When is Halloween?
Halloween is always October 31, so it can fall on any day of the week. Halloween 2026 is on Saturday, October 31, 2026. It is not a federal holiday: schools, banks and offices stay open unless it happens to fall on a weekend. The next Halloween on a Saturday or Sunday is Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Upcoming Halloween dates
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | October 31 | Saturday |
| 2027 | October 31 | Sunday |
| 2028 | October 31 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | October 31 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | October 31 | Thursday |
| 2031 | October 31 | Friday |
| 2032 | October 31 | Sunday |
| 2033 | October 31 | Monday |
Where Halloween comes from
Halloween's roots go back to Samhain, a Celtic festival held around November 1 that marked the end of the harvest and the start of winter. It was associated with the idea that the boundary between the living and the dead grew thin, and people lit bonfires and sometimes wore disguises.
The name is Christian. The church celebrates All Saints' Day, also called All Hallows, on November 1, and the evening before became All Hallows' Eve, shortened over time to Halloween. All Souls' Day follows on November 2. Irish and Scottish immigrants brought customs such as "guising" (going door to door in costume) and carved turnip lanterns to North America in the 1800s, where the native pumpkin proved much easier to carve. Trick-or-treating spread across American neighborhoods in the first half of the twentieth century and became the standard way to celebrate after World War II.
How Halloween is celebrated
In the U.S. Halloween means costumes, trick-or-treating, carved jack-o'-lanterns, haunted houses, horror movies and costume parties for adults. Many households decorate their yards and porches weeks in advance. Many towns set official trick-or-treat hours, and some schools and churches host "trunk-or-treat" events in parking lots. In Ireland, where many of the customs began, the October bank holiday falls on the last Monday of the month. Mexico's Día de Muertos on November 1 and 2 is often mentioned alongside Halloween, but it is a separate tradition that honors family members who have died.
Planning with the countdown
- Costumes: popular costumes and children's sizes sell out in the final weeks, and online orders need shipping time. Start shopping when the countdown is still above 30 days.
- Pumpkins: an uncarved pumpkin keeps for weeks, but a carved one starts to soften and mold within days. Buy early if you like, and carve in the last few days of the countdown.
- Candy and allergies: a teal pumpkin on your doorstep signals that you offer non-food treats, which helps children with food allergies join in.
- Safety: add reflective tape or a flashlight to dark costumes, make sure masks don't block vision, and check treats before children eat them.
Frequently asked questions
What day of the week is Halloween 2026?
Halloween 2026 falls on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Is Halloween a federal holiday?
No. Halloween is a widely celebrated tradition but not a public holiday, so schools and workplaces follow their normal schedule.
Why is Halloween on October 31?
It is the eve of All Saints’ Day (All Hallows) on November 1, which is where the name "All Hallows’ Eve," and later "Halloween," comes from.
What time does trick-or-treating start?
It varies by community. Trick-or-treating usually runs from late afternoon until about 8 or 9 p.m., and many cities publish official hours each year.
When is Halloween on a weekend next?
The next Halloween that falls on a Saturday or Sunday is Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Last updated: October 8, 2026