Halloween at the White House

Gallery

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Cecil Stoughton captures Caroline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy, Jr. visiting President John F. Kennedy in the Oval Office on Halloween in their costumes.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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President Richard M. Nixon's eldest daughter, Tricia Nixon, smiles as a costumed child gazes into the fun house mirror in the Entrance Hall at the White House Halloween carnival. The event was held for local children in the Washington, D.C. area.
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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Costumed members of the United States Marine Band entertain guests during a Halloween party in the East Room of the White House in 1969. This photograph was taken during the Richard M. Nixon administration.
United States Marine Band
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First Lady Betty Ford and White House Social Secretary Nancy Howe prepare for Halloween as they dress a skeleton borrowed from the White House infirmary. The two set up the skeleton in President Gerald R. Ford's private study.
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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Susan Ford and her former neighbors, Matthew and Anne Abbruzzese, pictured with their jack-o'-lantern. Susan, the daughter of President Gerald R. Ford and First Lady Betty Ford, babysat the Abbruzzese children when the Fords lived in Alexandria.
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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Amy Carter celebrates her 10th birthday with a pumpkin carving contest in the China Room. Amy and her 14 guests partook of hamburgers, ice cream and vanilla cake with chocolate icing, and watched the original movie version of "Frankenstein" on October 19, 1977.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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First Lady Rosalynn Carter and her daughter Amy host young trick-or-treaters for UNICEF on October 26, 1977. The group is gathered in the Entrance Hall of the White House, near the Grand Staircase.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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President Ronald Reagan admires a pumpkin carved with the slogan "Stay the Course" outside the South Portico entrance to the White House. President Reagan used the slogan during the 1982 midterm elections. First Lady Nancy Reagan poses alongside the pumpkin.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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First Lady Barbara Bush holds her granddaughter Marshall, who is dressed like a turtle, as they hand out treats to guests on the South Lawn of the White House Grounds during Halloween festivities.
George Bush Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton dressed up as President James Madison and First Lady Dolley Madison for a Halloween party in the East Room of the White House.
William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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White House staff pose with a giant carved jack-o'-lantern during the Bill Clinton administration. The group is standing in the Navy Mess in the West Wing of the White House.
William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush's Scottish terrier, Barney, poses with pumpkins in his Halloween portrait. Barney is captured on the South Lawn of the White House.
George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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President Barack Obama with White House staffer Nate Tamarin's son in the Outer Oval Office. President Obama feigns an attack by Tamarin's son, dressed as Spiderman for Halloween.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
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Local school children participating in Halloween festivities on the North Lawn of the White House during the Barack Obama administration.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
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First Lady Michelle Obama hands out candy and cookies during a Halloween reception for military families and children of White House staff in the East Room of the White House on October 31, 2009.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
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A skull and candles in the Blue Room of the White House, decorated for a Halloween reception for military families and children of White House staff during the Barack Obama administration. In the background of the photograph is the portrait of John Tyler by George Peter Alexander Healy.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
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For Halloween in 2019, a display of enchanted forest trees encompassed the South Portico. Branches wrapped up the South Portico columns, reaching the top of the famous Truman Balcony, and pumpkins lined the East and West staircases.
Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association
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President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hand out commemorative candy to military families and local school children during the Halloween celebration at the White House on October 28, 2019.
Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association

About this Gallery

On October 30, 1958, First Lady Mamie Eisenhower hosted a lunch for White House staff member's wives. To prepare, she adorned the State Dining Room with seasonally appropriate decor, featuring skeletons on the wall, pumpkins, cornstalks, and miniature witches with broomsticks on each table. Since then, the White House has experienced over 50 years of Halloween celebrations and traditions, with each administration bringing their own perspective to this haunted holiday. This gallery shows how different administrations have celebrated Halloweens past and present in the White House.