The Best In-Game Halloween Celebrations and How to Join Them

5 September 2025

When October rolls around, the gaming world turns into one big haunted house. Seriously, if you thought Halloween was just about costumes and candy — think again. Video games go all-out every spooky season with bone-chilling events, creepy cosmetics, and ghost-filled game modes. Whether you're into MMOs, shooters, or cozy life simulators, there's a terrifying twist waiting for you somewhere in digital space.

So, grab your favorite gaming snack, dim the lights, and let's dive head-first into the best in-game Halloween celebrations — and more importantly, how the hell you can join them.

🎃 Why Do Gamers Love Halloween Events So Much?

Let’s be real, Halloween in games is like Christmas... but for goths and goblins. It’s a seasonal treat where game devs unleash their creativity, toss out the rules, and let players go wild with temporary, limited-time, spooky content.

We’re talking haunted dungeons, zombie survival modes, exclusive Halloween skins, and events that only happen once a year. Miss it, and you’ll be kicking yourself until next October. FOMO is real, folks.

Plus, it's a chance to experience your favorite game in a whole new light — or moonlight, if you catch my drift.

👻 Top In-Game Halloween Events You Don't Want to Miss in 2024

Alright, enough build-up. Let’s carve into the meat of this pumpkin pie. Here are the absolute best in-game Halloween celebrations happening this year and how to crash their scary party.

1. Fortnite: Fortnitemares

Platform: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Mobile
Dates: Mid-October to Early November (TBA)

You can’t talk about Halloween in games and skip Fortnite. Epic Games doesn’t just do "events" — they throw digital raves. Every year, “Fortnitemares” comes back with a new bag full of spooky surprises.

Expect:
- Halloween-themed skins that turn you into monsters, werewolves, or skeletons.
- Limited-time game modes like “Ghost Squad” or “Horde Rush.”
- Map overhauls with creepy weather, haunted houses, and glowing pumpkins.
- Jump scares in matchmaking. (Yes, really.)

How to Join: Just log in during the event dates, check the event tab, and drop into the new Halloween modes. Keep an eye out for the in-game store to grab those limited-time skins before they disappear into the fog.

2. Overwatch 2: Halloween Terror

Platform: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
Dates: Usually starts in early October

Overwatch 2 doesn’t mess around with Halloween. “Halloween Terror” is a yearly tradition where Blizzard introduces spooky PvE brawls, Halloween skins (some glorious, some horrifying), and a twisted version of the classic maps.

Highlights:
- The iconic Junkenstein’s Revenge co-op mode.
- New spooky cosmetics and emotes.
- Limited challenges with unique rewards.

How to Join: Open Overwatch 2 during the event, head to the Arcade Game Modes, and queue up for Halloween Terror. Don’t forget to finish the challenges — they hand out free loot like candy.

3. Destiny 2: Festival of the Lost

Platform: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Dates: Mid-October to Early November

Think Halloween doesn’t belong in a sci-fi universe? Think again. Every year, Destiny 2 hosts the “Festival of the Lost,” where Guardians trade in their serious space gear for monster masks and ghost stories.

What's in it:
- Haunted Lost Sectors (basically dungeons with a Halloween twist).
- Unique armor sets that turn you into vampires, werewolves, or even dinosaurs.
- A special currency called "Candy" to buy spooky items.
- A lore-rich vibe that fits perfectly with the haunting tone.

How to Join: Head to The Tower once the event goes live and speak with Eva Levante. From there, she’ll hook you up with a Mask and your first spooky quest.

4. Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Pumpkin Party on the Island

Platform: Nintendo Switch
Dates: Whole month of October (Main event on Oct 31st)

If blood and guts aren’t your thing and you prefer spooky-but-adorable, Animal Crossing is your safe haven. From Oct. 1st, Jack the Czar of Halloween shows up, and oh boy — things get real pumpkin-y.

Features:
- You can grow pumpkins. Like, actual cute little pumpkins.
- Villagers dress up and decorate their homes.
- Tons of DIY Halloween recipes for decor and costumes.
- Trick-or-treating on Halloween night.

How to Join: Just make sure your game is updated. Stock up on candy, craft your Halloween gear, and wait for Jack to appear on Halloween night. Don’t forget to give out candy to your neighbors — or you might get pranked!

5. Call of Duty: The Haunting

Platform: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Dates: Usually kicks off mid-October

COD doesn’t do “subtle” — and their Halloween event proves it. Call of Duty's "The Haunting" blends horror movie vibes with high-caliber action.

Event includes:
- Limited-time game modes like Zombies Royale.
- Creepy map reskins — think Verdansk at night with supernatural fog and jump scares.
- Horror crossover skins (past years have included Scream, Ghostface, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre collabs).
- Scare-filled loot crates and operator bundles.

How to Join: Load up Warzone or Modern Warfare during the event, and the Halloween playlist will be right in your face. Gear up and dive in — just watch out for that chainsaw noise in the dark.

6. Final Fantasy XIV: All Saints’ Wake

Platform: PC, PS4, PS5
Dates: Usually late October through early November

FFXIV doesn’t skip a beat when it comes to seasonal events. For Halloween, they go full Tim Burton with “All Saints’ Wake.”

What to expect:
- A quirky, spooky-themed questline with laugh-out-loud moments.
- Festive outfits and glamor items (capes, clown makeup, ghost costumes).
- Screamingly good housing decorations.
- A masquerade ball or haunted house instance (depending on the year’s twist).

How to Join: Visit Mih Khetto’s Amphitheatre in Gridania when the event goes live. Start the seasonal quest and enjoy the creepy ride. Trust me, the devs love to throw curveballs each year — in the best way.

7. ESO: Witches Festival

Platform: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Dates: Mid-to-late October

For Elder Scrolls Online players, the Witches Festival is an XP feast wrapped in skeletal treats and creepy bosses.

Get hyped for:
- Double XP from the Witchmother’s Brew.
- Spooky boss drops, including themed furniture and motifs.
- Daily quests that feel like Halloween adventures in Tamriel.
- The chance to collect Plunder Skulls (because treasure should ALWAYS be creepy).

How to Join: Head to the Crown Store, grab the free Witches Festival quest, and brew your spooky brew. Don’t forget to drink it for those double XP benefits. Now go slay something horrifying.

8. Genshin Impact: Shadows in the Moonlight (Custom Event Title)

Platform: PC, PlayStation, Mobile
Dates: Based on patch schedule around October

While Genshin Impact doesn’t officially celebrate Halloween, fans have noticed that the game always throws something a little eerie around late October. Past events include foggy islands, ghost stories, and spooky side quests with seasonal flair.

Expect:
- Limited-time event quests with creepy NPCs.
- Darker, fog-covered areas to explore.
- Event-exclusive primogem rewards.
- Halloween-themed cosmetics or mini-games.

How to Join: Log in during late October and check the event board. With Genshin, you never know what they’re cooking, but it’ll likely be wrapped in mystery and moonlight.

🧛‍♀️ Tips to Make the Most of Halloween Events

Before you rush off to join the horror party, here are a few quick pro-tips to maximize your fun and loot:

- Log in daily. Some events give out daily rewards or candy that you’ll need later.
- Do your dailies/quests. Seasonal content often includes questlines or tiny missions with time-limited rewards.
- Stick with your squad. Team up with friends to tackle tougher bosses or earn party bonuses.
- Stock up. Currency like candy or tokens are often key to buying event goodies.
- Don’t stress. These events are built to be fun, not grindy nightmares (unless you’re into that).

🕸️ Why These Events Should Be on Your Radar

Look, Halloween events bring more than just gimmicks. They reshape the games you already love into something new and exciting. It’s like seeing your favorite TV show do a Halloween special — except you can actually be part of it.

Whether you're slaying spooky bosses in MMOs, trick-or-treating with villagers, or screaming your lungs out in a foggy BR, these events bring communities together in the best ways. And hey, who doesn’t love a limited-edition skeleton outfit?

🕯️ Final Thoughts

Halloween in games isn’t just another seasonal add-on. It’s a full-blown experience. It’s the thrill of logging in and not knowing what kind of creepy surprise awaits. It’s about collecting things that may never return again. It’s about having fun, screaming, laughing, and snapping screenshots of your weird-looking vampire costume.

So don’t be the ghost that misses the party this October. Pick your poison, boot up your favorite title, and throw yourself into the madness. Just don’t forget your candy.