The new year had barely begun, yet all things eerie, imaginative and celebratory were already in full swing, as the Halloween & Party Expo returned to Las Vegas. Held Jan. 12-14 at the World Market Expo, the annual event set the tone for the year ahead.
An estimated 2,000 industry professionals gathered under one roof for what has become North America’s premier marketplace for Halloween, party and celebration products. Attendees immersed themselves in the experience, connecting with colleagues, forging new partnerships and exchanging ideas designed to spark innovation across the sector. With more than 120 exhibitors on the show floor, the expo showcased an expansive mix of costumes, accessories, party supplies, props, makeup, novelties, toys, gifts and décor, reinforcing its role as a one-stop shop for retailers and buyers seeking both established brands and emerging newcomers poised to shape the future of celebrations.
While Halloween is not an official holiday recognized by the government entities, it is the second-largest commercial holiday in the U.S., with more than 70 percent of Americans participating in 2025. According to Statista, Americans spent more than $11.5 billion on Halloween in 2024, highlighting market potential.
For local event planners and designers, the trends on display confirmed what they have already been seeing in the field. Bri Absher, a Las Vegas–based event planner with Style My Event (smelv.com) and Las Vegas Weddings, noted that trends emerging for Halloween 2025 are continuing straight into 2026.
“Halloween events were very creative, and everybody wanted to be characters, especially Korean characters popular in pop culture or superheroes. Monsters and horror are very popular with adults with costumes, decor and themes,” Absher said. “Sexy costumes are also very popular with adults, but for private parties, not events being held at public venues.”
Children’s costumes have evolved into detailed ensembles with professional-grade makeup, wigs and accessories, presenting opportunities for retailers to offer high-quality products that meet parents’ increasing demand for realism and value.
Décor trends have also shifted dramatically. Animatronics, inflatables, specialty lamps and intricate set pieces are replacing old-school paper decorations and simple jack-o’-lanterns. Lighting, in particular, has emerged with Halloween-themed illumination to fully lit exteriors, interiors and commercial spaces.
“We set up Halloween lights for a client in the desert, and it was so interesting and fun,” Absher added. “There are several bars now that set up Halloween lights. It used to be just for Christmas, but that’s not the case anymore.”
As the Halloween & Party Expo demonstrated, the industry is no longer confined to a single night — or even a single season. With consumers demanding bigger, bolder and more immersive experiences, the business of Halloween and celebrations continues to expand, innovate and illuminate new opportunities well before the first pumpkin ever hits the patch.
