Halloween USA 2026: Costume Trends, Ideas & Spending

There’s a moment every October when the neighbourhood changes. A skeleton appears on the porch two doors down. Someone’s lawn grows a graveyard. The supermarket aisles turn orange and black, and you realise you’ve already eaten half a bag of “emergency” fun-size candy.

Halloween in America is part history lesson, part costume party and part friendly competition over whose house looks spookiest. This year it also lands on a Saturday, which is about as good as the calendar gets. Here’s a full guide to where the holiday came from, how Americans celebrate it now, and how to enjoy it without losing your mind (or your budget).

Where Did Halloween Come From?

Halloween’s roots stretch back more than a thousand years, to the Celtic festival of Samhain in what’s now Ireland, Scotland and parts of Britain. It marked the end of the harvest and the start of the dark half of the year, and people believed the boundary between the living and the dead grew thin around that time. Bonfires and costumes were a way to keep wandering spirits at bay.

Later, the Christian calendar placed All Saints’ Day on November 1, and the evening before became known as All Hallows’ Eve. Over centuries, that name shrank into “Halloween.”

How It Became an American Tradition

Early colonial America wasn’t big on Halloween, particularly in the strict Puritan communities of New England. The holiday really took hold in the 19th century, when waves of Irish immigrants brought their customs across the Atlantic, including carving lanterns out of turnips. In the US, pumpkins were plentiful and much easier to carve, so the jack-o’-lantern we know today was born.

From there, the holiday slowly changed shape:

• Late 1800s: Halloween parties and harvest gatherings became popular.

• Early 1900s: Pranks and mischief became common enough that communities began organising safer, family-friendly events.

• 1920s and 1930s: Trick-or-treating started spreading as a way to channel the mischief into something sweeter.

• 1950s: The post-war baby boom turned Halloween into the child-centred holiday most Americans grew up with.

• Today: It’s a major retail and cultural event for all ages.

Halloween 2026 by the Numbers

Let’s look at what Americans actually plan to do this year. The numbers come from the NRF’s annual survey, conducted with Prosper Insights & Analytics and covering 7,889 consumers.

The money. Americans are expected to spend about $13.5 billion on Halloween this year. That’s up slightly from $13.1 billion in 2026. (One outlet reported a $13.6 billion figure, so you may see small differences depending on where you read it.)

The people. According to the same survey, about 74% of respondents plan to celebrate, spending around $115 each on average. wftv

The activities. Here’s what people say they’ll be doing:

Where the money goes. Spending is split almost evenly across three categories: about $4.4 billion on costumes, $4.3 billion on decorations and $4.1 billion on candy. wftv

The Candy Situation

Candy is still the one thing almost everyone buys: 96% of consumers plan to pick up sweets. But prices have crept up. One report notes that Halloween candy prices rose more than 78% between 2020 and 2025, and Bankrate economists estimate that a 2026 candy budget buys about 40% less candy by weight than it did in 2020.

If you’re hosting trick-or-treaters, that matters. Bigger bags, store coupons and early shopping can all help.

How People Are Shopping

The NRF says consumers are approaching the season with affordability in mind. About half plan to start shopping in September or earlier, with discount stores the top destination. Around a third will visit Halloween specialty stores, and roughly 27% will shop online.

Traditions That Define an American Halloween

Trick-or-Treating

The classic. Kids dress up, walk door to door and collect candy. It works best when it’s planned: porch lights on mean “come say hello,” and lights off usually means “we’re not participating.”

Since Halloween lands on a Saturday this year, there’s no school-night curfew, and many neighbourhoods may see more families out later. Also worth knowing: clocks go back an hour on Sunday, November 1, so there’s a little bonus time that night for anyone staying out late.

Pumpkin Carving

Carving is as popular as decorating, with 42% of celebrants planning to carve a pumpkin. A few tips from experience: wftv

• Carve a few days before Halloween, not weeks.

• Use a proper pumpkin carving kit instead of kitchen knives.

• Toast the seeds with a little salt and oil. They’re a snack and a reward.

• Use a battery-powered LED tea light instead of a real candle to avoid fire risks.

Decorating

Decorations have grown from simple cobwebs into elaborate displays. Giant skeletons, inflatable ghosts, fog machines, and full-yard haunted scenes are common now. The good news is that a few well-placed items usually look better than a cluttered yard.

Scary Movies and Haunted Attractions

About 42% of celebrants plan to watch scary movies, and many more will visit haunted houses, corn mazes and seasonal theme park events. If you’re taking kids, check age ratings and intensity warnings first. wftv

Parties and Community Events

Neighbourhood parties, school carnivals, trunk-or-treat events in parking lots and church or library gatherings are especially common. Trunk-or-treat is a particularly good option for younger children or neighbourhoods without much foot traffic, since it’s in one place, well lit and easy to supervise.

Halloween USA · 2026

Costumes That Bring Halloween to Life!

From superhero dreams to spooky classics and adorable pet outfits, discover the costume choices capturing attention this Halloween.

$2 Billion Expected adult costume spending

$1.5 Billion Expected children's costume spending

$920 Million Expected pet costume spending

Meet This Year's Costume Favourites

Explore the latest 2026 NRF survey results. Tap each card's details to discover the popular costume ideas for children, adults and pets.

Little Trick-or-Treaters

Kids' Costumes

Superheroes and magical characters are bringing imagination to Halloween celebrations.

Explore popular choices +

Spider-Man: 4.6 million children.

Superhero: 2.3 million.

Princess: 2.2 million.

Witch and ghost: 1.6 million each.

Classic Spooky Style

Adults' Costumes

Traditional Halloween characters remain popular, with spooky classics leading the way.

Explore popular choices +

Witch: 4.8 million adults.

Vampire: 4.2 million.

Batman: 2 million.

Spider-Man: 1.5 million.

Ghost: 1.4 million.

Four-Legged Friends

Pet Costumes

Pets are joining the fun with playful outfits that make Halloween photos extra memorable.

Explore popular choices +

Pumpkin: 11.6% of planned pet costumes.

Hot dog: 5.9%.

Ghost: 2.8%.

Choose lightweight outfits that allow pets to move, breathe and see comfortably. Never force a costume on an uncomfortable pet.

🎃 A fun Halloween fact
The 2026 NRF survey estimates total U.S. Halloween spending at $13.5 billion. Costumes remain a major part of the celebration, from children's favourite superheroes to traditional adult characters and pet outfits.

Source: National Retail Federation (NRF), 2026 Halloween Survey. Costume figures represent survey estimates and planned spending, not final sales. Images are illustrative and may not depict the exact costumes listed.

Costumes remain one of the biggest parts of the holiday. In 2026, the NRF expects $2 billion on adult costumes, $1.5 billion on children’s costumes, and $0.92 billion on pet costumes.

Here’s the honest bit: I couldn’t find a reliable published 2026 ranking, so these are the most recent NRF results I could verify, from 2026. They show how much classics dominate:

Per that survey, about 2.3 million children planned to dress as Spider-Man, and the pattern is that adults tend to stick with Halloween classics. For this year, one report says popular pet costumes include pumpkins, hot dogs and ghosts.

Costume Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank

• Reuse and remix. A witch hat plus a thrift-store dress beats a pricey one-time outfit.

• Swap with friends or neighbours. Kids grow fast, and costumes are barely worn.

• Go DIY. Cardboard boxes, face paint and old clothes can turn into robots, ghosts and mummies.

• Choose comfort. If you’re walking for hours, comfortable shoes beat accuracy.

• Keep it visible. Reflective tape or a glow stick helps at dusk.

• Mind the mask. Make sure kids can see and breathe easily. Face paint is often safer than a full mask.

Spooky Celebrations Across the USA

America has no shortage of Halloween destinations. Some well-known options include:

Crowds, ticket rules and dates change every year, so check each event’s official website for 2026 details before you travel.

Halloween Safety Tips Every Family Should Know

Halloween should be fun, not stressful. A few simple habits go a long way:

1. Plan your route and tell someone where you’re going.

2. Stay visible with reflective strips, flashlights or glow sticks.

3. Walk, don’t run, and use sidewalks and crosswalks.

4. Supervise younger children, and agree on a meeting point for older ones.

5. Check candy before eating, and keep allergens in mind. Teal pumpkin buckets and non-food treats can make things more inclusive.

6. Drive slowly in residential areas on Halloween night.

7. Keep pets calm and safe, since constant doorbells can stress them out. Chocolate is also dangerous for dogs.

Hosting Trick-or-Treaters: A Quick Checklist

• Buy candy early and in bulk.

• Turn on your porch light and clear the path.

• Keep a bowl of non-food treats like stickers for kids with allergies.

• Put pets in a separate room.

• Have extra batteries for lights and flashlights.

• Plan a time to switch off the porch light when you run out.

A Realistic Halloween Budget

With an average expected spend of around $115 per celebrant, it helps to decide your priorities early:

Final Thoughts

Halloween works because it asks very little and gives a lot back. You can spend thousands on a haunted yard or nothing at all on a bedsheet ghost, and it still counts. The best moments are usually small ones: a toddler’s first costume, the neighbour who goes all in on decorations, a quiet night of scary movies and popcorn.

This year, with a Saturday night, a bonus hour of sleep afterward and plenty of time left to prepare, it’s a good one to enjoy properly. Pick your costume, stock up on candy before the prices climb, and leave the porch light on for whoever comes knocking.

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