Halloween 2026
Halloween 2026 is on Saturday, October 31, 2026 (in 19 days). It is celebrated every year on October 31 and is not a federal holiday.
- Date
- Saturday, October 31, 2026
- Countdown
- In 19 days
- Federal holiday
- No
- Date rule
- October 31 (fixed date)
- Possible dates
- Always October 31; only the weekday changes
- Next occurrence
- Sunday, October 31, 2027
Halloween dates by year
| Year | Date | Weekday | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | October 31, 2025 | Friday | 346 days ago |
| 2026 | October 31, 2026 | Saturday | in 19 days |
| 2027 | October 31, 2027 | Sunday | in 12 months |
| 2028 | October 31, 2028 | Tuesday | in 2 years |
| 2029 | October 31, 2029 | Wednesday | in 3 years |
| 2030 | October 31, 2030 | Thursday | in 4 years |
| 2031 | October 31, 2031 | Friday | in 5 years |
| 2032 | October 31, 2032 | Sunday | in 6 years |
| 2033 | October 31, 2033 | Monday | in 7 years |
| 2034 | October 31, 2034 | Tuesday | in 8 years |
Dates are calculated from the rule shown above, not copied from a list, so they stay correct for any year. See everything else happening that month in the calendar for October 2026.
The date of Halloween
Halloween is fixed on October 31, the evening before All Saints' Day, so only the weekday changes. It is not a federal or state holiday, and offices and schools stay open. Because daylight saving time ends on the first Sunday of November, the clocks always change after Halloween. In 2027 Halloween is on Sunday, October 31, 2027.
Where Halloween comes from
The name is a shortened form of "All Hallows' Eve". Many of its customs trace back to Samhain, an ancient Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season. Irish and Scottish immigrants brought the customs to the United States, and the waves of Irish immigration in the 1840s made Halloween popular. Carved lanterns were first made from turnips in Ireland, and pumpkins replaced them in America.
Trick-or-treating
Going door to door for treats became common in the United States in the 1930s. Many towns set official trick-or-treat hours, and some move them to the nearest weekend when October 31 falls on a school night, so check with your city or neighborhood.
How Americans celebrate
Costumes, carved pumpkins, decorated houses and candy are the main customs, along with haunted houses, corn mazes and costume parties for adults. The best-known public event is the Village Halloween Parade in New York City, which began in Greenwich Village in 1974. Salem, Massachusetts, the site of the 1692 witch trials, draws large crowds throughout October.
Halloween and the days after it
Halloween is the evening before All Saints' Day on November 1, a Christian feast, and All Souls' Day on November 2, when Catholics pray for the dead. In Mexico and in many Mexican American communities, Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) is held on November 1 and 2. It is a separate holiday with its own customs, in which families honor their deceased relatives.
Trick-or-treat tips
Trick-or-treating hours are set by each city, so check local rules. Police and fire departments publish safety advice every year: costumes should fit well and be easy to see in the dark, children should carry flashlights or wear reflective items, and families should check candy before it is eaten.
Frequently asked questions about Halloween
When is Halloween 2026?
Halloween 2026 is on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
When is Halloween 2027?
Halloween 2027 is on Sunday, October 31, 2027.
Is Halloween a federal holiday?
No. Halloween is not a federal or state holiday, and government offices, banks and schools are open unless October 31 falls on a weekend.
Is Halloween always on October 31?
Yes. The date is fixed, although some towns hold trick-or-treating on a different evening.
Why do the clocks change after Halloween?
Daylight saving time ends at 2:00 a.m. on the first Sunday of November, which can never be earlier than November 1.