Black lights (and glowing lights in general) are criminally underrated when it comes to Halloween decorating. I often see them used in the some of the best haunted houses, yet they don’t get much love when it comes to home haunts.
In this article we will discuss what types of black lights are the best to use, give you some ideas for store bought and DIY decorations, and top it off with a crowd pleasing bonus recipe!
What Types of Black Lights Are Best for Halloween Decorating?
Black Light Flood Lights
These are powerful, UV lights designed to cover large areas. My favorite way to use them is to illuminate the light against a static prop to give it an eerie glow. They are typically LED, so they don’t use too much power. I’m sure they make solar ones, but I recommend you go with plug-ins for extra power.
Black Light Strip Lights
Strip lights aren’t just for entertainment clubs. If you’re hosting a party, they can add the perfect touch to any room.
Ideas for Black Light Outdoor Halloween Decorations
Whether you’re decorating your home for Halloween or hosting a spooky event, using black lights can create a mysterious and eerie atmosphere. Here’s what you need to get started with black light Halloween decorations, both indoors and outdoors:
Glowing Spider Webs
Stretch fluorescent or UV-reactive spider webs across your yard, trees, or porch to create a spooky, glowing effect under black lights.
Glow-in-the-Dark Skeletons
Hang glowing skeletons from tree branches or place them on your lawn to create a spine-chilling graveyard scene.
Black Light Reactive Tombstones
Place UV-reactive tombstones throughout your yard to create a haunted cemetery vibe that glows eerily under black lights. (The flood light will look great against these).
Glowing Pumpkins
Paint pumpkins with fluorescent or glow-in-the-dark paint to create glowing jack-o’-lanterns.
Credit: Reddit/Imaginary-Original58
Did you know?
Amazon has a 9-pack of fluorescent/glow-in-the-dark acrylic paint that currently holds a 5-star rating
(out of 123 reviews) at the time this article was published.
Glowing Ghosts
Craft ghosts using white or UV-reactive fabric and hang them from tree branches or porches.
Glowing Pathway Markers
Use glow-in-the-dark or black light-reactive paint on stones, solar-powered pathway lights, or lanterns to create a spooky, illuminated walkway.
Black Light Reactive Banners and Signs
Hang Halloween-themed banners and signs that glow under black lights to create an otherworldly atmosphere. These will look great under a porch on Halloween night!
Fluorescent Window Clings
Decorate your windows with black light-reactive window clings featuring Halloween-themed designs like ghosts, bats, or witches.
Remember to pair these decorations with appropriate black lights, such as UV LED flood lights or black light spotlights, to maximize the glowing effect. With these ideas in mind, you’ll be well on your way to creating an unforgettable and haunting outdoor Halloween display.
Host a Spine-Chilling Black Light Halloween Party with these DIY Decorations
If you want to create a memorable Halloween party, here are some Here are some DIY decorations to make your home stand out:
Haunting Handprints
Materials:
- UV-reactive or glow-in-the-dark paint
- Disposable gloves
- Large sheets of black paper or fabric
Instructions:
- Put on disposable gloves and dip your hands in the UV-reactive or glow-in-the-dark paint.
- Press your hands onto the black paper or fabric to create ghostly handprints.
- Allow the paint to dry and hang your haunting handprint masterpieces on walls or doors.
Glowing Eyeball Wreath
Materials:
- Foam or ping pong balls
- UV-reactive or glow-in-the-dark paint
- Paintbrushes
- A foam wreath form
- Glue gun
Instructions:
- Paint the foam or ping pong balls with UV-reactive or glow-in-the-dark paint to create eerie, glowing eyeballs.
- Once the paint is dry, use a glue gun to attach the eyeballs to the foam wreath form.
- Hang your glowing eyeball wreath on a door or wall to add a spooky touch.
Black Light Reactive Wall Art
Materials:
- Black poster board
- UV-reactive or glow-in-the-dark paint
- Paintbrushes or stencils
Instructions:
- Using paintbrushes or stencils, create Halloween-themed designs on the black poster board using UV-reactive or glow-in-the-dark paint.
- Allow the paint to dry and display your black light reactive wall art around your party space.
Glowing Balloon Garland
Materials:
- UV-reactive or glow-in-the-dark balloons
- String or fishing line
- Balloon pump (optional)
Instructions:
- Inflate the UV-reactive or glow-in-the-dark balloons using a balloon pump or your breath.
- Attach the balloons to a long string or fishing line to create a garland.
- Hang the glowing balloon garland from the ceiling, on walls, or around doorways for a festive touch.
- Additional Black Light Party Tips
- Encourage guests to wear white or neon-colored clothing, which will glow under the black lights.
- Create a spooky playlist of Halloween-themed music to set the mood.
- Use UV-reactive or glow-in-the-dark tableware to enhance the glowing effect of your party.
Bonus: Glowing Tonic Water Punch
Tonic water contains quinine, which glows under a black light. Create a spooky punch by mixing tonic water with fruit juice, such as orange or cranberry, and adding ice cubes made from tonic water. For an extra touch, float glowing ice hands or frozen fruit in the punch bowl
Credit: like_the_grand_canyon
Ingredients:
- 4 cups tonic water
- 2 cups fruit juice (orange or cranberry)
- Tonic water ice cubes
- Optional: frozen fruit or glowing ice hands for decoration
Instructions:
- In a large punch bowl, combine 4 cups of tonic water with 2 cups of your chosen fruit juice.
- Add tonic water ice cubes to the punch to keep it chilled.
- Optionally, add frozen fruit or glowing ice hands for an extra spooky touch.
- Serve the punch in black light reactive cups for the best glowing effect.
Hopefully you are now convinced just how cool it is to make your Halloween glow!