Halloween 2026 is on Saturday, October 31, 2026. It is always October 31. It is not a public holiday, so schools and offices stay open.
What day is Halloween 2026?
Halloween 2026 falls on a Saturday, the best possible day for it. Expect busier trick-or-treating that often starts a little earlier in the afternoon, plus lots of parties the same night. Some towns set official hours, so check your local website.
What time does trick-or-treating start?
Most US neighborhoods trick-or-treat from around 5:30 or 6:00 PM until 8:00 or 9:00 PM on October 31. Some towns set official hours, and a few move trick-or-treating to a weekend night when Halloween falls on a weekday. Check your city or town website a week before.
Halloween planning timeline
| Time left | What to do |
|---|---|
| 4–6 weeks | Choose costumes, especially if you're ordering online or making them yourself. |
| 3 weeks | Book pumpkin patch visits and haunted attractions; weekends sell out first. |
| 2 weeks | Buy decorations and send party invites. |
| 1 week | Buy candy (prices often rise near the date) and carve pumpkins no more than 3–5 days before, so they don't rot. |
| Day of | Charge flashlights, add reflective tape to dark costumes, and plan the route. |
Where Halloween comes from
Halloween grew from the Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest and the start of winter. People believed the boundary between the living and the dead was thin that night. Later, the Christian feast of All Saints' Day (All Hallows' Day) was set on November 1, and the evening before became All Hallows' Eve, later shortened to Halloween. Irish and Scottish immigrants brought many of the traditions to North America, where trick-or-treating became widespread in the 20th century.
What comes after Halloween?
Once Halloween is over, the holiday season moves fast. Diwali usually falls in late October or early November, Thanksgiving lands on the fourth Thursday of November, Black Friday follows the next day, and Christmas is less than eight weeks after Halloween. Many families start holiday shopping and travel plans the week after October 31.
Safety tips for trick-or-treat night
- Pick costumes that let kids see clearly; face paint is often safer than masks.
- Carry a flashlight or glow sticks and stay on sidewalks.
- Check candy at home before eating, and watch for allergens.
- Drivers should slow down in neighborhoods between 5 and 9 PM.
Halloween dates for upcoming years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, October 31, 2026 | Saturday |
| 2027 | Sunday, October 31, 2027 | Sunday |
| 2028 | Tuesday, October 31, 2028 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | Wednesday, October 31, 2029 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | Thursday, October 31, 2030 | Thursday |
| 2031 | Friday, October 31, 2031 | Friday |
How many days until Halloween from other dates?
Counting from the start of each date to the start of Halloween 2026 (Saturday, October 31, 2026):
| From | Date | Days until Halloween |
|---|---|---|
| 1st of October | Thursday, October 1, 2026 | 30 days (4 weeks, 2 days) |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 7, 2026 | 54 days (7 weeks, 5 days) |
| Fourth of July | Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 119 days (17 weeks) |
| Father's Day | Sunday, June 21, 2026 | 132 days (18 weeks, 6 days) |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 25, 2026 | 159 days (22 weeks, 5 days) |
| Mother's Day | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | 174 days (24 weeks, 6 days) |
| New Year's Day 2026 | Thursday, January 1, 2026 | 303 days (43 weeks, 2 days) |
Need a different start date? Count the days from any date to Halloween.
Halloween quick facts
- Halloween is always on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day on November 1.
- Jack-o'-lanterns were first carved from turnips in Ireland and Scotland; pumpkins took over in North America.
- Mexico's Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is celebrated on November 1 and 2, right after Halloween.
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Frequently asked questions
What day of the week is Halloween 2026?
Halloween 2026 falls on a Saturday, Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Is Halloween 2026 on a weekend?
Yes. Halloween 2026 falls on a Saturday.
Is Halloween a public holiday?
No. Halloween is not a federal or public holiday in the US, UK or Canada, so schools, banks and offices stay open.
When should I carve my pumpkin?
Carve pumpkins 3–5 days before Halloween. A carved pumpkin usually lasts about a week before it starts to rot, less in warm weather.
How many weekends are left before Halloween?
The countdown shows the number of Saturdays left before October 31, useful for planning pumpkin patch trips and parties.
How long until Halloween 2026?
Halloween 2026 is on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The live countdown at the top of this page shows exactly how much time is left in days, hours, minutes and seconds, updated every second in your local time zone.
How many weeks until Halloween?
The chip under the countdown shows the weeks and extra days left until Halloween. The number updates automatically each day, so it's always current.
When is Halloween 2027?
After 2026, the next Halloween is on Sunday, October 31, 2027. See the table on this page for more upcoming dates.
Does this Halloween countdown use my time zone?
Yes. The countdown runs to 12:00 AM on Halloween in the time zone set on your phone or computer, so the numbers are right wherever you are.
Sources
More countdowns like Halloween
Thanksgiving
November 26, 2026Diwali
November 8, 2026Black Friday
November 27, 2026Christmas
December 25, 2026Last reviewed: Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The countdown uses your device's clock and time zone. How we get our dates.