Throw the Ultimate Disney Hocus Pocus Halloween Party

A party table set up for a Disney Hocus Pocus-themed Halloween party; the table includes a light-up pillow shaped like a bubbling cauldron that reads,

As kids, my cousin and I stayed looking for a quick scare. We could be found standing in a dark bathroom reciting the latest ghost-conjuring phrase in front of a mirror. Or listening to DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince’s “A Nightmare on My Street” at dusk and watching Ghostbusters whenever it came on TV. And for sure feeling shook when we saw MJ look back at the end of his Thriller video with those yellow cat eyes.

Now, years later, I love sharing memories like that with my son, and Halloween is the perfect time to bring nostalgic elements to an already magical night for our whole family.

If combining fond memories and Halloween fun sounds like your kind of potion, too, then welcome! Here you’ll find ways to throw an epic Disney Hocus Pocus Halloween party that introduces your little ones to the Sanderson Sisters or brings your friends together to reminisce on Halloweens past.

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Brew up anticipation for your Disney Hocus Pocus Halloween party  

Get the cauldron of anticipation bubbling with this spellbinding one-to-many Sanderson Sisters card pack that you can use as invitations.

Or invoke guests individually with customized Disney Hocus Pocus invitations that let you put their name, or nickname, right on the cover with a fun phrase. Add party details to the inside, and we’ll mail it right to your recipient for free!

Pressed for time? Download the Hallmark Cards Now app to personalize cards with photos and party details, and we’ll send them out how you prefer, by mail, email or text!

A party table set up for a Disney Hocus Pocus-themed Halloween party; the table includes a light-up pillow shaped like a bubbling cauldron that reads,

Cast the spell with Disney Hocus Pocus Halloween party decorations  

The right decorations will go far in creating a witch-tastic feel for your Disney Hocus Pocus Halloween party. Luckily, most of these ideas are easy to, umm, “bring to life.”

Light the candle

To kick up the scare (or fun) factor, bring in some black pillar candles. Then, gather round to recite a fun mantra for the evening or make a wish for blessings and good cheer. Want to smell the magic, too? Add Heirloom Pumpkin scented candles.

Create a DIY spellbook

Speaking of nostalgia, take a journal and wrap it in middle school book-cover-style. Up the creepy factor with googly eyes on the cover. Keep a pen near your spellbook so everyone can jot down favorite quotes and best moments throughout the evening. Remember to take plenty of photos to paste in later.

Another option: Keep an array of Crayola crayons or washable markers by the spellbook so kids can add their drawings and thoughts to the pages in their own creative ways.

A pair of Keepsake Ornaments featuring Winifred Sanderson and the Sanderson Sisters from Disney Hocus Pocus hang on a bare branch in front of some iridescent hanging streamers.

 

Decorate a Disney Hocus Pocus Halloween party tree

Why does all the tree fun have to wait until the end of the year? Short answer: it doesn’t. And you don’t have to go looking for a 7-foot fir—a small, table-size tree works fine for both indoor and outdoor Halloween settings.

To give it the right vibe, start with this black mini tree or use a large branch with no foliage, for a more grim look. Then just add Disney Hocus Pocus ornaments! Check out this bubbling cauldron and this one featuring Winifred Sanderson in flight. Big fan of a particular Sanderson sister? Find Sarah, Winifred and Mary ornaments for your collection. You can add a one-of-a-kind touch to your tree by customizing this Disney Hocus Pocus Metal Ornament. It’ll look magical!

A woman holds a Disney Hocus Pocus snow globe that features a silhouette of the Sanderson Sisters inside, along with gold glitter; beneath the glass globe is a black cauldron that says,

 

Create a movie-worthy scene

Grab this 3D pop-up card featuring a cauldron, black cat, potions and the Sanderson Sisters. Place this in the center of your snacks table, then shake things up by adding this glittery, light-up water globe. 🔮

Grab this free printable garland

It’ll make decorating easy. Hang it near the entrance to create an instant mood-setting welcome or on walls in the TV space.

A free printable

Get the free, printable garland here.

The finished

All you need to make it is scissors, some tape and ribbon or twine.

Disney Hocus Pocus Halloween party outdoor decorations  

Make it clear from curbside that your place is Halloween central with these ideas. It’ll be a scream!

Begin the fun before guests get to the door.

Start with this Halloween Sidewalk Obstacle Course, and switch out some of the classic pumpkin drawings with some icons from the movie, like a black-flame candle, a one-eyed spellbook, black cats and more.

Have an outdoor projector play Disney Hocus Pocus (or Disney Hocus Pocus 2)!

While you will need a projector and a power source, the screen offers some options. You can use an actual projector screen, or you can opt for a vinyl tarp. Or, to give it a more whimsical look, simply project it right onto a wall. It’ll look pretty cool once the moon is at full glow.

Carve up some fun.

These outrageously ghoulish pumpkins will give your front step the perfect seasonal vibe. Place them along a walkway or near the door. The efforts will pay off with the oohs, ahhs and eeks from your guests.

Decorate your door like a giant spellbook.

Guests will feel they’re stepping inside the magic. Use a rich brown shade of wrapping paper for the background. Use blue cardstock for the eye, and the doorknob itself can double as the book’s lock.

Fuel frightening fun with Disney Hocus Pocus party snacks  

Spellcasting burns a lot of energy! Choose from these Disney Hocus Pocus Halloween party food ideas—selections vary from healthy and cute to sweet and scary, so guests stay pumped for the movie. 

Banana Witch Fingers 

Slice a banana in half and then quarter the halves, lengthwise. Make a deliciously decayed fingernail by pressing a candy corn onto the narrow end of each banana slice. A variation on fingers is Banana Ghosts. Supercute and super fun. Take half a banana and add chocolate chips to create eyes and a mouth.

Witches’ Brooms

You’ll need string cheese and pretzel sticks for this one. Take a string cheese stick and cut it into thirds. Peel or cut one side just a little—not all the way to the end since the end gives stability to the “broomstick” pretzel. Poke the pretzel in and you’re done!

Mini “Pumpkins” 

If you want something healthy and so simple you can’t believe it, peel some small tangerines. Presto! You’re done, and you’ve got yourself some cute pumpkins. Sometimes witchin’ is easy.

A cake decorated with stretched, melted marshmallow to look like spider webs, paper spider cutouts, and a cake topper on a dowel rod that reads,

Learn how to make this sweet spiderweb cake here.

A shiny black ceramic cauldron filled with green and black candied popcorn.

And here’s the recipe for our Cookies and Scream Halloween Popcorn.

A pair of stemless wine glasses featuring quotes and characters from Disney Hocus Pocus sit on an iridescent checkered tablecloth; the glasses are filled with a green beverage; a large punch bowl filled with the same green beverage sits behind the glasses.

Disney Hocus Pocus Halloween party drinks  

We have plenty of party-worthy drink ideas to keep guests from becoming too parched from all the screams. These drinks are adaptable for kids and adults so witches of most ages can stay hydrated.

  • This Witch’s Brew Halloween Punch is a potion as potent as you like. To keep it kid-friendly, only use the chilled apple cider and peeled apples.
  • This super easy, super healthy Fruit Smoothy recipe is a crowd-pleaser. Make it frightfully good with a decorative Halloween straw.
  • Make this delicious White Hot Chocolate a drink of the night by serving it up in inexpensive Halloween mugs.
  • Since snow cones are never truly out of season, grab an inexpensive machine, or use a blender to create the snowy effect with ice. Scoop ice into cups and add colorful flavorings in Disney Hocus Pocus colors. Find dark-colored cups to give each concoction a cauldron-potion effect.
  • For kids’ beverages, bring in a large cauldron, add ice and fill it with pre-packaged boxes and pouches.

Disney Hocus Pocus Halloween party games and activities  

Indeed, All Hallows’ Eve has become a night of frolic, and that’s a good thing! In fact, we came up with a bunch of extra-frolicky ideas, Sanderson Sisters-style, of course. Witch hats are trending, and these easy ideas gamify the essential witch’s accessory to make sure your Disney Hocus Pocus Halloween party casts a spell to remember.

Games

  • Witch Freeze Dance: Put on fun Halloween music for all the witches to dance to (check out our Spotify playlist). Stop the music at different times, abruptly, and let witches freeze as if under a sudden, potent spell! Whoever is caught moving is out of the game. Last witch standing wins a prize.
  • Witch’s Broomstick Limbo: Cue the music! Then grab a broomstick and see how low they can go. 🧹
  • Musical Witches: Like musical chairs with a witchy twist. Use inexpensive witch hats (use one less than participating guests) and have kids (or adults!) walk around the hats to Halloween music (see our Spotify playlist link). When the music stops, players grab a hat! Whoever doesn’t get a hat is out.
  • Witch Hat Ring Toss: Place black sport cones on a piece of plywood or on the ground. Draw a circle around each base and paint it black to create the hat’s “brim” for a clever, perfectly witchy look. Next, buy some tossing rings that fit around the cones. Set a throwing line and see who makes the most shots. Vary the level of difficulty by placing hats closer or further from the line.
  • Cauldron Toss: Lay a large, flat paper witch hat on the floor as a centerpiece, and set mini cauldrons around it. Participants toss candy corns, jellybeans or other small candies to see who can make the most into the cauldrons. Partying with a competitive group? Give each person their own color of bean to get a super-accurate tally!

Alternate ideas for Musical Witches: Use one hat or a broom and pass it around the circle—the last person touching the hat or broom is out. You could also go classic and use chairs, but keep the fright by decorating them.

Creepy-cool prize ideas

*Dramatic sigh* Sometimes a witch just wants to be rewarded for a solid effort—especially when there’s a win involved! Reward prizes to your game contestants, and if you want to spread the winnings, announce winners podium style and have tiered prizes at the ready for first, second and third places.

Check out these prize ideas for kids:

Pro tip: Add an extra layer of mystery by wrapping prizes and giving game winners the option to choose a surprise. Incentivize going the mystery route by making those prizes a little extra! Think two prizes instead of one or adding a candy treat to a toy or book.

Adult prize ideas

This broom can fly in many different directions…but here are some ideas to put some creative wind under your bristles:

  • the latest trending novel
  • let the next activity be winner’s choice
  • tarot cards
  • ornaments
  • small-increment gift cards for a cup of coffee or tea or bakery treat
  • lip balm
  • nail polish
  • chocolates
  • this cauldron mug or one of these contour Disney Hocus Pocus glasses.

Add a surprise element by writing each prize on an individual slip of folded paper and mixing them up in a purple or green gift bag. Whatever the winner picks, the winner gets. Throw in some intangibles, like winner gets to choose a new mantra-of-the-hour, or have one prize with a note that the winner can wait until all other prizes are given and trade with anyone else (new recipient doesn’t get the note though!).

Activities

  • Witch crafts. Come on, we had to! 😂 Crafts are a crowd pleaser for a range of ages! Get some plain witch hats and craft supplies like glue, glitter, beads and colorful paper cutouts, and let the creativity…well, fly.
  • Conjour up colorful fun. You could also have guests pose with a witch hat and upload their photos to use Crayola’s custom coloring page Print them out and display colored pencils (including many shades of green and purple) with panache in this Disney Hocus Pocus cauldron mug. Turn it into a contest and see who can come up with the silliest, witchiest or most creative piece of art.
  • Watch Disney Hocus Pocus and/or Hocus Pocus 2. Have blankets and snakes—er, snacks—at the ready. To set a scary comfy scene, try one or a few of these cauldron pillows. The bubbling magic potion lights up to create a thrilling ambiance for your movie viewing.
  • Disney Hocus Pocus-themed bingo. Make identical lists of phrases and sightings from the original Disney Hocus Pocus or Hocus Pocus 2 and pass them out at movie time. First one to mark off all items wins!
A free printable of a black cat paper doll.

If you’re looking for a few more spellbinding activities for the kids, we’ve got ideas for easy painted pumpkins and a black cat paper doll printable.

A black cat paper doll colored and assembled, lying on an orange table and surrounded by black blastic spiders and snakes.

Find even more Halloween fun for kids here!

Scary-good sounds for the night  

A smartphone showing a Hallmark Halloween playlist on Spotify called

 

Looking to set the mood with some nostalgia before the movie starts? Add these songs to your playlist for the night and wait for the moment your friends exclaim, “Oh my gosh, this song!”

Friends Music List

  • “I Put a Spell on You,” Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
  • “Thriller,” Michael Jackson
  • “My Boo,” Ghost Town DJs
  • “One Way or Another,” Blondie
  • “Party Ain’t a Party (edited),” Queen Pen
  • “This is How We Do It,” Montell Jordan
  • “Wannabe,” Spice Girls
  • “Hand in My Pocket,” Alanis Morissette
  • “Lovelight,” Robbie Williams
  • “Whoomp! There It Is,” Tag Team

 

If you’re throwing a party for all ages, mix in some songs that are serious fun for kids at Halloween. Yes, “Thriller” is on both lists. It’s so you can teach them the dance!

Kids Monster Jam

  • “Thriller,” Michael Jackson
  • “Zoombies,” The Pop Ups
  • “Monster Shuffle,” Pinkfong
  • “Somebody’s Watching Me,” Rockwell
  • “I Put a Spell on You (Hocus Pocus Single),” Andrea Mazzarino
  • “Guess Who?” Pinkfong
  • “Monster Mash,” Bobby Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers

 

For more music (and less effort), check out Hallmark’s Halloween playlist on Spotify, “Trick or Treat,” right here!

Disney Hocus Pocus Halloween party costume ideas  

A woman sits in a Winifred Sanderson hooded blanket; the hood of the blanket features bun-like pillows that make the wearer look like their hair is styled like Winifred Sanderson; the woman is holding a mug that reads,

 

I’m all for a reason to keep it casual. Luckily, dressing up for a Disney Hocus Pocus Halloween party can be done in style and unfussy ease! Check out these fun, simple and customizable ideas and take it as far as you want.

(Winifred) Blanket yourself with character

The viral social media sensation that completely sold out last year…is back! Keep Halloween thrills and chills under control with the Winifred Hooded Blanket. The blanket comes with a hood that doubles as a “hairdo” in the double-bun Winifred style. Add these “Amuck!” socks for a surprise pop of color beneath.

Homemade Halloween costumes

Check out these dead-easy kids’ costume ideas! If you’re handy with a sewing machine, you could alter the color scheme and ears of these ideas to create an adorable black cat costume out of a sweatshirt, pants and a few sheets of felt.To skip the sewing but keep the general look and feel, substitute a hot-glue gun for stitching or pick up a pair of black sweatpants and a sweatshirt. Use face paint to draw on cat whiskers.

Stitchless witch capes

“Come, we fly!” (You knew I’d work that in somewhere, right?) Make capes in Disney Hocus Pocus character colors: purple, red and green. Just grab material from a fabric shop and fasten at the neck. There are some fun velvet-like fabrics out there that are often on sale around Halloween. If you really want to be extra (but in a good way), carry a broom.

Dress in a Sanderson Sister’s signature colors

Try an emerald-green sweater, dress or jogging outfit to bring out your inner Winifred. Choose from pinks, purples and oranges to channel Sarah. Think browns, reds, and bright shades of orange for Mary. This is even more fun when you have two friends join in for a combined effect!

A trio of tissue paper Halloween treats that look like different Halloween icons, including a white ghost, a black cat, and a black spider.

Three greeting cards, two of which featuring the Sanderson Sisters from Disney Hocus Pocus, lay on a table covered with an iridescent checkered tablecloth with a tray of caramel apples nearby.

Disney Hocus Pocus Halloween party favors  

Make the witching hour last as long as possible by sending your guests back into the night with Halloween and Disney Hocus Pocus-themed goodies.

 

There’s something special about indulging nostalgia as you create new memories. Enjoy reuniting with the Sanderson Sisters and creating a night to remember with friends and family.

Stay scared, friends! 👻

 

Want more Halloween fun? Check these out!