Halloween Giveaway Ideas: Dates, Timing and Prizes

Halloween Giveaway Ideas

Last updated 20 Oct 2026

Halloween is on 31 October every year, so you can plan a Halloween giveaway well ahead. People already post costumes, pumpkins and treats that week, which makes it one of the easiest times of the year to ask for photos and comments.

For a prize giveaway, start about three weeks before. Two weeks of entries leaves a week to pick the winner, wait for a reply and get the prize out before the night itself. A costume contest works on a different clock: open it a few days before Halloween and close it a day or two after, when the photos are actually posted.

Whatever you run, keep the rules short and clear. Say who can enter, when entries close, how you pick the winner and what they win. If children are in the photos, ask a parent or guardian to enter for them.

Working out the next date…

Dates

Halloween dates for 2026–2028, with the suggested launch and end of the giveaway
Year	Halloween	Launch by	Giveaway ends
2026	Sat 31 Oct	Sat 10 Oct	Fri 23 Oct
2027	Sun 31 Oct	Sun 10 Oct	Sat 23 Oct
2028	Tue 31 Oct	Tue 10 Oct	Mon 23 Oct

Giveaway ideas

Costume photo contest

Ask followers to post a photo of their costume, or their pet's costume, and tag your account, or send it to you by message. Close entries on 2 November. Ask two or three people to score every photo on the same criteria, such as creativity, effort and theme, then add up the scores. Post the top three photos only with their owners' permission.

Prize idea: A gift card or a bundle of your products for first place, with a smaller prize for second and third.

Pumpkin carving vote

Carve three pumpkins, or ask your team to, and post them together. People comment the number of their favourite. Every comment goes into the draw, whichever pumpkin it backs, so the vote is just for fun. Draw the winner from the comments on 1 November and reveal which pumpkin won the vote in the same post.

Prize idea: A seasonal treat box or a voucher for your shop or cafe.

Trick-or-treat prize wheel in the shop

Put a tablet on the counter during Halloween week. Every visitor in costume can spin the wheel once, with no purchase needed. Show every prize and how many of each you have, so the odds are honest, and take a slice off the wheel when its prizes run out.

Prize idea: Small prizes on most slices, like a sticker, a free hot drink or a discount on the next visit, and one bigger prize.

Prize wheel

Scary story countdown

Post a short scary story in five parts over the last week of October. Each part ends with a question for your audience. Each answer in the comments is an entry, and the more parts someone follows, the more chances they get. Share a countdown to the final part, then draw the winner after it goes up.

Prize idea: A horror book box, a film night bundle or a signed print.

Captions for this event

Ready-made captions for the launch, the reminders and the winner post. Open the caption generator and pick the “Holiday” stage.

Questions and answers

When should I start a Halloween giveaway?

About three weeks before 31 October. Two weeks of entries leaves a week to pick a winner and send the prize. A costume contest can open closer to the day and close on 1 or 2 November, once the photos are up.

How do I judge a costume contest fairly?

Write down the criteria before you open entries, for example creativity, effort and theme, each scored from 1 to 5. Ask two or three people to score every entry on their own, then add up the scores. The judging scorecard does the sums and keeps a record.

Can I ask people to share my post to enter?

Not on Facebook, where requiring shares or tags is against the rules for promotions. Asking for a comment is simpler on every platform and easier to check. Check each platform's rules before you write the entry steps.

Do I need official rules for a small Halloween giveaway?

Yes, even a short set helps. Say who can enter, the dates, how the winner is picked, the prize and how you will contact the winner.