Trunk or Treat events have become a powerful way for churches and community organizations to offer a fun, safe, and family-friendly Halloween alternative. But even the most well-organized event can fall flat without proper promotion, which is why I created this complete guide to getting the word out on your event. 

Halloween can easily be the biggest outreach event your church has.  If you want to spread the word beyond your church and community this article will give you most of the information you will need.  I have tried to make it a step by step guide.  Let me know your comments and feedback at the end.

We’ll walk through every major method of promotion, from physical signs and print ads to online tools and local media and offer step-by-step instructions for each. You’ll also find a ranked list of which options tend to be most effective based on reach and cost.

If you would like to download a PDF of this document: How to Promote Your Trunk or Treat Event: A Step-by-Step Guide, click here.

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📌 1. Set a Strong Foundation: Clarify the Details

Before you start promoting, make sure all your event details are locked in:

• Name: Use something simple and descriptive like Trunk or Treat at First Methodist Church.

• Date & Time: Include start and end times.

• Location: Include address and simple directions.

• Target Audience: Families? All ages? Include that info in your promo.

• Special Attractions: Bounce house, candy, games, food trucks, hayrides, petting zoo? Promote what makes your event stand out.

• Cost: Most are free, but if not, be clear.

• Contact Info: Email or phone number for questions.

Create a basic event flyer with this information that you can adapt across all your platforms.  Sample at the bottom of this article.

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🚩 2. Start with What’s Free: Internal Promotion

✅ Step 1: Announce at Every Church Service

Timeline: 4–6 weeks before the event
How:

• Add it to the church bulletin and email newsletter.

• Include a slide in pre-service announcements.

• Ask the pastor to mention it during services.

• Encourage volunteers to start signing up early.

Tip: Create invitation cards church members can hand out to friends, neighbors, and coworkers.  Sample at end.

✅ Step 2: Use Your Church’s Website

How:

• Add a homepage banner or announcement box.

• Create a dedicated page with all the event details.

• Include a downloadable flyer or invitation.

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📣 3. Reach the Community: Outdoor and Print Promotion

✅ Step 3: Eye-Catching Yard Signs and Banners

Timeline: 3–4 weeks out
How:

• Place signs at the church entrances and near major intersections.

• Use phrases like “FREE Trunk or Treat – Oct 26 – 5 to 7 PM – Everyone Welcome!”

• Ask members to place yard signs in their yards, especially those near schools, parks, or neighborhoods with lots of kids.

Most Effective Physical Tactic: Street banners and high-traffic yard signs.  Sample at the end.

✅ Step 4: Posters in Local Businesses

How:

• Ask permission to hang flyers at:

  • Local coffee shops

  • Grocery stores

  • Barbershops and salons

  • Laundromats

  • Libraries

  • Local gyms

  • Pediatrician offices

Tip: Laminate posters or use cardstock to keep them looking fresh.

✅ Step 5: Local Newspapers & Community Newsletters

Timeline: 3–4 weeks out
How:

• Submit event info to your city’s event calendar or local paper's community section.

• Some towns offer free event listings or even spotlight stories.

Don’t Overlook: School newsletters. If your church has connections with local schools, ask if you can include the flyer.

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📻 4. Utilize Local Media: Radio & TV

✅ Step 6: Local Radio Stations

Timeline: 2–3 weeks out
How:

• Call or email local Christian or community radio stations.

• Ask if they offer free community announcements or have a calendar you can submit to.

• Consider running a paid spot during morning and evening commutes if the budget allows.

Bonus: Offer a short interview on a local morning show to talk about the event.

✅ Step 7: Local TV Stations

How:

• Contact the assignment desk or community events coordinator.

• Submit your event to their online community calendars.

• Offer a visual press release—“Great photo opportunity with 30+ decorated trunks and hundreds of costumed kids.”

Tip: Emphasize safety, family focus, and community benefit.

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🌐 5. Leverage Online and Social Media Marketing

✅ Step 8: Create a Facebook Event

Timeline: 4–6 weeks out
How:

• Create an event from your church’s Facebook Page.

• Include all key details, an eye-catching image, and a description.

• Invite church members and ask them to invite their friends.

• Post updates weekly: trunk decorating ideas, countdowns, photos from past events, etc.

• Consider using $20–$50 in boosted posts to target local families with kids.

Most Effective Online Tool: Facebook Events + Boosted Post

✅ Step 9: Post to Local Groups & Calendars

Where to Share:

• Facebook groups for local moms, neighborhoods, homeschoolers, parenting

• Nextdoor (community bulletin board)

• Eventbrite (free listing, good for visibility)

• Patch.com (local news platform in many cities)

• Local Parks & Rec or city event calendars

Note: Always follow group rules—some only allow promotions on certain days.

✅ Step 10: Instagram & Reels

How:

• Post fun photos from past Trunk or Treat events.

• Share teaser videos of trunk decoration ideas.

• Use relevant hashtags: #TrunkOrTreat, #HighPointEvents, #FamilyFunNC, etc.

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📧 6. Email and Text Reminders

✅ Step 11: Email Campaigns

Timeline: Start 3 weeks out
How:

• Send reminders to your church list.

• Encourage people to invite friends and forward the email.

• Send a final reminder 1–2 days before.

✅ Step 12: Use a Text Alert System

If your church has a texting tool (like Flocknote or Text in Church):

• Send a save-the-date.

• Reminder the week of.

• Final reminder the day of.

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🔄 7. Week-Of Strategy

• Increase Facebook posting to daily.

• Add temporary signage at intersections.

• Place large arrows/signs at all turns leading to your church.

• Post a 30-second video invitation from your pastor or youth director.

• Share “last-minute prep” photos to build excitement.

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📊 Which Methods Are Most Effective?

Here's how promotion methods generally rank in cost-effectiveness and reach:

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📦 Final Checklist

• ✅ Church Website Updated

• ✅ Flyers & Yard Signs Printed

• ✅ Facebook Event Created

• ✅ Email Sent to Church Members

• ✅ Posters in Local Businesses

• ✅ Boosted Facebook Post Scheduled

• ✅ Info Shared in Local Online Groups

• ✅ Radio/TV/Print Submitted

• ✅ Pastor Announced at Service

• ✅ Final Week Signs and Posts Ready

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🎯 Final Thoughts

Promoting your Trunk or Treat event well takes planning, but the payoff is worth it. Done right, it becomes more than an event; it’s a chance to welcome families, share Jesus, and offer a glimpse of your church’s heart for the community.

If you're consistent and clear in your messaging, and use a mix of online and offline tools, you’ll draw a great crowd—and maybe even introduce someone to your church for the first time.

Resources

Here are sample Facebook posts to promote your church’s Trunk or Treat event. These include attention-grabbing headlines, emojis, call-to-actions, and formats suitable for both image and video posts.

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📌 1. General Announcement Post (4–6 weeks out)

🎃 You're Invited! 🎃
Get ready for a night of fun, candy, costumes, and community at our FREE Trunk or Treat!
📍 [Your Church Name + Address]
📅 [Date] | 🕔 [Time]
🍬 Decorated trunks
🎯 Games & activities
🎵 Music and more!
✅ Safe, family-friendly & open to the community!

👉 RSVP here and share this post to invite your friends!
#TrunkOrTreat #FamilyFun #SafeHalloween #FreeEvent

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📌 2. Weekly Countdown Post (2 weeks out)

⏳ Only 2 Weeks Away!
Our parking lot will be filled with candy, costumes, and creative trunks!
👻 Come join the fun at our Trunk or Treat Night – free for all!
Bring your kids, invite your neighbors, and let’s make this a night to remember!

📍 [Your Church Name]
📅 [Date] | 🕔 [Time]

#TrunkOrTreat2025 #CommunityFun #HalloweenOutreach #FreeCandy

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📌 3. Volunteer Call Post

🎃 Volunteers Needed!
Want to decorate a trunk and hand out candy this year?
We’re looking for fun, friendly folks to help make this year’s Trunk or Treat the best one yet!

✅ Sign up in the church lobby or send us a message!
Let’s bless our community with a night they’ll never forget.
📅 Event Date: [Date]

#ServeTogether #TrunkOrTreatTeam #ChurchVolunteers

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📌 4. Week-Of Reminder Post

🚗💨 Trunks, Treats, and Tons of Fun THIS WEEK!
Join us for a safe, fun-filled night at our annual Trunk or Treat!
✅ FREE candy
✅ Creative car decorations
✅ Games, music, and more!
🎭 Costumes welcome (but not required)!

📍 [Church Name]
📅 [Date] | 🕔 [Time]

Bring your whole family! SHARE this with your friends so nobody misses out!
#TrunkOrTreat #FamilyNight #HalloweenFun #ChurchEvent

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📌 5. Day-Before Final Push

TOMORROW IS THE NIGHT! 🎃🎉
Grab your kids, costumes, and candy buckets—
🎯 Our FREE Trunk or Treat starts at [Time] sharp!
Come early for parking and the best trunks.
📍 [Church Name + Address]
📅 [Date] | 🕔 [Time]

Can’t wait to see you there!
#HalloweenEvent #FamilyOutreach #TrunkOrTreat2025

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📌 6. Post-Event Thank You Post

🙏 THANK YOU!
To everyone who decorated a trunk, handed out candy, or just came out to enjoy the night—you made it amazing!
🎃 Hundreds of smiling faces.
🍬 Thousands of pieces of candy shared.
❤️ One incredible community.

Let’s do it again next year!
#GratefulHeart #CommunityLove #TrunkOrTreatSuccess

Instagram Resources

Here are sample Instagram posts tailored for promoting your church’s Trunk or Treat event. Each includes a caption and hashtag suggestions. Posts are grouped by stage of promotion.

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🎃 1. Save the Date Announcement

Image Idea: Bright, fun “Trunk or Treat” graphic with event details (use orange/purple tones)
Caption:
👻 Mark your calendars!
Join us for Trunk or Treat at [Your Church Name] – a safe, family-friendly Halloween event full of fun, candy, and creative costumes!
📍 [Church Address]
📅 [Date] | ⏰ [Time]
🎃 Free admission
🚗 Decorated trunks
🍬 Candy galore
🎯 Games & activities for all ages

Tag a friend you want to come with! 🙌
#TrunkOrTreat #HalloweenFun #FamilyEvent #FreeEvent #ChurchEvents

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🚗 2. Behind-the-Scenes Prep Post

Image Idea: Volunteers decorating trunks or prepping candy bags
Caption:
Getting ready to welcome HUNDREDS of kids this year! 🍬🎃
Our team is busy prepping trunks, games, and goody bags for the biggest night of fall fun!
Want to help? Message us or sign up at church this Sunday.
#TrunkOrTreatPrep #ChurchLife #VolunteerLove #CommunityFun

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⏳ 3. 7-Day Countdown

Image Idea: Countdown graphic: “7 Days Until Trunk or Treat!”
Caption:
The countdown is ON! ⏳ Just 7 more days until [Church Name]’s Trunk or Treat!
We’re ready for…
✔ Candy
✔ Costumes
✔ Crazy-fun trunks
✔ Community laughter

✅ FREE & open to everyone!
Tell your neighbors. Tell your coworkers. Tell your dog. 🐶
#7DayCountdown #TrunkOrTreat #FamilyOutreach #FallFestival

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🎉 4. Event Day Hype

Image Idea: Morning-of snapshot with final decorations or first guests arriving
Caption:
TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT! 🎃🚗
Join us at [Church Name] for the BEST Halloween event in town!
We’ve got trunks.
We’ve got treats.
We’ve got YOU covered for family fun!
📅 [Today’s Date] | 🕕 [Time]
📍 [Address]
Costumes welcome but not required. Come as you are!

Tag us in your photos!
#TrunkOrTreat #ChurchHalloween #SafeHalloween #FamilyFunNight #CommunityEvent

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📸 5. Post-Event Highlights

Image Idea: Carousel of photos: happy kids, decorated trunks, volunteers
Caption:
Still smiling from last night’s Trunk or Treat!
❤️ Thank you to every volunteer, trunk decorator, candy-giver, and family who made it such a fun and memorable night!
Want to see more photos? Head to our Stories! 📲
#ThankYou #ChurchFamily #HalloweenOutreach #TrunkOrTreatRecap

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📽 BONUS: Instagram Reel Idea

Video Clip: 5–10 second highlights of trunks being decorated, kids in costume, candy being handed out, and a big group shot
Caption for Reel:
Candy ✅
Costumes ✅
Community ✅
[Church Name]’s Trunk or Treat brought the fun! 🎉
🎃 Already counting down to next year!

TrunkOrTreat2025 #ReelFun #ChurchEvents #FallFamilyFun #JesusLovesHalloweenToo

Other Resources

Poster that you can put up in your church or around your community.  Feel free to download and change.  If you would like that done for you or you would like to have some printed, click on this link to have us create the PDF so you can print or print them for you.

Sample "Trunk or Treat Banner

Again feel free to download it, modify as needed.  If you would like us to modify or create the banner for you, click one of the two links.

Halloween Yard Signs

Fee free to download this yard sign and customize it or we can customize it with your information for $25 or you can order some to be printed by clicking this link.

 

Halloween Post Cards

If you are looking for postcards to hand out, we've created one you might like.  Feel free to download it and customize or if you prefer, we can customize as well as print.  More information is available here.

Step by Step instructions for boosting Facebook Post.

If you have never run an ad on Facebook, I have found them to be really effective, especially when trying to reach your local community.  The information below will give you step by step instructions on creating an ad.

🚀 Step-by-Step: How to Boost a Facebook Post

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STEP 1: Go to Your Facebook Page

• Log into Facebook and go to your church or event’s Page.

• Scroll to find the post you want to boost. This should be a clear, eye-catching post—ideally about your Trunk or Treat.

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STEP 2: Click the "Boost Post" Button

• Below the post, look for the blue button labeled “Boost Post.”

• Click it. This opens the ad creation screen.

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STEP 3: Choose a Goal

Facebook will ask:

“What’s your goal for this boost?”

Select:
✅ “Get more engagement” (likes, comments, shares)
OR
✅ “Get more website visitors” (if your post links to your church/event page)

For most Trunk or Treats, “Engagement” works best.

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STEP 4: Set Up Your Audience Targeting

Click “Create New Audience”
Now set the following:

🗺️ Location

• Click “Edit” next to location.

• Enter your city name or zip code (e.g. High Point, NC).

• Set a radius—try 10–20 miles around your church.

👨👩👧 Age

• Use sliders to select the age range.

• For family-friendly events like Trunk or Treat, try:
  ✅ Ages 24–55 (parents and grandparents)

🚻 Gender

• Choose All unless you have a reason to narrow it.

🎯 Detailed Targeting (Interests)

Click “Edit” under Detailed Targeting and choose interests such as:

• Parents (all)

• Christianity

• Church

• Local events

• Family activities

• Community events

✅ Tip: Keep it simple. Just 2–4 relevant interests is plenty.

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STEP 5: Set Your Budget and Duration

💵 Budget

• Start with $25–$50 total, spread over several days.

• Example: $5/day for 5–10 days.

Facebook will tell you approximately how many people will see your post at that budget.

📅 Duration

• Choose how long to run the ad.

• For best results: 7–10 days before the event.

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STEP 6: Select a Payment Method

• If it’s your first time, Facebook will prompt you to add a card or PayPal.

• Enter your info and click “Save.”

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STEP 7: Preview Your Ad

• Facebook will show you a preview.

• Make sure it looks right:

  • Date/time/location are correct

  • Image/video fits nicely

  • The post has a clear call to action like “Join us!”

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STEP 8: Click "Boost"

• When everything looks good, click the Boost Post button at the bottom.

• Facebook will review the ad (usually takes under 1 hour).

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🛠️ Tips After Boosting

• Check Performance: Go back to the post later and click “Ad Center” in the left sidebar to see:

  • How many people saw it

  • How many clicked or liked it

• Engage with Comments: Respond to any questions or comments on the post.

• Share it yourself from the Page to your personal profile, and ask others in the church to do the same.

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📌 Recap: What to Target for a Church Trunk or Treat

 

Memory Cross Gospel Tracts

If you want to give more than candy this year, consider handing out Memory Cross Gospel Tracts.  The unique design captures children's attention so much so they'll prefer to receive this Gospel tract more than candy.  Click this link or watch the video to learn more.