halloween Party Decorations - Creepy Doll

We always set the party start time at 8 p.m., knowing that practically no one would actually show up at 8 p.m.  Who shows up at a party at the very beginning?  But – just in case someone does – you need to have some music playing.



This is a good place for some mood-setting music, but you don’t want to use your best stuff at the beginning of the night when just you will hear it.

Halloween Party Playlist  – 8 pm to 9 pm

SONGARTIST
Sunshine in a BagGorillaz
HereAlessia Cara
Stitched upHerbie Hancock
Undisclosed DesiresMuse
These WordsNatash Beddingfield
My Kind Of LoveEmile Sande
Lose ControlHedley
So WhatPink
ScandalousMistique
You Don’t Own MeGrace
Tik TokKesha
Lips are Movin’Meghan Trainor
Something BigSean Mendes
Whoa is MeDown with Webster
SingEd Sheeran
TOP 40 PLACEHOLDERTBD

Guests Start to Arrive

Halloween Party Decorations - Head in a Bowl

At this point in the evening, a few guests will start to arrive. Some of these are the “Make an Appearance” folks who will be gone long before midnight.  The music will be at a decent decibel, but not so loud that you can’t have a conversation with the people as they arrive.



You still don’t want to use up the best songs, but you need to start getting into the Halloween Party Groove.

Halloween Party Playlist  – 9 pm to 10 pm

SONGARTIST
The GardenMirah
My Hands to MyselfSelena Gomez
TOP 40 PLACEHOLDERTBD
Gossip FolksMissy Elliot
Spell on YouBetter Midler
You Sexy ThingHot Chocolate
Leave Your Hat OneTom Jones
Night of the Dancing FlameRoisin Murphy
FireGavin Degraw
Shake That ThingSean Paul
StompaSerena Ryder
Shut Up and Let Me GoTing Tings
Let’s Get RetardedBlack Eyed Peas
HappyPharell Williams
Song 2Blur
Lady MarmaladeChristina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya, Pink
Monster MashBobby Pickett

Things are Heating Up

Halloween Party Decorations - Pumpkin

At this point in the evening, a few more guests have arrived, and the house is starting to fill up.  Drinks are flowing, and the eager people have already started to migrate to the dance floor.  A few of the “Make an Appearance” folks have already left, and a few have decided to stay longer than they expected (it happens every year).



I like to start out with some Old School stuff to get the party going.  This tends to get the less “I need to be cool” crowd onto the dance floor.  And once people are on the dance floor, you’ve got some momentum going.

And, no, that’s not a typo.  I use back-to-back versions of I Will Survive to do a transition from some of the old school music into a bit more of a modern “hint at what’s to come”.  You’d be very surprised how few people even notice that these two songs are actually the same song by different artists.  But that’s just an indication of how much fun they are having.

Halloween Party Playlist  – 10 pm to 11 pm

SONGARTIST
Mustang SallyThe Commitments
Hooked on a FeelingBlue Swede
KissTom Jones
Ballroom BlitzSweet
Tainted LoveSoft Cell
Come on EileenDexy’s Midnight Runners
Brick HouseThe Commodores
I Will SurviveGloria Gaynor
I Will SurviveCake
End of TimeBeyoncé -JIMEK Remix
TOP 40 PLACEHOLDERTBD
LowFlo Rida
Hot In HereNelly
PonyGenuwine
Every Day Is HalloweenMinistry
Everybody Dance NowC&C Music Factory

It’s Getting Hot in Here

Halloween Party Decorations - Poseable Skeleton

By this time, pretty much anyone who is going to show up to the party is already here. People are well into their supply of drinks. The dance floor has a good crowd. Things have already spilled in places you will regret tomorrow.  Nothing has broken (yet). In other words, the party is going well.

Now’s the time to crank things up to 11.



Just before the witching hour is when the hard-core Halloween stuff comes out to play.  These are crowd pleasers for practically everyone, young and old alike.

Halloween Party Playlist  – 11 pm to Midnight

SONGARTIST
I’m Too SexyRight Said Fred
FunPitbull
Get it on TonightMichael Jordan
Play That Funky Music White BoyWild Cherry
Time WarpRocky Horror Picture Show
The TwistChubby Checker
YMCAVillage People
Mony MonyBilly Idol
Love ShackB52s
Alley OopHollywood Argyles
ThrillerMichael Jackson
Get OffPrince
Kiss (Prince)Prince
Sweet TransvestiteRocky Horror Picture Show
Hey MamaBlack Eye Peas

The Witching Hour

Halloween Party Decorations - Old Mask

The party is in full-swing at this point. The dance floor is crowded. And there has been at least one dance-off.



There are other groups in other parts of the house that are not dancing, but they are enjoying the flow of music and the fun times that are happening around them.

Halloween Party Playlist  – 1 am to 2 am

SONGARTIST
MilkshakeKellis
Mambo # 5Lou Bega
Money (That’s What I Want)Flying Lizards
Purple People EaterJimmy Buffet
Thrift ShopMacklemore
Blurred LinesRobin Thicke
Love Like ThisFaith Evans
Turn Down for WhatDJ Snake & Lil Jon
In the AyerFloRida + Will I Am
In Da Club50 Cent
Red Red WineUB40
Rapper’s DelightWedding Singer Soundtrack
VougeMadonna
ShoutThe Isley Brothers

 Keeping the Party Going

Halloween Party Decorations - Dragon

At a bar, this would be when the party starts to wind down and last calls are heard.



But this is a house party, and nobody is ready to go home quite yet (well, except for the remnants from the “Make an Appearance” folks who suddenly realize that their “appearance” has lasted 4+ hours.)

Halloween Party Playlist  – 1 am to 2 am

SONGARTIST
Battle FlagLo Fidelity Allstars
Closer to GodNine Inch Nails
#1 CrushGarbage
SailAwolnations
The Way I AreTimbeland
TOP 40 PLACEHOLDERTBD
TOP 40 PLACEHOLDERTBD
You Can Do ItIce Cube
DareGorillaz
Whine UpKat Deluna
SeeyaDeadmau5
Uptown FunkBruno Mars
TOP 40 PLACEHOLDERTBD
Wanna BeSpice Girls
GhostbustersRay Parker Jr.

And Going…

Halloween Party Decorations - Grim Reaper

Some of the crowds have left, a few people who don’t know how to handle their alcohol have passed out somewhere in the house (you’ll find them tomorrow, don’t worry).  But there are still plenty of people who are going strong and loving every minute of it.



Now is NOT the time to let them off the hook.  But, since the crowds have died down a touch, now you can safely add a couple of Country songs to please those few friends that LOVE country music. Get those songs over with quickly, like ripping off a bandage.

Halloween Party Playlist  – 2 am to 3 am

SONGARTIST
Man, I Feel Like a WomanShania Twain
CowboyKid Rock
Scream and ShoutWill I Am / Britney Spears
BadMichael Jackson
Move ThisTechnotrinc
That GirlMaxi Priest
Crank ThatSoulja Boy
TambourineEve
TOP 40 PLACEHOLDERTBD
Love CatsCure
Jump AroundHouse of Pain
Without MeEminem
Take Me OutFranz Ferdinand
NumbLinkin Park
Party Like a RockstarShop Boys
Walk Like an EgyptianBangles

Winding Down

Halloween Party Decorations - Mask with Lights

All great things must eventually come to an end, even your amazing Halloween Party.

However, you don’t want to let the music be the cause of the winding down (unless you’re really tired and you really want the party to end NOW so that you can really just go to bed).

I keep some great songs in this slot, but not the greatest. This isn’t the B-crew. It’s more like the B+ crew.



As the hour progresses, these songs move from “Danceable”, to “Stumble Around Making Drunk Motions”.

And I always conclude the evening’s dancing festivities with a delightful rendition of Boys N’ the Hood by Dynamite Hack. If you haven’t heard it yet, you really should.

Halloween Party Playlist  – 3 am to 4 am

SONGARTIST
Naughty GirlBeyonce
I Want Your SexGeorge Michaels
Gimme MoreBritney Spears
TOP 40 PLACEHOLDERTBD
Don’t ChaPussycat Dolls
Sexy BackJustin Timberlake
Too FunkyGeorge Michaels
TOP 40 PLACEHOLDERTBD
TOP 40 PLACEHOLDERTBD
Just a GirlNo Doubt
Somebody To LoveQueen
Hey MamaDavid Guetta
Try a Little TendernessOtis Redding
Red Solo CupToby Keith
Boys N’ The HoodDynamite Hack

The Drunken Sing-a-Long for the Stragglers

Halloween Party Decorations - Old Masks

If your party is anything like mine, there are always a handful of people who just aren’t ready to let this amazing night end.

Everybody is far too tired – or too drunk – to keep dancing. And many in the house are passed out somewhere.

But there is a hearty crowd that wants to keep the night going, and that’s when the drunken sing-a-long happens.  These are some great songs because everybody loves to sing along with them, but they are also powerful enough to drown out most of the terrible, off-key singing of your guests.



Plus, some of these songs are hard to sing (e.g. Creep) and it’s SUCH fun to watch drunk people try! And before you judge, usually that drunk person who is trying is me.

Finally, nothing ends the evening better than something with deep and meaningful lyrics that nobody will remember in the morning.

Halloween Party Playlist  – To End the Evening

SONGARTIST
Been a WhileStaind
Mad WorldGary Jules
DriveIncubus
CreepRadiohead
How You Remind MeNickelback
Barely BreathingDuncan Sheik
Feeling GoodMichael Buble
Everybody’s Free to Wear SunscreenBaz Luhrman

And there you have it.  The completely designed, crafted, and honed Halloween Party Playlist.

I won’t be offended if you decide to rip it apart, ignore it completely, or use it line-by-line. Either way, I hope you enjoy your Halloween Party as much as I have enjoyed mine.

But always remember. Drink responsibly. Drink water before bed. Do NOT let your guests drink and drive. And buy Cheetos.

What is your favorite Halloween song? Let us know in the comments below!



Some Recommended Pinterest Pins

The ultimate Halloween Party Music Playlist Some Recommended Pinterest Pins The ultimate Halloween Party Music Playlist 

18 thoughts on “The Ultimate Halloween Party Playlist”

  1. Catherine Santiago Jose

    Wow, this is definitely a good playlist to use for a Halloween party. I will share this to my friends as she is going to host a Halloween party this year.

  2. Celebrate Woman Today

    I love a list you’ve made of the Halloween party! Everything is ready to roll and manifest itself. I love the fact you’ve included the music into this party prep!

  3. That’s quite the playlist for all hours of the night while Halloween is going on. I would have to say I appreciate the difficulty of you trying to get music that everyone would appreciate.

  4. Wow this is so useful especially for party planners or even for those who are having parties at home. Thanks a lot!

  5. My playlist are usually k-pop and some good r&b hip-hop and pop songs. I usually play 2NE1, bigbang, blackpink or anything k-pop.

  6. These are all fantastic song choices. I can actually hear some of them in my head right now. You have such a good taste in music.

  7. Twinspirational

    I enjoyed reading your blog and I agree, it’s unlikely that everybody shows up at the very beginning of the party. Haha. Nice warm up playlist.

    1. After over a decade of hosting Halloween parties, you get to know how the guests flow in and out during the night. But I – myself – really enjoy the warm up music.

  8. Dana Brillante-Peller

    Monster Mash is a classic Halloween party song. We’ve always enjoyed a classic for the holiday get-togethers.

    1. You just CAN NOT have a Halloween Party without playing Monster Mash!!! It would be sooooo wrong!

  9. Haha! I appreciate the time you spent on making this post. Where is the party? Invite me over! Let’s rock. hehe

  10. You’ve got this down to a science! My play lists would include a lot of rock and metal. But I do like some of yours. Thank you for sharing!

    1. The trick is creating a playlist that appeals to all of the guests. If I just played my favorites, I’d be dancing alone in the kitchen (which I do on a regular basis, BTW). 🙂

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