The days are getting shorter, the air is turning colder, the fog is creeping in… It's that time of year again: the mysterious, magical time of Halloween! Now that the season for all things spooky is upon us, why not make the most of these dark and dreary nights by learning some thrilling new songs on your piano?

We've got some killer Halloween music that should do just the trick. A word of warning before you begin: playing these creepy piano pieces might just keep you up all night…

1. 🔪 Halloween Theme – John Carpenter

Horror movie fans will instantly recognize this theme from the original 1978 slasher film Halloween. Its insistent notes are scarily effective at creating a sense of dread. Play this ominous piece, and your guests will be looking over their shoulders to make sure Michael Myers isn't lurking in the shadows with his butcher's knife.

2. 👑 In the Hall of the Mountain King – Edvard Grieg

Imagine you're in a dark underground world. You can hear the sounds of monstrous trolls and goblins creeping toward you—getting closer and closer, louder and more frantic with every step. This is the atmosphere that Edvard Grieg masterfully invokes in this classic piece. Include it on your Halloween playlist for a fail-safe way to add suspense and fright to any night.

3. 🐲 Hallowe'en Dance – Hans Engelmann

Halloween doesn't have to be all about murders and monsters. If you're looking to liven things up a little, look no further than this ragtime tune from German composer Hans Engelmann. Its peppy rhythm is sure to get everyone's bones rattling.

4. 👻 Toccata in Dm – Johann S. Bach

Its name might not sound especially sinister, but whenever you hear the distinctive first trill of Bach’s Toccata in D minor, you can’t help but feel a thrill. With its moody minor key and discordant tone, this piano piece is perfect for setting a haunting scene on Halloween

5. 🕷 Speckled Spider Rag – Harry French

It wouldn't be Halloween without some creepy crawlies. This spirited ragtime number almost sounds like a spider skittering across the ground. It's great for doing a groovy little jig, whether you've got two legs or eight!

6. ⚰️ Funeral March Op.35 – Frédéric Chopin

Piano music doesn't get more macabre than this iconic funeral march. It was famously performed at the graveside during Chopin's own burial. Play this mournful piano piece on Halloween night (if you dare) and see where it transports you—we're imagining an atmospheric, foggy cemetery lit only by an eerily bright full moon.

7. 💀 Will O' the Wisp – Will Morrison

A will-o'-the-wisp is a ghostly light that is said to appear on dark, lonely paths at night. It lures travelers off the road and into swamps and marshes. Will Morrison captures some of that spooky spirit in this syncopated waltz. Running through the jazzy melody is the slightest undertone of unease: almost like a sinister spirit waiting to lead you astray…

8. 🕯 Symphony No.5 in Cm, Op.67 – Ludwig van Beethoven

Ta-ta-ta-TAAA! You know that trouble is brewing from the moment you hear the first four notes of Beethoven's famous Fifth Symphony. This piano classic is ominous, shadowy, and dramatic—positively perfect for stirring up some shenanigans on Halloween.

9. 🧛 The Vampire Waltz – Al B. Coney

This eerie and elegant waltz by Al B. Coney will make your home feel like a haunted castle where vampires rise to dance the night away. But make sure your guests don't get too carried away by the music—all vampires need to be safely inside their coffins before the sun starts to rise.

These spine-tingling piano songs aren't just made for performing on Halloween. We encourage you to play them throughout October and beyond: they're perfect for infusing your time and space with atmosphere and emotion—transforming an ordinary day or night into something truly extraordinary.