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15 Photos Of The White House’s Annual Halloween Displays Between 2015 And Now

Last updated: October 31, 2025 5:25 pm

The tradition of decorating the White House ahead of welcoming trick-or-treaters has come far in the last 15 years. From humble pumpkins and decor to making the holiday an all-out event, here’s how different presidents and their first ladies decorated for Halloween.

2025:

Jim Watson / Getty Images

Instead of joining in the festivities, Donald Trump greeted children while wearing one of his famous red hats.

A man in a suit and cap, and a woman in a long coat, greet two children in matching dresses at a Halloween event with pumpkins and autumn decorations — Jim Watson / Getty Images

2024:

Festive Halloween decorations adorn the entrance of a large building with columns, surrounded by pumpkins and seasonal displays — Kent Nishimura / Getty Images

Related: Hillary Clinton Just Hit On One Of Donald Trump’s Biggest Insecurities With Three Words

Joe Biden got quite a kick out of all the costumes.

A surprised-looking man in a suit interacts with a child in a striped outfit, held by an adult. Halloween decorations are in the background — Bloomberg / Getty Images

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2023:

The White House is decorated for Halloween with pumpkins, spooky trees, and colorful lights, featuring a large moon projection on the building — Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images

This slinky dog costume is adorable.

Children dressed as iconic toys greet an adult at a festive event. A woman crouches nearby, smiling — Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

2022:

A man stands outside a grand building decorated with autumn and Halloween-themed items, including pumpkins and festive cutouts — Bloomberg / Getty Images

Jill Biden was a fairy <3.

People in costume, including two children dressed as space rangers, stand in front of a decorated building with columns and Halloween decorations — Drew Angerer / Getty Images

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2021:

Unfortunately, there was no Halloween celebration due to traveling and obligations.

2020:

A group of people stands outside a grand building decorated with autumn leaves, pumpkins, and a large sign saying "Halloween 2020." — Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images

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Because of COVID, Trump and Melania did not hand out candy directly to trick-or-treaters. Instead, children could greet the couple and grab a goodie bag from a nearby table.

Two adults interact with a child in a dinosaur costume at a festive event with autumn decorations in the background — Olivier Douliery / Getty Images

2019:

The White House is decorated with spooky trees and pumpkins for Halloween 2019 as people in costumes gather on the steps — Alex Wong / Getty Images

This was the year that Trump placed a candy bar on a child’s head and watched as it fell.

A couple hands out candy to children in Halloween costumes during an event with pumpkins and festive decor in the background — Nicholas Kamm / Getty Images

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2018:

White House south entrance decorated with pumpkins, hay bales, and autumn leaves for a festive fall display — Pool / Getty Images

The little astronauts are so cute.

A man distributes candy to children in Halloween costumes, including astronauts and superheroes, on a decorated outdoor venue with pumpkins — Pool / Getty Images

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2017:

The White House is decorated with large spiders and cobwebs for Halloween, with people gathered on the lawn during dusk — The Washington Post / Getty Images

The White House was giving fancy hotel vibes.

A family poses at a Halloween event with holiday decorations at a large building entrance. Two children are in costumes, adults in formal attire — Bloomberg / Getty Images

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2016:

White House decorated extravagantly with large rabbit sculptures and striped columns for an event. People in festive attire gather outside — Mark Wilson / Getty Images

A child greeted Barack Obama while dressed as him for Halloween.

Young child in a formal suit and tie looks up, standing next to someone similarly dressed, both with small American flag pins — Pool / Getty Images

2015:

The White House decorated for Halloween with performers on stilts and visitors in costumes — Saul Loeb / Getty Images

The year of the baby Pope.

A man weaves a Halloween basket for a baby dressed in a pope costume, sitting in a small toy car — Saul Loeb / Getty Images

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2014:

White House decorated for Halloween with carved pumpkins, spooky designs, and festive banners adorning the entrance and steps — Alex Wong / Getty Images

I love when a family commits to the bit.

People in Halloween costumes engaging with each other; one person is dressed as the Tin Man, and another as Dorothy from "The Wizard of Oz." — Yuri Gripas / Getty Images

Related: Eric Trump Made An Unexpected Claim On Live TV About Trump And Melania’s Marriage

2013:

The White House decorated for Halloween with spider webs, pumpkins, and festive lights, as children in costumes gather on the front lawn — Mark Wilson / Getty Images

Barack and Michelle Obama enjoying the levity of kids in costumes.

A man and woman hand out candy to children in Halloween costumes, including a princess and a striped character, amidst festive decorations — Mark Wilson / Getty Images

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2012: This year’s Halloween celebration was canceled due to Superstorm Sandy, but Obama still found a way to make things fun.

Person in a suit playfully poses with hands up, facing a small child dressed as Spider-Man pretending to use web powers in an office setting — The White House / Getty Images

2011: This year’s decorations were humble, but the kids seemed equally excited to get their candy bags.

People in costumes collect candy from adults holding baskets at a festive event. Holiday decorations are visible in the background — Mandel Ngan / Getty Images

And finally, 2010:

The White House lawn decorated with tall stacks of pumpkins in varying shapes and sizes — Brendan Smialowski / Getty Images

I hope this tradition continues on!

I don't know who these people are, but they are interacting warmly with three children in costumes at an indoor event — Brendan Smialowski / Getty Images

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Which year was your favorite? Let us know in the comments.

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TAGGED:Bloomberg Donald Trump Getty Images Halloween celebration Jim Watson Joe Biden White House

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