Halloween 2026 falls on Saturday, 31 October, the first Saturday Halloween since 2020. That means a full evening of trick-or-treating, parties and spooky fun without a school night to worry about. Here is your quick guide to trick-or-treat hours, safety and what is trending this year.
What are the trick-or-treat hours?
There is no national trick-or-treat time. Hours are set by each town or city, and most places run for two to three hours around sunset. A common window is about 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. local time, but some communities start earlier or finish later. Check your city or town website, local police page or neighbourhood group for the exact hours where you live.
Also remember that clocks in the US go back one hour at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, 1 November, so everyone gets an extra hour of sleep after a late night.
Trick-or-treat safety tips
- Add reflective tape or glow sticks to costumes and carry a flashlight.
- Choose costumes that fit well and masks that do not block vision.
- Cross at corners and crosswalks, and walk rather than run between houses.
- Younger children should go with an adult.
- Check candy before eating and set aside anything that is unwrapped or looks tampered with.
- Drivers should slow down in residential areas, since the streets are full of children after dark.
Costume and spending trends
The National Retail Federation expects Americans to spend about $13.5 billion on Halloween in 2026, up from $13.1 billion last year. Costumes make up the biggest share at roughly $4.4 billion, including about $2 billion for adults, $1.5 billion for children and $920 million for pets. Popular children’s costumes include comic book characters and superheroes, princesses, witches and ghosts, while pumpkins, hot dogs and ghosts top the list for pets.
Candy is costing more as well: a 100-piece bag now averages around $17, up about 3.5% on last year, so a little planning goes a long way if you are handing out treats.
Halloween traditions
- Trick-or-treating: children dress up and go door to door for sweets, a custom that grew in popularity across North America in the 20th century.
- Jack-o’-lanterns: carved pumpkins descend from an Irish and Scottish tradition of carving turnips and other vegetables to keep spirits away.
- Costumes and parties: dressing up has its roots in old autumn festivals such as Samhain.
Spooky facts to share
- Halloween always falls on 31 October, the night before All Saints’ Day.
- Halloween is not a federal holiday in the United States, yet it is one of the biggest seasonal spending events of the year.
- This year’s Saturday date will not come around again until 2037.
Whether you are handing out candy or heading out in costume, stay safe, have fun and happy Halloween!
