Planning a party in October? 🍂 Whether it’s a spooky little birthday bash, a boo-zy adults-only gathering, or a seasonal dinner with friends, October is the perfect month to get creative. From pumpkin patches to bringing Oktoberfest to your own backyard, this guide is packed with October party themes that make hosting easy (and memorable!).
To make it simple, I’ve grouped the ideas by type: October birthday themes, October party themes for adults, and fall dinner party themes. And at the end, you’ll find links to my favorite party planning resources — including a full planning guide and curated Amazon lists to help you shop each theme.
Updated: September 1, 2025
Planning an October shower? Check out my favorite October bridal shower themes or October baby shower themes instead, all hand picked to fit the season for a special bride or mama to be!
October Birthday Themes 🎂
If you’ve got a birthday in October, you’re in luck. The fall season naturally sets the stage with vibrant colors, crisp weather, and endless fun party inspiration. Here are a few October birthday themes to try:
🎃 Pumpkin Patch Party
Transform your space with pumpkins of every shape and size. Set up a pumpkin decorating station, pumpkin spice treats, and a festive DIY Photo backdrop for photos.
🍎 Apple Picking Celebration
Serve caramel apples, hot cider, and apple pie. Decorate with baskets, apple crates, and rustic gingham for a fresh fall look.
🍂 Fall Festival Birthday
Think mini hay bales, carnival-style games, and cozy plaid blankets. A great option for kids and family-friendly October birthdays.
🛌 Cozy Pajama Party
Perfect for a tween, teen, or low-key adult birthday — set up a hot cocoa bar, serve popcorn, and plan a fall movie marathon.
👻 Halloween Costume Birthday
Lean into the season with costumes, themed cocktails (or mocktails), and spooky snacks. Explore my Halloween House Party Ideas for spooky decorations, like my DIY Bat Lamp, and menu ideas on a budget.
October Party Themes for Adults 🍷
October is one of the best months for adult parties — cool nights, warm drinks, and themes that mix fun with sophistication. Try these October party themes for adults:
🍺 Oktoberfest Celebration
Break out the pretzels, beer flights, and German-inspired menu. Set long tables with blue-and-white checkered décor for a festive look. Explore easy Oktoberfest Ideas for bringing this German-inspired celebration to your own backyard and grab my free printables.
🍷 Wine & Cheese Night
Pair fall wines (Pinot Noir, Riesling, or Cider!) with seasonal cheeses and fruit boards. Add cozy candles for ambiance (or make your own as a fun girls night activity with my DIY Candle Painting with Wax tutorial.)
🔎 Murder Mystery Dinner Party
An October classic — give guests character cards, dress in theme, and serve a multi-course meal while the mystery unfolds. Set the ambiance with these eerie Dripped Wax Wine Bottles as your table centerpieces.
🍸 Haunted Cocktail Party
Set the vibe with dim lighting, spooky garnishes (like dry ice or black sugar rims), and a playlist full of eerie tunes. Checkout my favorite Halloween Party Activities for a night full of tricks and treats your adult party guests will love!
🔥 Bonfire & S’mores Night
Gather around the fire pit with blankets, a s’mores bar, and hot drinks. Simple, cozy, and budget-friendly.
Football Watch Party
October is prime football season, so why not make it the focal point of your October party with a Football Watch Party theme? Set up a giant projector outdoors with cozy blankets and inflatable seats and pick a few of my Easy Party Apps to serve. Done and done.
Fall Dinner Party Themes 🍽️
Want something more relaxed? These fall dinner party themes are perfect for October evenings with friends.
🌽 Farm-to-Table Harvest Dinner
Focus on local, seasonal foods. Think roasted squash, apple salads, and hearty bread. Decorate with simple greenery and gourds layered over top of this easy $2 Dollar Tree doily table runner.
🥣 Soup & Chili Cook-Off
Invite guests to bring their best soup or chili recipe for a friendly competition. Provide toppings, cornbread, and ballots to vote.
🕯️ Candlelit Autumn Feast
Moody lighting, jewel-tone tablescapes, and cozy plated dinners make this a sophisticated option for October entertaining. Want an easy table decorating idea? Recreate my DIY Pool noodle centerpiece!
🥧 Pumpkin Spice Dessert Party
Go all-in on pumpkin desserts — pies, cupcakes, truffles, and lattes. Pair with spiced cocktails or coffee, and serve out of a festive and fun DIY pumpkin wine decanter!
General October Theme Ideas 🍁
Still browsing? These themes for October parties work for birthdays, adults, or just-for-fun gatherings.
- Rustic Fall Picnic – Layer blankets, plaid tableware, and picnic baskets filled with seasonal bites. Add your own DIY candle votives to your tablescapes using this Fall centerpiece hac.
- Flannel & Fizz Party – Encourage guests to wear their favorite flannels and set up a bubbly bar with fall mixers.
- Golden Harvest – Play up autumn colors with metallics like gold chargers, candleholders, and table accents.
Your Next Step in Party Planning 🎉
Found your perfect October party theme? Now let’s make it easy to pull together.
👉 Check out my Amazon Fall Party Picks for curated supplies to bring these October themes to life.
👉 Or subscribe below to grab my printable Fall Party Planning Guide to help make hosting more fun and less stress.