Yearly Planning Calendar
The best haunts are built over months, not days. This month-by-month schedule spreads the work across the year so you're not scrambling in October. Adjust based on your climate and trick-or-treat dates.
January-February: Plan
- Review notes from last year's haunt (what worked, what didn't)
- Browse the gallery and haunt forums for new ideas
- Decide on this year's theme or scene additions
- Start a build list and materials budget
March-April: Design
- Sketch your yard layout with any new elements
- Plan new prop builds — review the build guides
- Order specialty materials or parts (Arduino boards, motors, cylinders) that might have shipping time
May-June: Build (Phase 1)
- Start large, time-consuming builds: coffins, large creatures, fencing sections
- Work on technique-heavy items that need drying time: monster mud, paper mache
- Good weather means you can work outdoors and let things cure
July-August: Build (Phase 2)
- Continue builds
- Start painting and weathering finished props
- Test electronics and triggers
- Build and test your fog chiller
- Watch for post-summer-holiday clearance sales on useful materials
September: Prep
- Finish all builds and painting
- Apply waterproofing to outdoor props
- Test all electronics, lights, and sound systems
- Hit dollar stores and seasonal shops for accessories (see budget tips)
- Talk to neighbors about your plans
- Plan your electrical layout
Early October: Setup
- Set up structural elements first: fencing, frames, large props
- Position lighting and run extension cords
- Place and test all triggers and animated props
- Do a full nighttime walkthrough of the path
- Adjust and refine based on the nighttime test
Late October: Run
- Final checks 1-2 days before trick-or-treat night (see night operations)
- Review weather forecast and have a backup plan
- Run the haunt! (see scare techniques and all ages tips)
- Take photos and video
November: Teardown & Post-Season
- Follow the teardown and storage guide
- Write your post-season review
- Shop post-Halloween clearance sales (50-90% off)
- Start dreaming about next year