See All of the White House Halloweens Through the Years

Mar. 15, 2025

First Lady Barbara Bush (center) grinning with costumed performers, a group of clowns and a lone werewolf on the South Grounds of the White House during a Halloween celebration in 1989.Photo: White House Historical Association

This photograph is of First Lady Barbara Bush grinning as she poses with costumed performers, a group of clowns, and a lone werewolf on the South Grounds of the White House as part of a Halloween celebration.

ForHalloween2023, 46th President of the United StatesJoe Bidenand First Lady Dr.Jill Bidenhosted some 8,000 guestsat the Executive Mansion, passing out confections and books for the spooky festivities.

To see all the ways All Hallows’ Eve has been celebrated at the White House, let’s look back at some memorable images from Halloween in Washington, D.C. — from former PresidentJohn F. Kennedy’s administration to the Bidens' celebrations.

01of 21President John F. KennedyCaroline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr. visit President John F. Kennedy in the Oval Office on Halloween in their costumes in 1963.White House Historical AssociationSpooky! Photographer Cecil Stoughton captured President Kennedy’s kids,Caroline KennedyandJohn F. Kennedy Jr., visiting the Oval Office on Halloween 1963.

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President John F. Kennedy

Caroline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr. visit President John F. Kennedy in the Oval Office on Halloween in their costumes in 1963.White House Historical Association

This photograph by Cecil Stoughton shows Caroline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy, Jr. visiting President John F. Kennedy in the Oval Office on Halloween in their costumes.

Spooky! Photographer Cecil Stoughton captured President Kennedy’s kids,Caroline KennedyandJohn F. Kennedy Jr., visiting the Oval Office on Halloween 1963.

02of 21First Daughter Tricia NixonTricia Nixon smiles as a costumed child gazes into a fun house mirror at the White House Halloween carnival for local children in the Washington, D.C., area in 1969.White House Historical AssociationPresidentRichard Nixon’s daughter, Tricia Nixon, greeted kids arriving to the White House Halloween carnival in 1969.

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First Daughter Tricia Nixon

Tricia Nixon smiles as a costumed child gazes into a fun house mirror at the White House Halloween carnival for local children in the Washington, D.C., area in 1969.White House Historical Association

In this photograph, 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.

PresidentRichard Nixon’s daughter, Tricia Nixon, greeted kids arriving to the White House Halloween carnival in 1969.

03of 21The Nixon White HouseCostumed members of the U.S. Marine Band entertain guests at a Halloween party in the East Room of the White House in 1969 during the Nixon administration.White House Historical AssociationCostumed members of the United States Marine Band entertained guests during a Halloween party in the East Room of the White House in 1969.

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The Nixon White House

Costumed members of the U.S. Marine Band entertain guests at a Halloween party in the East Room of the White House in 1969 during the Nixon administration.White House Historical Association

In this photograph, 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.

Costumed members of the United States Marine Band entertained guests during a Halloween party in the East Room of the White House in 1969.

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First Lady Betty Ford

In this black and white photograph, First Lady Betty Ford and 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.

05of 21President Jimmy CarterPresident Jimmy Carter (right); First Lady Rosalynn Carter (left); their daughter, Amy; and their grandson Jason pose in front of a large pumpkin on the North Portico during a White House Halloween party in 1978.White House Historical AssociationPresidentJimmy Carter, First LadyRosalynn Carter, their daughter,Amy Carter, and their grandson Jason donned their finest costumes for a 1978 White House Halloween party.

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President Jimmy Carter

President Jimmy Carter (right); First Lady Rosalynn Carter (left); their daughter, Amy; and their grandson Jason pose in front of a large pumpkin on the North Portico during a White House Halloween party in 1978.White House Historical Association

In this photograph, President Jimmy Carter, First Lady Rosalynn Carter, their daughter Amy, and their grandson Jason pose for a group portrait in front of a large pumpkin on the North Portico during a White House Halloween party.

PresidentJimmy Carter, First LadyRosalynn Carter, their daughter,Amy Carter, and their grandson Jason donned their finest costumes for a 1978 White House Halloween party.

06of 21President Ronald ReaganPresident Ronald Reagan admires a pumpkin carved with ‘Stay the Course,’ a slogan from the 1982 midterm elections, while First Lady Nancy Reagan stands beside him outside the South Portico of the White House.White House Historical AssociationPresidentRonald Reaganand First LadyNancy Reaganpresented their pumpkin, carved with the slogan “Stay the Course,” around the 1982 midterm elections.

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President Ronald Reagan

President Ronald Reagan admires a pumpkin carved with ‘Stay the Course,’ a slogan from the 1982 midterm elections, while First Lady Nancy Reagan stands beside him outside the South Portico of the White House.White House Historical Association

In this photograph, President Ronald Reagan admires a pumpkin carved with the slogan “Stay the Course.” President Reagan used the slogan during the 1982 midterm elections. First Lady Nancy Reagan poses alongside the pumpkin. The two are standing outside the South Portico entrance to the White House.

PresidentRonald Reaganand First LadyNancy Reaganpresented their pumpkin, carved with the slogan “Stay the Course,” around the 1982 midterm elections.

07of 21First Lady Barbara BushFirst Lady Barbara Bush grinning with costumed performers, a group of clowns and a lone werewolf on the South Grounds of the White House during a Halloween celebration in 1989.White House Historical AssociationPresidentGeorge H.W. Bush’s wife,Barbara Bush, had a ball with some performers during the 1989 White House Halloween celebrations.

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First Lady Barbara Bush

First Lady Barbara Bush grinning with costumed performers, a group of clowns and a lone werewolf on the South Grounds of the White House during a Halloween celebration in 1989.White House Historical Association

PresidentGeorge H.W. Bush’s wife,Barbara Bush, had a ball with some performers during the 1989 White House Halloween celebrations.

08of 21President Bill Clinton & First Lady Hillary ClintonPresident Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton dressed as former President James Madison and former First Lady Dolley Madison, respectively, for a Halloween party in the East Room of the White House in 1995.White House Historical AssociationPresidentBill ClintonandFirst Lady Hillary Clintondressed up as former President James Madison and former First Lady Dolley Madison, respectively, for a Halloween party in the East Room of the White House.

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President Bill Clinton & First Lady Hillary Clinton

President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton dressed as former President James Madison and former First Lady Dolley Madison, respectively, for a Halloween party in the East Room of the White House in 1995.White House Historical Association

This photograph is of President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton dressed up as President and First Lady James and Dolley Madison for a Halloween party in the East Room of the White House.

PresidentBill ClintonandFirst Lady Hillary Clintondressed up as former President James Madison and former First Lady Dolley Madison, respectively, for a Halloween party in the East Room of the White House.

09of 21Barney BushPresident George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush’s Scottish terrier, Barney, poses with pumpkins on the South Lawn of the White House in 2007.White House Historical AssociationEvenWhite House petshave participated in the Halloween activities: In 2007, PresidentGeorge W. Bushand First LadyLaura Bush’s Scottish terrier, Barney, presented some pumpkins in an official Halloween portrait.

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Barney Bush

President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush’s Scottish terrier, Barney, poses with pumpkins on the South Lawn of the White House in 2007.White House Historical Association

In this photograph, 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.

EvenWhite House petshave participated in the Halloween activities: In 2007, PresidentGeorge W. Bushand First LadyLaura Bush’s Scottish terrier, Barney, presented some pumpkins in an official Halloween portrait.

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The Obama White House

This photograph, taken by Pete Souza on October 31, 2014, shows the South Portico of the White House festively decorated for a Halloween celebration hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for local children and military families. The decorations included large inflatable pumpkins and facades of trees with autumnal leaves.

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First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama smile as they encounter a young trick-or-treater dressed as a pope in a miniature popemobile on Oct. 30, 2015.White House Historical Association

12of 21President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania TrumpPresident Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hand out candy to trick-or-treaters at the White House on Oct. 28, 2019, at the South Portico.Alex Wong/GettyThe Trumps handed out candy to trick-or-treaters at the South Portico during Halloween 2019.

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President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hand out candy to trick-or-treaters at the White House on Oct. 28, 2019, at the South Portico.Alex Wong/Getty

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump hand out candy to children as they trick-or-treat during a Halloween at the White House event at the South Portico of the White House October 28, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Alex Wong/Getty

The Trumps handed out candy to trick-or-treaters at the South Portico during Halloween 2019.

13of 21First Lady Melania TrumpFirst Lady Melania Trump poses with a young guest during a Halloween celebration at the White House on Oct. 25, 2020.White House Historical AssociationDespite the challenges surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, PresidentDonald Trumpand First LadyMelania Trumpgreeted young trick-or-treaters with an outside-only event in 2020.

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First Lady Melania Trump

First Lady Melania Trump poses with a young guest during a Halloween celebration at the White House on Oct. 25, 2020.White House Historical Association

Despite the challenges surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, PresidentDonald Trumpand First LadyMelania Trumpgreeted young trick-or-treaters with an outside-only event in 2020.

14of 21President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill BidenPresident Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden greet trick-or-treaters during a Halloween event on the South Lawn of the White House on Oct. 31, 2022.Drew Angerer/GettyThe White House welcomed trick-or-treaters in 2022 withthe Bidensgiving candy to children of first responders.

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President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden greet trick-or-treaters during a Halloween event on the South Lawn of the White House on Oct. 31, 2022.Drew Angerer/Getty

U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden greet trick-or-treaters during a Halloween event on the South Lawn of the White House October 31, 2022 in Washington, DC. The Bidens hosted the children of local firefighters, nurses, police officers and National Guard members.

The White House welcomed trick-or-treaters in 2022 withthe Bidensgiving candy to children of first responders.

15of 21The Biden White HousePresident Joe Biden greets guests from the Blue Room balcony during a Halloween event on the South Lawn of the White House on Oct. 31, 2022.Al Drago/Bloomberg via GettyIn 2022, the Bidens gave the White House Halloween decorations a “President and First Lady’s Neighborhood” theme, with the first ladywishing her Instagram followers, “From our neighborhood to yours, Happy Halloween!”

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The Biden White House

President Joe Biden greets guests from the Blue Room balcony during a Halloween event on the South Lawn of the White House on Oct. 31, 2022.Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty

US President Joe Biden greets guests from the Blue Room balcony during a Halloween event on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022. Biden and the First Lady are hosting local children of firefighters, nurses, police officers, and members of the National Guard for trick-or-treating.

In 2022, the Bidens gave the White House Halloween decorations a “President and First Lady’s Neighborhood” theme, with the first ladywishing her Instagram followers, “From our neighborhood to yours, Happy Halloween!”

16of 21President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill BidenPresident Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden walk out of the White House to host a Halloween event on the South Lawn on Oct. 30, 2023.Chip Somodevilla/GettyThe Bidens welcomed trick-or-treaters to the South Lawn in 2023. Local students, military families, and neighbors joined in the Halloween fun at this festive White House event.

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President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden walk out of the White House to host a Halloween event on the South Lawn on Oct. 30, 2023.Chip Somodevilla/Getty

U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk out of the White House to host a Halloween event on the South Lawn of the White House on October 30, 2023 in Washington, DC. Public school students, military-connected children and neighborhood families were invited to the White House for trick-or-treating.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty

The Bidens welcomed trick-or-treaters to the South Lawn in 2023. Local students, military families, and neighbors joined in the Halloween fun at this festive White House event.

17of 21First Lady Jill BidenPresident Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive to greet trick-or-treaters on the South Lawn of the White House for Halloween on Oct. 30, 2023.Celal Gunes/Anadolu via GettyFor Halloween 2023, the first ladydressed as the couple’s pet cat, Willow, wearing a gray dress, cat ears, a nose with whiskers and a tail.

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First Lady Jill Biden

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive to greet trick-or-treaters on the South Lawn of the White House for Halloween on Oct. 30, 2023.Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty

United States President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive to greet trick-or-treaters on the South Lawn of the White House for Halloween at the White House in Washington DC, United States on October 30, 2023

Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty

For Halloween 2023, the first ladydressed as the couple’s pet cat, Willow, wearing a gray dress, cat ears, a nose with whiskers and a tail.

18of 21First Lady Jill BidenFirst Lady Jill Biden, dressed as Willow the cat, reads to children during a Halloween celebration on the South Lawn of the White House on Oct. 30, 2023.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via GettyThe first lady, dressed as Willow the first cat, brought Halloween to the South Lawn in 2023. Here, she read to children during the White House celebration, and her costume and storytelling made for an entertaining Halloween-themed afternoon.

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First Lady Jill Biden, dressed as Willow the cat, reads to children during a Halloween celebration on the South Lawn of the White House on Oct. 30, 2023.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty

US First Lady Jill Biden, dressed a Willow the cat, reads books to children during a Halloween celebration on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 30, 2023.

MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty

The first lady, dressed as Willow the first cat, brought Halloween to the South Lawn in 2023. Here, she read to children during the White House celebration, and her costume and storytelling made for an entertaining Halloween-themed afternoon.

19of 21President Joe BidenPresident Joe Biden arrives to greet trick-or-treaters on the South Lawn of the White House for Halloween on Oct. 30, 2023.Celal Gunes/Anadolu via GettyMeanwhile, President Biden bent down to the children’s level to hand out candy. The kids who visited the White House in 2023 were local public school students and military-connected children.

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President Joe Biden

President Joe Biden arrives to greet trick-or-treaters on the South Lawn of the White House for Halloween on Oct. 30, 2023.Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty

United States President Joe Biden arrives to greet trick-or-treaters on the South Lawn of the White House for Halloween at the White House in Washington DC, United States on October 30, 2023. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) also attended the event

Meanwhile, President Biden bent down to the children’s level to hand out candy. The kids who visited the White House in 2023 were local public school students and military-connected children.

20of 21The Biden White HousePresident Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive to greet trick-or-treaters on the South Lawn of the White House for Halloween on Oct. 30, 2023.Celal Gunes/Anadolu via GettyHalloween 2023 decorations included scenes from classic books likeAlice in Wonderland, as well as more personal touches, such as an oversized illustration of the Bidens’first dog, Commander, and the first cat, Willow.

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Halloween 2023 decorations included scenes from classic books likeAlice in Wonderland, as well as more personal touches, such as an oversized illustration of the Bidens’first dog, Commander, and the first cat, Willow.

21of 21The BidensPresident Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden in a giant panda costume, host the annual Halloween celebration at the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024.AP Photo/Jose Luis MaganaThe Bidens kicked off the Halloween festivities at the White House in 2024 with a memorable entrance, thanks to the first lady’s full-body panda suit. President Biden was also captured interacting with kids.

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The Bidens

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden in a giant panda costume, host the annual Halloween celebration at the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024.AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden in a giant panda costume, host the annual Halloween celebration at the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024.

AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

The Bidens kicked off the Halloween festivities at the White House in 2024 with a memorable entrance, thanks to the first lady’s full-body panda suit. President Biden was also captured interacting with kids.

source: people.com