Trick-or-treat times, the weather map, what Americans are spending, and why you will not see another Saturday Halloween until 2037.
Halloween 2026 is on Saturday, October 31, and that makes it a very special one. The last Saturday Halloween was in 2020. The next one will not come until 2037. So for millions of kids, this is the first "no school tomorrow" Halloween they can really remember.
There is a second surprise. A few hours after the candy runs out, at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, daylight saving time ends and the clocks fall back one hour. That means the spookiest night of the year is also the longest night of sleep. Here is everything you need to know before you put on your costume.
- 📅 Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
- 🗓️ Rare: first Saturday Halloween since 2020, next one in 2037
- ⏰ Bonus hour: clocks fall back at 2:00 a.m. Sunday, November 1
- 🌧️ Weather: rain risk in Texas and the Plains, nice and mild in much of the East
- 💰 Spending: a record $13.5 billion, about $115 per person (NRF)
Why a Saturday Halloween is a big deal
Halloween is always on October 31. Only the day of the week changes. Most years it lands on a school night, so kids rush home early and parents say "just a few more houses."
This year is different. There is no school on Sunday. Families can stay out longer and parties can go later. Many towns that normally move trick-or-treat to another day are keeping it on the 31st because it is already a weekend.
And if you miss this one, you will wait a long time. After 2026, the next Saturday Halloween is in 2037, eleven years from now.
What time does trick-or-treating start?
There is no national trick-or-treat time in the United States. Each city or town picks its own hours, and most start near sunset. Here are a few real examples for Saturday, October 31:
| Place | Trick-or-treat hours |
|---|---|
| Cleveland, Ohio (citywide) | 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. |
| Cedarburg, Wisconsin | 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. |
| Lake Villa, Illinois | 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. |
| Oak Creek, Wisconsin (citywide) | 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. |
| Rochester, Wisconsin | 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. |
Simple rule: check your city or village website today. Some towns, like Thiensville in Wisconsin, already held trick-or-treat earlier in the week.
Halloween 2026 weather: who needs an umbrella?
AccuWeather's latest outlook, updated on October 29, splits the country into a wet middle and a comfortable East:
From northern Florida up to New England and around the Great Lakes. Temperatures there should feel a few degrees warmer than normal for late October.
South and west Texas, with storms possible in cities like San Antonio, Houston and New Orleans. Spotty showers in the Rockies, Florida Peninsula, the Pacific Northwest, and even Los Angeles and San Diego.
Bring a jacket if you live in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, or eastern Washington and Oregon. AccuWeather says it could feel like the 30s and 40s there in the evening. Kids may need a warm layer under their costumes.
Forecasts can still shift, so look at your local forecast on Saturday afternoon before you head out.
The extra hour of sleep after Halloween night
This is the fun part almost nobody talks about. Daylight saving time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 1. At that moment, clocks go back to 1:00 a.m. So after a late Halloween party, you get one more hour in bed.
Your phone and computer will change by themselves. Old clocks, ovens and car clocks need to be changed by hand. Hawaii and most of Arizona do not change their clocks at all.
📖 Want all the details? Read our full guide: When Does Daylight Saving Time End in 2026? Clocks Fall Back on Sunday, November 1.
How much Americans are spending on Halloween 2026
The National Retail Federation (NRF) says Halloween spending is expected to reach a record $13.5 billion this year, up from $13.1 billion last year. About 74% of Americans plan to celebrate.
| Category | Expected spending |
|---|---|
| 🎭 Costumes (adults, kids and pets) | $4.4 billion |
| 🕸️ Decorations | $4.3 billion |
| 🍬 Candy | $4.1 billion |
| 🐶 Pet costumes alone | $920 million |
| 💌 Greeting cards | $0.8 billion |
Some fun numbers from the same survey: about 4.8 million adults plan to dress as witches and 4.2 million as vampires. The most popular pet costume is a pumpkin, followed by a hot dog. And almost half of shoppers (47%) said they used AI tools to help plan their costumes or decorations.
Candy is getting pricier too. Finder says an average 100-piece bag now costs about $16.96, up from $9.91 in 2021.
Quick safety tips for Saturday night
Because more families will be out this year, the streets will be busy. A few easy tips from the Farmers' Almanac:
- 🔦 Carry a flashlight and add reflective tape to costumes or candy bags.
- 🚸 Stay on sidewalks and cross at crosswalks. Watch for cars that are turning.
- 🎒 Keep kids' bags light. A grown-up can carry a bigger bag for the extra candy.
- 🩵 See a teal pumpkin? It means that house has non-food treats for kids with food allergies.
🎃 Still picking an outfit? Check our list of Google's top Halloween costumes of 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is Halloween 2026 on a Saturday?
Yes. Halloween 2026 is on Saturday, October 31. It is the first Saturday Halloween since 2020, and the next one will be in 2037.
What time does trick-or-treating start in 2026?
There is no national time. Each town sets its own hours, and most begin near sunset and end around 8 p.m. For example, Cleveland runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Check your city's website.
Do the clocks change on Halloween night 2026?
Yes, just after it. Daylight saving time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, when clocks fall back one hour. You get an extra hour of sleep.
Will it rain on Halloween 2026?
AccuWeather says rain and storms are most likely in south and west Texas and nearby areas, with spotty showers in the Rockies, Florida, the Northwest and Southern California. Much of the East, from northern Florida to New England, looks comfortable.
How much will Americans spend on Halloween 2026?
The NRF expects a record $13.5 billion, or about $115.14 per person. Costumes ($4.4 billion) are the biggest category, followed by decorations ($4.3 billion) and candy ($4.1 billion).
