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.
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.
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:
Local event schedules, trick-or-treating hours, and attraction opening times vary by city and community.
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.
Traditional costumes remain popular year after year:
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:
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.
Complementary pairings work well for couples:
Group costumes work for families, friend groups, and office teams:
Quick options requiring minimal preparation:
According to the NRF’s 2026 survey, popular costume choices include:
Children:
Adults:
Pets:
These rankings reflect survey responses and should not be interpreted as universal trends.
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.
Trick-or-treating remains a central Halloween activity. The NRF reports that 61% of consumers plan to hand out candy this year.
Trick-or-treating times are set by local communities and are not standardized nationally.
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:
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.
According to the NRF, 42% of consumers plan to watch scary movies during Halloween 2026.
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 vary significantly by location. Common event categories include:
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.
According to the National Retail Federation’s 2026 survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics:
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.
Main shopping categories and projected spending:
Discount stores (39%) remain the top destination for Halloween purchases, followed by specialty Halloween/costume stores (32%) and online retailers (27%).
Nearly half (47%) of consumers are using AI platforms and tools to support their Halloween shopping this year. Top use cases include:
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’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.
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.
Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Saturday.
Yes. It falls on Saturday.
Saturday night, October 31.
According to the NRF survey, popular choices include Spider-Man and superheroes for children; witch, vampire, and Batman for adults; and pumpkin for pets.
Options include trick-or-treating, costume parties, pumpkin carving, movie marathons, local events, and haunted attractions.
No, Halloween is generally not a federal public holiday in the U.S.
The NRF projects $13.5 billion in consumer spending.
According to the NRF, 49% of consumers plan to start shopping in September or earlier.
Costumes, candy, trick-or-treating, decorations, pumpkins, parties, and scary movies.
Yes. Halloween is observed in various forms in many countries, though customs differ.