Most costume contests at adult parties go like this: someone half-heartedly suggests voting, three people raise their hands for the same person, and the “winner” gets an awkward round of applause. The whole thing takes 90 seconds, and nobody remembers it.
A good costume contest is structured entertainment. It has categories, a format, actual judging, a moment of spectacle, and prizes people want. Done right, it is the highlight of the night. Done wrong, it is a waste of three minutes. If you are still in the early stages of planning, our party planning checklist keeps everything organized.
Categories Beyond “Best Costume”
One winner for “best costume” guarantees that the person who spent $400 on a professional-grade outfit wins, and everyone who glued cardboard to a t-shirt at 6 PM feels irrelevant. Multiple categories level the field and give more people a reason to engage.
Pick 4-6 categories from this list (not all of them, or it drags):
Most Likely to Haunt This Place. The creepiest, most unsettling costume in the room. This rewards commitment to horror over craft skill.
Best Couple or Group Costume. Coordinated efforts deserve their own recognition. This encourages people to plan together.
Most Creative Use of Cardboard. Or hot glue, or duct tape, or trash bags. This is the “I made this tonight” category, and it celebrates resourcefulness over budget.
Best Historical Horror. Vlad the Impaler, Elizabeth Bathory, the Fox sisters, any real person with a dark story. This one sparks conversations, which is the actual point.
Best Pop Culture Moment. The costume that everyone immediately recognizes from the past year. This will be the most photographed costume at the party.
Most Obscure Reference. For the person who came as a character from a 1970s Italian horror film that three people in the room have seen. This category rewards deep knowledge.
Best Low-Effort, High-Impact. The costume that took 20 minutes but is somehow perfect. Conceptual costumes and pun-based costumes live here.
Scariest. Straightforward. The costume that made someone flinch.
Judging Formats
The Panel (Best for Dinner Parties, 8-20 Guests)
Pre-select 3 judges before the party. Choose people you trust to be fair and entertaining. Judges do not compete.
Each contestant does a brief walk (15-20 seconds) in front of the group. Judges score on a 1-10 scale for each category. Tally scores after all walks are complete. Announce winners category by category.
This format works because it creates a performance moment. The walk is the spectacle. Set up a “runway” (even if it is just a cleared path through the living room) with good lighting and dramatic music playing.
The Vote (Best for Large Parties, 20+ Guests)
Give every guest 3 voting tokens (poker chips, sticky notes, beans, anything small). Set up labeled jars for each category. Guests place tokens in jars next to the contestant they think should win. Count at a designated time. Download our costume voting ballots for a more polished approach than loose sticky notes.
This format works because it is self-running. You do not need judges, and people can vote at their own pace.
The Applause Meter (Best for Casual Parties)
Contestants stand in a line. The host calls each name. The crowd applauds. Loudest applause wins. This is the least fair method but the most fun for large, rowdy groups. Use a “hype person” (you, the host) to build energy before each contestant.
The Runway Moment
This is what separates a memorable contest from a forgettable one. Clear a path through your main party space. Dim the lights slightly. Play dramatic music (the Imperial March, O Fortuna, Bela Lugosi’s Dead, or whatever fits your party’s tone).
Announce each contestant by name and costume description. “Next up, Sarah, as the ghost of a Victorian governess who definitely murdered her charges.” Give each person 15-20 seconds to walk, pose, and return.
This costs nothing. It requires 10 minutes of total time. And it makes the whole contest feel like an event. Need the right soundtrack for the walk? Our playlist guide covers dramatic music picks for exactly this kind of moment.
Prizes Adults Want
Do not give out plastic trophies or dollar-store candy bags. Your guests are adults with disposable income who are competitive about things they care about. Match the prize to the audience.
$10-15 range: A good bottle of wine, a craft cocktail kit (mini bottles of spirits + mixers + a recipe card), a candle from a brand they would actually buy, a gift card to a local restaurant.
$20-30 range: A bottle of small-batch bourbon, a horror movie box set, a vintage-style Halloween print in a nice frame, a reservation at a haunted house or escape room.
$50+ range (for serious contests): Tickets to a Halloween event, a high-quality costume piece they can reuse (a real leather mask, a Victorian brooch), a custom trophy you had made (Etsy sellers will make engraved awards for $15-25). Check our best Halloween costumes roundup for prize inspiration at this tier.
OUR PICK
Halloween Skeleton Costume Trophies (6-Pack)
Golden skeleton trophies sized for adults. One per category keeps costs under $3 per award, and they look great in the winner's photo.
$13.99
View on Amazon : Halloween Skeleton Costume Trophies (6-Pack)The free option that still works: Winner gets to pick the next movie, controls the music for an hour, or gets “first pour” privileges at your next party. Social currency has real value in a close friend group.
Making It Inclusive
Not everyone wants to compete. That is fine. Do not pressure anyone into the runway who would rather watch. Build in observer roles: judges, hype crew, photographers.
For guests who show up without a costume (it happens), keep a “costume rescue kit” near the door: a few black accessories, clip-on fangs, temporary tattoos, a dark cape, a top hat. These cost $10-15 total from a party store and save someone from feeling out of place all night. If you are working with a tight budget, our budget party guide has more tips on keeping costs down without sacrificing atmosphere.
Announce categories in your invitation so guests can plan. Nothing is worse than finding out there is a “Best Historical Horror” category when you showed up as a sexy cat. (Actually, “sexy cat” can win “Most Iconic Default,” if you add that category.) Browse our costume inspiration gallery for ideas to suggest to guests who need a starting point.
The Photo Setup
People will photograph their costumes regardless. Give them a backdrop that makes those photos worth sharing.
The Simple Version: A blank wall (any dark color works) with two floor lamps angled from each side, fitted with warm-toned bulbs. Drape something atmospheric nearby: black fabric, dried branches in a vase, a candelabra. This takes 10 minutes to set up and produces significantly better photos than someone’s phone flash in a crowded kitchen.
The Upgraded Version: Hang a 5x7 foot fabric backdrop (black velvet is ideal, $15-20 online). Set up two inexpensive clamp lights ($8 each) with daylight bulbs, positioned at 45-degree angles. Add a themed prop table: a fake skull, an old book, a crystal ball, a goblet. Download our photo booth props for printable accessories guests can hold.
OUR PICK
Black Photography Backdrop (5x7ft)
High-density polyester fabric that hangs flat and photographs clean. Reusable year after year and works for portrait-style costume photos.
$15.99
View on Amazon : Black Photography Backdrop (5x7ft)OUR PICK
Clamp Lamp Lights (2-Pack)
Aluminum reflector clamp lights that provide even, flattering illumination. Position at 45-degree angles with daylight bulbs for a simple two-light photo setup.
$12.99
View on Amazon : Clamp Lamp Lights (2-Pack)The Instagram-Ready Version: Build a themed frame or arch. Balloon arches in black and orange are surprisingly cheap (a balloon kit runs $12-15) and photograph well. Add a neon or LED sign (“Happy Haunting,” “The Witching Hour,” your party name) for $20-30 from Amazon. For more on lighting your photo area effectively, see our dedicated guide.
OUR PICK
Halloween Balloon Arch Kit (Black & Orange)
Complete balloon garland kit with multiple sizes. Takes 30 minutes to assemble and creates a photo backdrop that looks like it cost five times more.
$12.99
View on Amazon : Halloween Balloon Arch Kit (Black & Orange)Place the photo area near the entrance or in a high-traffic zone. If it is in a back corner, nobody will use it. Put a small sign next to it with your party hashtag, if you are into that.
Have one person (a volunteer, not the host) take portrait-mode photos of each contestant during the runway. Send the album to the group the next day. Those photos become the lasting memory of the night, which is worth more than any prize.
Once the contest wraps, keep the energy going with party games for adults or transition into a movie screening.