Who says spooky season has to wait for October? Halloween seems to be arriving earlier than ever – and honestly, we’re here for it. We may not be able to go full out spooky season yet, but summerween is a rising trend that takes the ghoulish fun of Halloween and mixes it with the laid-back vibes of summer, sounds amazing right?! Whether it’s a zombie luau or a garden fright night, this is your guide to throwing the ultimate Summerween party.
If you’re unsure on what Summerween is, or maybe you’re struggling to find the right style? We’ve found some inspo that is giving equal amounts of tropical & spoooky!
1. How to set the scene with seriously spooky decorations?
Start by deciding on a theme that screams Summerween. Think: zombie luau, or spooky tiki bar. Once you have decided, it’s time to get spooky with some seriously ghoulish décor items that will take your party to the next level.
Decor Must-Haves:
- Spooky Flamingos – Take our simple Inflatable flamingo and give it a seriously ghoulish makeover. Transform it into a skeleton with some white paint adding bone outlines across the body, wings, and neck. Or if you’re looking for something easier, take some masking tape and wrap it around the flamingo for quick & simple mummified effect. Place a few of these around the venue for a totally awesome haunted beach look!
- Inflatable Palm Trees – Let’s be serious no summer party is complete without them. Palm trees are the ultimate beach party essential that just screams summer, now you could leave them as they are to add to the tropical vibes, or you could take them up a notch and give them a spooky makeover. Simply add a pack of our cobweb decorations & some plastic spiders for a quick & easy summerween transformation.
Other Décor Items that scream Summerween:
· LED Light-up Floating Witch Hats – Perfect for adding a spooky but cosy vibe to your party
· Witch’s Cauldrons – Fill one up with a bunch of fun glasses & accessories for your guests to wear. Perfect for adding some fun to your party & creating some hilarious memories with your guests
Shop our range of Halloween decorations here, or if you’re looking for something a bit more tropical, check out our collection of summer party decorations.
2. How to choose the ultimate Summerween playlist?
Let’s be honest - music can make or break the mood, and when it comes to Summerween, your playlist should scream spooky and summery. Whether you're hosting a haunted pool party or a garden bonfire, the right tracks will set the vibe from the moment your guests arrive.
Start with some classic Halloween hits like “Thriller” by Michael Jackson, or “Ghostbusters” to kick it off with a bit of nostalgia. Then mix in summer party classics like “Hot in Herre” by Nelly, or “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter to keep the energy high and the dance floor full.
To make it easier for you, we’ve found some iconic playlists perfect for your Summerween bash:
3. What spooky summer food & drinks should you make?
A Summerween party wouldn’t be complete without delicious and spooky themed food & drinks that will cure the appetite of any ghoul at your event. Here are some ideas to make your summerween menu stand out:
Spooky BBQ’s - Barbecues are a true staple of the British summertime - why not give yours a spooky twist for your next summerween party? Change your classic burgers into monster burgers with eerie toppings and cheese slices cut into creepy faces. Swap out regular hot dogs for fun ‘mummified’ versions, wrapped in strips of pastry or dough. The spooky food possibilities are endless!
Don’t forget to add some Halloween-inspired drinks, like bubbling witches brew or colourful mocktails, to keep your guests refreshed and in the spooky spirit.
Summer Char-spook-erie Board – A British summer gathering isn’t complete without a spread of picky bits - and for a Summerween celebration, there’s no better centrepiece than a Char-spook-erie board. Give the classic grazing board a creepy twist by incorporating Halloween-themed snacks with seasonal summer twist. Think: ghost-shaped cheeses, orange bell pepper pumpkins, or eerie fruits like ‘eyeball’ grapes & strawberry ‘bloody bites’ drizzled with dark chocolate for those with a sweet fang.
Still not sure what to make, we’ve found some seriously spooky recipes perfect for your summerween event, explore them here!
4. What summerween inspired activities should you do?
Carving Jack-O-Melons – Carving pumpkins might be the classic Halloween tradition, but for a sunny Summerween twist, swap out the pumpkins for watermelons, pineapples, or any other tropical fruit! Carving can be tricky, no matter what fruit it is, but our carving tool kit makes the job a whole lot smoother, so you can get to the summerween fun faster! Shop the kit here
Pro tip: Don’t toss the fruit scraps - blend them into a refreshing Summerween smoothie or drink to enjoy in the summer heat.
Summerween Games – Swap out the standard party games for reimagined classics like Pin the Spider on the Web, where kids can take turns blindfolded while trying to stick a felt spider on a web. Or turn up the heat with a Ghoul-and-Spoon Race, where players balance marshmallow ghosts or painted eggs - on spoons while racing across the garden. Looking for something simpler…don’t forget the classic Pumpkin Piñata! These twists on traditional Halloween games keep the creepy vibes alive while embracing the joy of summer.
Summerween is taking the world by storm - and honestly, we’re not surprised. It’s the perfect excuse to put sunglasses on skeletons & zombies on pool floats. Whether you go all out with décor, dish up spooky snacks, or just put on a playlist that screams both spooky & summer, there’s no wrong way to celebrate.
So, grab your ghouls, fire up the BBQ, and let Summerween season begin. Because who says spooky fun has to wait until October?