Halloween 2023 and Military Festivities

How Halloween is celebrated by the military depends greatly on what individual bases and military commands choose to do, but there are definitely plans for this time of year.

Halloween will be celebrated on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023.

The holiday season is often a tough time for military members, families, veterans, and friends. Most associate this struggle with Thanksgiving and Christmas, but Halloween is really the start of the fall/winter holiday season, and military communities know that for some-especially military parents separated from their children at this time of year-there should be some form of military community activity and outreach.

How Halloween Is Celebrated At Military Bases

Any military base overseas that allows “accompanied tours”, where spouses and dependents are welcome, usually has some form of the usual Halloween trick-or-treat activities among the base community. In places where there is family housing, the neighborhoods will likely resemble any other American street, with costumed kids and family members going door-to-door. And sometimes, these occasions turn into a cross-cultural learning experience.

Trunk Or Treat

The “trunk or treat” version of Halloween candy-collecting also appears on military bases at home and overseas. And it’s not all about sugary fun-sized snacks. Ramstein Air Base in southwestern Germany, hosted a healthy snack station in addition to the usual fare; a move no doubt applauded by base family support and wellness centers.

On-Base Fall Festival Celebrations

Military installations both at home and abroad often plan fall festival celebrations that include typical Halloween activities. One such event at Fort Hood, Texas included a costume contest, carnival games, and pumpkin decorating.

Photo by Sgt. Maria Kappell.

Costume Parties and Contests

The image above from Fort Hood, Texas isn’t the only place where military communities have costume contests. They’re popular all over the globe, including the U.S. Naval installation at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

GTMO, as it’s often called, may still be home to the military prison notorious for its’ confinement of those suspected of terrorism against the U.S. but it’s easy to forget that this is a working military installation with men and women in uniform serving far away from family and friends. Here’s an image from a 2015 Halloween costume event there featuring an Army Sergeant and a young resident of the Naval Station.

Unique Military Expressions Of The Halloween Spirit

A great example of how the military finds unique ways to say “Happy Halloween!” This video features members of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Shooting Team:

Celebrating Halloween By Helping Kids And Troops

Many private organizations hold Halloween candy drives to support deployed troops. One such group, Soldiers’ Angels, asks families to donate their Halloween candy for a “Treats To Troops” program that includes those deployed but also wounded warriors recovering in VA hospitals. Groups like these often work in partnership with other organizations (in this case, HalloweenCandyBuyBack.com) to collect donations nationwide.

Other programs that support the troops with candy donations and other activities at Halloween time include:

• Operation Gratitude
• AnySoldier
• Operation Shoebox
• Operation Stars And Stripes
• USO

Halloween Military Discounts

HalloweenCostumes.com
HalloweenCostumes.com offers a military discount to all personnel with a valid military email address. Save $10 off $50 on costumes, accessories, and everything else.

Home Depot
Receive a 10% Military discount at participating Home Depot locations when you show your military ID and get everything you need for your Halloween projects. Home Depot carries a variety of Halloween-themed lawn decor plus all the materials for your DIY projects.

Jo-Ann Fabrics
When you sign up as a military member through Joann’s Rewards program you will be eligible to receive 15% off your purchases. Show your ID to a member in store for more information on how to enroll.

Kirkland’s 
Save on Halloween decorations at Kirkland’s with a 10% discount for active duty and retired military with a valid military ID at checkout in-store.

Lowe’s 
Build the best Haunted House on the block with a 10% military discount at Lowe’s. Discount is available to all active and retired military members and immediate family members.

Michael’s
Stock up on Halloween decor and everything you need for crafting your own costumes and decorations with Michael’s every day 15% off military discount. Offer is valid in store only with a valid military ID.

Sherwin Williams
Save 15% with Sherwin Williams’ every day military discount and get all your paints, stains, and supplies to create your spookiest Halloween backdrop. A valid ID is required and the discount is available to active and retired military, reservists, and spouses.

Spencer’s
Save 10% off any Halloween purchase with Spencer’s military discount. A valid military ID or proof of service is required.

Wholesale Halloween Costumes
All active and inactive members of the United States Military, and their families, get a special 10% discount on all items.