Halloween fundraising ideas

Get ready to dress to impress—or distress! Whether you're planning something at school, work, or home, a Halloween fancy dress fundraising party is a frightfully fun way to raise money for Macmillan. Here are some tips on how to make it a scream.

Decorate with a difference: Gather your Halloween decorations and transform your space into a haunted house! Think cobwebs, pumpkins, flickering lights, and spooky surprises around every corner.

Fancy dress fun: Encourage everyone to go all-out with costumes, make-up, wigs, and props. The more creative (or creepy), the better!

Add a competitive twist: Introduce categories like Scariest Costume, Best Make-Up, Creepiest Cackle, or Wackiest Hair. Let everyone vote for their favourites!

Ask for donations:

• At school? A suggested donation of £1 per child can quickly add up.
• At work or home? Ask guests to chip in a bit more—perhaps £2–£5—to join the fun.

Prizes, please!: Ask local businesses or colleagues/parents/friends to donate small prizes for the winners. Even spooky sweets or Halloween-themed trinkets will do the trick!

Spellbinding sips: Mix up some ghoulishly good drinks—think eyeball punch, spooky mocktails like a classic Bloody Mary.

Monster moves: Get everyone dancing to Halloween classics like Thriller, Ghostbusters, and Time Warp! You could even teach iconic routines from films like The Addams Family or The Rocky Horror Picture Show—perfect for a dance-off.

Fang-tastic games: Keep the energy high with Halloween party games like apple-bobbing, pin the spider on the web, or even a murder mystery for older kids and adults.

Fright Night finale: End the evening with a spooky film screening! Let people vote for the movie by donating—each pound counts as a vote. Whether it’s a family-friendly fright or a cult classic, it’s a great way to wind down the night.

Hosting a Halloween party is a great way to bring people together, have a laugh (or a scream), and raise money while you're at it.

Invite your favourite ghouls and goblins—friends, family, neighbours—to put their sculpting skills to the test in a fun and creative pumpkin carving showdown. You could ask for donations to provide the pumpkins or get people to bring their own and donate to enter your competition.

Get the donations rolling in from the beginning

• If your guests want an easy life, ask them for a donation and provide them with a pumpkin
• If they want to bring their own pumpkin, ask for a donation to join in the fun

Set the Scene

• Decorate your space with cobwebs, flickering lanterns, and eerie music to set the Halloween mood.
• Provide carving stations with tools, stencils, and pens.
• Offer aprons or old shirts to keep everyone clean while they carve.

Get creative with Halloween-themed snacks and drinks:

• Witch’s finger biscuits (almond-tipped shortbread)
• Ghost meringues with chocolate eyes
• Pumpkin spice cupcakes with spooky toppers
• Bloody punch (cranberry juice with floating lychee “eyeballs”) served in test tubes

Arrange prizes for the wackiest, scariest and most stylish pumpkin designs

• Scariest Design
• Most Creative Concept
• Best Use of Accessories
• Most Stylish Pumpkin
• Wackiest Carving

Unleash your culinary creativity and whip up a spread of spooky snacks to raise funds in frightfully fun ways. Whether you're gathering friends, family, or colleagues, these ideas are perfect for adding a little mischief to your fundraising efforts.

Host a Halloween Bake Sale

• Ask for a donation in exchange for your bakes goodies.
• Theme your treats: Think ghost-shaped cookies, pumpkin cupcakes, “witches’ finger” biscuits, and blood-red velvet cake.
• Decorate your stall: Use cobwebs, cauldrons, and eerie lighting to set the scene.
• Offer trick-or-treat options: Let buyers choose between a “trick” (a mystery item or a prank) or a “treat” (a guaranteed sweet delight).
• Include allergy-friendly options: Label gluten-free, nut-free, or vegan treats clearly to be inclusive.

Organise a Witches’ Pot-Luck Lunch

• Ask for suggested donations to join the feast, or charge per plate.
• Invite colleagues or friends to bring a dish with a spooky twist — think “monster mash” potato, “bat wings” (chicken wings), or “zombie brains” (cauliflower cheese).
• Set up a themed table with bubbling cauldrons (slow cookers), potion bottles (drinks), and creepy labels.
• Encourage costumes or witch hats for added atmosphere.

Bag up and sell a selection of sweet treats

• Ask for a suggested donations to buy any bag.
• Create themed treat bags with homemade or store-bought goodies.
• Include a mix of sweets, chocolates, and small toys — plus a few surprises like fake spiders or eyeballs.
• Offer “mystery bags” with a mix of tricks and treats

If you don't want to organise anything yourself, you could take part in the Halloween Walk on 31st October 2026. It's a hair-raising run/jog/hike around some of London's scary streets and historic haunts. There are 10km or 25km distances to choose from and different fundraising options.

Find out more about the Halloween walk 2026