Halloween is a Spooktacular Opportunity to Reach Students on Campus

Halloween isn’t just for kids in costumes anymore, it’s become one of the most lucrative cultural moments of the year for UK students. With nearly 2.9 million university students enrolled in the UK (HESA, 2024/25), brands that show up on campus during this period can capture the attention of a large, highly engaged, and spending-ready audience. And with Halloween falling in the middle of the Autumn Term, students are on campus, flush with their first loan instalment, and looking for entertainment, nightlife, and products to make the night memorable.

Halloween has become one of the biggest nights of the year in UK student culture. From fancy-dress nights in Students’ Unions to city-wide club events, students see Halloween as a chance to socialise, celebrate, and express themselves. That makes it a powerful moment for brands in sectors such as fashion and beauty (costumes, make-up, accessories), food and drink (snacks, spirits, mixers), entertainment (streaming, gaming, events), and even tech and retail (wearables, gadgets, delivery apps). With students primed to spend and experiment, Halloween is a rare opportunity for brands to align with a cultural moment that students genuinely look forward to each year.

• 84% of Gen Z plan to spend on Halloween (~£41 average each)

• Over half of Brit, and especially students, shop for Halloween treats, costumes, and décor

• Spending spans £10–£50+, giving scope for smart student offers

• Autumn Term + loan instalments make Halloween a high-spend, high-impact window

• On-campus digital screens make your campaign unmissable in the middle of the action

Gen Z: The Most Engaged Halloween Demographic

• 84% of Gen Z (roughly ages 18–25, overlapping with most university students) intend to spend on Halloween in 2024, compared to 81% of millennials. Their average expected spend is around £41 (Finder).

• In contrast, only 58% of UK consumers overall planned any Halloween purchase (Cint survey).

Takeaway: Students are not just celebrating Halloween—they’re budgeting for it.

Shopping Habits: Costumes, Sweets & Décor

• Over half (52%) of Brits planned to buy something related to Halloween, with 41% calling it the most important holiday to them and their family. Enthusiasm is strongest among younger consumers (Creative Salon / YouGov).

• Costume spend typically ranges between £15–£30, with around 38% of people spending under £15. Younger shoppers are more likely to buy from high-street shops or online rather than discount retailers (YouGov Business).

Spending Brackets Show Opportunity

• 26% of UK consumers will spend £10–£25 on Halloween purchases

• 21% will spend £25–£50

• 11% will spend more than £50(Cint, 2024)

Takeaway: There’s appetite across multiple budgets, from impulse snacks to premium experiences—ideal for tailoring student offers.

Autumn Term Timing = Perfect Window

Halloween lands just after the first student loan instalment and during one of the highest footfall peaks of the year on campus. For advertisers, that means a uniquely high-impact moment to shape buying habits, drive trial, and build long-term brand loyalty.

Why On-Campus Screens Win at Halloween

• High-footfall zones: Students’ Unions, bars, cafés, corridors, and libraries.

• Visual impact: Spooky creative, countdowns, and limited-time offers stand out on digital screens.

• Immediate activation: QR codes linking to discounts or social offers drive instant engagement.

• Behavioural reinforcement: On-campus visibility builds brand affinity at the point of decision.

• On-campus digital screens make your campaign unmissable in the middle of the action

👉 Ready to own Halloween 2025? Contact us at sales@rockboxadvertising.com to get your campaign in front of millions of students this October.