15 Spooky Halloween Fundraising Ideas for Churches  

Finding fresh, engaging ways to raise money for your church can be a real challenge. Are you tired of the same old fundraisers that don’t quite capture the spirit of the season or fully engage your congregation and community? Do you struggle to come up with Halloween Fundraising Ideas for Churches that are both fun and family-friendly, respecting your values while still bringing in significant donations? Is your biggest fear hosting an event that lacks excitement or fails to meet your financial goals? You want your Halloween fundraiser to be memorable, community-focused, and highly successful, but where do you start with creative, church-appropriate activities?

Well, your search ends here. This article is your ultimate guide to transforming your church’s Halloween fundraising efforts from ordinary to extraordinary. We have brewed up a collection of 15 kickass, unique, and genuinely thrilling Halloween fundraising ideas that will banish boring events forever. Each concept is designed to ignite curiosity, spark engagement, and ensure your event is a beloved tradition, all while bringing in serious funds for your mission.

Inside, you will uncover a treasure trove of “blessings in disguise” fundraising ideas, each explained in detail. We show you exactly how to implement each activity for maximum impact, from safe and welcoming “Trunk-or-Treat” events to community-building “Pumpkin Patch” sales. Our unique selling proposition? Every idea is spooky, fun, community-oriented, and designed by an expert fundraiser to be easily actionable and respectful of church values, ensuring your success this Halloween season. Get ready to scare up some serious donations for your church!

Trick or Treat: Halloween Fundraising Ideas for Churches  

Halloween offers a unique and incredibly fun opportunity to raise money for your cause. People are already excited about costumes, decorations, and all things spooky, making it the perfect time to tap into that enthusiasm. A well-themed event transforms fundraising from a chore into a thrilling community experience. By embracing the spirit of the season, you can capture attention and inspire generosity in a way no other time of year allows. Get ready to scare up some serious donations with these killer ideas!

1. Trunk-or-Treat Extravaganza

This is a safe, community-focused alternative to traditional trick-or-treating. Church members decorate their car trunks in fun, family-friendly Halloween themes. Kids walk from car to car collecting candy. Charge a small admission fee per family or per car to participate, and offer concessions like hot cider and cookies.

• Have church members decorate trunks with kid-friendly themes.
• Designate parking spots for decorated cars.
• Collect a fee from participating families or cars.
• Sell snacks and drinks for extra income.
• Give prizes for the best-decorated trunk.

2. Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser

Transform your church lawn or a designated area into a vibrant pumpkin patch. Partner with a local farm to buy pumpkins in bulk at a wholesale price. Sell the pumpkins to the community at a higher retail price. This is a classic fall activity that draws families and offers a simple, direct way to raise funds.

• Buy bulk pumpkins from a local farm.
• Arrange pumpkins attractively on church grounds.
• Sell pumpkins at a profitable retail price.
• Create hay bale and fall decor photo spots.
• Sell pumpkin carving kits as an upsell.

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3. Spooktacular Bake Sale

A bake sale is always a winner, and for Halloween, you give it a spooky twist. Church members bake themed treats like “spiderweb” brownies, “ghostly” cupcakes, or “mummy” cookies. Sell these delicious, homemade goodies after services or at a community event. Package them creatively to attract buyers.

• Get church members to bake themed treats.
• Bake items with a Halloween design or name.
• Use fun, spooky packaging.
• Arrange treats attractively at a visible spot.
• Advertise your delicious, spooky treats.

4. Haunted House (Kid-Friendly Version)

Create a “haunted house” experience within your church hall or a few classrooms, but keep it mild and kid-friendly, focusing on fun scares rather than terror. Volunteers dress up as friendly monsters or characters. Charge an admission fee for entry. This can be a major draw for families looking for safe Halloween fun.

• Designate a safe area for the haunted house.
• Use fun, not terrifying, spooky decorations.
• Have volunteers dress up as silly monsters.
• Charge a fee for entry.
• Ensure the experience is more playful than scary.

5. Costume Parade & Contest

Host a vibrant Halloween costume parade around the church grounds or inside the main hall. Follow it with a costume contest with categories for all ages (e.g., funniest, most creative, best Bible character, best family costume). Charge a small entry fee for contestants, and award prizes for winners.

• Plan a parade path for participants.
• Create costume contest categories for all ages.
• Collect a small fee from each contestant.
• Recruit volunteers to judge costumes.
• Offer fun prizes for winners in each category.

6. Fall Festival Games & Booths

Organize a full-blown fall festival with various Halloween-themed carnival games and activity booths. Think pumpkin bowling, “witch’s hat” ring toss, cornhole, or “pin the spider on the web.” Charge tickets for game plays, which can be exchanged for small prizes. This creates a lively, interactive atmosphere.

• Choose a variety of fun, safe carnival games.
• Create stations for each game.
• Sell tickets for game plays.
• Provide trinkets for winners.
• Assign church members to run each booth.

7. Spooky Movie Night

Host a Halloween-themed movie night in your church hall or an outdoor space if the weather permits. Show family-friendly Halloween movies like It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown or Halloweentown. Charge admission and sell popcorn, candy, and “witch’s brew” (juice) for extra income.

• Select family-friendly Halloween films.
• Arrange seating in a hall or outdoor space.
• Collect a fee for movie entry.
• Offer snacks and drinks for sale.
• Dim lights, add subtle spooky decor.

8. Pumpkin Carving/Decorating Contest

Provide pumpkins and carving tools (or decorating supplies like paint and glitter) for a fee. Participants carve or decorate their pumpkins on-site. Have a judging panel and award prizes for different categories. This is a creative activity that leaves participants with a festive keepsake.

• Provide carving or decorating materials.
• Collect a fee per participant.
• Designate carving/decorating areas.
• Recruit judges for different categories.
• Give prizes for creative pumpkins.

9. Mystery Dinner

Turn your church hall into a detective zone. Host a mystery dinner where guests solve a fun (and spooky) whodunit during their meal. Or build a mini escape room using simple props and faith-friendly puzzles. These events are exciting and different—and people pay to play.

• Write a family-friendly mystery story or puzzle setup.
• Sell tickets for each dinner or escape time slot.
• Use church volunteers as “actors” or room guides.
• Offer snacks and drinks for added revenue.
• Give small prizes to teams who solve it fastest.

10. Pet Costume Parade

Let furry friends join the fun. Invite pet owners to dress up their animals and walk in a parade. Offer prizes and treats. Families love seeing pets in costume—and pet parents love showing off. Use the event as a fundraiser and community photo op.

• Charge a small fee per pet entry.
• Set up a parade route around the church grounds.
• Have judges pick the funniest, cutest, and most creative costumes.
• Offer pet-friendly treats for sale.
• Create a photo booth for pet owners and their animals.

11. Boo-tiful Basket Raffle

Assemble themed gift baskets and raffle them off. Each basket has a Halloween or fall vibe—treats, candles, games, or warm drinks. People buy tickets for a chance to win. It’s a fast and flexible way to raise funds, especially with donated items.

• Ask church members or local shops to donate basket items.
• Build themes like “Fall Movie Night” or “Pumpkin Spice Life.”
• Sell raffle tickets before and during your event.
• Draw winners live to boost excitement.
• Thank donors publicly or on social media.

12. Carved Pumpkin Exhibition & Auction

Hosting a public showcase of pumpkin art is one of the best Halloween fundraising ideas for churches. Ask people to bring carved pumpkins or carve them at the church. Set up a gallery-style walk-through and auction them off at the end. It’s a festive event that mixes art, fun, and fundraising.

• Invite artists or church members to carve pumpkins.
• Display them on tables or hay bales.
• Allow public viewing before the auction.
• Hold a silent or live auction for each pumpkin.
• Offer snacks and drinks during the exhibition.

13. Haunted Photo Booth

Create a themed photo booth with spooky props and backdrops. Set it up at any Halloween event, from trunk-or-treat to a gala. Offer printed or digital photos for a small fee. It’s quick, fun, and makes great memories.

• Decorate with fake cobwebs, pumpkins, and spooky signs.
• Provide props like hats, glasses, wigs, and masks.
• Use a volunteer with a phone or camera.
• Charge per photo or session.
• Offer digital or print options.

14. Walk for a Cause with Spooky Scenery

Organize a short walk or lap event with Halloween-themed decorations along the route. Raise funds through sponsorships, lap pledges, or simple entry fees. Use signs, costumes, and music to make it festive without needing a huge setup.

• Choose a walk path around your church or park.
• Decorate with cobwebs, signs, or pumpkins.
• Ask walkers to get sponsors per lap or flat donations.
• Give glow bracelets or stickers to each participant.
• Hand out candy or treats at checkpoints.

15. Giving Tree with “Treats” for Donations

Set up a donation tree decorated with small Halloween-themed gifts or treats. Each treat is linked to a specific donation amount. People choose what to give and get a small reward, plus the joy of giving. It’s easy, visual, and effective.

• Decorate a tree or board with small treat bags.
• Label each treat with a different donation amount.
• Let donors pick a treat after they give.
• Refill the tree throughout the event.
• Use fun signage to explain how it works.

Final Thoughts

In light of Halloween’s origins, as Britannica explains, the celebration is deeply rooted in the Christian tradition of All Hallows’ Eve—a time originally set aside by the church to honor saints and the faithful departed. This historical connection highlights that Halloween is not just a secular event filled with costumes and candy, but a moment that once held deep spiritual meaning within the Christian calendar.

By organizing Halloween fundraisers, churches can reclaim this tradition in a positive, community-focused way. These events provide a safe and joyful space for families, encourage fellowship, and help bridge generations through shared experiences. More importantly, they offer churches a unique opportunity to engage with the wider community, support meaningful causes, and remind everyone that faith-based gatherings can be both meaningful and fun.