How Gen Z is Celebrating Halloween (Compared to Millennials): What They Eat, Play, and Buy

Halloween has always been more than just costumes and candy. For decades, it has been a cultural event that reflects not only seasonal traditions but also the mindset of each generation. Millennials were the first to turn Halloween into a full-blown social media spectacle, with Pinterest-worthy costumes, themed parties, and Instagrammable pumpkin patches. Gen Z, however, has taken the holiday in a different direction—more digital, more aesthetic-driven, and far more influenced by internet culture.

The way Gen Z eats, plays, and shops during Halloween says a lot about how they differ from Millennials. Where Millennials leaned heavily into nostalgia and big-group gatherings, Gen Z makes Halloween both a personal and social expression of creativity, identity, and online culture. Let’s dive into what that looks like.

Food: From Candy Hoarding to Curated Halloween Snacks

For Millennials, Halloween was largely about candy binges, trick-or-treat nostalgia, and pumpkin spice everything. This was the generation that helped Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte achieve cult status and that made cupcakes and decorated sugar cookies a staple of Halloween parties.

Gen Z’s food choices, however, are less about indulgence and more about sharing an experience. They may still enjoy candy, but they want it to be Instagrammable, TikTok-trending, and sometimes even “aesthetic.” Instead of bowls of assorted chocolates, you’ll see Gen Z curating charcuterie-style Halloween snack boards with candy corn, ghost-shaped marshmallows, gummy worms, and pastel-colored macarons. Food is not just for eating—it’s for creating a vibe.

Another major difference is Gen Z’s tendency toward health-conscious or alternative eating. Vegan, plant-based, and gluten-free options are increasingly present at Halloween gatherings hosted by younger people. A plate of spooky-shaped sushi rolls, pumpkin hummus, or black sesame cupcakes fits right in with their celebration style. Unlike Millennials, who often associated Halloween with cheap thrills and sugar highs, Gen Z blends tradition with a modern awareness of lifestyle choices.

Social media trends strongly dictate Halloween food decisions. Recipes that go viral on TikTok—like ghost brownies, candy apple experiments, or themed cocktails—quickly make their way into Gen Z Halloween parties. Millennials, in contrast, were more likely to search Pinterest boards or follow Food Network tutorials. Gen Z thrives on immediacy and the thrill of recreating what’s currently trending.

Play: How Halloween Entertainment Has Shifted

Millennials experienced Halloween in the age of cable TV marathons, haunted house attractions, and neighborhood parties. They loved Halloween movie reruns like Hocus Pocus or The Nightmare Before Christmas and spent evenings either going out in groups or hosting elaborate house parties.

Gen Z still loves horror, but their way of “playing” during Halloween is distinctly more digital. Instead of watching TV, they’re streaming scary films on Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+. They’re also drawn to interactive entertainment—playing horror video games like Phasmophobia, Five Nights at Freddy’s, or streaming haunted escape-room experiences on Twitch. The spooky atmosphere is no longer confined to the physical world; it’s something they enter through screens and virtual spaces.

Another notable difference is how Gen Z views Halloween as a platform for content creation. For them, Halloween isn’t just about attending events but about producing short-form videos, skits, or makeup tutorials that align with the spooky season. TikTok challenges, Halloween makeup transformations, or comedic haunted house reaction videos often replace the traditional house party.

That doesn’t mean Gen Z avoids physical gatherings altogether. They still go to haunted attractions, escape rooms, and themed concerts. But these events are often documented with the intention of sharing online. Millennials might have enjoyed the experience for the memory; Gen Z enjoys the experience for the memory and the viral content it can generate.

Shopping: Costumes, Décor, and the Rise of Micro-Trends

Millennials were known for investing in elaborate costumes and home décor. They browsed Spirit Halloween stores, thrifted for DIY projects, and proudly showed off their creativity. Halloween costume contests at parties or offices were the highlight of their celebration.

Gen Z approaches Halloween shopping differently. They are trend-driven but less likely to spend weeks crafting something from scratch. Instead, they’re quick to jump on micro-trends born from TikTok, Instagram, or fandom culture. One year it might be Wednesday Addams thanks to a Netflix series; another year it could be Barbiecore costumes tied to the latest film release. They also love ironic or meme-inspired outfits, like dressing up as viral internet characters or blending pop culture references with spooky twists.

Thrift shopping has also become more central for Gen Z than it was for Millennials. While Millennials dabbled in thrifting for budget reasons, Gen Z embraces it as part of sustainability culture. They prefer sourcing secondhand pieces to assemble unique, low-waste Halloween outfits. This makes their costumes feel more authentic, experimental, and environmentally conscious.

As for Halloween décor, Millennials often leaned toward Pinterest-perfect homes filled with pumpkins, DIY wreaths, and candles. Gen Z, however, buys items that are more “room-core”—spooky neon lights, glow-in-the-dark posters, gothic anime figures, or cozy Halloween bedding that doubles as year-round aesthetic décor. Their Halloween shopping is closely tied to personal style rather than one-time seasonal displays.

And let’s not forget digital shopping. Millennials would spend afternoons wandering stores, but Gen Z makes much of their Halloween shopping online, through platforms like Depop, Etsy, or TikTok Shop. Limited-edition collaborations and influencer recommendations have a huge impact on what they choose to buy.

Costume Culture: Individual Identity vs. Group Themes

Millennials often loved group-themed Halloween costumes—superhero squads, Disney princesses, or retro TV casts. Halloween was a chance to bond with friends through coordinated outfits.

Gen Z is less about matching and more about individuality. Costumes are a way of expressing identity, exploring gender fluidity, or playing with aesthetic subcultures like goth, cottagecore, or Y2K. They’re also more willing to experiment with makeup and prosthetics, turning themselves into hyper-detailed characters or surreal creatures. The artistry of costume-making is often showcased in makeup tutorials and TikTok reels.

Interestingly, Gen Z also embraces the “low-effort but clever” costume trend. Wearing a t-shirt with an ironic Halloween pun or a minimalistic outfit referencing a meme is just as valid as going all-out. Millennials would have seen this as lazy; Gen Z sees it as witty.

Spending Habits: Experiences Over Excess

Millennials were known for spending generously on costumes, parties, and decorations, often using Halloween as another excuse for a night out drinking.

Gen Z, while still spending, tends to prioritize experiences over excess. They’re more likely to spend money on concert tickets for Halloween-themed music events, immersive horror experiences, or digital downloads of limited-edition skins in their favorite video games. Their spending reflects a balance between physical and digital experiences.

They also tend to be more budget-conscious. The rise of fast fashion, secondhand apps, and DIY hacks means Gen Z can pull off impressive Halloween looks without breaking the bank. They still want to participate in trends, but they do so with a sharper awareness of cost and sustainability.

Community and Meaning: Different Motivations Behind the Celebration

For Millennials, Halloween was about nostalgia and community bonding. Many of them grew up in the heyday of neighborhood trick-or-treating, and their adult celebrations often carried that sense of tradition.

Gen Z’s Halloween, in contrast, is about self-expression and cultural commentary. They celebrate the holiday not just to join the fun but also to create and curate a version of themselves that aligns with their digital identities. Their motivation is less about fitting in and more about standing out—or going viral.

At the same time, Gen Z’s Halloween often carries subtle social and political undertones. Costumes might reference not just pop culture but also issues like climate change, inclusivity, or identity politics. In that sense, Halloween becomes not only playful but also reflective of the generation’s values.

Conclusion: A Tale of Two Halloween Generations

Halloween has always evolved with time, but the shift from Millennials to Gen Z shows how deeply generational culture can shape a holiday.

Millennials made Halloween about big gatherings, elaborate costumes, and nostalgia-driven food and décor. Their celebrations often revolved around community and the joy of reliving childhood.

Gen Z, on the other hand, has transformed Halloween into a digital-first, trend-driven, highly personalized event. Their food is TikTok-ready, their entertainment is interactive, and their costumes often serve as identity statements. They shop online, thrift sustainably, and prefer experiences that can be shared with their online networks.

Ultimately, both generations love Halloween for the same reason: it offers a temporary escape into playfulness, creativity, and imagination. The difference lies in the tools they use—Millennials had Pinterest and cable TV; Gen Z has TikTok and streaming platforms. Where Millennials carved pumpkins for the porch, Gen Z curates aesthetics for their rooms and Instagram grids.

The future of Halloween will likely continue evolving with Generation Alpha, who are growing up with even more advanced technology. But for now, Halloween remains a cultural mirror, reflecting the values and habits of the people celebrating it. And if there’s one thing both Millennials and Gen Z agree on, it’s that October 31st will always be a night for creativity, indulgence, and just a little bit of mischief.