Halloween has evolved from costumes and decor to an entire season of high-concept events, sensory experiences, and genuine community-building. Posh organizers are at the forefront, crafting evenings where music, visuals, and atmosphere reshape the holiday experience. Two leaders in this transformation, Atilla Ural of Moving Company x Hot Honey Sundays and Micah Lundstrom of Rumors of Forgotten Sins, share insights on how they’re pushing Halloween into captivating new territory.
Why Halloween Events Are More Focused Than Ever
Atilla Ural has noticed a clear move toward themed events that seamlessly blend music, visuals, and ambiance. “Lately, there’s a stronger focus on a single theme,” he explains, “instead of everyone dressing up as whatever.” For Ural, a cohesive theme builds an unforgettable experience, where each detail draws guests deeper into the night’s story. This year, inspired by the unsettling distortions of AI, Ural and his collaborators created The Summoning, a Halloween event that plays with AI’s warped interpretations of human features. “Halloween is perfect for exploring creativity and the surreal, and AI’s glitches bring that out,” Ural says, inviting guests to experience a Halloween that combines eerie fascination with high-tech intrigue.
Atmospheres That Pull You In
Today’s Halloween gatherings move beyond decoration to offer a full atmospheric escape. Lundstrom’s Rumors of Forgotten Sins embraces this shift, designed as an 18th-century ball at Dracula’s mansion. “Immersion is when every detail pulls you in,” Lundstrom explains, with flickering candlelight, velvet-draped walls, and dimly lit corners that cast an eerie, historic spell. His team meticulously layers elements large and small to sustain a sense of mystery, where each room offers a new scene, and each scene, a fresh allure. From the entryway to the smallest photo setup, Lundstrom’s approach keeps guests wrapped in intrigue and anticipation.
Soundscapes and Sensory Thrills
Sound is key to transporting guests fully into the experience. For The Summoning, Ural worked with Future Hi Fi to create a soundscape that bridges reality and fantasy, capturing each sensory element needed to fully immerse guests. “Sound systems, lighting, and visual illusions are all crucial for creating the right atmosphere,” he shares. Lundstrom’s DJ, Kit, curated Rumors of Forgotten Sins with a similar mindset, “drawing from favorite labels with a dark, moody, and energetic atmosphere.” Starting with deep afro-inspired tracks from MoBlack Records and building toward indie dance and house, the music’s shifting energy matched the night’s evolving ambiance, guiding guests deeper into the haunting theme.
Making Every Corner ‘Post-Worthy’
In today’s social media-focused world, events are expected to be visually compelling and memorable. “It’s not just about fun; it’s about how the experience resonates and translates when shared,” says Lundstrom. His aim is to create spaces that feel genuine, naturally inspiring guests to capture moments. Ural’s unique event locations, such as the Williamsburg Bridge or McCarren Park, inherently provide a post-worthy backdrop. “We even give out film cameras,” Ural notes, encouraging attendees to capture tangible memories, keeping the focus on experience rather than digital perfection.
Halloween’s New Frontier
For Posh organizers, Halloween has become a canvas for immersive storytelling. Guests today seek something deeper—a world they can inhabit, even if just for a night. Each Halloween, the evolution continues, with carefully curated details and ambitious themes transforming simple gatherings into otherworldly experiences. Halloween’s shift from costume parties to artful, story-driven events paves the way for endless creative possibilities, making the holiday a season for bold expression and boundless imagination.
