Washington D.C.– October 30, 2023 – On Monday, October 30th, the President and First Lady are hosting a Halloween event that will welcome local public school students and military-connected children to the White House for trick-or-treating.  A teacher for more than three decades, including years spent as a reading specialist, First Lady Jill Biden created this year’s theme, “Hallo-READ!,” with the White House’s festive décor featuring famous literary characters, ghoulish tales, and ghost story time. Dr. Biden’s theme encourages families and children to grab a flashlight, pick out their favorite Halloween book, and relish in the spooktacular thrill of reading together. 

 

Children will trick-or-treat along the South Lawn of the White House up to the South Portico to receive both candy and books from the President and First Lady, as well as other White House friends and neighbors, including representatives from: the Department of Education, Department of Transportation, Department of State, Department of Agriculture, Department of the Treasury, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Energy, Department of Housing and Urban Development, FEMA, NASA, National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Environmental Protection Agency, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, United States Secret Service, White House staff, and the White House Military Office.  Children will also get to participate in spooky story time with special guests reading their favorite books of the season. 

 

Approximately 8,000 guests will participate in this year’s Halloween event at the White House, with each family receiving chocolate and candy treats provided by the National Confectioners Association and its member companies. In a nod to this year’s “Hallo-READ!” theme, each family will also receive donated books from Scholastic to read and enjoy. Instacart is providing overall support for the Halloween celebration, in addition to supplying Halloween tote bags and treats to each child. In the spirit of hands-on learning, the company will also distribute recipe cards to teach children and their families how to make deliciously spooky, easy Halloween-themed treats together. Costumed characters will stroll the South Lawn for the Halloween festivities, including Clifford the Big Red Dog, Greg Heffley from Diary of a Wimpy Kid, as well as Disney friends Doc McStuffins, Vampirina, and Darth Vader and the Stormtroopers.

 

The White House will be decorated with autumnal foliage, stacks of books, and multi-dimensional displays of ghoulish literary characters and tales.  A spooky story time corner will also be a part of the Halloween festivities this year, featuring author Brad Meltzer and illustrator Chris Eliopoulos, author Jeff Kinney, Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, and other special guests.