HomeHalloweenInvitation guide

Halloween invitations

Halloween party invitations — what to write and when to send them

Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and that changes the plan. Here is when to send the invitations, what a Halloween invitation needs to say that a birthday card doesn’t, and wording you can copy — for kids’ parties, adult costume parties and the whole street.

Why timing matters when Halloween is a Saturday

Halloween 2026 lands on Saturday, October 31, with no school or work the next morning. So every host near you wants the same night, and your guests will get more than one invitation for it. The first one they say yes to is the one they keep.

When to send Halloween invitations

Three to four weeks before — the first week of October for a party on Saturday, October 31, 2026. Early enough to claim the night, close enough that nobody forgets it.

That’s a week earlier than my birthday invitation wording and timing guide gives for a kids’ party. The Saturday is the reason.

  • Kids’ Halloween parties — three to four weeks. Parents are juggling school parades and costume shopping. Get in first and they plan around you.
  • Adult costume parties — four weeks. Good costumes take a weekend of hunting. Give guests that weekend.
  • A Halloween birthday — four weeks.Say it’s a birthday in the first line, so nobody mistakes it for a costume party they can skip.
  • A party on another night — two to three weeks. Friday the 30th or Saturday the 24th is less crowded.

Text, email or printed invitations

Send texts and emails on the same day, three to four weeks out: a text for speed, an email for families who plan from the inbox. Printed copies for grandparents or school cubbies need a week more.

Late already? A digital invitation sent today still lands today. Nothing goes in the mail, so a late start costs you a head start on replies — nothing more.

What every Halloween invitation must say

  • Whose party, and what kind— “Mia’s Halloween birthday” or “A grown-up costume party.”
  • The day and the date— “Saturday, October 31.” Writing both catches typos.
  • Start and end time— “4 to 6 p.m.” Families want to be out trick-or-treating by dark.
  • The address, with parking or entry notes— “Park on Elm; come around the side gate.”
  • How to reply, and by when— “Text Anna by October 24.”
  • Costumes— “Costumes encouraged,” “Costumes required,” or “Come as you are.” Say which, or guests will guess.
  • Who it’s for— “Little ones welcome” or “Grown-ups only this time.”
  • Food and allergies— Halloween means candy, and candy means nuts. “Nut-free snacks — tell us about any allergies when you reply.”

Wording to copy: kids’ Halloween birthday invitations

Parents read these at school pickup, so short wins. An age and an end time before dark tell them the party is age-appropriate.

  • Little witch:“Stella is turning six — and she’s flying in on her broom. Saturday, October 24, 2 to 4 p.m., 14 Rowan Street. Costumes welcome, not required. Text Anna by October 17: 555-0184.” My Witch Way design was drawn for this party.
  • First Halloween birthday:“Our little boo is turning one. Cake and pumpkins, Sunday, October 25, 10 a.m. to noon, 8 Linden Court. Reply to Priya by October 18.” Little Boo suits the littlest ones.
  • Drop-off party:“Sofia is turning nine. Saturday, October 24 — drop-off at 1 p.m., pickup at 3:30. Nut-free snacks, and a grown-up with the kids the whole time. Reply by October 17.”

For the text or email subject line, keep the name and the date up front: “Stella’s witchy birthday — October 24.”

Wording to copy: adult costume party invitations

Grown-ups want three facts: is it a costume party, is it a late one, and can they bring someone.

  • Playful:“Dust off the cape. Halloween party, Saturday, October 31, from 8 p.m. Costumes strongly encouraged, prizes for the best. 31 Beech Street. Text Sam by October 24.” My Let’s Get Spooky design was made for a night like this.
  • Spooky:“Something is stirring on Cedar Lane. Number 12, Saturday, October 31, 9 p.m. Come dressed as what scares you. Reply to Maya by October 24 — if you dare.”

“Costumes required” is fine if you mean it; “Come as you are” is kinder to the friend who hates dressing up. If guests are chipping in for drinks, say so: “$10 each toward the bar — pay Sam at the party.” For a text: “Halloween at our place on the 31st. Costumes encouraged. You in?”

Wording to copy: neighborhood and family Halloween get-togethers

Mixed ages, so put the kids first and ask for help plainly.

  • “The Elm Street Halloween walk is back. Saturday, October 31, 5:30 p.m. at the corner of Elm and 3rd, costumes on. Can you hand out candy or walk with a group? Reply to Kim by October 24.”
  • “Trunk-or-treat in the church parking lot, Friday, October 30, 5 to 7 p.m. Decorate your trunk, bring a bag of candy. Nut-free treats, please.”

RSVPs, reminders, costume rules and safety notes

Set the reply-by date one week before the party, written as a date: “Reply by October 24.”

  • Plus-ones:name the people invited. “We’ve saved room for you and a guest” says yes; a card to Jess alone says no.
  • Reminders: one a week before, one three days before. Silence is usually a message read at the wrong moment, not a no.
  • Supervision and pickup:“A grown-up will be with the kids the whole time. Pickup at 3:30.”
  • After dark:“We’ll finish by 6 so the kids can trick-or-treat.”

Digital Halloween invitations: which file to use

  • Group chat or text? Send the PNG. It shows right in the thread.
  • Email or a party page? Put the PNG in the body or as the cover picture, not as an attachment.
  • Printing a few? Use the print-ready PDF, on card stock around 110lb cover.

Still weighing screen against paper? Here’s why send a digital invitation.

How Olive’s Halloween invitations work

Pick a design, type the name and the date, and watch the live preview redraw as you type. Pay once — $6 — and both files are in your inbox right away: the print-ready PDF and the PNG for sending. No account, nothing in the mail. Spot a typo after the files arrive, even your own? One free revision corrects it. Each design is drawn by a person — here’s how to spot low-quality AI invitations if you’re comparing.

Quick checklist: what to send when

  • By October 3Pick the design and settle the guest list
  • October 3 to 10The main send — texts, emails and printed copies
  • October 24The reply-by date. Message anyone you haven't heard from
  • October 28A reminder with parking, costumes and the end time
  • October 31“See you at 4. Side gate's open.”

Questions people ask

When should I send Halloween party invitations for October 31?

The first week of October — three to four weeks before. More parties compete for that Saturday, so early invitations win.

How do I word a kids’ Halloween birthday invitation so parents know it’s age-appropriate?

Put the age in the first line, end before dark, and say who’s supervising.

What should a costume party invitation say about costumes and costs?

One line each: “Costumes required” or “Come as you are,” and the amount and how to pay if guests chip in.

Should I send Halloween invitations by email or text?

Both, on the same day, three to four weeks out. Printed copies need a week longer.

How should I word the RSVP and plus-ones?

One method and one date — “Text Anna by October 24” — and name who’s invited, adding “and a guest” when a guest is welcome.

Can I print an Olive invitation?

Yes. Every order comes with both files: print the PDF, send the PNG.

When you are ready

Add the name and the date

Pick a Halloween design, type your wording, watch the preview change as you type, and download both files the moment you pay.

Browse Halloween designs