Halloween 2026 falls on Saturday, October 31, 2026. This marks the first time since 2020 that Halloween lands on a Saturday, creating a full weekend for parties, trick-or-treating, haunted attractions, and movie marathons. The Saturday timing is particularly notable because it won’t happen again until 2037.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Halloween 2026: the date and day, costume trends, decoration ideas, party planning, trick-or-treating guidance, movie recommendations, event categories, spending trends, and safety tips.
When Is Halloween 2026?
Halloween 2026 is Saturday, October 31, 2026. The holiday occurs annually on October 31, a tradition rooted in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian observance of All Hallows’ Eve.
| Halloween 2026 Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, October 31, 2026 |
| Day | Saturday |
| Month | October |
| Year | 2026 |
| Occasion | Halloween |
| Weekend | Yes |
Halloween is not a federal public holiday in the United States. The 2026 federal holiday schedule does not include October 31. Schools, businesses, and government offices do not automatically close for Halloween, though many communities organize local activities.
Is Halloween 2026 on a Saturday?
Yes. Halloween 2026 falls on Saturday, October 31. The last time Halloween fell on a Saturday was in 2020, and after 2026, it won’t occur on a Saturday again until 2037.
The Saturday timing creates opportunities for:
- Costume parties on Friday night, October 30, or Saturday, October 31
- Full-day family activities
- Trick-or-treating without school-night time constraints
- Weekend trips to haunted attractions and fall festivals
- Movie marathons and Halloween gatherings
Local event schedules, trick-or-treating hours, and attraction opening times vary by city and community.
Halloween 2026 Costume Ideas
Costume selection is one of the most anticipated parts of Halloween planning. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2026 survey, 50% of consumers plan to dress in costume this year.
Classic Halloween Costumes
Traditional costumes remain popular year after year:
- Witch
- Vampire
- Ghost
- Skeleton
- Zombie
- Black cat
- Pumpkin
- Devil
- Clown
Pop-Culture Costumes
The year’s biggest movies, TV shows, and music moments often inspire Halloween costumes. Variety’s 2026 costume guide highlights several pop-culture looks gaining attention:
- Nikki from “Obsession” — The horror hit’s red-and-black animal print halter, black bottoms, and gold jewelry
- Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Bushes — A group costume referencing the greenery from his Super Bowl halftime performance
- Athena and Odysseus from “The Odyssey” — Christopher Nolan’s film offers a couples costume with weathered linen and leather
- Doctors from “The Pitt” — Medical scrubs, ID badge, and stethoscope for a recognizable group look
- Dolly Parton — Big blonde hair, rhinestones, and fringe for a glamorous option
Yahoo Shopping’s 2026 trends list also identifies Miranda Priestly from “The Devil Wears Prada” (silver bob wig, purple dress, black faux-fur coat) and Rob & Maura from “The Traitors” (latex dress versus Dickies overalls) as notable costume inspirations.
Couples Costumes
Complementary pairings work well for couples:
- Classic movie or TV duos
- Themed pairings from current pop culture
- Funny or ironic combinations
- Spooky pairings like vampire and victim
Group Costumes
Group costumes work for families, friend groups, and office teams:
- Superhero squads
- Movie ensembles
- Themed decades
- Matching classic monsters
Last-Minute Costumes
Quick options requiring minimal preparation:
- Black cat (black clothing, ears, whiskers)
- Ghost (white sheet or clothing)
- “Sunday morning” (pajamas, messy hair, coffee cup)
- Athlete (jersey, sweatbands)
- Tourist (casual clothes, camera, map)
Popular Halloween Costumes in 2026
According to the NRF’s 2026 survey, popular costume choices include:
Children:
- Spider-Man (nearly 11% expected to dress as the character)
- Superheroes (general category)
- Princess
- Witch
- Ghost
Adults:
- Witch
- Vampire
- Batman
- Spider-Man
- Ghost
Pets:
- Pumpkin
- Hot dog
- Ghost
These rankings reflect survey responses and should not be interpreted as universal trends.
Halloween 2026 Decorations
According to the NRF, 42% of consumers plan to decorate their home or yard for Halloween 2026, with decorations accounting for an estimated $4.3 billion in spending.
Indoor Decorations
- Pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns
- LED candles and string lights
- Spider webs and faux cobwebs
- Skeleton figures
- Bat cutouts and window clings
- Themed table settings
Outdoor Decorations
- Carved pumpkins
- Yard displays with themed scenes
- Pathway lights
- Welcome signs
- Faux gravestones
- Themed entryways
Budget-Friendly Ideas
- DIY decorations using household items
- Reusable items that can be stored for future years
- Natural materials like pumpkins, gourds, and dried leaves
- Dollar-store finds combined with personal creativity
- Repurposing items from other seasons
Halloween 2026 Trick-or-Treating Guide
Trick-or-treating remains a central Halloween activity. The NRF reports that 61% of consumers plan to hand out candy this year.
Planning Tips
- Check local trick-or-treating hours (varies by community)
- Plan a route in familiar neighborhoods
- Ensure costumes are visible with reflective elements
- Accompany young children at all times
- Bring a flashlight or use phone lighting
- Respect neighborhood rules and posted signs
Candy Safety
- Inspect all treats before consumption
- Discard unwrapped or suspicious items
- Be aware of common allergens
- Consider non-food treats for children with dietary restrictions
- Check with parents before children eat candy
Trick-or-treating times are set by local communities and are not standardized nationally.
Halloween Candy Trends 2026
Candy remains the most popular Halloween purchase. According to the NRF’s 2026 survey, 96% of Halloween shoppers plan to buy candy, with expected spending of $4.1 billion.
Candy spending projections for 2026:
- Candy: $4.1 billion
- Decorations: $4.3 billion
- Costumes: $4.4 billion
- Greeting cards: $0.8 billion
Individual preferences vary widely. Households may want to plan quantities based on expected trick-or-treaters. Allergy-aware options and non-food treats can be helpful alternatives for children with dietary restrictions.
Halloween 2026 Party Ideas
Family Halloween Party
- Pumpkin decorating contest
- Costume parade
- Halloween-themed snacks
- Simple games (bobbing for apples, pin the hat on the witch)
- Family-friendly movie night
Adult Halloween Party
- Themed dress code
- Spooky decorations and lighting
- Music and dancing
- Halloween games
- Themed food and drinks (responsible consumption)
Kids’ Halloween Party
- Age-appropriate crafts
- Games like musical chairs or freeze dance
- Costume parade
- Candy stations
- Pumpkin painting
Halloween Movies to Watch in 2026
According to the NRF, 42% of consumers plan to watch scary movies during Halloween 2026.
Family-Friendly Halloween Movies
- Hocus Pocus (1993)
- Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)
- Hotel Transylvania series
Classic Horror
- The Thing (1982)
- Event Horizon (1997)
- Jeepers Creepers (2001)
Modern Horror
- The Substance (2025)
- Sinners (2025)
- Together (2025)
2026 Releases
- Resident Evil (2026) — in cinemas
- Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story (2026)
- Other Mommy — in cinemas October
Streaming availability varies. Paramount+ has added numerous horror titles for Halloween 2026, including full franchise collections of Scream, A Quiet Place, and Paranormal Activity.
Halloween Events and Haunted Attractions in 2026
Halloween events vary significantly by location. Common event categories include:
- Haunted houses
- Theme park Halloween events
- Halloween parades
- Pumpkin festivals
- Costume parties
- Family trick-or-treat events
- Horror conventions
- Halloween concerts
- Nightlife events
Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights 2026 runs for 49 select nights through November 1, featuring 10 haunted houses inspired by “Stranger Things 5,” “Sinners,” “Hellraiser,” and original stories.
Parc Astérix in France hosts “Peur sur le Parc” from October 3 to November 8, 2026, with new attractions including an outdoor immersive trail and 12 exclusive nighttime events.
Event dates, ticket prices, and age restrictions should be verified through official venue websites.
Halloween Spending 2026
According to the National Retail Federation’s 2026 survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics:
- Total expected spending: $13.5 billion
- Average per person: $115.14
- Percentage celebrating: 74%
- Early shoppers (September or earlier): 49%
These figures represent projected consumer spending based on survey responses, not final actual retail sales. The $13.5 billion figure maintains the strong spending level of 2025’s record $13.1 billion.
Consumers are approaching the season with affordability in mind. If prices are higher than expected, 31% say they will comparison shop, while 26% will look for coupons or sales. Another 34% plan to look for reusable items.
Halloween Shopping in 2026
Main shopping categories and projected spending:
- Costumes: $4.4 billion
- Decorations: $4.3 billion
- Candy: $4.1 billion
- Greeting cards: $0.8 billion
Discount stores (39%) remain the top destination for Halloween purchases, followed by specialty Halloween/costume stores (32%) and online retailers (27%).
Halloween and AI in 2026
Nearly half (47%) of consumers are using AI platforms and tools to support their Halloween shopping this year. Top use cases include:
- Brainstorming and coming up with ideas (34%)
- Asking for recommendations during product research (32%)
AI can assist with costume brainstorming, party themes, decoration inspiration, and menu planning. Product details, event information, and safety guidance should be independently verified.
Halloween Traditions and History
Halloween’s origins trace to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off spirits. The holiday evolved through Christian influences (All Hallows’ Eve) and was brought to North America by Irish and Scottish immigrants in the 19th century.
Modern Halloween traditions include costumes, trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, decorations, parties, and horror entertainment. These customs developed over time and continue to evolve.
Is Halloween a Public Holiday?
Halloween is not a federal public holiday in the United States. The 2026 federal holiday schedule does not include October 31. Schools, businesses, and government offices are not automatically closed.
Some schools and communities may organize Halloween activities or adjust schedules independently. In other countries, Halloween’s holiday status varies.
Halloween 2026 Safety Tips
Costume Safety
- Choose visible colors or add reflective tape
- Ensure costumes fit properly to prevent trips
- Use non-toxic makeup
- Test makeup on a small area first
Trick-or-Treating Safety
- Accompany young children
- Stay in familiar areas
- Use crosswalks and look both ways
- Carry a flashlight or phone
Pumpkin Carving Safety
- Use appropriate tools
- Carve on stable surfaces
- Supervise children
- Consider painting instead of carving for young children
Pet Safety
- Keep pets indoors
- Avoid feeding candy to pets
- Ensure costumes are comfortable if dressing pets
Halloween 2026 Planning Checklist
4–6 Weeks Before
- Choose costume
- Plan party or event attendance
- Check local event schedules
- Buy decorations
2–3 Weeks Before
- Finalize costume
- Purchase candy
- Prepare invitations
- Plan food and drinks
Halloween Week
- Check weather forecast
- Confirm event details
- Prepare decorations
- Charge devices
- Organize candy for distribution
Halloween Day
- Final costume check
- Safety review with children
- Trick-or-treating or party plans
- Enjoy the celebration
Halloween 2026 FAQs
When is Halloween 2026?
Saturday, October 31, 2026.
What day is Halloween 2026?
Saturday.
Is Halloween 2026 on a weekend?
Yes. It falls on Saturday.
When is Halloween night 2026?
Saturday night, October 31.
What are popular Halloween costumes in 2026?
According to the NRF survey, popular choices include Spider-Man and superheroes for children; witch, vampire, and Batman for adults; and pumpkin for pets.
What should I do for Halloween 2026?
Options include trick-or-treating, costume parties, pumpkin carving, movie marathons, local events, and haunted attractions.
Is Halloween a federal holiday?
No, Halloween is generally not a federal public holiday in the U.S.
How much will Americans spend on Halloween in 2026?
The NRF projects $13.5 billion in consumer spending.
When should I start Halloween shopping?
According to the NRF, 49% of consumers plan to start shopping in September or earlier.
What are common Halloween traditions?
Costumes, candy, trick-or-treating, decorations, pumpkins, parties, and scary movies.
Is Halloween celebrated outside the United States?
Yes. Halloween is observed in various forms in many countries, though customs differ.