Survey: What The Spookiest Season Reveals About Dating?

When the full moon rises, so does the desire to couple up. To find out how Halloween’s chills and thrills shape modern dating, Hily surveyed 2,700 Gen Z and Millennial Americans about their romantic habits this spooky season.

Is Halloween the most “boo-tiful” time of year to find love? From couples’ costumes to ghosting that’s a little too real, here’s how young daters are catching feelings (and frights).

Key findings

• 44% of young American women who like Halloween wouldn’t date someone who doesn’t.
• 43% of surveyed young American women and 39% of men said wearing a Halloween mask or costume would make them feel more confident approaching someone else.
• For 39% of young American daters, wearing a costume makes it easier to show their true selves on a date.
• 47% of young American daters said they’ve been ghosted around Halloween.

Shared Spirit: Halloween Compatibility Test

For many daters, Halloween is more than just a holiday—it’s a chemistry test. And the chemistry’s brewing … double, double, toil and trouble. Of the Halloween-loving young women surveyed, 44% said they wouldn’t date someone who doesn’t also like the holiday. For these daters, enthusiasm for the spooky season can be a sign of shared energy, making it an unlikely, yet important, compatibility factor. 

Cute costumes, parties with friends and more candy than anyone realistically needs—Halloween makes dating even more fun. And for most, the chance to combine costumes and connection is an easy ‘yes.’ More than 90% of young American daters said they’d go on a Halloween-themed date, proving that themed nights out, haunted houses and pumpkin patch dates aren’t just for couples; they’re for first impressions, too.

Many daters are ready to take their matching skills beyond the app. Gone are the days of solo costumes—68% of young American daters said they’d want to do a couple’s costume with a new date for a Halloween party. Whether it’s Bonnie and Clyde, Bob and Linda, Barbie and Ken or something scarier, the survey shows that people love making memories—and statements—together.

Attraction and Fantasy

A funny or flirty costume can do more than score first place in an office costume contest. It might also win a date. According to the survey, an eye-catching costume would make 62% of women and 78% of men more likely to like a potential partner. Creativity and confidence clearly go a long way in the dating game, even when it comes wrapped in toilet paper as a makeshift mummy. 

Halloween brings out the bold side in many: 53% of young American women and 75% of men said they’d have sex with someone wearing a costume to fulfill a fantasy. Whether it’s curiosity or confidence, the season seems to spark more playful, frisky energy, even beyond the parties.

Taking the Mask Off

Sometimes a costume can boost your confidence—43% of surveyed young American women and 39% of men said wearing a Halloween mask or costume would make them feel more confident approaching someone else. Dressing up might make starting conversations easier, especially when there are conversation starters all around.

Ironically, hiding behind a mask can make some people more authentic. For 39% of young American daters, wearing a costume makes it easier to show their true selves on a date. Maybe pretending to be someone (or something) else for a night helps daters drop their guard and relax into who they really are. 

Staying Connected in Spooky Season

Halloween seems to make chatting online a little less awkward—favorite scary movie, anyone? In fact, 47% of women and 50% of men said it’s easier to start conversations during Halloween thanks to costumes, themed events and spooky topics. Shared humor and seasonal topics might be the ultimate icebreaker for online dating this time of year.

While seasons change, most people keep their dating profiles business as usual. Among those surveyed, 69% of young American women and 74% of men said they’ve never changed their dating app profile photo to a Halloween-themed one. This could be a missed opportunity—a little seasonal flair could be an easy way to stand out.

When Playful Turns Paranormal

Ghosting takes on a different meaning this time of year. Unfortunately, 47% of young American daters said they’ve been ghosted around Halloween. Whether it’s a coincidence or just perfect timing for a pun, this shows that “disappearing acts” and saying bye to your boo might be more common when spooky season rolls around.

Conclusion

Halloween might be about ghosts and ghouls, but it’s also about crushes and cuddles. Hily’s survey reveals that spooky season is also peak flirty season. From matching costumes to playful fantasies, it’s the perfect time for a little romantic mischief.

And while some dates might disappear fast enough to haunt you, Halloween reminds us that the best connections often start with a little curiosity … and a good costume. Maybe this year, Cupid’s got competition—and he’s dressed like a vampire.

The methodology

Hily’s research team surveyed 2,700 Millennial and Gen Z Americans. The goal was to understand how Halloween influences dating behavior.

About Hily

Hily (pronounced like ‘highly’) is a dating app designed to connect singles with new people while supporting them in remaining authentic. Short for “Hey, I Like You,” it invites users to have fun and not look for a perfect match.

By encouraging everyone to date as they are, Hily is breaking one of the biggest curses of online dating—feeling pressured to hide your true self. Praising self-exploration, self-acceptance, open-mindedness, and inclusivity, the app helps people put real connections first and keep competition at bay by unlocking their unique, fabulous selves. With features like icebreakers, compatibility checks, messaging, Major Crush, and zodiac synastry, Hily helps users express who they really are and connect in genuine ways.

Launched in 2017, Hily has become one of the top 10 dating apps in US app stores, with over 39 million users worldwide.