57 Top Outdoor Halloween Decoration Ideas for 2024

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Ready to transform your home into a spine-tingling spectacle this Halloween? In this guide, you’ll discover 57 top outdoor decoration ideas that bring spooky charm to your front door, porch, and backyard — perfect for creating a festive and eerie atmosphere. Let’s start with a hauntingly beautiful classic: the eerie black vine wreath, a stunning way to welcome trick-or-treaters with a touch of dark elegance.

Eerie Black Vine Wreath

Halloween wreath hanging on white front door — Credit:
Finding Lovely

A Halloween wreath is the perfect way to add a festive touch to your front door. This vine wreath uses black ribbon and black leafy branches to create an elegant and understated look.

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Halloween Door Mat

Halloween themed door mat with fall decor around it — Credit:
home.and.spirit / Instagram

Use a whimsical Halloween-themed door mat such as this one based on the beloved holiday movie to welcome guests. Layer the mat over a larger patterned rug or mat for emphasis and color contrast.

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Pink Boo! Pumpkin

Pink pumpkin with the word Boo written in white on it — Credit:
@luckyplot13 / Instagram

Pink may not be the quintessential Halloween color, but there are no rules when it comes to creativity! Spray paint a faux pumpkin pink, and either freehand or stencil on the word "boo!" in bright white paint for a cute decoration for your front door.

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Mason Jar Jack O'Lanterns

Orange and white lanterns on a staircase — Credit:
Erin Spain

Get crafty and make these adorable ghost and Jack O'Lantern decorations for your front steps with just a couple of supplies. You'll need mason jars, orange and white tissue paper, black paper, and Mod Podge, and a paintbrush, as well as flameless tea light candles to use the finished decorations.

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Scary Cob Web-Covered Doors

Front door decorated for Halloween — Credit:
@alexanderreneedesign / Instagram

Go all out and cover the front doors with cobwebs for a spooky effect. Add hanging ghosts, skulls, pumpkins, and other Halloween-themed decorations to complete the look.

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Spooky Glow-In-The-Dark Decor

Lanterns, lit up ball and pumpkins — Credit:
@alexanderreneedesign / Instagram

Glow-in-the-dark objects are a great way to bring your outdoor Halloween decor to life. Use lanterns and a glow-in-the-dark ball for a vignette by the front door. Use a glue gun to attach small plastic spiders and a white cobweb over the lanterns to emphasize the theme.

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Neighborhood Watch Skeleton

spooky front door skeleton — Credit:
Design by Emily Henderson / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

Sit a life-size skeleton in a chair for a simple outdoor decoration that'll make neighbors and people passing by smile every time they see it.

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Budget-friendly Spider Web Bushes

Bush covered with spider web decor — Credit:
Kinga Krzeminska / Getty Images

For an inexpensive but impactful large-scale decoration, cover bushes with cobwebs and add one or multiple spiders over the top.

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Pumpkin-lined Porch Stairs

Front porch decorated for fall with various Halloween decorations — Credit:
valentinrussanov / Getty Images

Go all out and line your steps with pumpkins, hang ghosts from the porch ceiling, and wrap the railing with garland. Stick bats on siding and spiders on columns for an extra festive Halloween look.

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DIY Cloth Ghost

White cloth ghost and two orange pumpkins in a backyard corner — Credit:
Shangarey / Getty Images

Make your own hanging ghost with a few inexpensive supplies. Use a foam ball for its head and cut out eyes and a mouth out of black felt. Stick them on, then attach pieces of cheesecloth to form the ghost's body. Use fishing line to hang the head and lift the arms to make it look like the ghost is flying.

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Paper Bats on Windows

Black bats stuck on a window — Credit:
Marina Andriichenko / Getty Images

Cut bats out of black cardstock and attach them to your windows using double-sided tape for an indoor and outdoor Halloween decoration. Use bats that are different shapes and sizes to make them look more realistic and to add dimension and contrast.

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Cute Frankenstein Painted Jugs

Jugs painted as Frankenstein and used to decorate backyard — Credit:
Citeswirl / Getty Images

Repurpose old empty jugs and canisters for a fun backyard Halloween DIY. Use waterproof paint in green, black, and white to create adorable Frankenstein faces, or get creative with other Halloween characters such as ghosts, Jack O’Lanterns, or the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus.

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DIY Orange and Black Spider Wreath

Orange wreath with black bow and spider — Credit:
Erin Spain

This adorable DIY Halloween wreath uses the classic color combination for a fun holiday look. Start with a round foam wreath and wrap it with orange ribbon, securing it with hot glue in the back. Attach a decorative black spider to the bottom and hang the wreath using black ribbon.

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Masked Painted Pumpkins

Painted white pumpkins on front porch steps — Credit:
Finding Lovely

For a simple and elegant Halloween craft, use waterproof black paint to add masks to white pumpkins to make them look like faces. Spray shellack over the top to add a glossy top coat and keep the paint from fading or coming off — and to deter squirrels from munching on them.

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Budget-friendly Paper Lanterns

Jack O'Lantern orange bags lighting up a walkway — Credit:
Vstock LLC / Getty Images

Line the walkway to your home with these adorable Halloween lanterns for a festive seasonal touch. All you need to recreate these are orange paper bags and a black marker to draw the faces. Place flameless tea light candles inside for a fun accent to your front yard.

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Halloween Phrase Throw Pillow

Trick or treat pillow on a wicker chair on a front porch — Credit:
Finding Lovely

Outdoor throw pillows are a great way to add a seasonal touch to your fall porch decor. Whether it’s a cute typography pillow such as this “trick or treat” one or a fun pop of Halloween color, they add texture and coziness and can be reused year after year.

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Red and Orange Skeleton Wreath

Orange and yellow flower wreath with skeleton in the middle — Credit:
@jcdesign1.1 / Instagram

If you already have a fall wreath hanging on your front door, instead of replacing it with a brand new Halloween wreath, add a skeleton or skull. Attach it with floral wire or a twisty tie, then remove it once Halloween is over so you can keep the wreath up through Thanksgiving.

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Spooky Black Lanterns

Front porch decorated with black lanterns, mums and pumpkins — Credit:
@styleitpretty / Instagram

Use black outdoor lanterns for a subtle spooky Halloween touch. They'll add visual depth and contrast while carrying the holiday color theme in an elegant way. Use orange mums and pumpkins to complete the look and give your home a festive feel.

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Skeleton and Pumpkin-filled Planters

Front door with Halloween decorated planters on either side — Credit:
Angela Auclair / Getty Images

Create height and make a statement by adding tall branches to planters flanking your front door. Not only will they frame your front door and draw focus to it, but they also provide lots of spots to tuck in Halloween decor. Hang mini skeletons, tie orange ribbons or leaves, and tuck in pumpkins to add a festive touch.

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Skeleton Wall Sconce

Small skeleton hanging off an outdoor lantern — Credit:
Zen Rial / Getty Images

For a subtle nod to Halloween, hang a mini skeleton off a wall sconce. The glow of the light at night will illuminate it and draw attention to it and add a whimsical touch to your home.

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Haunted Cob Web-Covered Florals

Front door decorated with cobwebs on mums, sculls and wreaths — Credit:
@alexanderreneedesign / Instagram

Cover mums, outdoor plants, and wreaths with cobwebs for a haunted house look. Stretch them out to create dimension and allow the bright colors of the mums to show through.

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Pumpkins on Hay Bales

Red barn with hay bales and halloween decor in front of it — Credit:
dkapp12 / Getty Images

Not only are hay bales synonymous with fall decor, they're a great way to add height by stacking and dimension by angling them. Accent hay bales with Halloween-themed decor in October and more neutral fall decor in September and November.

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Spooky Spider-covered Front Door

Big spider on red front door — Credit:
Hanneke Luijting / Getty Images

Wish guests a happy Halloween as soon as they come to your front door by adorning it with a giant spider. Attach it using command hooks or tying fishing line to each of the legs and securing it on the other side of the door.

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Eerie Halloween Warning Sign

Front yard with Halloween tomb stones, sign and cob web — Credit:
Susan Vineyard / Getty Images

Add a Halloween sign made from wood planks and painted with red paint. Go creepy with a sign like this "trespassers will be eaten" one, or go more kid-friendly with "boo" or " trick or treat!" Wrap cobwebs around the edges for an extra decorative touch.

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Frightening Face On Front Door

Front door with face on it and halloween decor on front porch — Credit:
Rawpixel / Getty Images

Tape a face cut out of black craft paper onto your front door for an understated, easy Halloween decoration. Laminate the paper if you plan on leaving it out for an extended period to protect it from the weather and add glow-in-the-dark stickers to make it visible in the dark.

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Lamp Post Wrapped in Pumpkin String Lights

Halloween lights wrapped around lamp post — Credit:
Vstock LLC / Getty Images

Wrap orange string lights around a lamp post, porch posts, or columns for an easy and inexpensive decoration that makes a big impact.

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Whimsical Hanging Witch Hats

Hang black witch hats off your porch ceiling for a charming touch of whimsy. If you use fishing line to hang them, they'll look like they're floating, creating such a magical scene.

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DIY Cobweb

Black twig and wire spider web with fall leaves on it — Credit:
Dana Hoff / Getty Images

Make your own spider web with four twigs, some wire, and black spray paint. Grab two twigs and secure them together in a cross shape using wire (add hot glue if necessary), then add the other two twigs in a criss-cross shape. Take some wire and begin looping it around the twigs starting in the middle and working your way out. Once you're done, spray paint the whole spider web back with spray paint. Add faux fall-colored leaves or a giant plastic spider and hang it on the door or fence.

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White Ghost on Banister

Front porch steps decorated for Halloween — Credit:
Seventy Four / Getty Images

Give your guests a ghoulish welcome with this DIY ghost hanging off the banister. You'll need a white bedsheet, a marker, and a round foam ball. Place the ball inside the center of the white bedsheet and secure it with spray or hot glue, then, draw the ghost's face using the black marker.

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Spooky Skeleton Planter

Planter with skull and hand sticking out of it — Credit:
Keith Getter / Getty Images

Give your planters the Halloween treatment by sticking a plastic skull or bony fingers into the soil for a spooky surprise.

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Cute Front Porch Ghosts

Decorations hanging off front porch — Credit:
arinahabich / Getty Images

Make porch ghosts with black hats and round green, orange, or purple tablecloths. Secure the tablecloth to the inside of the hat using hot glue, and add a face onto the fabric using cut-out felt shapes. Hang the hat with string or fishing line to create a cool floating effect.

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Hanging Jack O'Lantern Tins

Hanging tin cans painted as Jack O'Lanterns — Credit:
CatLane / Getty Images

Either purchase can-style lanterns with handles or get a regular empty can, wash it out well, and spray paint the exterior orange. Create a Jack O'Lantern stencil to spray paint the eyes, nose, and mouth black, or freehand the face onto the can using black paint. Add a flameless tea light inside to add illumination.

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Pumpkin Tic Tac Toe Table

Black table set up with pumpkin tic tac toe and hay bales around it — Credit:
Keith Getter / Getty Images

Assemble an outdoor Halloween-themed Tic Tac Toe game using a square outdoor table, masking tape, and small painted pumpkins. Create a grid on the table using masking tape and paint Xs and Os on pumpkins using black paint. Place them on the table so anyone walking by can play the game.

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Creepy Tree-hanging Ghost

Cloth ghost hanging on a tree — Credit:
Jamie Atlas / Getty Images

Hang a ghost made from a sheer white curtain and a foam ball off a tree branch for a simple but effective Halloween decoration. Use one or fill the whole tree, it'll look scary either way.

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Colorful Halloween String Lights

Front door decorated with wreath, colorful lights, mums and pumpkins — Credit:
svetikd / Getty Images

If you live in an apartment building and your "outdoor" area is a hallway, line your door with Halloween lights. These large bulb lights add a fun pop of color, frame the door, and are an easy way to add a touch of Halloween to an apartment hallway.

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Spooky Haunted Graveyard

Decorative Halloween graves on front lawn — Credit:
Dogora Sun / Getty Images

For a classic Halloween display, place different-sized and shaped foam graves around your yard. Add decorative fencing, cobwebs, and skulls here and there to fill empty grass patches and create a horror movie-worthy scene.

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Pretty Pastel Halloween

Pink front door decorated for Halloween — Credit:
@luckyplot13 / Instagram

Halloween doesn't have to be all orange, black, and purple — depart from the traditional color scheme and go with pastels accented by black for a fun twist.

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Cute Black Cat Painted Pumpkin

Orange pumpkin with black cat painted on it nestled into landscaping — Credit:
Grace Cary / Getty Images

Instead of carving a pumpkin, paint a black cat on it. Nestle it into your front lawn, tuck it into your backyard landscaping, or place it by the front door.

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Neutral Porch-lined Pumpkins

Front steps decorated with pumpkins and mums — Credit:
@kirsten.diane / Instagram

Neutral and muted tones can be just as lovely for Halloween as their bolder, brighter counterparts. Plus, typography is a fun way to add a statement. Paint the word "Boo" (or any other Halloween phrase) on a pumpkin and place it by the front door to greet your guests as they come in.

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Creepy Halloween Lanterns

Black Halloween lanterns on a wood table on a front porch — Credit:
Finding Lovely

Use black lanterns of different shapes and sizes to create an outdoor centerpiece. There's something creepy about a black lantern filled with spooky items such as a black tree, a crow, pumpkins, or skulls.

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DIY Ghost Vine Wreath

Halloween wreath with bow and ghosts on a front door — Credit:
Finding Lovely

A plain vine wreath is one of the most versatile holiday wreaths you could ever buy because you can embellish it with different seasonal accents for every holiday. For a more neutral, muted color Halloween wreath, use a burlap bow and attach small black bats and white ghosts to the wreath using hot glue or floral wire.

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Terrifying Spiders on House

Large spiders on a house facade — Credit:
Isabel Pavia / Getty Images

Oversized decorative spiders can be purchased online or in party stores and are a fun, exaggerated Halloween decoration for your home's facade. They come in sizes up to seven feet large and the easiest way to attach them is using large zip ties on window shutters, downspouts, siding, or door frames.

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Classic Jack O'Lanterns

Jack O'Lanterns lit up at night around an Adirondack chair — Credit:
Tanja Streuber / Getty Images

You can't go wrong with classic orange Jack O'Lantern pumpkins all lit up at night. This is as traditional as you can get for Halloween, and the nostalgia of carving a pumpkin is a fall must!

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Spooky Spider

Big spider decoration on garage facade — Credit:
Philippe Gerber / Getty Images

Continuing with the spider theme, attach a large spider to the facade of your home, garage, or in your yard. It'll make everyone do a double-take, especially when placed in an unexpected spot!

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DIY Bats on Porch

Front steps decorated with pumpkins, mums and bats — Credit:
Finding Lovely

If you need a last-minute Halloween decoration for your front door, paper bats are a great idea. You can easily cut them out of black paper, and then stick them on your door or windows using double-sided tape.

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Deadly Skulls on Fence

Halloween decor hanging on a black metal fence — Credit:
Kinga Krzeminska / Getty Images

Hang a garland made from plastic skulls on your fence and add orange and purple lights to illuminate them at night. Go a step further with "caution" and "danger" signs, white cheesecloth, and cobwebs for a full-on scary Halloween display.

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Jack O'Lantern-lined Steps

Create an overflowing display of Jack O'Lanterns on the steps leading to your front door for a bountiful Halloween look. Intersperse them with different types of pumpkins such as heirloom and Cinderella pumpkins to vary colors and shapes for more visual interest.

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Terrified Hanging Skeleton

hanging ghost in door way — Credit:
@s.u.s.a,p / Instagram

Sometimes, just one especially spooky decoration is the scariest, as this skeleton hanging on a front door proves. Hang it in the doorway and it'll sway in the wind at night for a truly frightening effect.

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Outdoor Halloween Vignette

Halloween vignette next to a black front door — Credit:
manonallard / Getty Images

Create a festive vignette by your front door using a large planter filled with fall plants, big pumpkins, and a wood box to use as a seat for a skeleton. It's a scary-meets-cute display that'll add the perfect fall and Halloween accent to the entrance to your home.

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Adorable Mini Bats

Front door with wreath, bats and fall decor in front of it — Credit:
@jcdesign1.1 / Instagram

Add lots of mini bats to your front door, windows, or garage door. Use as many or as few as you like, create a shape out of a grouping of them or scatter them around randomly.

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Fall-inspired Orange and Black Leaf Wreath

Black and orange leaf wreath on front door — Credit:
@wildrosecountryhome / Instagram

Go classic with a black and orange front door wreath inspired by autumn’s leaves and use orange mums and pumpkins to emphasize the color theme.

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Fun Graveyard Skeleton Setup

Skeleton and graves on a green lawn — Credit:
Kinga Krzeminska / Getty Images

Add pieces of a skeleton and foam tombstones for a fun and scary Halloween front yard. Instead of using a large number of pieces, only use a few, it'll make the display look more realistic.

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Elegant and Eerie Black Candles

Porch decorated with candles, pumpkins and mums — Credit:
@kirsten.diane / Instagram

If you’re hosting a Halloween party or any event this October, use black candles in brass candlesticks as an elegant yet eerie addition to your front door display or outdoor table centerpiece.

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Minimalist Halloween Centerpiece

Wreath with pumpkins and a mum and white pumpkin on a wood table — Credit:
Finding Lovely

Sometimes simple is best. Create a centerpiece out of a blooming potted mum and some pumpkins and place it inside a small wood crate instead of a tray for a rustic fall look.

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Bewitched Festive Front Porch

Front porch decorated for Halloween — Credit:
valentinrussanov / Getty Images

Add extra lights to your front porch to highlight all your Halloween decor. Use timers so you don't have to turn the lights off manually and place flameless candles inside pumpkins and lanterns so you don't need to worry about a fire hazard.

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Haunted Library Books

Spooky Halloween books — Credit:
The Idea Room

There's something haunting about a quiet library during Halloween. Whether you're a book lover or enjoy using texts and tomes in your decor, get creative with making your own spellbooks. Thrift some books, and gather tissue paper, paint, Halloween decorations from the craft store, and Mod Podge. Simply brush the front and back cover of the book with Mod Podge, layer on crumpled tissue paper, let it dry, and then get to decorating.

Tip

If the pages of your book are too white, boil black tea and stain them by brushing the edges with tea for a vintage, aged look.

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DIY Spooky Spider Balloons

DIY hanging spider balloons — Credit: Studio DIY

These black spider balloons are the perfect spooky touch to elevate your average party. Blow up black balloons in varying sizes and use black streamers or black pipe cleaners and gently tape them to the balloon. Hang the balloons from the ceiling or attach them to the wall with tape or fishing line for a fun take on the average balloon.

FAQ

How can I decorate my yard for Halloween on a budget?
You can visit your local dollar store or make your own decorations to keep your Halloween decor on a budget. Cobwebs, paper bats, spiders, and a simple DIY wreath are all low-cost options that will make for great spooky decorations.
What should I use to hang outdoor Halloween decorations?
Fishing line, zip ties, and Command hooks are all ideal ways to hang outdoor Halloween decorations. Fishing line is best for decorations that you want to appear invisible, and zip ties are strong enough to keep heavier, more cumbersome decor in its place.
When is the best time to decorate outside for Halloween?
The best time to decorate for Halloween is after the summer heat has passed and the fall season has begun. Some people decorate for fall and Halloween as early as September 1, so it depends on your preference and how much you enjoy the holiday.

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